{p}Bhuvneshwar Kumar of Royal Challengers Bengaluru holds the top spot in the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race after another consistent performance, having taken 21 wickets in 11 matches with an impressive economy rate of 7.47.{/p}
{p}Kagiso Rabada of Gujarat Titans is second, also with 21 wickets but from 12 matches and a slightly higher economy rate of 9.15. Anshul Kamboj of Chennai Super Kings is third, taking 19 wickets in 11 games at an economy of 9.20. Prince Yadav of Lucknow Super Giants (16 wickets from 11 matches) and Rashid Khan of Gujarat Titans (16 wickets from 12 matches) round out the top five, with economy rates of 8.17 and 8.18 respectively.{/p}
{p}The Purple Cap is awarded annually to the bowler with the most wickets in an IPL season. The current leader wears a purple cap during fielding, and the award is presented at the season-ending ceremony with a cash prize of INR 10 lakh. First awarded in 2008 to Sohail Tanvir (22 wickets for Rajasthan Royals), the cap has been claimed by bowling legends like Lasith Malinga, Dwayne Bravo, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammad Shami, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar—who remains the only player to win it in back‑to‑back seasons (2016, 2017 with Sunrisers Hyderabad).{/p}
{p}Only Dwayne Bravo and Harshal Patel have won the Purple Cap multiple times, with Patel achieving it for two different teams (Delhi Capitals in 2021 and Punjab Kings in 2024). Harshal also holds the single‑season record of 32 wickets (2021), while Kagiso Rabada is the only other bowler to take 30 or more in a season (30 wickets in 2020). The fewest wickets to win the cap is 21 by Pragyan Ojha in 2010. Among franchises, Sunrisers Hyderabad/Deccan Chargers and Chennai Super Kings lead with four Purple Caps each. Overseas players have won the cap 8 times, while Indian players have done so 10 times across 18 seasons.{/p}