Sophie Devine Claims WPL 2026 Purple Cap Lead with Stunning 4/37 Against Delhi Capitals

Gujarat Giants' star allrounder Sophie Devine has captured the Purple Cap in the Women's Premier League 2026 following a match-winning performance against Delhi Capitals in Vadodara on Tuesday. Her exceptional 4 for 37 not only earned her the Player-of-the-Match award but also propelled her to the top of the wicket-takers' chart.

Devine's Dominant Bowling Display

The New Zealand captain delivered her second haul of three or more wickets this WPL season, guiding Gujarat Giants to a thrilling three-run victory over Delhi Capitals. With 15 wickets to her name, Devine has edged past DC's Nandani Sharma, who now sits in second place with 14 scalps despite claiming 1 for 26 in the same match.

What makes Devine's campaign particularly impressive is her remarkable consistency—she hasn't gone a single match without picking up at least one wicket. Nandani shares this distinction, and her earlier 5 for 33 remains one of only two five-wicket hauls this season, alongside Shreyanka Patil's effort for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

Purple Cap Standings

Nat Sciver-Brunt Dominates Orange Cap Race

While Devine claimed bowling honours, Mumbai Indians' Nat Sciver-Brunt continues her exceptional form with the bat. The defending Orange Cap winner struck the first century of WPL 2026—a scintillating 100 not out off just 57 balls against Royal Challengers Bengaluru—to cement her position at the top of the run-scorers' table.

Sciver-Brunt has amassed 319 runs, becoming the only batter to breach the 300-run barrier this season. Her Mumbai Indians teammate Harmanpreet Kaur follows in second place with 260 runs, showcasing the franchise's batting depth.

Orange Cap Standings

Team Battles Heating Up

The individual brilliance of players like Devine and Sciver-Brunt reflects the intensifying competition in WPL 2026. Mumbai Indians boast both top run-scorers in their lineup, while Royal Challengers Bengaluru have three bowlers in the top seven wicket-takers, indicating their bowling-centric approach.

Delhi Capitals, despite their narrow defeat to Gujarat Giants, have multiple players featuring prominently in both charts, suggesting they remain very much in contention for the title.

Looking Ahead

With the tournament progressing into its crucial stages, the battle for individual honours adds another layer of intrigue to WPL 2026. Sophie Devine's allround capabilities make her a genuine contender for MVP honours, while Nat Sciver-Brunt's historic century sets the benchmark for batting excellence.

The race between Devine and Nandani Sharma for the Purple Cap promises to be a compelling subplot, with just one wicket separating them. Meanwhile, Sciver-Brunt's 59-run cushion at the top of the Orange Cap standings provides her with a comfortable buffer, though the chasing pack—led by her own captain Harmanpreet Kaur—will be eager to close the gap.