RABADA REIGNS SUPREME WITH IPL PURPLE CAP DESPITE FINAL HEARTBREAK

The dust has settled on yet another scintillating Indian Premier League season, and although Kagiso Rabada’s Gujarat Titans could not get over the line in the final against Royal Challengers Bangalore on Sunday, the Proteas fast bowler finished as the competition’s leading wicket-taker to claim the coveted Purple Cap. 

Rabada’s dismissal of Devdutt Padikkal edged him past RCB rival Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who had earlier claimed 2/29, and up to 29 wickets at an average of 21.58.

It was the culmination of a season in which Rabada’s consistency came to the fore. T20 cricket is often characterized as a batter's paradise, a format where bowlers are routinely subjected to sheer brutality, and this past season was particularly titled towards the free-scoring batters, but Rabada’s success served as a poignant reminder that foundational cricketing truths still reign supreme. 

His strategy wasn't built entirely on sheer pace or novelty deliveries, but on an unwavering commitment to the basics. 

"Bowling is about line and length. And the more you miss your length, the more you decrease your chances of getting a wicket," Rabada said. 

"The ball came out great. Happy with the way things went."

Throughout the 2026 campaign, his ability to hit the deck hard and consistently hit his lengths strangled opposition scoring rates and forced batters into errors.

Rabada’s adaptability was also a true hallmark of his 2026 season. 

Whether he was taking the new ball and exploiting early swing or bowling the pressure-cooker death overs with pinpoint yorkers and deceptive slower balls, Rabada was always on the mark.  

"I think it's in the moment. It's instinctual, it's about adapting," Rabada said about being called upon to do the business in different situations for his team.

ALL THE IPL 2026 AWARD WINNERS

Most Valuable Player: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) - 436 points

Orange Cap (Highest run-scorer): Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) - 776 runs

Purple Cap (Highest wicket-taker): Kagiso Rabada (Gujarat Titans) - 29 wickets

Fairplay award: Punjab Kings - 140 points

Catch of the Season: Manish Pandey (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Most dot balls: Mohammed Siraj (Gujarat Titans) - 172*

Most fours: Sai Sudharsan (Gujarat Titans) - 75

Most sixes: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals) - 72

*Siraj had a better economy rate than Rabada who also bowled 172 dot balls