IPL 2026: Bhuvneshwar Kumar Grabs Purple Cap, Becomes Only Second Indian To Cross 350 T20 Wickets

Despite playing his 16th season in the Indian Premier League, Bhuvneshwar Kumar is showing no signs of slowing down, picking up 3/28 against Gujarat Titans on Thursday, April 30 to move to the top of the wicket-taker’s charts at IPL 2026. 

His spell, albeit in a losing cause, gave Royal Challengers Bengaluru brief hope that they could defend a modest 155 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. 

Bhuvneshwar opened his account in the 3rd over of the game, finding the edge of Sai Sudarshan, who scored a century against RCB when these two sides met earlier this season. That wicket was also the 350th T20 scalp of Bhuvneshwar’s career, making him only the second Indian after Yuzvendra Chahal (391) to get to the milestone. 

Here’s a look at that milestone moment for Bhuvneshwar. 

The 36-year-old wasn’t done yet. As Shubman Gill (43 off 18) and Jos Buttler (39 off 19) went about the chase at breakneck speed, threatening to take the game away from RCB early in the innings, Bhuvneshwar returned to get rid of both GT power-hitters. 

ALSO READ | IPL 2026: Virat Kohli Loses His Cool After Jason Holder’s Low Catch Ends Rajat Patidar’s Stay Vs GT — Watch

Gill was the first to go in the 5th over as he looked to drive on the up only to find Virat Kohli who was perfectly stationed at extra cover. Bhuvneshwar conceded just 2 runs and got a wicket in that over within the powerplay, snapping GT’s momentum. 

The Buttler dismissal however was the pick of the lot. After bowling three overs in the powerplay, Bhuvneshwar returned to finish his quota in the 8th over. The Englishman twice shuffled across to access the leg-side for a boundary and two runs on the first two deliveries. 

The wily Bhuvneshwar spotted that tactic and fired a searing leg-stump yorker on the 3rd ball that beat Buttler for pace as he once again shuffled across and crashed into the stumps. 

Here’s a look at that brilliant dismissal of Buttler by Bhuvneshwar. 

Despite GT eventually chasing down the target with 4 wickets and 25 balls to spare, Bhuvneshwar was the most economical bowler on the night, conceding at just 7.00 per over. 

His spell also put him on the top of the wicket-taking charts this season, claiming the Purple Cap with 17 scalps in nine matches at an average of 15.52. The second-best on the list is Sunrisers Hyderabad’s Eshan Malinga who has 15 wickets. 

Here’s how the leading wicket-takers stack up this season:

POS Player Team Wkts Mat Runs BBI Avg Econ SR
1 Bhuvneshwar Kumar RCB 17 9 264 5/3 15.52 7.54 12.35
2 Eshan Malinga SRH 15 9 284 4/32 18.93 9.16 12.4
3 Jofra Archer RR 14 9 273 3/20 19.5 8.27 14.14
4 Anshul Kamboj CSK 14 8 237 3/22 16.92 8.56 11.85
5 Kagiso Rabada GT 14 9 338 3/25 24.14 9.65 15

ALSO READ | IPL 2026 Points Table: Arshad Khan (3/22), Shubman Gill (43) Star As GT Down RCB To Keep Playoff Hopes Alive 

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