The race for the Purple Cap in IPL 2026 was decided on the last ball Kagiso Rabada bowled in the final. He entered the title match level with Bhuvneshwar Kumar on 28 wickets. One wicket in the second innings settled it. That is how close this season’s bowling contest went.
This post gives you the full list of the most wickets in IPL 2026, updated after the final on May 31, 2026. You will find every top bowler’s tally, average, economy rate, best figures, and team. You will also find a breakdown of who led the race at each stage and what made this Purple Cap battle one of the tightest in IPL history.
Key takeaways
- Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) won the IPL 2026 Purple Cap with 29 wickets in 17 matches at an economy of 9.68.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) finished second with 28 wickets in 16 matches and recorded the best economy rate among the top five at 7.95.
- Jofra Archer (Rajasthan Royals) claimed third place with 25 wickets in 16 matches.
- The most wickets in the IPL 2026 race were decided during the final, with Rabada overtaking Bhuvneshwar in the second innings.
- Rashid Khan was the only spinner in the top 10 wicket-takers, finishing with 21 wickets.
IPL 2026 Purple Cap winner: Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada finished IPL 2026 as the leading wicket-taker with 29 wickets in 17 matches. His average of 21.59 and economy rate of 9.68 reflected a bowler who struck regularly across all phases of the innings. His best figures this season were 3/25, and he picked up five three-wicket hauls without a single fifer.
What made his campaign stand out was the way he sealed the Purple Cap during the final itself.
- Rabada entered the IPL 2026 final level with Bhuvneshwar Kumar at 28 wickets apiece.
- In the second innings, he dismissed Devdutt Padikkal on the first ball of the sixth over to move to 29 wickets.
- That single wicket settled the Purple Cap race in his favour.
- Bhuvneshwar took 2/29 in the same match but finished one wicket behind.
Rabada became the fourth bowler in IPL history to win the Purple Cap more than once. He first won it in 2020 while playing for Delhi Capitals, where he finished with 30 wickets. He now joins Dwayne Bravo (2013, 2015), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2016, 2017), and Harshal Patel (2021, 2024) in that group.
How Rabada’s IPL 2026 compares to his 2020 Purple Cap season
| Stat | IPL 2020 (Delhi Capitals) | IPL 2026 (Gujarat Titans) |
| Matches | 17 | 17 |
| Wickets | 30 | 29 |
| Average | 18.26 | 21.59 |
| Economy rate | 8.34 | 9.68 |
| Best figures | 4/24 | 3/25 |
| Team result | Runner-up | Runner-up |
One pattern stands out in both seasons. Rabada’s team reached the final but lost. In 2020, the Delhi Capitals fell to the Mumbai Indians. In 2026, the Gujarat Titans lost to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru by five wickets.
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Most wickets in IPL 2026: top 15 bowlers
This table covers the final standings of the IPL 2026 Purple Cap leaderboard after all 74 matches, including the final on May 31.
| Rank | Bowler | Team | Mat | Overs | Runs | Wkts | Avg | Econ | Best |
| 1 | Kagiso Rabada | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 64.4 | 626 | 29 | 21.59 | 9.68 | 3/25 |
| 2 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 16 | 63 | 501 | 28 | 17.89 | 7.95 | 4/23 |
| 3 | Jofra Archer | Rajasthan Royals | 16 | 60 | 559 | 25 | 22.36 | 9.32 | 3/17 |
| 4 | Rashid Khan | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 56.5 | 516 | 21 | 24.57 | 9.08 | 4/33 |
| 5 | Anshul Kamboj | Chennai Super Kings | 14 | 50.2 | 530 | 21 | 25.24 | 10.53 | 3/22 |
| 6 | Eshan Malinga | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 15 | 54.2 | 507 | 20 | 25.35 | 9.33 | 4/32 |
| 7 | Mohammed Siraj | Gujarat Titans | 17 | 62 | 562 | 19 | 29.58 | 9.06 | 3/26 |
| 8 | Rasikh Salam | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 12 | 42.5 | 405 | 19 | 21.32 | 9.46 | 4/24 |
| 9 | Kartik Tyagi | Kolkata Knight Riders | 13 | 51 | 498 | 18 | 27.67 | 9.76 | 3/22 |
| 10 | Jason Holder | Gujarat Titans | 11 | 38.2 | 290 | 17 | 17.06 | 7.57 | 4/24 |
| 11 | Prince Yadav | Lucknow Super Giants | 14 | 52 | 459 | 16 | 28.69 | 8.83 | 3/32 |
| 12 | Prasidh Krishna | Gujarat Titans | 12 | 39 | 407 | 16 | 25.44 | 10.44 | 4/28 |
| 13 | Sunil Narine | Kolkata Knight Riders | 13 | 51 | 339 | 15 | 22.60 | 6.65 | 2/26 |
| 14 | Sakib Hussain | Sunrisers Hyderabad | 11 | 42 | 397 | 15 | 26.47 | 9.45 | 4/24 |
| 15 | Josh Hazlewood | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | 13 | 51.3 | 494 | 15 | 32.93 | 9.59 | 4/12 |
The Gujarat Titans placed four bowlers in the top 12, making them the most represented team on this list. Rabada, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Jason Holder all featured for the same franchise. RCB followed with three bowlers: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam, and Josh Hazlewood.
