The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season is approaching its midpoint, with 33 of 70 league matches completed. As the tournament progresses, standout performers are emerging in the race for the Orange Cap (most runs) and Purple Cap (most wickets).
Purple Cap Race Heats Up
After the high-profile 'El Clasico' between Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings on Thursday, CSK pacer Anshul Kamboj reclaimed the Purple Cap with 14 wickets from seven matches. He returned figures of 1/10 in that game, moving one wicket ahead of Lucknow Super Giants' Prince Yadav, who has 13 wickets from seven games. CSK won the match by 103 runs, powered by a formidable total of 207/6, thanks to a superb unbeaten century from Sanju Samson (101* off 54 balls).
Orange Cap Standings
Samson's second century of the season—following his unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals—propelled him into third place in the Orange Cap race with 293 runs from seven games. The list is led by two Sunrisers Hyderabad batters: Abhishek Sharma (323 runs in seven games) and Heinrich Klaasen (320 runs in seven games). Shubman Gill (fourth with 265 runs) and Virat Kohli (sixth with 247 runs) will have opportunities to climb when Gujarat Titans face Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Friday.
Among bowlers in that match, GT's Prasidh Krishna (fourth with 12 wickets), RCB's Bhuvneshwar Kumar (seventh with 10 wickets), and GT's Kagiso Rabada (eighth with 10 wickets) could improve their Purple Cap positions.
Current Top 5 in Orange Cap Race
- 1. Abhishek Sharma (SRH) – 323 runs, HS 135*, SR 215.33, 1 century/2 fifties
- 2. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) – 320 runs, HS 62, SR 153.10, 0/3
- 3. Sanju Samson (CSK) – 293 runs, HS 115*, SR 178.65, 2/0
- 4. Shubman Gill (GT) – 265 runs, HS 86, SR 151.42, 0/3
- 5. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) – 254 runs, HS 78, SR 220.86, 0/2
Current Top 5 in Purple Cap Race
- 1. Anshul Kamboj (CSK) – 14 wickets, Best 3/22, Econ 8.95
- 2. Prince Yadav (LSG) – 13 wickets, Best 3/33, Econ 8.38
- 3. Eshan Malinga (SRH) – 12 wickets, Best 4/32, Econ 9.43
- 4. Prasidh Krishna (GT) – 12 wickets, Best 4/28, Econ 9.91
- 5. Jofra Archer (RR) – 11 wickets, Best 3/20, Econ 7.96
Stay updated with the latest IPL Live Score, IPL news on Times of India. Follow the IPL Schedule, check the IPL Points Table, and track the race for the IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple Cap.
