IPL 2026 is a week away. Squads have been finalized, auction dust has settled, and teams are deep into preparation. Some squads look terrifying on paper. Others have question marks that only the tournament can answer.
Here’s our complete IPL 2026 team preview — a comprehensive breakdown of all 10 teams heading
into the IPL 2026 — strengths, weaknesses, key players, probable XIs, and where we think each team finishes on the league table.
This IPL 2026 team preview covers every franchise’s squad analysis, probable XI, key players, auction
highlights, and our predicted league stage standings.
IPL 2026 has 10 teams competing: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gujarat Titans, Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Lucknow Super Giants, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals, and Kolkata Knight Riders. Based on squad strength, auction buys, injury updates, and all-round depth, MI are predicted to finish first, with RCB and GT rounding out the top three. KKR face a pace crisis and are predicted to finish last.
1. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Status: Defending Champions | Strong Contenders
RCB begin their title defence against Sunrisers Hyderabad on March 28 at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium — the season opener. After lifting their maiden trophy in IPL 2025, defeating Punjab Kings in the final under Rajat Patidar’s captaincy, the key storyline is continuity. Having retained 17 players from their championship-winning squad, this is a team built on chemistry, not chaos. Expect a serious top-four push — possibly back-to-back finals.
Top Auction Buys
- Venkatesh Iyer — ₹7.00 crore — All-rounder → Left-handed batting aggression and medium-pace bowling add depth, addressing RCB’s historical imbalance.
- Mangesh Yadav — ₹5.20 crore — Bowler → Picked up for ₹5.20 crore; raw Indian pace option to bolster domestic seam depth.
- Jacob Duffy — ₹2.00 crore — Bowler → New Zealand pacer signed for ₹2 crore; backup overseas quick for rotation with Hazlewood.
Squad Strengths
🎯Championship-winning core retained intact — Virat Kohli, Josh Hazlewood, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Suyash Sharma, and Phil Salt all return.
🎯Devastating opening pair — Kohli (anchor) + Salt (powerplay aggressor) remains the league’s most balanced top-two.
🎯Balanced pace arsenal — Hazlewood (control), Bhuvneshwar (swing), Yash Dayal (death-overs muscle).
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️Yash Dayal’s uncertain availability — Dayal was conspicuously absent from training sessions, with his availability for the season coming into question.
⚠️Spin depth remains thin — Over-reliant on Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma; they may need more spin depth on turning pitches.
⚠️Hazlewood missing early games — RCB will not have the services of Josh Hazlewood for their first few matches; Hazlewood missed the entire Ashes 2025-26 due to hamstring and Achilles issues.
Players to Watch
🔥 Virat Kohli — Veteran; Proven track record in pressure situations; could elevate RCB’s playoff aspirations.
🔥 Krunal Pandya — Ability to slow down opponents in middle overs and breakthroughs; handy with bat at down the order.
🔥 Jacob Bethell — England’s versatile young talent could become the X-factor floater in the middle order.
Latest Squad News
👉 Josh Hazlewood is set to sit out the start of the season due to ongoing Achilles tendon and hamstring concerns.
👉 Yash Dayal’s absence from nets and promotional materials has raised doubts; uncertainty is tied to ongoing legal proceedings.
👉 RCB’s Nuwan Thushara needs to clear a fitness test to obtain a no-objection certificate for IPL 2026.
Probable XI
- Virat Kohli
- Phil Salt ✈️
- Rajat Patidar (c)
- Devdutt Padikkal / Venkatesh Iyer
- Jitesh Sharma (wk)
- Tim David ✈️
- Krunal Pandya
- Romario Shepherd ✈️
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Suyash Sharma
- Nuwan Thushara / Josh Hazelwood ✈️
Impact Sub: Mangesh Yadav (Pacer) — for Venkatesh Iyer on seam-friendly decks
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 9/10 |
| Bowling | 7.5/10 |
| All-round Depth | 7/10 |
💥X-Factor: Phil Salt — Elite powerplay destruction; if he fires in the first six, RCB sets up 200+ totals before opponents can strategize.
Predicted Finish: #2/10
RCB’s settled squad and title-winning DNA make them near-certainties for the playoffs. However, starting their title defence without their most disciplined pacer Hazlewood, who is managing hamstring and Achilles recovery, plus the Yash Dayal cloud, could cost them crucial early points — just enough to finish runners-up rather than on top.
2. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Status: Contender | Early-Season Uncertainty Storyline: Captaincy Crisis — Can Ishan Kishan Steer the Ship Without Cummins?
SRH retained one of the most explosive batting cores in the tournament — the blockbuster trio of Heinrich Klaasen, Pat Cummins, and Travis Head alongside Abhishek Sharma — but their campaign begins under a cloud. Regular captain Pat Cummins is officially set to miss the initial phase of the tournament as he continues his recovery from a persistent lumbar bone stress injury. SRH announced that Ishan Kishan will captain the side in Cummins’ absence, with Abhishek Sharma as his deputy. How SRH navigate the first three to four games could define their entire season.
Top Auction Buys
- Liam Livingstone — ₹13 crore — All-rounder → Adds explosive power to the middle order; gives SRH a sixth bowling option with leg-spin/off-spin duality.
- Jack Edwards — ₹3 crore — All-rounder → Ruled out of the entire season due to a foot injury — a ₹3 crore write-off before a ball is bowled.
- Shivam Mavi — ₹75 lakh — Bowler → Budget pace signing to bolster Indian seam depth; has had multiple injury setbacks — high risk, moderate reward.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Devastating top-order aggression: Abhishek Sharma, Travis Head, and Ishan Kishan form a destructive top-order, while Klaasen and Nitish Kumar Reddy solidify the middle order.
🎯 All-round depth in the middle: Livingstone, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Kamindu Mendis offer bat-and-ball versatility across positions 4–7.
🎯 Death-overs experience: Harshal Patel and Brydon Carse bring proven IPL death-bowling pedigree to close out innings.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Spin depth is alarmingly thin: Although Zeeshan Ansari looked promising, SRH couldn’t form a potent spin attack in the 2026 auction.
⚠️ Pace attack without Cummins lacks bite: Jaydev Unadkat is at the fag end of his career, while Shivam Mavi has had multiple injury setbacks — the seam unit is thin without the skipper.
⚠️ Overseas selection headache: The overseas limit won’t allow them to keep both Livingstone and Kamindu Mendis in the playing XI alongside Head and Klaasen — tough calls required weekly.
Players to Watch
🔥 Ishan Kishan — Led Jharkhand to their first Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy title, finishing as top scorer with 517 runs. Now captaining SRH — the stage is enormous.
🔥 Eshan Malinga — One of SRH’s most impressive IPL 2025 bowlers with 13 scalps; must step up as lead Indian pacer early on.
🔥 Nitish Kumar Reddy — Coming off a breakout international career; his finishing at No. 5/6 could be the difference in tight games.
Latest Squad News
👉 Cummins is likely to sit out the first three matches as he continues recovery from a lingering back issue.
👉 SRH’s Jack Edwards has been ruled out for the entire season.
👉 SRH lost Adam Zampa to a mid-season injury last year and released him; no like-for-like replacement was signed.
Probable XI
- Travis Head ✈️
- Abhishek Sharma
- Ishan Kishan (C/WK)
- Heinrich Klaasen ✈️
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Liam Livingstone ✈️
- Harshal Patel
- Brydon Carse / Pat Cummins ✈️
- Eshan Malinga
- Zeeshan Ansari
- Jaydev Unadkat
Impact Sub: Aniket Verma (Batter) — for Unadkat while chasing high scores
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 9.5/10 |
| Bowling | 6.5/10 |
| All-round Depth | 7.5/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Heinrich Klaasen — The most destructive middle-order batter in T20 cricket; his ability to dismantle spin between overs 10–16 single-handedly shifts momentum.
Predicted Finish: #6/10
SRH’s batting firepower guarantees playoff contention, but their bowling — particularly in Cummins’ absence early on — is the Achilles heel. Although Cummins led SRH to the IPL 2024 final, the IPL trophy has been elusive for him, and this thinly-stocked bowling attack may keep it that way. Hope for a qualifier spot, not the title.
3. Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Status: Title Contender | The Hungriest Squad in IPL 2026 Storyline: Redemption After Heartbreak — Can Iyer Finally Deliver Trophy #1?
Under Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, PBKS finished at the top of the league table and reached the final in IPL 2025 — only to lose the title to RCB by just six runs. They retained as many as 21 players and remained silent for most of the auction, acquiring just four players — a clear signal of confidence in last season’s core. After missing the title by six runs in 2025, the focus is clear this season: convert stability into their first championship win.
