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IPL Purple Cap: Bhuvneshwar Kumar surges ahead after record-breaking spell
Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a 3 for 5 spell to power RCB to a win over DC and move to the top of IPL 2026 Purple Cap standings. The performance marked his 20th three-wicket haul in IPL, bringing him to 14 wickets in eight matches with a leading economy of 7.61. The updated Purple Cap table places Anshul Kamboj and Eshan Malinga at 14 wickets as well, with other bowlers close behind.
Why It Matters
The spell cements Bhuvneshwar Kumar's position as the Purple Cap frontrunner and underscores RCB's title credentials mid-season in IPL 2026.
Timeline
4 Events
Purple Cap standings updated after the game
April 27, 2026
Post-match Purple Cap standings show Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) leading with 14 wickets in eight matches, level with Anshul Kamboj (CSK) and Eshan Malinga (SRH). Jofra Archer (RR) and Prince Yadav (LSG) also on 13 wickets. Among others, Kagiso Rabada (GT) has 13, Prasidh Krishna (GT) 12, Ravi Bishnoi (RR) 11, Mohsin Khan (LSG) 9, and Krunal Pandya (RCB) 9. Bhuvneshwar's economy rate of 7.61 remains superior to Kamboj's 8.56 and Malinga's 9.44, helping him top the table.
RCB chase completes in 6.3 overs; Kohli seals win with late assault
April 27, 2026
Chasing a modest target, RCB completed the pursuit in 6.3 overs. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal ensured there were no hiccups, with Kohli sealing the win with consecutive sixes.
Powerplay carnage: DC slump to 75 as Bhuvneshwar and Hazlewood strike
April 27, 2026
The match opened with a brutal powerplay as Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood dismantled Delhi Capitals. DC were 13 for 6 in the powerplay, with Bhuvneshwar taking early wickets (including Sahil Parakh) and later removing Tristan Stubbs and Axar Patel. Hazlewood finished with 4 for 12 as DC were bowled out for 75 in 16.3 overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar's 3-5 spell puts him on Purple Cap trajectory
April 27, 2026
Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered a spell of 3 for 5 in three overs against Delhi Capitals, his 20th three-wicket haul in the IPL. The performance took him to 14 wickets from eight matches and, with an economy rate of 7.61, helped him take the Purple Cap lead. He credited early swing and noted he was happy with three overs given the heat as part of the post-match reflections.