IPL 2026: Abhishek Sharma leads orange cap race; Eshan Malinga gets closer to purple

Abhishek Sharma surged to the top of the IPL 2026 Orange Cap standings after a stunning 135*, while Eshan Malinga climbed the Purple Cap race with a four-wicket haul, intensifying the competition.

Post Published By: Ayushi Bisht

Updated : 22 April 2026, 8:04 PM IST

Abhishek Sharma leads orange cap race (Img: Internet)

New Delhi: Abhishek Sharma delivered a standout performance in the Indian Premier League 2026 season, smashing an unbeaten 135 off 68 balls against the Delhi Capitals in Hyderabad. The innings propelled him to the top of the Orange Cap standings for the highest run-scorer this season.

With this effort, Sharma’s tally has reached 323 runs, marking a dramatic rise after being outside the top contenders earlier in the tournament.

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Klaasen Close Behind in Run Charts

Teammate Heinrich Klaasen is close behind with 320 runs. His quickfire 37 off just 13 deliveries in the same match helped maintain pressure at the top of the leaderboard.

Other prominent batters in the top five include Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, and emerging talent Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. With several players in strong form, the race for the Orange Cap is expected to remain competitive in the coming matches.

Competition Intensifies Among Batters

The batting charts are witnessing constant shifts, with players like Ishan Kishan, Rajat Patidar, Cooper Connolly, and Yashasvi Jaiswal also delivering consistent performances. Experts believe sustained form will be crucial for players aiming to secure or retain the Orange Cap as the tournament progresses.

Eshan Malinga Climbs Purple Cap Rankings

On the bowling front, Eshan Malinga has emerged as a strong contender in the Purple Cap race. His four-wicket haul against Delhi Capitals took his total to 12 wickets in seven matches, placing him second in the standings.

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Malinga’s recent form has been impressive, with nine wickets coming in his last three appearances, significantly boosting his position.

Kamboj Leads Bowling Chart

Currently leading the Purple Cap race is Anshul Kamboj of Chennai Super Kings, who has claimed 13 wickets in six matches. Other bowlers in the top five include Prasidh Krishna, Prince Yadav, and Bhuvneshwar Kumar.

With the tournament entering a crucial phase, the competition for both Orange and Purple Caps is expected to intensify further.