The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race is beginning to take shape as bowlers make their mark in the early stages of the tournament. With impactful spells already influencing match results, the competition for the top wicket-taker spot is heating up.
Several bowlers have delivered standout performances, picking up crucial wickets while maintaining competitive economy rates. Despite batting-friendly conditions in many games, bowlers have found ways to stay in the contest and make breakthroughs at key moments.
This article tracks the leading wicket-takers in IPL 2026 and will be updated regularly as the tournament progresses.
IPL 2026 Purple Cap: Complete Top 10 Wicket Takers List
Four teams represented in the top 10 but RCB lead with four bowlers on the list.
RCB’s bowling unit fills nearly half the Purple Cap standings after the opening match against SRH. Sunrisers Hyderabad have three bowlers on the list despite losing their only game. KKR contributes two entries through Sunil Narine and Kartik Tyagi, while Mumbai Indians have Shardul Thakur as their sole representative.
The table below will be updated as the season progresses.
| Pos | Player | Team | Wkts | Mat | Inns | Avg | SR | Econ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Anshul Kamboj | CSK | 13 | 6 | 6 | 16.23 | 10.00 | 9.74 |
| 2 | Prasidh Krishna | GT | 11 | 5 | 5 | 16.73 | 10.91 | 9.20 |
| 3 | Prince Yadav | LSG | 11 | 6 | 6 | 17.18 | 12.00 | 8.59 |
| 4 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | RCB | 10 | 6 | 6 | 20.00 | 14.40 | 8.33 |
| 5 | Ravi Bishnoi | RR | 10 | 6 | 6 | 19.00 | 12.00 | 9.50 |
| 6 | Jamie Overton | CSK | 8 | 5 | 5 | 17.88 | 11.25 | 9.53 |
| 7 | Jofra Archer | RR | 8 | 6 | 6 | 22.38 | 15.75 | 8.52 |
| 8 | Krunal Pandya | RCB | 8 | 6 | 6 | 22.50 | 15.75 | 8.57 |
| 9 | Kartik Tyagi | KKR | 8 | 7 | 6 | 27.38 | 17.25 | 9.52 |
| 10 | Eshan Malinga | SRH | 8 | 6 | 6 | 23.13 | 14.25 | 9.74 |
Early Bowling Trends Set The Tone For IPL 2026
RCB’s bowling depth stands out with four entries in the first Purple Cap standings.
Bowling in IPL 2026 has been a tough ask so far. Both completed matches produced massive totals, and most bowlers on this list conceded runs at over 9 an over. Duffy’s 5.50 economy is the outlier. That number stands out even more when you consider that the Chinnaswamy is one of the smallest grounds in the IPL.
RCB’s early bowling depth could become a decisive factor in the title defence. As more matches take place, expect this top 10 to change rapidly with each new round of fixtures.
