While the batters have grabbed many of the headlines in IPL 2026, the bowling charts tell an equally compelling story. With the sports betting markets heating up during the IPL, the race for the Purple Cap is as tight as it has ever been, with five wickets separating the top five and several players locked level on identical tallies. Here is a look at the leading wicket-takers in the competition so far.
Anshul Kamboj: 14 wickets
Chennai Super Kings’ Anshul Kamboj leads the Purple Cap standings with 14 wickets from eight matches, making him the standout bowling performer of the tournament so far. His best figures of 3 for 22 came against Sunrisers Hyderabad, a disciplined display against one of the competition’s most dangerous batting line-ups. Having conceded 237 runs across his campaign, his economy reflects a bowler who does more than simply take wickets. He controls the game around him. Kamboj has developed considerably as a bowler in recent seasons, and his performances in 2026 suggest he is now operating at a consistently high level.
Eshan Malinga: 14 wickets
Level with Kamboj at the top of the charts is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Eshan Malinga, whose four-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals was the standout individual bowling performance of the competition so far. Four wickets in four overs for 32 runs in a winning cause announced the Sri Lankan as a genuine threat in this year’s tournament, and he has backed that display up with consistent contributions across his eight appearances. The fact that Malinga is operating for one of the IPL’s most batting-heavy sides makes his wicket-taking all the more impressive, and he will be eyeing the Purple Cap as the tournament enters its decisive phase.
Jofra Archer: 13 wickets
England’s Jofra Archer has reminded the cricketing world of his considerable quality in IPL 2026, taking 13 wickets from eight games for Rajasthan Royals. His economy is the most impressive of anyone in the top five, having conceded just 233 runs across his campaign, a figure that reflects not just his wicket-taking ability but his capacity to dry up scoring at the death and in the powerplay. His best figures of 3 for 20 came in a controlled display that showcased the full range of his skills: pace, variation, and the ability to execute under pressure. Archer has had a stop-start international career due to injury, but when fit and in form, he remains one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in the world.
Prince Yadav: 13 wickets
Lucknow Super Giants’ Prince Yadav is another on 13 wickets, with best figures of 3 for 32 across his campaign. Having conceded 242 runs in total, his numbers are solid rather than spectacular, but his consistency in taking wickets at regular intervals has made him a key component of Lucknow’s bowling attack. Yadav has grown into the competition as the tournament has progressed, and with the knockout stages approaching, his ability to deliver in high-pressure moments will be tested. He is one of the less heralded names in the top five but has earned his place in the Purple Cap conversation through sustained performance.
Kagiso Rabada: 13 wickets
South African Kagiso Rabada rounds out the top five with 13 wickets from eight games for Gujarat Titans, but his campaign comes with a significant caveat: he has conceded 294 runs, more than any other bowler in the top twenty. His best figures of 3 for 25 demonstrate his ability to take wickets in bursts, but an economy that reflects the punishment he has absorbed will be a concern for the Titans as the tournament reaches its critical stages.
Anyone using a bet calculator to weigh up Gujarat’s title chances will find Rabada’s economy rate one of the trickier variables to account for. Rabada is one of the most experienced and decorated fast bowlers in world cricket, and his wicket-taking record speaks for itself, but he will need to tighten his figures considerably if Gujarat are to mount a serious challenge for the title.