Top Auction Buys
- Ben Dwarshuis — ₹4.40 crore — All-rounder → Experienced Australian left-arm pace-bowling all-rounder with 220 wickets and 1,145 T20 runs; adds death-overs variety.
- Cooper Connolly — ₹3 crore — All-rounder → Shreyas Iyer praised Connolly’s ability to finish matches, describing him as a perfect fit for the team. Left-arm spin adds secondary value.
- Pravin Dubey — ₹30 lakh — Bowler → The leg-spinner strengthens Punjab Kings’ Indian spin resources alongside Yuzvendra Chahal and Harpreet Brar.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Explosive opening pair: Prabhsimran Singh was the team’s second-highest run-scorer in IPL 2025, finishing with 549 runs at a strike rate of 160.53. Priyansh Arya scored 475 runs at a strike rate of 179.24, the highest runs by an uncapped Indian player in a debut IPL season.
🎯 Versatile overseas all-rounder depth: The presence of Stoinis, Jansen, Omarzai, Owen, and Connolly provides immense flexibility in both batting and bowling.
🎯 Elite bowling spine: Pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal were retained at ₹18 crore each to anchor the bowling.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Ferguson missing early: Lockie Ferguson will miss the franchise’s first few games as he wants to spend time with family, having become a dad recently. Reports suggest he could miss the first seven matches.
⚠️ Inexperienced Indian core under pressure: Prabhsimran, Arya, Shashank, Wadhera, Brar, Musheer Khan, and Vyshak are talented but lack consistent exposure at the highest level — this could affect execution in high-pressure moments.
⚠️ Overseas selection headaches: With 8 overseas players and only 4 slots, tough omissions are inevitable — Omarzai, Connolly, Owen, and Bartlett will compete for bench spots.
Players to Watch
🔥 Priyansh Arya — A dream debut season in 2025; the left-hander’s powerplay destruction makes him the most exciting young opener in the league.
🔥 Marco Jansen — Left-arm pace, genuine bounce, and lower-order hitting at No. 8 — the complete package for T20 cricket.
🔥 Shreyas Iyer — Bats at No. 3 and his decisions as a captain under pressure makes difference.
Latest Squad News
👉 Punjab Kings will be without Lockie Ferguson in the early stages; the fast bowler has opted to stay back for personal reasons following the birth of his child.
👉 Captain Shreyas Iyer is targeting a historic first IPL title, reflecting on his challenging recovery from a ruptured spleen suffered in Australia, which saw him lose seven kilograms.
👉 Yuzvendra Chahal and Shashank Singh have praised PBKS’s off-season camps for building team chemistry ahead of IPL 2026.
Probable XI
- Prabhsimran Singh (wk)
- Priyansh Arya
- Shreyas Iyer (c)
- Marcus Stoinis ✈️
- Nehal Wadhera
- Shashank Singh
- Azmatullah Omarzai ✈️
- Marco Jansen ✈️
- Harpreet Brar
- Arshdeep Singh
- Yuzvendra Chahal
Impact Sub: Ben Dwarshuis — for Priyansh Arya on pace-friendly decks
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 8.5/10 |
| Bowling | 8/10 |
| All-round Depth | 9/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Priyansh Arya — His 179+ strike rate in the powerplay makes him arguably the most destructive uncapped opener in IPL history; if he replicates 2025, PBKS will post 200+ regularly.
Predicted Finish: #4/10
PBKS have the most settled squad in the tournament and the emotional fuel of last season’s heartbreak. The all-round depth is unmatched — Stoinis, Jansen, Omarzai, and Connolly give Iyer tactical flexibility few captains enjoy. However, Ferguson’s seven-match absence weakens the death bowling early, and the inexperienced Indian middle order remains a vulnerability in knockout moments. A playoff spot is near-certain; the trophy depends on whether Iyer’s young guns hold nerve when it matters most.
4. Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Status: Rebuilding | Mid-Table Storyline: The Post-Jadeja Reset — Youth Over Legacy
The five-time champions endured a disappointing campaign in IPL 2025, finishing at the bottom of the points table for the first time in their history. CSK’s response has been radical: they traded former captain Ravindra Jadeja along with Sam Curran to Rajasthan Royals in return for Sanju Samson, and made headline-grabbing moves by acquiring uncapped cricketers Prashanth Veer and Kartik Sharma for ₹14.20 crore each. This is a franchise betting on the future while Dhoni potentially plays his final season. Expect a playoff push, not a title charge.
