Kagiso Rabada finished IPL 2026 as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker, claiming the Purple Cap as Gujarat Titans fell short in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The South African speedster produced yet another high-impact run, taking 29 wickets across 17 matches while maintaining an economy rate of 9.68. Despite GT’s title charge ending with a five-wicket defeat in Ahmedabad, Rabada’s ability to deliver consistently with the ball across the season ensured he topped the wickets charts. It also became the second Purple Cap of Rabada’s IPL career, following his earlier triumph in 2020 with Delhi Capitals when he amassed 30 wickets.
Purple Cap race: the leading wicket-takers
Rabada’s closest pursuer throughout the campaign was Royal Challengers Bengaluru pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar, a senior campaigner who stayed in contention right up to the final. Bhuvneshwar ended with 28 wickets from 16 matches and played a key role in RCB’s successful title defence. While he missed out on the Purple Cap, his economy rate stood out, with the best mark among the top five wicket-takers at 7.95 runs per over. His most telling spell came as 4 for 23, a figure that underlined how often he struck at crucial moments—whether with the new ball or in the late overs at the death.
Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer completed the top three after another productive season. Archer claimed 25 wickets in 16 appearances and finished with an economy rate of 9.31. His best bowling figures of 3 for 17 reflected his knack for creating pressure through pace, which remained a defining feature of RR’s bowling unit during the tournament.
Rashid Khan, representing Gujarat Titans, secured fourth place in the wicket tally. The spinner finished with 21 wickets from 17 matches, maintaining an economy rate of 9.08. A standout detail from the list was that Rashid was the only spinner to feature in the top 10 wicket-takers this season, highlighting how central pace bowling was to the wicket-taking trends in IPL 2026.
Rounding out the top five was Chennai Super Kings fast bowler Anshul Kamboj. The young seamer emerged as one of the breakout names of the season, collecting 21 wickets in just 14 matches. His economy rate of 10.52 was the highest among the top five, yet his regular wicket-taking ability allowed him to finish level on wickets with Rashid Khan.
IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings
- Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) — 17 matches, 29 wickets, economy 9.68; best figures 3/25.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (Royal Challengers Bengaluru) — 16 matches, 28 wickets, economy 7.95; best figures 4/23.
- Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals) — 16 matches, 25 wickets, economy 9.31; best figures 3/17.
- Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans) — 17 matches, 21 wickets, economy 9.08; best figures 4/33.
- Anshul Kamboj (Chennai Super Kings) — 14 matches, 21 wickets, economy 10.52; best figures 3/22.
