IPL 2026 Purple Cap Race: Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads as RCB reach final, Qualifier 2 to decide last challenger; Check full list

The race for the IPL 2026 Purple Cap has entered its final stretch with just two matches left in the tournament, including the final on May 31. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru have already secured a place in the title clash after beating Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1, Qualifier 2 between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals on Friday will decide the second finalist.

RCB pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar currently leads the Purple Cap standings with 26 wickets from 15 matches. Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada is level on wickets, making the playoff games crucial in deciding the top wicket-taker of the season.

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This IPL season has largely belonged to the bowlers despite several high-scoring matches. Experienced pacers have dominated in crunch moments, while teams have also relied heavily on wrist spinners and death-over specialists to control scoring in pressure situations. Bowlers like Bhuvneshwar, Rabada and Jofra Archer have consistently delivered breakthroughs in the powerplay and at the death, keeping the Purple Cap race alive deep into the playoffs.

RCB’s bowling attack has played a major role in the team reaching the final. Bhuvneshwar’s control with the new ball and support from Josh Hazelwood, Jacob Duffy and Rasikh Salam helped RCB dismantle Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 and book a direct place in the final.

Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals’ hopes in Qualifier 2 will once again rest on Archer, while Gujarat Titans will depend on Rabada and Rashid Khan to keep their title hopes alive.

Here are the leading wicket-takers in IPL 2026 ahead of Qualifier 2:

Rank	Player	Team	Wickets
1	Bhuvneshwar Kumar	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	26
2	Kagiso Rabada	Gujarat Titans	26
3	Jofra Archer	Rajasthan Royals	21
4	Anshul Kamboj	Chennai Super Kings	21
5	Rashid Khan	Gujarat Titans	19
6	Eshan Malinga	Sunrisers Hyderabad	19
7	Kartik Tyagi	Kolkata Knight Riders	18
8	Mohammed Siraj	Gujarat Titans	17
9	Prince Yadav	Lucknow Super Giants	16
10	Rasikh Salam	Royal Challengers Bengaluru	16

With Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals still in contention for a place in the final, the Purple Cap race could see another shift before the IPL 2026 season concludes on May 31.