Purple Cap
TATA IPL 2026 Purple Cap Race
In a tournament dominated by aggressive batting and massive powerplay scores, the bowlers have had to reinvent themselves. As we stand on May 24, 2026, the race for the Purple Cap highlights the tactical geniuses who have successfully outsmarted the best batters in the world.
CURRENT PURPLE CAP HOLDER
The Master of the Yorkers
Jasprit Bumrah
24
6.85
MI
The Purple Cap is awarded to the leading wicket-taker of the IPL season. Despite the Mumbai Indians having a difficult campaign and being eliminated early, Jasprit Bumrah has been a lone warrior, consistently dismantling opposition line-ups. However, with MI out of the tournament, the pursuing bowlers who have qualified for the Playoffs have a golden opportunity to surpass his tally.
Top 10 Wicket Takers – IPL 2026 Standings
Here is the updated list of the top 10 highest wicket-takers of the IPL 2026 season. These statistics reflect all matches played up to the evening of May 24, 2026.
| Rank | Player Name | Team | Matches | Wickets | Economy | Average | Best Bowling |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jasprit Bumrah Purple Cap | MI | 14 | 24 | 6.85 | 14.20 | 5/21 |
| 2 | Rashid Khan | GT | 14 | 22 | 7.40 | 18.55 | 4/18 |
| 3 | Yuzvendra Chahal | RR | 13 | 21 | 8.15 | 19.30 | 4/25 |
| 4 | Mohammed Siraj | RCB | 14 | 20 | 8.05 | 20.45 | 3/14 |
| 5 | Pat Cummins | SRH | 14 | 19 | 8.45 | 22.10 | 3/31 |
| 6 | Kagiso Rabada | PBKS | 14 | 19 | 8.20 | 21.80 | 4/28 |
| 7 | Matheesha Pathirana | CSK | 13 | 18 | 7.95 | 19.75 | 4/29 |
| 8 | Kuldeep Yadav | DC | 13 | 17 | 7.60 | 20.85 | 3/20 |
| 9 | Trent Boult | RR | 13 | 16 | 8.10 | 23.40 | 3/22 |
| 10 | Sunil Narine | KKR | 13 | 16 | 6.90 | 24.15 | 2/15 |
The 2026 Purple Cap Narrative
While Jasprit Bumrah’s campaign has concluded with 24 wickets, the Purple Cap race is incredibly alive. Rashid Khan (GT) and Mohammed Siraj (RCB) are guaranteed at least one more match in the playoffs, giving them a clear path to the top. Additionally, Yuzvendra Chahal (RR) is playing right now in Match 69 and requires only 3 more wickets to equal Bumrah’s record.
The 2026 season has seen wrist spinners and express pace bowlers dominate the charts. Bowlers capable of executing perfect wide yorkers and slow bouncers at the death have been the most successful in surviving the batting onslaughts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What happens if two bowlers take the exact same number of wickets?
In the event of a tie for the most wickets at the end of the IPL season, the Purple Cap is awarded to the bowler who has a superior (lower) Economy Rate.
Do wickets taken in Super Overs count towards the Purple Cap?
No, statistics from Super Overs are not added to a player’s official career records or their season tally for the Purple Cap or Orange Cap.
Who holds the record for the most wickets in a single IPL season?
The record for the most wickets in a single IPL season is shared by Harshal Patel (2021) and Dwayne Bravo (2013), both of whom claimed 32 wickets in their respective campaigns.
Has any bowler won the Purple Cap consecutively?
Yes, Bhuvneshwar Kumar achieved this historic feat by winning the Purple Cap in back-to-back seasons for Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016 and 2017.