Top 5 IPL 2026 wicket-takers: a closer look
The top 5 bowlers on the most wickets in IPL 2026 chart each brought a different skill set to the table. Pace dominated the top three spots. A leg spinner held the fourth. And a young Indian seamer broke into the top five in only his second full IPL season.
- Kagiso Rabada (29 wickets): Hit hard lengths consistently. Took wickets across all phases, from powerplay to death overs. Five three-wicket hauls.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (28 wickets): Best economy rate among the top five at 7.95. His 4/23 was one of the standout spells of the tournament. He also produced 3/5 in the Qualifier 1 match against GT.
- Jofra Archer (25 wickets): Bowled express pace for Rajasthan Royals and regularly clocked above 150 km/h. His 3/17 remains one of the most restrictive spells this season.
- Rashid Khan (21 wickets): The only spinner in the top 10. He bowled 56.5 overs at an economy of 9.08 and picked up 4/33 as his best figures.
- Anshul Kamboj (21 wickets): CSK's breakout performer. Took 21 wickets in 14 matches but carried a higher economy of 10.53 compared to the others in the top five.
The numbers tell a clear story. Pace ruled IPL 2026. Only one spinner, Rashid Khan, finished in the top 10 for most wickets in IPL 2026. This was a season shaped by fast bowlers who hit the hard lengths and used the new ball well.
Also read: Most runs in IPL 2026
Who had the best economy rate among the leading wicket-takers?
Among all bowlers with 15 or more wickets this season, Sunil Narine recorded the best economy rate at 6.65 runs per over. He bowled 51 overs across 13 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders and took 15 wickets. His control and variation made him one of the toughest bowlers to score against, even though his total wicket count placed him 13th on the list.
Jason Holder came next with an economy of 7.57 in 11 matches. Bhuvneshwar Kumar rounded out the top three most economical bowlers at 7.95.
How the Purple Cap race changed through IPL 2026
The IPL 2026 Purple Cap did not stay with one bowler for long. The lead changed hands multiple times during the league stage and playoffs.
- March 28: Prasidh Krishna (GT) led the early charts with 3 wickets after the opening round.
- April 4: Ravi Bishnoi (RR) took over with 7 wickets.
- April 10: Eshan Malinga (SRH) moved to the top with 10 wickets.
- April 21: Prince Yadav (LSG) grabbed the Purple Cap with 13 wickets.
- April 23: Anshul Kamboj (CSK) reclaimed the lead with 14 wickets following a big win over Mumbai Indians.
- Late April onwards: Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Kagiso Rabada began their climb, and the race became a two-horse contest by the end of May.
- May 31 (Final): Rabada moved past Bhuvneshwar to finish with 29 wickets and secure the Purple Cap.
This was only the second time in IPL history that the Purple Cap was decided during the final itself. The fact that Rabada and Bhuvneshwar entered the title match on equal wickets made it one of the most dramatic finishes to a bowling award race the tournament has ever seen.
Did any bowler hold the Purple Cap for the longest stretch?
Anshul Kamboj held the Purple Cap for the longest continuous stretch during the league stage. He first took the lead on April 23 and held it for roughly two weeks before Bhuvneshwar Kumar overtook him in early May. Kamboj's early season burst of wickets for CSK put him ahead before the bigger names gained momentum.
Best bowling figures in IPL 2026
While total wickets decided the Purple Cap, some individual spells stood out for their match-turning quality.
- Josh Hazlewood (RCB): 4/12 against Delhi Capitals. Hazlewood and Bhuvneshwar Kumar combined to bowl out DC for 75, one of the lowest totals in IPL history. DC were reduced to 13/6 in the powerplay during that match, the lowest powerplay score in a full IPL game.
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB): 4/23 against Gujarat Titans. A masterclass in new ball and death bowling during the league stage.
- Rasikh Salam (RCB): 4/24 in 12 matches. The young seamer was a consistent wicket-taker and played a big role in RCB's title defence with 3/27 in the final.
- Jason Holder (GT): 4/24 in just 11 matches. Holder's average of 17.06 was the best among all bowlers with 15 or more wickets this season.
Worth noting: Mohsin Khan of Lucknow Super Giants registered the best single match figures of the entire tournament with 5/23 against Kolkata Knight Riders at Ekana Cricket Stadium. It was the standout five-wicket haul of IPL 2026.
Gujarat Titans' bowling attack in IPL 2026
The Gujarat Titans were the most well-represented team on the IPL 2026 bowling charts, with four bowlers in the top 12. Their pace and spin combination gave them the firepower to reach the final.
