New Delhi, 06 April (H.S.):
After initial IPL 2026 matches—with most teams playing two games and Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings completing three—the Orange and Purple Cap races have intensified.
Delhi Capitals' Sameer Rizvi tops run-scorers with 160 runs from match-winning chases: unbeaten 70 off 47 vs Lucknow Super Giants, 90 off 51 vs Mumbai Indians, earning Player of the Match both times. SRH's Heinrich Klaasen follows at 145 runs (31, 52, 62; 147.95 strike rate) from three innings; MI captain Rohit Sharma third with 113, including 78 off 38 vs KKR.
Other Top Batters
RCB's Devdutt Padikkal (111), PBKS's Cooper Connolly (108), KKR's Angkrish Raghuvanshi (103) also crossed 100 runs, signaling fierce batting competition.
Purple Cap Contenders
Ravi Bishnoi leads wicket-takers with 5 scalps, highlighted by 4/41 vs Gujarat Titans aiding Rajasthan Royals' win—one of two four-wicket hauls so far (KKR's Blessing Muzarabani took the other vs SRH). Tied at 5 wickets: PBKS's Vijaykumar Vyshak, RCB's Jacob Duffy, CSK's Anshul Kamboj.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
