Kagiso Rabada wins IPL Purple Cap for second time in 2026 season

Sandy Verma

Tezzbuzz|01-06-2026

South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada finished as the leading wicket-taker in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, securing the Purple Cap for the second time in his career despite the Gujarat Titans losing in the final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Rabada became the fourth bowler to claim the Purple Cap multiple times, joining the ranks of Dwayne Bravo (2013, 2015), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2016, 2017), and Harshal Patel (2021, 2024).

He took 29 wickets in 17 matches at an economy rate of 9.68. Rabada previously won the award in 2020 while playing for Delhi Capitals, when he took 30 wickets.

His closest competitor in 2026 was RCB seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who claimed 28 wickets in 16 games and played a significant part in RCB’s successful defense of the title. Bhuvneshwar had the best economy rate among the top five wicket-takers, with 7.95 runs per over, and recorded standout figures of 4 for 23.

Rajasthan Royals fast bowler Jofra Archer was third in wickets taken, with 25 dismissals in 16 matches and an economy rate of 9.31, including best bowling figures of 3 for 17.

In the IPL 2026 final, Gujarat Titans were put into bat by RCB and scored 155 for 8 in their 20 overs.

Only Washington Sundar (50 not out from 37 balls, with five fours) and Nishant Sindhu (20 from 18 balls, with three fours) surpassed 20 runs. Rasikh Dar Salam (3 for 27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2 for 29), and Josh Hazlewood (2 for 37) took wickets at regular intervals.

RCB started their chase strongly, with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 from 16 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes) and Virat Kohli. Gujarat Titans fought back to reduce RCB to 132 for 5, but Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 75 from 42 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes, guided RCB to victory with two overs to spare.

This victory marked RCB’s second IPL title and their fourth Indian franchise cricket trophy overall, including two Women’s Premier League titles.

This victory marked RCB’s second IPL title and their fourth Indian franchise cricket trophy overall, including two Women’s Premier League titles.

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