KL Rahul played a memorable knock to guide Delhi Capitals to a crucial win against Rajasthan Royals on Friday, May 1. DC opener top-scored with 75 runs at Sawai Mansingh Stadium and took a lead in the IPL 2026 Orange Cap race.

After seeing his record-laden 152* knock against Punjab Kings resulted in a defeat for Delhi, the star right-handed batter smashed his fourth fifty-plus score of the season against the Royals. KL Rahul's aggressive approach in the powerplay and an anchor role when needed, resulting in big innings.

Meanwhile, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi missed out on an Orange Cap after falling cheaply against Delhi Capitals. However, in the Purple Cap race, Jofra Archer rose in the charts with one wicket against the Capitals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium on Friday.

KL Rahul leads Orange Cap race

KL Rahul is enjoying the form of his life in IPL 2026. After his match-winning fifty against RR, Rahul is leading the Orange Cap race with 433 runs in nine innings at an average of 54.12 and a strike rate of 185.83. He is followed by the SRH duo of Abhishek Sharma and Heinrich Klaasen, who have scored 425 and 414 runs in nine innings each, respectively.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was dismissed on just four runs in the RR vs DC game, but he stays in contention with 403 runs in 10 innings. The two-time Orange Cap winner Virat Kohli occupies the fifth place with 379 runs in nine innings.

Most runs in IPL 2026

  1. KL Rahul (DC) - 433 runs in 9 innings
  2. Abhishek Sharma (SRH) - 425 runs in 9 innings
  3. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) - 414 runs in 9 innings
  4. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (RR) - 404 runs in 10 innings
  5. Virat Kohli (RCB) - 379 runs in 9 innings

Jofra Archer in contention for Purple Cap

Bhuvneshwar Kumar comfortably leads the Purple Cap race with 17 wickets in nine innings. The veteran RCB bowler is chasing his record third Purple Cap, having significantly revived his form this season.

Jofra Archer picked up one wicket against Delhi on Friday to rise to the second position in the bowling chart. The English pacer has taken 15 wickets in 10 innings and is followed by Eshan Malinga with 15 wickets, Anshul Kamboj and Kagiso Rabada with 14 wickets each.

Most wickets in IPL 2026

  1. Bhuvneshwar Kumar (RCB) - 17 wickets in 9 innings
  2. Jofra Archer (RR) - 15 wickets in 10 innings
  3. Eshan Malinga (SRH) - 15 wickets in 9 innings
  4. Anshul Kamboj (CSK) - 14 wickets in 8 innings
  5. Kagiso Rabada (GT) - 14 wickets in 9 innings

Also read: Kyle Jamieson’s aggressive celebration leaves Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in tears during RR vs DC clash