The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is in full swing, and as of April 20, 2026, the battle for the prestigious Purple Cap has become a high-stakes race between seasoned veterans and emerging young talents. While the Orange Cap celebrates the prowess of the batsmen, the Purple Cap is the ultimate badge of honor for the bowlers, awarded to the player who finishes the season with the most wickets.
As the tournament crosses the midway mark with 29 matches completed, the leaderboard has seen significant movement. Here is the comprehensive look at the top 10 wicket-takers in IPL 2026 so far.
IPL 2026 Purple Cap Leaderboard (Top 10)
Player |
Team |
Wickets |
Matches |
Best Bowling |
Economy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Anshul Kamboj
|
CSK
|
13
|
6
|
3/22
|
9
|
Prince Yadav
|
LSG
|
11
|
6
|
3/32
|
8.59
|
Prasidh Krishna
|
GT
|
11
|
5
|
4/28
|
9
|
Bhuvneshwar Kumar
|
RCB
|
10
|
6
|
3/26
|
8.33
|
Ravi Bishnoi
|
RR
|
10
|
6
|
4/41
|
9.5
|
Jamie Overton
|
CSK
|
8
|
5
|
4/18
|
9.53
|
Krunal Pandya
|
RCB
|
8
|
6
|
2/30
|
8.57
|
Jofra Archer
|
RR
|
8
|
6
|
2/19
|
8.52
|
Eshan Malinga
|
SRH
|
8
|
6
|
3/29
|
9.73
|
Kartik Tyagi
|
KKR
|
8
|
7
|
3/22
|
9.52
|
Analysis of the Top Contenders
1. The Leader: Anshul Kamboj (CSK)
Leading the pack is Chennai Super Kings’ young sensation Anshul Kamboj. With 13 wickets in just six outings, Kamboj has become MS Dhoni’s go-to man in the powerplay and the death overs. His ability to swing the ball early and maintain composure under pressure has helped CSK maintain a strong defensive record this season.
2. The Challengers: Prince Yadav and Prasidh Krishna
Lucknow Super Giants’ Prince Yadav recently surged to the second spot following a stellar performance against Punjab Kings. Close on his heels is Prasidh Krishna, the defending Purple Cap winner (2025), who is currently spearheading the Gujarat Titans’ attack. Krishna remains one of the most dangerous bowlers in the tournament, evidenced by his superior strike rate and 11-wicket haul in only five matches.
3. The Veterans: Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Ravi Bishnoi
A two-time Purple Cap winner, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, now representing RCB, is proving that class is permanent. With 10 wickets, he sits comfortably in the top four, providing the veteran leadership RCB has long craved. Meanwhile, Ravi Bishnoi of Rajasthan Royals remains the highest-ranked spinner on the list, using his deceptive googlies to stifle middle-order batters.
Emerging Trends in IPL 2026 Bowling
The 2026 season has seen a noticeable shift in how wickets are being taken. While the pace bowlers still dominate the top 10, the “utility” bowlers—those who can bowl at any phase of the game—are finding more success.
Impact of Overseas Stars: Overseas pacers like Jamie Overton and Jofra Archer have provided the necessary “X-factor” for their respective teams. Overton currently holds the record for the best bowling figures of the season so far, a devastating 4/18 against Delhi Capitals.
The Rise of Domestic Talent: The presence of names like Anshul Kamboj, Prince Yadav, and Kartik Tyagi in the top 10 highlights the deepening pool of Indian fast-bowling talent. These players are often outshining high-priced international stars.
Historical Context: The 30-Wicket Club
As we look forward to the second half of the season, the question remains whether any bowler can breach the elusive 30-wicket mark. In IPL history, only three players have achieved this:
Dwayne Bravo (CSK): 32 wickets (2013)
Harshal Patel (RCB): 32 wickets (2021)
Kagiso Rabada (DC): 30 wickets (2020)
With Anshul Kamboj currently averaging over two wickets per game, he is on pace to join this elite company if he maintains his current form through the playoffs.
The Road Ahead
With nearly 40 matches left in the league stage, the Purple Cap race is far from over. Teams like Gujarat Titans and Mumbai Indians have key matches scheduled this week that could see bowlers like Rashid Khan or Jasprit Bumrah (who is currently just outside the top 10) make a massive leap.
As the pitches across India begin to wear and favor the spinners, expect the likes of Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya to pose a serious threat to the fast bowlers currently sitting at the top of the leaderboard.
Who currently leads the race for the Purple Cap in IPL 2026?
As of April 20, 2026, Anshul Kamboj from Chennai Super Kings (CSK) holds the Purple Cap with 13 wickets in six matches.
Which bowler has the best individual bowling figures so far this season?
CSK’s Jamie Overton holds the record for the best spell of the season, taking 4 wickets for just 18 runs in a dominant performance against Delhi Capitals.
Are spinners or fast bombers performing better in the top 10?
Pace bowlers currently dominate the leaderboard, occupying eight of the top ten spots. Ravi Bishnoi (Rajasthan Royals) is the highest-ranked spinner on the list with 10 wickets.
How many wickets are usually needed to win the Purple Cap?
Historically, the winner typically finishes with 24 to 32 wickets. The all-time record is 32 wickets, held jointly by Dwayne Bravo (2013) and Harshal Patel (2021).
Which team has the most bowlers represented in the top 10?
Currently, Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and Rajasthan Royals (RR) each have two bowlers in the top 10, showing strong defensive depth across these squads.
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