IPL 2026: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi back on top, overtakes Abhishek Sharma in Orange Cap race
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has regained the Orange Cap lead, becoming the first to 400 runs in IPL 2026. Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings, with Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey's unbeaten 77-run stand sealing the victory after a strong start by Sooryavanshi.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has reclaimed the top spot in the Orange Cap race, becoming the first player to reach 400 runs in IPL 2026, underlining his sensational form this season. Rajasthan Royals secured a thrilling six-wicket win over Punjab Kings, powered by an unbeaten 77-run stand off 32 balls between Donovan Ferreira and Shubham Dubey, who chased down the target in 19. 2 overs and handed PBKS their first defeat.
RR’s chase was set up by Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (43 off 16) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (51 off 27), before Yuzvendra Chahal’s three wickets briefly swung momentum back to PBKS. However, Ferreira and Dubey finished strongly under pressure. Earlier, PBKS had posted 222/4, led by Marcus Stoinis’ 62 off 22* and Prabhsimran Singh’s 59, but their bowlers couldn’t defend the total in the death overs.
With this performance, Sooryavanshi now leads the Orange Cap standings with 400 runs in nine matches at a staggering strike rate of 238. 09, further cementing his status as one of the breakout stars of the season. Abhishek Sharma is now 2nd spot in Orange Cap holder in IPL 2026 after his match-winning fifty against Rajasthan Royals.
In eight matches, he has amassed 380 runs at an average of 54. 29 and an explosive strike rate of 212. 29.