Top Auction Buys
- Prashant Veer — ₹14.20 crore — All-rounder → The 20-year-old UP all-rounder is the direct “Jadeja Replacement” — left-handed batting + left-arm orthodox spin.
- Kartik Sharma — ₹14.20 crore — WK-Batter → CSK broke the bank for him, seeing him as the long-term successor to MS Dhoni’s finishing role.
- Rahul Chahar — ₹5.20 crore — Bowler → With Ravindra Jadeja no longer in the squad and R. Ashwin having retired, Rahul Chahar should fill in the boots as the primary leg-spin option.
- Matt Henry — ₹2 crore — Bowler → Will lead the pace attack, especially in the powerplay, where his discipline and swing can be crucial.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Explosive opening pair: Ayush Mhatre and Sanju Samson as openers, with Ruturaj Gaikwad steadying the ship at number 3 — a solid top 3 balancing aggression and stability.
🎯Deep spin arsenal: Noor Ahmad provides wicket-taking ability through left-arm wrist spin, Akeal Hosein is known for accuracy in powerplay overs, and Rahul Chahar brings leg-spin variety.
🎯 Future-proofed squad: The squad is filled with young and exciting prospects like Ayush Mhatre, Dewald Brevis, Noor Ahmad, Kartik Sharma, Prashant Veer, and many more.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Nathan Ellis ruled out: Ellis has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury — CSK now lacks a proven international death-overs anchor.
⚠️ Matthew Short injured: Another jolt for CSK, as the Australian all-rounder will miss the initial games due to a fractured thumb.
⚠️ Untested ₹28 crore gamble: Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma have zero IPL experience — massive risk if both underperform.
Players to Watch
🔥 Sanju Samson — After a successful ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign where he won the Player of the Tournament award, he enters in supreme form.
🔥 Prashant Veer — Offers a similar skillset to Jadeja with left-handed power hitting and left-arm spin5; debut IPL under immense pressure.
🔥 Noor Ahmad — Took 4/18 against Mumbai Indians on his debut last season; poised for a breakout 2026.
Latest Squad News
👉 Nathan Ellis has been ruled out of the tournament with a hamstring injury
👉 MS Dhoni could be entering his final IPL season and may take on a mentor-cum-player role for CSK in 2026.
👉 Matthew Short will miss the initial games due to a fractured thumb.
Probable XI
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Ayush Mhatre
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- Dewald Brevis ✈️
- Shivam Dube
- Kartik Sharma
- Prashant Veer
- Matt Henry ✈️
- Noor Ahmad ✈️
- Khaleel Ahmed
- Mukesh Choudhary
Impact Sub: MS Dhoni (WK-Batter) — for death-over cameos and situational finishing
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 8/10 |
| Bowling | 6.5/10 |
| All-round Depth | 7/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Sanju Samson — T20 World Cup Player of the Tournament entering with peak confidence; his powerplay strike rate and ability to demolish spin in the middle overs makes CSK’s top order genuinely feared.
Predicted Finish: #8/10
CSK’s youth-heavy rebuild is the right long-term play, but the Ellis injury exposes a fragile pace attack, and ₹28.4 crore invested in two uncapped players is a gamble that may not pay dividends in Year 1. Samson and Gaikwad will keep them competitive, but this squad lacks the depth to survive a 14-game grind. A mid-table finish with occasional brilliance feels most realistic.
5. Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Status: Rebuilding | Dark Horse Storyline: The Post-Samson Reset — Parag’s Royals 2.0
After a forgettable IPL 2025 where they finished ninth on the points table, avoiding rock bottom only due to superior net run rate over CSK, Rajasthan Royals have undergone a radical transformation. Riyan Parag has been named captain after Sanju Samson was traded to Chennai Super Kings for Ravindra Jadeja and Sam Curran. With Curran now ruled out before a ball is bowled and a young squad still finding its identity under Kumar Sangakkara’s coaching, expectations must be tempered — but the raw talent is undeniable.
Top Auction Buys
- Ravi Bishnoi — ₹7.20 crore — Bowler → RR outbid CSK and SRH to land him as their first purchase; fills the massive spin void left by Hasaranga and Theekshana’s release.
- Adam Milne — ₹2.40 crore — Bowler → Filled the only remaining overseas slot; brings 65 wickets in 56 T20Is for New Zealand.
