The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race has intensified dramatically after Kagiso Rabada's sensational spell against Sunrisers Hyderabad in Ahmedabad on Tuesday (May 12) at Narendra Modi Stadium.
Rabada's fiery powerplay bowling helped Gujarat Titans bowl SRH out for just 86 - their lowest-ever IPL total - while also taking the South African pacer to the top of the wicket-taking charts alongside Bhuvneshwar Kumar.
Both bowlers now have 21 wickets each in IPL 2026. Rabada has also dominated the powerplay phase this season like no other bowler.
Most Powerplay Wickets in IPL 2026
| Player | Wickets |
|---|---|
| Kagiso Rabada | 16 |
| Bhuvneshwar Kumar | 12 |
| Jofra Archer | 9 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 9 |
(Stats As per CricViz Data)
Rabada's ability to strike early has become one of Gujarat Titans' biggest strengths during their impressive IPL 2026 campaign.
IPL 2026 Purple Cap Standings After GT vs SRH
Top 10 Leading Wicket-Takers
| Position | Player | Team | Matches | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | 11 | 21 |
| 2 | Kagiso Rabada | GT | 12 | 21 |
| 3 | Anshul Kamboj | CSK | 11 | 19 |
| 4 | Prince Yadav | LSG | 11 | 16 |
| 5 | Rashid Khan | GT | 12 | 16 |
| 6 | Eshan Malinga | SRH | 12 | 16 |
| 7 | Jofra Archer | RR | 11 | 15 |
| 8 | Jamie Overton | CSK | 10 | 14 |
| 9 | Prasidh Krishna | GT | 8 | 14 |
| 10 | Jason Holder | GT | 6 | 13 |
Rabada's Powerplay Dominance Becoming GT's Biggest Weapon
Rabada's new-ball impact has separated him from the rest of the bowling
field this season.
His 16 wickets in the powerplay are comfortably the most by any bowler in IPL 2026 and reflect how Gujarat Titans have consistently controlled matches early with aggressive pace bowling.
Against SRH, Rabada once again dismantled the top order, exposing Hyderabad's ultra-attacking batting approach under pressure.
GT Bowlers Dominating Purple Cap Race
Gujarat Titans now have four bowlers inside the top 10 wicket-taking charts - Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Prasidh Krishna and Jason Holder.
That depth explains why GT have emerged as one of the strongest bowling units in IPL 2026.
While most teams have relied heavily on one strike bowler, GT's attack has delivered collectively across phases.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar Still Holding Strong
Despite Rabada catching up, Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues to enjoy an outstanding season for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The veteran Indian pacer has consistently delivered breakthroughs with the new ball and at the death, proving once again why he remains one of the IPL's most reliable seamers.
The Purple Cap race now appears set for a thrilling finish between experience and pace aggression.
Young Indian Pacers Making Major Impact
IPL 2026 has also highlighted the rise of young Indian fast bowlers. Anshul Kamboj and Prince Yadav have emerged as two of the breakout bowling stars of the season.
Kamboj's 19 wickets for Chennai Super Kings have been particularly impressive given CSK's inconsistent season.
Meanwhile, Prince Yadav's rise for Lucknow Super Giants has added fresh pace depth to India's T20 bowling pipeline.
Purple Cap Battle Set for Dramatic Finish
With the playoffs approaching, the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race remains wide open.
Rabada's surge, Bhuvneshwar's consistency and the emergence of several young Indian quicks have turned the bowling charts into one of the season's most competitive storylines.
And if Gujarat Titans continue their dominant run, Kagiso Rabada may soon have both the Purple Cap - and possibly the IPL trophy - within touching distance.
