Kagiso Rabada Claims Purple Cap Again as RCB Secures IPL 2026 Title
Rabada's Remarkable Achievement
In Ahmedabad, Gujarat, South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has concluded the IPL 2026 season as the top wicket-taker, earning the Purple Cap for the second time in his career. Despite his impressive performance, the Gujarat Titans (GT) were unable to clinch victory in the final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
With this accolade, Rabada has made history by becoming only the fourth bowler to win the Purple Cap multiple times, joining the ranks of Dwayne Bravo (2013, 2015), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2016, 2017), and Harshal Patel (2021, 2024).
Rabada's Stellar Season
Rabada had an outstanding season, securing 29 wickets across 17 matches with an economy rate of 9.68. His consistent performance throughout the tournament mirrored his previous Purple Cap win in 2020 while playing for the Delhi Capitals, where he took 30 wickets.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar from RCB was Rabada's closest competitor, finishing with 28 wickets in 16 matches. Kumar played a pivotal role in RCB's title defense, boasting the best economy rate among the top five wicket-takers at 7.95 runs per over, highlighted by impressive figures of 4 for 23.
Final Match Highlights
Jofra Archer from Rajasthan Royals completed the top three wicket-takers with 25 wickets in 16 matches, maintaining an economy of 9.31 and achieving best figures of 3 for 17.
In the IPL 2026 final, RCB opted to bowl first, restricting GT to a mere 155/8 in their 20 overs. Washington Sundar (50* off 37 balls) and Nishant Sindhu (20 off 18 balls) were the only players to surpass the 20-run mark, while Rasikh Dar Salam (3/27), Bhuvneshwar Kumar (2/29), and Josh Hazlewood (2/37) consistently took wickets.
RCB began their chase strongly with a 62-run partnership between Venkatesh Iyer (32 off 16 balls) and Virat Kohli. Although GT fought back to reduce RCB to 132/5, Kohli's unbeaten 75 off 42 balls, featuring nine fours and three sixes, led RCB to victory with two overs remaining.
This triumph marks RCB's second IPL title and their fourth overall in Indian franchise cricket, which includes two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles.