Bhuvneshwar Kumar celebrates after getting a wicket for DC. (Image credit: IPL)
New Delhi: Veteran seamer Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a performance for the ages, not only enabling Royal Challengers Bengaluru to register a crushing win over Delhi Capitals but also storming to the top of the Purple Cap standings in IPL 2026.
His sensational spell of 3 for 5 in three overs marked his 20th three-wicket haul in the IPL, making him only the second player after Jasprit Bumrah to achieve the feat.With this effort, Bhuvneshwar took his tally to 14 wickets from eight matches, tied with Chennai Super Kings’ Anshul Kamboj and Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Ishan Malinga. However, his superior economy rate of 7.61 – compared to Kamboj’s 8.56 and Malinga’s 9.44 – helped him clinch the Purple Cap. Rajasthan Royals’ Jofra Archer and Lucknow Super Giants’ Amir Yadav follow closely with 13 wickets each.
Latest IPL 2026 Purple Cap Ranking
| Rank | player | Wicket | Matches | Amounts | economic. | Ave. |
| 1 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) | 14 | 8 | 31.0 | 7.61 | 16.85 |
| 2 | Anshul Kamboj (CSK) | 14 | 8 | 27.4 | 8.56 | 16.92 |
| 3 | Ishaan Malinga (SRH) | 14 | 8 | 27.0 | 9.44 | 18.21 |
| 4 | Jofra Archer (RR) | 13 | 8 | 29.0 | 8.03 | 17.92 |
| 5 | Prince Yadav (LSG) | 13 | 8 | 30.0 | 8.06 | 18.61 |
| 6 | Kagiso Rabada (GT) | 13 | 8 | 31.0 | 9.48 | 22.61 |
| 7 | Prasidh Krishna (GT) | 12 | 7 | 26.0 | 10.34 | 22.41 |
| 8 | Ravi Bishnoi (RR) | 11 | 8 | 24.0 | 9.54 | 20.81 |
| 9 | Mohsin Khan (LSG) | 9 | 4 | 16.0 | 6.37 | 11.33 |
| 10 | Krunal Pandya (RCB) | 9 | 8 | 27.0 | 8.85 | 26.55 |
Powerplay carnage results in an emphatic winThe match itself was defined by a brutal new-ball spell as Bhuvneshwar and Josh Hazlewood combined to dismantle DC’s batting line-up. The home team was left reeling at 13 for 6 in the powerplay, with Bhuvneshwar scoring early by dismissing debutant Sahil Parakh and then removing Tristan Stubbs and skipper Axar Patel.
Hazlewood completed it perfectly, returning with figures of 4 for 12 as DC collapsed to 75 in 16.3 overs. Reflecting on his performance, Bhuvneshwar credited the conditions and early swing. “When the ball swings and you get a few wickets in front, it becomes easier,” he said, adding that the team was a little surprised by the help given but made the most of it. He also joked about not pushing for an extra overtime due to fatigue, saying he was “happy with three overtimes” given the heat.In pursuit of a modest target, RCB completed the task with ease in just 6.3 overs. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal ensured there was no hitch and Kohli cruised to victory in style six times in a row.