Publish Updated: 4/13/2026. If the batting in IPL 2026 has been explosive, the bowling has been equally thrilling. The Purple Cap race awarded to the highest wicket taker of the entire IPL season is already producing some incredible performances in the very first week of the tournament. Spinners, pace bowlers, mystery spinners, and overseas fast bowlers are all fighting for every wicket on pitches that are starting to show great variety across different Indian venues.
Ravi Bishnoi of Rajasthan Royals currently holds the Purple Cap with seven wickets from three matches at a fantastic average of 11.71. Behind him, a group of quality bowlers from different franchises are all breathing down his neck. Shivay Exchange, India’s most trusted Cricket ID provider, brings you the most honest and detailed top wicket taker prediction for IPL 2026 so you can follow every spell, every wicket, and every match defining bowling performance this season with full excitement and knowledge.
What makes the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race so interesting is that it is not dominated by just one style of bowling. Gujarat Titans fast bowler Prasidh Krishna was the top wicket taker last season finishing with 25 wickets in 15 games while maintaining an economy rate under 8.5 per over.
He comes into IPL 2026 as the defending Purple Cap holder and is already back among the wickets. Alongside Bishnoi, Rashid Khan, Lungi Ngidi, Anshul Kamboj, Vijaykumar Vyshak, and Jacob Duffy are all in contention. Bishnoi’s teammate Nandre Burger is next on the list with five wickets tied with Vijaykumar Vyshak of Punjab Kings, Chennai Super Kings’ Anshul Kamboj and Jacob Duffy of Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Millions of cricket fans across India following the IPL 2026 Purple Cap race and using Shivay Exchange Cricket ID are in for a spectacular bowling contest this entire season.
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Top Wicket Taker Predictions for IPL 2026
1. Ravi Bishnoi – Rajasthan Royals
Ravi Bishnoi is the current Purple Cap holder and he is bowling with exceptional control and variation in IPL 2026. The leg spinner from Rajasthan has always been one of the most underrated T20 bowlers in India and this season he is finally getting the recognition he deserves.
Bishnoi currently leads the Purple Cap race with 7 wickets, while Prasidh Krishna follows with 6 wickets and Rashid Khan and Lungi Ngidi are tied with 5 wickets each. Bishnoi’s googlies and well disguised variations are extremely difficult to pick even for experienced T20 batsmen. If RR continue to use him smartly across all conditions and he stays fit through the full tournament, Bishnoi is the favourite to win the Purple Cap in IPL 2026.
Current Wickets — 7 | Purple Cap Chances — Very High ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
2. Prasidh Krishna – Gujarat Titans
The defending Purple Cap winner is back and already among the top wicket takers in IPL 2026. Prasidh is a tall right arm fast bowler who generates steep bounce and has mastered the art of taking wickets at the death as well as with the new ball.
Prasidh Krishna was the top wicket taker last IPL season with 25 wickets in 15 games and helped Gujarat Titans reach the playoffs. He knows how to pace himself across a long tournament and peak at the right time. Do not be surprised if Prasidh overtakes Bishnoi and reclaims the Purple Cap by the end of IPL 2026.
Current Wickets — 6 | Purple Cap Chances — Very High ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Rashid Khan – Various Franchise
Rashid Khan needs no introduction. The Afghan leg spinner is simply the best T20 bowler in the world and has been for years. His googly is unplayable, his variations are impossible to read, and he consistently delivers match winning spells when his team needs them most.
Rashid always finishes IPL seasons with massive wicket tallies and in IPL 2026 he is already right in the Purple Cap conversation with 5 wickets from his opening matches. Over a full 74 match tournament, Rashid will only get more dangerous as pitches dry up and start turning.
Current Wickets — 5 | Purple Cap Chances — Very High ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
4. Jacob Duffy – Royal Challengers Bengaluru
Jacob Duffy is the surprise package of IPL 2026 so far. The New Zealand fast bowler made an immediate impact on debut for RCB. Duffy made his debut in RCB and picked 2 wickets in the same over dismissing SRH openers Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma in the opening match of IPL 2026.
He swings the ball both ways, bowls sharp bouncers, and is extremely difficult to face with the new ball. RCB have found a real gem in Duffy and if he plays the full season he can challenge seriously for the Purple Cap.
Current Wickets — 5 | Purple Cap Chances — High ⭐⭐⭐⭐
5. Anshul Kamboj – Chennai Super Kings
Anshul Kamboj is one of the most exciting young fast bowlers in Indian cricket right now. The CSK pacer has raw pace, good yorkers, and the aggression needed to take wickets in T20 cricket. Playing for a franchise like Chennai Super Kings gives him the confidence and backing to perform without fear. With 5 wickets already in IPL 2026, Kamboj is proving that he belongs at this level and he will only get better as the tournament goes on.
Current Wickets — 5 | Purple Cap Chances — Medium to High ⭐⭐⭐
6. Vijaykumar Vyshak – Punjab Kings
Vyshak has been one of the most consistent wicket taking pacers in Indian domestic cricket and he carried that form into IPL 2026 immediately. The tall right arm pacer bowls with great skill and hits the hard lengths that trouble even the best T20 batsmen. Punjab Kings have given him a key role in their attack and with 5 wickets in the opening matches he is delivering exactly what they expected. A full fit season from Vyshak can see him finish very high on the wickets leaderboard.
Current Wickets — 5 | Purple Cap Chances — Medium to High ⭐⭐⭐
7. Lungi Ngidi – Dark Horse
Lungi Ngidi is the overseas pacer who always shows up when it matters. With express pace, bounce, and the ability to take wickets in all phases of a T20 innings, Ngidi is one of the most dangerous bowlers in IPL 2026. With 5 wickets already in the tournament and more matches to come, Ngidi is a genuine dark horse for the Purple Cap this season.
Current Wickets — 5 | Purple Cap Chances — Medium ⭐⭐⭐
Our Final Purple Cap Prediction for IPL 2026
After looking at current form, bowling styles, and how tournaments typically evolve — here is our final Purple Cap prediction.
- Winner — Prasidh Krishna 🟣
- Runner Up — Ravi Bishnoi
- Third — Rashid Khan
- Dark Horse — Jacob Duffy
Prasidh’s experience as the defending champion, combined with his ability to maintain high wicket tallies across all 15 plus games, makes him our top pick. But Bishnoi and Rashid are never far behind and any one of them can take the Purple Cap if they get on a hot streak during the business end of the tournament.
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Final Words
The IPL 2026 Purple Cap race is shaping up to be one of the most exciting bowling contests in years. Spinners, pacers, mystery bowlers, and overseas giants are all competing for the same prize. Every time one of these bowlers steams in to deliver — something special is about to happen.
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