- Kuldeep Sen — ₹75 lakh — Bowler → Returns to the Royals after a season away; was part of the IPL 2022 runners-up squad. Budget pace depth.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Elite opening pair: Yashasvi Jaiswal had a standout season in 2025, while Vaibhav Sooryavanshi made a big impact by scoring the fastest IPL century by an Indian. This is the most exciting young opening duo in the league.
🎯Pace artillery is deep: Jofra Archer, Nandre Burger, Kwena Maphaka, Tushar Deshpande, and Sandeep Sharma offer variety across all phases.
🎯 Revamped spin department: Ravi Bishnoi and Ravindra Jadeja give RR a quality spin pairing after releasing Hasaranga and Theekshana.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Sam Curran ruled out: RR lose England all-rounder Sam Curran to a groin injury ahead of IPL 20265 — a massive blow to all-round balance and overseas depth.
⚠️ Middle-order fragility: Beyond Hetmyer, the middle order relies on unproven names like Shubham Dubey and Donovan Ferreira — risky under pressure.
⚠️ Captaincy question marks: RR’s choice of Riyan Parag as captain over experienced players like Jadeja or Curran.
Players to Watch
🔥 Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — The teenage phenom’s second full season; can he handle the weight of expectation as a powerplay destroyer
🔥 Ravi Bishnoi — Has represented India in 42 games with career-best figures of 4/13. Must anchor the spin attack.
🔥 Jofra Archer — If fully fit, his pace and death-overs mastery transforms RR from pretenders to contenders.
Latest Squad News
👉 RR are set to sign Sri Lanka all-rounder Dasun Shanaka as a replacement for the injured Sam Curran, according to Reports.
👉 RR enter IPL 2026 in transition after Sanju Samson’s exit; with Riyan Parag as captain and Ravindra Jadeja returning, the focus shifts to redefining identity.
👉 Rajasthan Royals have rejected a ₹16,000 crore takeover bid from Columbia Pacific Capital Partners, aiming for a higher valuation.
Probable XI
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi
- Riyan Parag (c)
- Shimron Hetmyer ✈️
- Dhruv Jurel (wk)
- Ravindra Jadeja
- Donovan Ferreira / Dasun Shanaka ✈️
- Jofra Archer ✈️
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Sandeep Sharma
- Tushar Deshpande
Impact Sub: Nandre Burger (Pacer) / Shubham Dubey (Batsman) — According to the situation
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 7.5/10 |
| Bowling | 8/10 |
| All-round Depth | 6.5/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi — At just 14, he has already shattered IPL records; if he replicates his debut season form, RR’s top order becomes the most fearless in the tournament.
Predicted Finish: #9/10
The raw talent in this squad is tantalizing — Jaiswal, Sooryavanshi, Archer, and Bishnoi are match-winners on any given day. But losing Curran before the season starts exposes a thin all-round bench, and asking a 22-year-old Parag to captain a rebuilding side is a high-risk play. RR will produce moments of brilliance but lack the consistency and middle-order depth to sustain a playoff push. This is a transition year — the payoff comes in 2027.
“Halfway through our IPL 2026 team preview, and the theme is clear — injuries and overseas selection headaches are defining every franchise’s outlook.”
6. Delhi Capitals (DC)
Status: Dark Horse | Playoff Contender Storyline: The Maiden Title Quest — Can Axar’s Revamped XI Finally Cross the Line?
Delhi Capitals started IPL 2025 with back-to-back wins to establish themselves as serious title contenders, but lost form in the final phase and finished just outside the playoffs in fifth spot. The franchise reassessed roles and squad depth, entering the auction with ₹21.8 crore and focusing on specific corrections — releasing Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk while adding David Miller, Ben Duckett, Pathum Nissanka, and Lungi Ngidi. With Starc’s delayed arrival looming large, the early weeks will define whether this is finally Delhi’s year.
Top Auction Buys
- Auqib Nabi Dar — ₹8.40 crore — All-rounder → The most interesting of DC’s purchases; having started at a base price of ₹30 lakh, he was sold for 28 times that amount after fierce bidding. Finished as the leading wicket-taker in Ranji Trophy 2025-26 with 60 wickets.
- Pathum Nissanka — ₹4 crore — Batter → Sri Lankan opener in red-hot form; could form a formidable opening partnership with KL Rahul.
- David Miller — ₹2 crore — Batter → Secured at his base price with no challenge — a steal for a proven finisher with deep IPL experience.
