NEW DELHI: Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a performance for the ages, not only powering Royal Challengers Bengaluru to a crushing win over Delhi Capitals but also storming to the top of the Purple Cap standings in IPL 2026. His sensational spell of 3 for 5 in three overs marked his 20th three-wicket haul in the IPL, making him only the second pacer after Jasprit Bumrah to achieve the milestone.With this effort, Bhuvneshwar took his tally to 14 wickets from eight matches, drawing level with Chennai Super Kings’ Anshul Kamboj and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Eshan Malinga. However, his superior economy rate of 7.61 — compared to Kamboj’s 8.56 and Malinga’s 9.44 — helped him snatch the Purple Cap. Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer and Lucknow Super Giants’ Prince Yadav follow closely with 13 wickets each.
Latest IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings
| Rank | Player | Wickets | Matches | Overs | Econ. | Ave. |
| 1 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) | 14 | 8 | 31.0 | 7.61 | 16.85 |
| 2 | Anshul Kamboj (CSK) | 14 | 8 | 27.4 | 8.56 | 16.92 |
| 3 | Eshan Malinga (SRH) | 14 | 8 | 27.0 | 9.44 | 18.21 |
| 4 | Jofra Archer (RR) | 13 | 8 | 29.0 | 8.03 | 17.92 |
| 5 | Prince Yadav (LSG) | 13 | 8 | 30.0 | 8.06 | 18.61 |
| 6 | Kagiso Rabada (GT) | 13 | 8 | 31.0 | 9.48 | 22.61 |
| 7 | Prasidh Krishna (GT) | 12 | 7 | 26.0 | 10.34 | 22.41 |
| 8 | Ravi Bishnoi (RR) | 11 | 8 | 24.0 | 9.54 | 20.81 |
| 9 | Mohsin Khan (LSG) | 9 | 4 | 16.0 | 6.37 | 11.33 |
| 10 | Krunal Pandya (RCB) | 9 | 8 | 27.0 | 8.85 | 26.55 |
Powerplay carnage sets up emphatic winThe match itself was defined by a brutal new-ball spell as Bhuvneshwar and Josh Hazlewood combined to dismantle DC’s batting line-up. The hosts were left reeling at 13 for 6 in the powerplay, with Bhuvneshwar striking early by castling debutant Sahil Parakh and later removing Tristan Stubbs and skipper Axar Patel.Hazlewood complemented him perfectly, returning with figures of 4 for 12 as DC collapsed to 75 in 16.3 overs. Reflecting on his performance, Bhuvneshwar credited the conditions and early swing. “When the ball swings and you get a few wickets upfront, it makes it easier,” he said, adding that the team was slightly surprised by the assistance on offer but made the most of it. He also joked about not pushing for an extra over due to fatigue, saying he was “happy with three overs” considering the heat.Chasing a modest target, RCB completed the job with ease in just 6.3 overs. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal ensured there were no hiccups, with Kohli sealing the win in style with consecutive sixes.
