Kagiso Rabada ended IPL 2026 with the Purple Cap, finishing as the tournament’s leading wicket-taker despite Gujarat Titans falling short in the final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The South African fast bowler enjoyed another outstanding campaign, claiming 29 wickets in 17 matches at an economy rate of 9.68. While GT’s title hopes ended with a five-wicket defeat in Ahmedabad, Rabada’s consistency with the ball throughout the season ensured he finished atop the wicket-taking charts. The achievement marks the second Purple Cap of Rabada’s IPL career. He previously won the award in 2020 while representing Delhi Capitals, when he finished with 30 wickets. Rabada’s closest challenger was RCB veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who pushed him all the way until the final. Bhuvneshwar finished with 28 wickets in 16 matches and was instrumental in Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s successful title defence. While he narrowly missed out on the Purple Cap, Bhuvneshwar boasted the best economy rate among the top five wicket-takers at just 7.95 runs per over. His best figures of 4 for 23 highlighted a season in which he repeatedly provided crucial breakthroughs with the new ball and at the death. Rajasthan Royals speedster Jofra Archer completed the top three after another impressive campaign. Archer collected 25 wickets in 16 matches at an economy of 9.31, with best figures of 3 for 17. His pace and hostility remained one of RR’s biggest strengths throughout the tournament. Fourth place belonged to Gujarat Titans spinner Rashid Khan, who finished with 21 wickets in 17 matches at an economy of 9.08. Notably, Rashid was the only spinner among the top 10 wicket-takers this season, underlining his value in a tournament largely dominated by fast bowlers. Completing the top five was Chennai Super Kings pacer Anshul Kamboj. The young fast bowler emerged as one of the breakout performers of IPL 2026, taking 21 wickets in just 14 matches. Although his economy rate of 10.52 was the highest among the top five, his ability to strike regularly helped him finish level with Rashid on wickets.
IPL 2026 Purple Cap Standings
| Rank | Player | Team | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Best Figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kagiso Rabada | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 29 | 9.68 | 3/25 |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 16 | 28 | 7.95 | 4/23 |
| 3 | Jofra Archer | Rajasthan Royals | 16 | 25 | 9.31 | 3/17 |
| 4 | Rashid Khan | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 21 | 9.08 | 4/33 |
| 5 | Anshul Kamboj | Chennai Super Kings | 14 | 21 | 10.52 | 3/22 |