- Ben Duckett — ₹2 crore — Batter → Will make his much-anticipated IPL debut; offers left-handed aggression at the top of the order.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Elite bowling core: Starc, Kuldeep, and T Natarajan form a proven wicket-taking trio. Backup overseas pacer Dushmantha Chameera has picked 55 wickets in 37 T20s since January 2025.
🎯 Upgraded middle order: Miller joining Stubbs and Ashutosh Sharma gives DC better finishing power than anything they’ve fielded previously.
🎯 Opening flexibility: DC’s top-order options are broader and more role-specific — Duckett, Nissanka, and Prithvi Shaw offer flexibility depending on opposition and conditions.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Mitchell Starc missing early games: DC will have to wait for Starc, who is expected to join later in the season, with Cricket Australia carefully managing his workload.
⚠️ Opening combination unsettled: Despite multiple opening options, DC still do not have a clearly established first-choice pair— the same issue that derailed their 2025 campaign.
⚠️ Captaincy under scrutiny: Axar Patel’s tactical frailties were on display in some matches last season, costing DC dearly.
Players to Watch
🔥 Auqib Nabi Dar — The 29-year-old new-ball specialist is known for swinging the ball early and delivering at the death. A domestic sensation primed for the IPL spotlight.
🔥 Tristan Stubbs — DC’s leading run-scorer over the past two seasons; his finishing at No. 5/6 is critical to their title hopes.
🔥 Kuldeep Yadav — Lead spinner with a chip on his shoulder after Varun Chakravarthy toppled him for the first spinner’s role in the Indian T20I team.
Latest Squad News
👉 Mitchell Starc will miss the initial phase of IPL 2026, with Cricket Australia taking a cautious approach with their multi-format bowlers.
👉 Lungi Ngidi will now have the onus of leading the pace attack in Starc’s absence.
👉 DC are set to kick off their campaign against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium on April 1.
Probable XI
- Abishek Porel (wk)
- Ben Duckett ✈️
- KL Rahul
- Nitish Rana
- Tristan Stubbs ✈️
- David Miller ✈️
- Axar Patel (c)
- Ashutosh Sharma
- Kuldeep Yadav
- Lungi Ngidi ✈️
- T Natarajan
Impact Sub: Auqib Nabi Dar (All rounder) — for Ashutosh Sharma.
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 8.5/10 |
| Bowling | 8/10 |
| All-round Depth | 7/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Kuldeep Yadav — In 98 IPL matches, Kuldeep has taken 102 wickets at an average of 26.97, and his returns since joining DC in 2022 have been remarkable. A motivated Kuldeep in the middle overs is DC’s cheat code.
Predicted Finish: #5/10
With a well-rounded squad and the strategic trade-in of Nitish Rana, the Delhi Capitals appear to have the most balanced roster they have fielded in years. But the pattern is hauntingly familiar — DC start strong, then fade. Starc’s absence in the first phase, an unsettled opening pair, and Axar’s still-developing captaincy could again cost them crucial early points. The talent screams top-four; the execution history whispers fifth. Until Delhi prove they can close out a season, the benefit of the doubt stays on hold.
7. Gujarat Titans (GT)
Status: Title Contender | Strongest On Paper Storyline: The Top-Three Masterclass — Can GT Convert League Dominance Into A Trophy?
In IPL 2025, all three members of GT’s top-order — Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler exceeded 500 runs across the season, an achievement no other IPL franchise has matched. Yet the story of GT’s 2025 is also one of late-season collapse, they had won nine of the first 12 matches and were sitting on top, but couldn’t come in the top two after that. Gujarat Titans chose stability over extravagance, quietly fine-tuning their roster with targeted acquisitions at the mini-auction. The question isn’t talent — it’s temperament under pressure.
Top Auction Buys
- Jason Holder — ₹7 crore — All-rounder → With 344 wickets and 3,133 runs in his T20 career, he fills the Rutherford void with death-overs bowling and lower-order muscle.
- Tom Banton — ₹2 crore — WK-Batter → Having previously donned the jersey of KKR, Banton has 4,890 T20 runs, including four centuries and 25 fifties. Backup explosive option behind Buttler.
- Ashok Sharma — ₹90 lakh — Bowler → The 23-year-old speedster from Rajasthan, known for consistently producing deliveries above 140 km/h, has been the leading wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Historic top-three: The pairing of Gill (650 runs in 2025) and Sudharsan (759 runs in 2025)5 with Buttler at No. 3 creates the IPL’s most prolific top order.