- Kagiso Rabada: 29 wickets (Purple Cap winner)
- Rashid Khan: 21 wickets (only spinner in the top 10)
- Mohammed Siraj: 19 wickets across 17 matches
- Jason Holder: 17 wickets at the best average (17.06) among all top 15 bowlers
- Prasidh Krishna: 16 wickets in 12 matches
Despite losing the final to RCB by five wickets, GT's bowling unit was the most productive across the season. Their total of 102 wickets from these five bowlers alone is the highest combined tally from a single franchise's top five bowlers in IPL 2026.
How did RCB's bowling trio perform?
Royal Challengers Bengaluru placed three bowlers in the top 15: Bhuvneshwar Kumar (28), Rasikh Salam (19), and Josh Hazlewood (15). Together, they took 62 wickets and formed the core of a defence that won RCB their second consecutive IPL title. Bhuvneshwar's economy of 7.95 and Hazlewood's spell of 4/12 against DC were the defining moments of their bowling campaign.
What the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race tells us
Kagiso Rabada's 29 wickets sealed the Purple Cap in the most direct way possible: on the biggest stage, during the final, with the contest level. Bhuvneshwar Kumar pushed him all the way with 28 wickets and the best economy rate among the top bowlers. Jofra Archer rounded out a top three that was defined by pace, accuracy, and pressure.
The season also confirmed a broader pattern. Fast bowlers dominated the IPL 2026 wicket charts. Only one spinner, Rashid Khan, finished in the top 10. And Gujarat Titans, despite losing the final, produced the strongest bowling squad of the tournament with four bowlers in the top 12.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Purple Cap in IPL 2026?
Kagiso Rabada of Gujarat Titans won the Purple Cap in IPL 2026. He finished the season with 29 wickets in 17 matches at an average of 21.59 and an economy rate of 9.68. This was his second Purple Cap after winning it in 2020 for Delhi Capitals.
How many wickets did Bhuvneshwar Kumar take in IPL 2026?
Bhuvneshwar Kumar took 28 wickets in 16 matches for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. He finished second on the list of most wickets in IPL 2026. His economy rate of 7.95 was the best among the top five wicket-takers this season.
Who are the top five wicket-takers in IPL 2026?
The top five wicket-takers in IPL 2026 are Kagiso Rabada (29), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (28), Jofra Archer (25), Rashid Khan (21), and Anshul Kamboj (21). Pace bowlers dominated the top three positions, with Rashid Khan the only spinner in the top 10.
Has Kagiso Rabada won the Purple Cap before?
Yes. Rabada first won the Purple Cap in IPL 2020 while playing for Delhi Capitals. He took 30 wickets that season. In 2026, he claimed his second Purple Cap with 29 wickets for Gujarat Titans, joining Dwayne Bravo, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and Harshal Patel as multiple-time winners.
Which bowler had the best economy rate in IPL 2026?
Among bowlers with 15 or more wickets, Sunil Narine had the best economy rate in IPL 2026 at 6.65 runs per over. He took 15 wickets in 13 matches for Kolkata Knight Riders. Jason Holder (7.57) and Bhuvneshwar Kumar (7.95) were the next most economical.
What were the best bowling figures in IPL 2026?
Mohsin Khan of Lucknow Super Giants registered the best single-match figures with 5/23 against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Josh Hazlewood's 4/12 for RCB against Delhi Capitals was another standout spell and helped bowl DC out for just 75.
Which team had the most bowlers in the IPL 2026 Purple Cap top 15?
Gujarat Titans had four bowlers in the top 15: Kagiso Rabada (29 wickets), Rashid Khan (21), Mohammed Siraj (19), and Jason Holder (17). RCB followed with three bowlers. GT's bowling depth played a major role in their run to the final.
Was the IPL 2026 Purple Cap decided in the final?
Yes. Rabada and Bhuvneshwar Kumar entered the final on May 31 tied at 28 wickets each. Rabada dismissed Devdutt Padikkal in the second innings to move to 29 wickets and clinch the Purple Cap. It was one of the closest finishes to a Purple Cap race in IPL history.
Who holds the record for most wickets in a single IPL season?
Dwayne Bravo (2013) and Harshal Patel (2021) jointly hold the record with 32 wickets each in a single IPL season. Rabada's 29 in 2026 places him among the top 10 single-season tallies in IPL history.
Disclaimer
This blog post is published for informational and educational purposes only. All statistics, records, and match details mentioned in this article have been sourced from publicly available platforms, including ESPNcricinfo and IPLT20.com, as of June 2026. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, CricHeroes does not guarantee the completeness or correctness of all figures, as official records may be updated or revised after publication. CricHeroes is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or officially connected to the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), or any IPL franchise mentioned in this article. All team names, player names, and tournament references are the property of their respective owners and are used here solely for informational context. The views and opinions expressed in this post are those of the CricHeroes editorial team and do not represent the official position of any cricket board, franchise, or player. Readers are encouraged to verify key stats with official sources before citing them. For corrections or feedback, please contact the CricHeroes editorial team.
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