Kagiso Rabada Clinches IPL 2026 Purple Cap After Final Heroics for Gujarat Titans

The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race went right down to the final, with Gujarat Titans fast bowler Kagiso Rabada overtaking Royal Challengers Bengaluru veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar during the title clash in Ahmedabad.

Rabada entered the final level with Bhuvneshwar at 28 wickets apiece after another outstanding season with the ball for the Gujarat Titans.

Kagiso Rabada Responds in IPL Chase

Rabada, however, had other plans.

After RCB raced to a flying start, the South African produced a crucial breakthrough by dismissing Devdutt Padikkal for just one run. The wicket moved him to 29 wickets for the season, taking him clear of Bhuvneshwar in the standings.

He then struck again to remove Venkatesh Iyer, strengthening Gujarat's fightback while also putting the Purple Cap beyond doubt.

Kagiso Rabada IPL 2026 Numbers

Rabada finished IPL 2026 as the tournament's leading wicket-taker with:

• Matches: 17
• Wickets: 29
• Best Bowling Figures: 3/29
• Purple Cap Winner

His wickets came across all phases of the innings, making him one of the most effective fast bowlers in the competition.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar put up a tough fight

During Gujarat Titans' innings, Bhuvneshwar strengthened his case for the Purple Cap with a disciplined spell of 2/29.

The experienced seamer removed both Sai Sudharsan and Jason Holder to move to 28 wickets for the season and put himself in pole position heading into the chase.

With RCB requiring only 156 runs, it appeared Bhuvneshwar's tally could be enough to secure the award.

Second IPL Purple Cap for Kagiso Rabada

This is the second time Rabada has finished an IPL season as the leading wicket-taker.

His first Purple Cap came in IPL 2020 while representing Delhi Capitals, when he collected 30 wickets during a memorable campaign.

By winning the award again in 2026, Rabada joined an exclusive group of bowlers to claim the Purple Cap multiple times and further enhanced his reputation as one of the most successful overseas pacers in IPL history.

IPL Purple Cap Final Standings

While Gujarat Titans were chasing a second IPL title, Rabada ensured he would not leave Ahmedabad empty-handed, sealing the Purple Cap with a decisive performance on the biggest night of the season.