🎯 Elite pace reserves: Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Rabada lead, with Ishant Sharma, Arshad Khan, Gurnoor Brar, and Ashok Sharma providing deep rotation options.
🎯 World-class overseas quartet: Buttler, Phillips, Rashid Khan, and Kagiso Rabada give GT match-winners across all three phases.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Middle-order fragility: Rutherford’s departure leaves a void at No. 4; Glenn Phillips is expected to fill that role, but consistency remains a question mark. Shahrukh Khan has struggled for form in recent seasons.
⚠️ Death-bowling concerns: Mohammad Kaif highlighted GT’s death-bowling issues, pointing out that Siraj is more proficient with the new ball and got hit at the death. Rabada’s form has been on the wane lately.
⚠️ Rashid Khan’s dip: Rashid picked up only nine wickets at an economy rate of 9.34 in 15 matches in IPL 2025 — a return to form is non-negotiable.
Players to Watch
🔥 Rashid Khan — His recent dip in form is GT’s biggest threat; his effectiveness in the middle overs has historically been central to their strategy.
🔥 Sai Sudharsan — Composed Opener with Anchoring ability; IPL 2025 Orange cap winner.
🔥 Ashok Sharma — Uncapped 140+ kph tearaway; could earn a starting spot if he impresses in the nets.
Latest Squad News
👉 No major injury concerns reported for Gujarat Titans ahead of IPL 2026.
👉 GT added B R Sharath to squad as replacement for Robin Minz Sandeep Warrier named as replacement for Mohammed Shami.
👉 GT are set to play their campaign opener against the Punjab Kings in Mullanpur on March 31.
Probable XI
- Sai Sudharsan
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Jos Buttler (wk) ✈️
- Washington Sundar
- Glenn Phillips ✈️
- Shahrukh Khan
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan ✈️
- Kagiso Rabada ✈️
- Mohammed Siraj
- Sai Kishore
Impact Sub: Prasidh Krishna (Fast Bowler) — for Shahrukh Khan in bowling-heavy games
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 9/10 |
| Bowling | 8/10 |
| All-round Depth | 8/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Jos Buttler — Moved to No. 3 to form a devastating top-three with Gill and Sudharsan. When Buttler fires at the Narendra Modi Stadium’s big square boundaries, GT post 220+ totals routinely.
Predicted Finish: #3/10
GT’s top-three batting is the tournament’s best on paper, and the bowling — Rashid, Rabada, Siraj — is elite when firing. But despite winning nine of their first 12 matches in 2025, they couldn’t finish in the top two. The middle-order void left by Rutherford, Rashid’s economy blowout, and death-overs vulnerability remain unresolved. This squad will dominate league stages but faces a familiar playoff ceiling unless the finishing clicks. Top-three finish is the baseline; the trophy requires a Rashid Khan renaissance.
8. Mumbai Indians (MI)
Status: Title Contender Storyline: The T20 World Cup Core Chases Trophy #6
With four of India’s stars in a successful T20 World Cup campaign — Jasprit Bumrah, Hardik Pandya, Tilak Varma and Suryakumar Yadav — forming an integral part of the MI squad, they enter the tournament among the favourites. The five-time champions retained most of their core squad that helped them reach Qualifier 2 in IPL 2025 and headed into the auction with a modest remaining purse of ₹2.75 crore. Expect a genuine top-three push if Bumrah’s workload is managed smartly.
Top Auction Buys
- Quinton de Kock — ₹1 crore — WK-Batter → A revered member of the 2019 and 2020 championship-winning team4; provides explosive powerplay backup for Rickelton.
- Shardul Thakur — Traded In — All-rounder → Adds death-overs versatility and lower-order hitting; a proven big-match performer.
- Sherfane Rutherford — Traded In — Batter → Provides finishing power in the middle order.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Unmatched top-order firepower: Rohit Sharma, Suryakumar Yadav, and Tilak Varma give MI three India-proven match-winners in the top five.
🎯 Lethal new-ball pairing: Bumrah has taken 160+ wickets in 130+ IPL matches at an economy rate of approximately 7.41 — paired with Trent Boult’s left-arm swing, MI’s powerplay bowling is elite. 🎯 Spin versatility: MI have versatile spin all-rounders like Mitchell Santner, Will Jacks, and Naman Dhir in the squad, giving the team more flexibility in combinations.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Bumrah workload risk: The BCCI wants to reduce Bumrah’s participation in T20 cricket until the completion of the 2027 World Cup — MI may lose him for select games.
