The IPL 2026 season is delivering high-voltage cricket action, and while batters continue smashing records, bowlers are proving that they can still dominate the shortest format of the game. One of the biggest individual honours for bowlers in the Indian Premier League is the Purple Cap, awarded to the player with the most wickets in a season.
As IPL 2026 moves deeper into the league stage, the race for the Purple Cap has become extremely competitive. Every match is changing the leaderboard, with pacers and spinners fighting hard to finish at the top.
Currently, Chennai Super Kings pacer Anshul Kamboj leads the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race after taking an impressive 14 wickets in just 7 matches.
In this article, check the latest IPL 2026 Purple Cap list, top wicket-taking bowlers, records, previous winners, and everything you need to know.
What is the Purple Cap in IPL?
The Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler who takes the highest number of wickets in an IPL season.
The leading wicket-taker wears the Purple Cap during matches until another bowler surpasses them in the wicket tally.
It was introduced in the inaugural IPL season in 2008, and since then, it has become one of the most prestigious awards for bowlers.
Purple Cap Rules
- Awarded to the bowler with the most wickets in a season
- Updated after every match
- If two bowlers have equal wickets, the better economy rate gets preference
- Final winner is decided after the IPL final match
IPL 2026 Purple Cap Leaderboard (Updated List)
Here’s the latest list of bowlers with the most wickets in IPL 2026:
| Rank | Player | Team | Wickets | Matches |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anshul Kamboj | CSK | 14 | 7 |
| 2 | Prince Yadav | LSG | 13 | 7 |
| 3 | Eshan Malinga | SRH | 12 | 7 |
| 4 | Prasidh Krishna | GT | 12 | 7 |
| 5 | Jofra Archer | RR | 11 | 7 |
| 6 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | 11 | 7 |
| 7 | Ravi Bishnoi | RR | 11 | 7 |
| 8 | Kagiso Rabada | GT | 10 | 7 |
| 9 | Jamie Overton | CSK | 9 | 6 |
| 10 | Harsh Dubey | SRH | 8 | 6 |
This list changes after every IPL match.
Anshul Kamboj Leads Purple Cap Race
One of the biggest surprises of IPL 2026 has been the outstanding performance of Anshul Kamboj for Chennai Super Kings.
The young fast bowler has taken 14 wickets in 7 matches, making him the highest wicket-taker of the season so far.
Why Anshul Kamboj is dominating
- Excellent death-over bowling
- Consistent line and length
- Ability to take wickets in powerplay overs
- Calm under pressure situations
CSK fans are hoping he continues his brilliant form throughout the tournament.
Best Bowling Figures in IPL 2026
The best bowling performance in IPL 2026 so far belongs to Akeal Hosein of Chennai Super Kings.
Match Performance
4 wickets for 17 runs
Opponent: Mumbai Indians
Venue: Wankhede Stadium
His spell completely changed the match and remains one of the best bowling displays this season.
Top Bowlers to Watch in IPL 2026
1. Prince Yadav (LSG)
With 13 wickets, Prince Yadav is just one wicket behind the leader and remains a strong contender.
2. Prasidh Krishna (GT)
Last season’s Purple Cap winner is again showing incredible consistency.
3. Jofra Archer (RR)
Known for his pace and deadly yorkers, Archer can quickly climb the rankings.
4. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB)
The experienced Indian pacer remains one of the smartest bowlers in IPL history.
5. Kagiso Rabada (GT)
Rabada’s aggressive pace attack makes him dangerous in every match.
Complete IPL Purple Cap Winners List (2008-2025)
| Year | Player | Team | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | Sohail Tanvir | RR | 22 |
| 2009 | RP Singh | Deccan Chargers | 23 |
| 2010 | Pragyan Ojha | Deccan Chargers | 21 |
| 2011 | Lasith Malinga | MI | 28 |
| 2012 | Morne Morkel | DD | 25 |
| 2013 | Dwayne Bravo | CSK | 32 |
| 2014 | Mohit Sharma | CSK | 23 |
| 2015 | Dwayne Bravo | CSK | 26 |
| 2016 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | SRH | 23 |
| 2017 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | SRH | 26 |
| 2018 | Andrew Tye | PBKS | 24 |
| 2019 | Imran Tahir | CSK | 26 |
| 2020 | Kagiso Rabada | DC | 30 |
| 2021 | Harshal Patel | RCB | 32 |
| 2022 | Yuzvendra Chahal | RR | 27 |
| 2023 | Mohammed Shami | GT | 28 |
| 2024 | Harshal Patel | PBKS | 24 |
| 2025 | Prasidh Krishna | GT | 25 |
Most Wickets in a Single IPL Season
Two bowlers share the record for most wickets in one IPL season:
Dwayne Bravo (2013)
- 32 wickets
- Chennai Super Kings
Harshal Patel (2021)
- 32 wickets
- Royal Challengers Bengaluru
This remains the highest wicket tally ever recorded in IPL history.
Bowlers Who Won Purple Cap Multiple Times
Only three bowlers have won the Purple Cap more than once:
- Dwayne Bravo - 2 times
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar - 2 times
- Harshal Patel - 2 times
Bhuvneshwar Kumar remains the only bowler to win the Purple Cap in consecutive seasons.
Bowlers Who Won IPL Trophy + Purple Cap in Same Season
Only three players achieved this rare milestone:
- Sohail Tanvir (2008) - Rajasthan Royals
- RP Singh (2009) - Deccan Chargers
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2016) - Sunrisers Hyderabad
This shows how valuable match-winning bowlers are in championship campaigns.
Indian Bowlers vs Overseas Bowlers
Across IPL history:
- Indian bowlers have won Purple Cap 10 times
- South African bowlers have won it 3 times
- Overseas bowlers continue to remain strong competitors
Indian fast bowlers have significantly improved over the years.
Can Anshul Kamboj Win IPL 2026 Purple Cap?
Anshul Kamboj currently leads the race, but competition remains intense.
Players like:
- Prince Yadav
- Prasidh Krishna
- Jofra Archer
- Kagiso Rabada
- Ravi Bishnoi
are all capable of overtaking him in upcoming matches.
The race is expected to remain exciting till the final stages of IPL 2026.
Final Thoughts
The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race is becoming one of the biggest talking points of the season. While batters often dominate headlines, bowlers like Anshul Kamboj, Prince Yadav, and Prasidh Krishna are proving that wickets win matches.
Fans can expect plenty of changes in the leaderboard as the tournament progresses.
Stay tuned for more IPL 2026 updates.
FAQs
Who is leading the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race?
Anshul Kamboj leads with 14 wickets in 7 matches.
Who has the best bowling figures in IPL 2026?
Akeal Hosein has the best figures of 4/17.
Who won Purple Cap in IPL 2025?
Prasidh Krishna won it with 25 wickets.
Who has the most wickets in a single IPL season?
Dwayne Bravo and Harshal Patel jointly hold the record with 32 wickets.
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