Dharamsala: Kagiso Rabada scripted history in the Indian Premier League 2026 season, becoming the bowler with the most powerplay wickets in a single edition during Gujarat Titans’ Qualifier 1 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
The South African pace spearhead achieved the milestone after dismissing Venkatesh Iyer early in the innings, surpassing the previous record held by Mohammed Shami, who had taken 17 wickets in the powerplay during the 2023 season.
Rabada’s landmark achievement
Rabada’s consistency with the new ball has been a standout feature of IPL 2026. His ability to strike early and put opposition batters under pressure has made him one of the most effective bowlers in the tournament.
By breaking Shami’s record, Rabada highlighted his dominance in the powerplay overs — a phase often crucial in shaping the outcome of T20 matches. His sharp pace, bounce, and control have consistently troubled top-order batters throughout the season.
GT’s balanced bowling unit shines
Apart from Rabada’s individual brilliance, Gujarat Titans have showcased one of the most balanced bowling attacks in IPL history this season. The team became only the second franchise after Kolkata Knight Riders (2024) to have five bowlers pick up 15 or more wickets in a single edition.
The contributors include:
- Kagiso Rabada – 26 wickets
- Rashid Khan – 19 wickets
- Mohammed Siraj – 17 wickets
- Jason Holder – 15 wickets
- Prasidh Krishna – 15 wickets
This collective effort underlines the depth and versatility of GT’s bowling lineup, capable of delivering in different phases of the game.
Pace attack among the best in IPL history
GT’s pace unit, led by Rabada and Siraj, has been particularly dominant. The seamers combined for a remarkable 84 wickets this season, making it the second-highest tally by a pace attack in a single IPL edition.
Only the Rajasthan Royals’ pace unit from 2013, which claimed 89 wickets, stands ahead of GT’s current achievement. This statistic further emphasises the effectiveness of Gujarat’s fast-bowling strategy.
RCB’s batting brilliance overshadows effort
Despite Rabada’s record-breaking performance, Gujarat Titans faced a daunting challenge as Royal Challengers Bengaluru posted a massive 254/5 — the highest total in IPL playoff history.
The innings was led by Rajat Patidar, who smashed a sensational 93 off 33 balls. He was well supported by Virat Kohli (43), Devdutt Padikkal (30), and Krunal Pandya.
RCB’s aggressive approach, particularly in the death overs, proved too strong for the Gujarat bowlers, even as Rabada delivered key breakthroughs during the innings.
Conclusion
Kagiso Rabada’s record-breaking feat stands out as one of the defining highlights of IPL 2026, showcasing his excellence with the new ball. However, cricket’s unpredictable nature was evident as his achievement came in a match dominated by RCB’s batting firepower.
While Gujarat Titans may reflect on missed opportunities in the game, their bowling unit’s overall performance this season remains a significant positive. Rabada’s milestone, in particular, reinforces his status as one of the premier fast bowlers in T20 cricket today.