Kagiso Rabada Dominates SRH, Reaches 16 Powerplay Wickets in IPL 2026
Kagiso Rabada continued his impressive IPL 2026 campaign with a devastating new-ball spell, dismantling the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) top order. The South African fast bowler delivered figures of 3 for 28 in his four overs at Ahmedabad on Tuesday, driving the Gujarat Titans to a commanding position and cementing his status as the premier powerplay bowler of the season.
Devastating Powerplay Spell
Defending a target of 169, Rabada struck immediately to derail the SRH chase. He utilized extra pace and bounce to dismiss Abhishek Sharma, before trapping Ishan Kishan as Hyderabad attempted to stabilize their innings. Rabada completed his opening burst by removing Smaran Ravichandran, leaving SRH at a dismal 34 for 4 at the end of the first six overs. This marked Hyderabad’s second-lowest powerplay total of the IPL 2026 season and their first instance of losing four wickets inside the fielding restrictions this year.
Earlier in the match, the Gujarat Titans posted 168 for 5, anchored by half-centuries from Sai Sudharsan and Washington Sundar. Rabada’s immediate breakthroughs ensured SRH never generated the momentum required to threaten the total.
Chasing IPL History
With his three-wicket haul, Rabada advanced to 16 powerplay wickets for the current season. This achievement ties him for the second-highest tally ever recorded during the first six overs in a single IPL edition. He now sits just one wicket behind his former Gujarat Titans teammate Mohammed Shami, who established the all-time record with 17 powerplay wickets during the 2023 IPL tournament.
Most Powerplay Wickets in a Single IPL Season
| Bowler | Wickets | IPL Season |
|---|---|---|
| Mohammed Shami | 17 | 2023 |
| Kagiso Rabada | 16 | 2026 |
| Trent Boult | 16 | 2020 |
| Mitchell Johnson | 16 | 2013 |
Leading the 2026 Bowling Charts
Rabada maintains a significant lead over his contemporaries in the IPL 2026 powerplay bowling statistics. Operating with raw pace and accurate lengths, he has consistently bypassed pitch conditions to secure early breakthroughs.
IPL 2026 Powerplay Wicket Leaders (Overs 1-6)
- Kagiso Rabada: 16 wickets (Economy Rate: 9.03)
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar: 12 wickets (Economy Rate: 6.91)
- Jofra Archer: 9 wickets (Economy Rate: 9.36)
- Mohammed Siraj: 9 wickets (Economy Rate: 7.36)
As the tournament progresses, Rabada’s form positions the Gujarat Titans’ pace attack among the most effective units in the league. For detailed player statistics and official match records, visit the International Cricket Council or follow live match data via ESPNcricinfo.