⚠️ Death-overs backup thin: Beyond Bumrah and Boult, reliance on Deepak Chahar and Shardul in the slog overs is a gamble.
⚠️ No marquee overseas spinner: Allah Ghazanfar is promising but unproven across a full IPL campaign.
Players to Watch
🔥 Tilak Varma — Coming off a T20 World Cup high; ready to cement himself as MI’s No. 3 anchor for a decade.
🔥 Will Jacks — Explosive off-spin all-rounder who can bat anywhere from 1–5 and break partnerships mid-innings.
🔥 Allah Ghazanfar — Afghan mystery spinner; a breakout campaign could unlock MI’s tactical flexibility.
Latest Squad News
👉 Atharva Ankolekar has been ruled out of the whole season due to a knee injury.
👉 The BCCI opted to limit Bumrah’s participation in T20s days before the IPL 2026 — expect selective rest games.
👉 MI will start IPL 2026 against the Kolkata Knight Riders on March 29 in a home fixture.
Probable XI
- Rohit Sharma
- Ryan Rickelton (wk) / Quinton de Cock ✈️
- Suryakumar Yadav
- Tilak Varma
- Hardik Pandya (c)
- Will Jacks ✈️
- Naman Dhir
- Mitchell Santner/ Corbin Bosch ✈️
- Deepak Chahar
- Jasprit Bumrah
- Trent Boult ✈️
Impact Sub: Shardhul Thakur (Fast Bowler)
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 9/10 |
| Bowling | 8.5/10 |
| All-round Depth | 8/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Jasprit Bumrah — A player whose fitness determines Mumbai Indians’ IPL title chances almost single-handedly.
Predicted Finish: #1/10
MI’s squad depth is the tournament’s deepest, and their T20 World Cup-winning quartet gives them a psychological edge no other franchise possesses. If Bumrah plays 12+ matches, this team wins IPL 2026. The only variable is workload management — and MI have enough bench strength to absorb it.
9. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Status: Rebuilding Contender | High Ceiling, Injury Crisis Floor Storyline: The Cameron Green Gamble — Can Rahane Hold A Crumbling Pace Attack Together?
KKR finished in eighth place in IPL 2025’s league stage — a jarring reality check for the three-time champions. Their response was the most aggressive at the auction: they came in with the largest purse of ₹64.30 crore and the least number of players in the squad at just 12. The headline is Cameron Green at a record price, but the real story entering IPL 2026 is a crippling pace injury crisis before a single ball has been bowled.
Top Auction Buys
- Cameron Green — ₹25.20 crore — All-rounder → With Andre Russell released, Green is the franchise’s new premier all-round option, entrusted with a central role in both batting and bowling departments.
- Matheesha Pathirana — ₹18 crore — Bowler → Sri Lanka’s death-overs specialist; his slinging action and yorker ability are tailor-made for the slog overs — if fit.
- Rachin Ravindra — ₹4 crore — All-rounder → Left-handed top-order flexibility and handy off-spin; adds batting depth and covers Green’s bowling load.
- Blessing Muzarabani — Replacement — Bowler → After the BCCI asked KKR to release Mustafizur Rahman, they signed Zimbabwe pacer Muzarabani as a direct replacement.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Elite spin duo: KKR have the best spin duo in the competition — Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy remain unmatched as a combined spin threat in the middle overs.
🎯 Explosive top order: Finn Allen’s powerplay destruction, Angkrish Raghuvanshi’s composure, and Rinku Singh’s finishing give KKR a well-defined batting blueprint.
🎯 All-round depth: Green, Narine, Ravindra, and Ramandeep Singh give Rahane four genuine all-round options — critical for team balance.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Indian pace depth hit: Harshit Rana reported ruled out; reduces domestic seam reliability.
⚠️ Overseas slots squeeze: Green, Pathirana, Fizz compete with Allen/Rachin for only four.
⚠️ Batting finish without Russell: Late-innings power now relies heavily on Rinku/Green
Players to Watch
🔥 Cameron Green — ₹25.20 crore buys must deliver; his powerplay hitting and death-overs pace are KKR’s primary weapon.
🔥 Varun Chakravarthy — Had a fantastic season last year and has been the leader of the attack ,must anchor the bowling in the pace vacuum.
🔥 Angkrish Raghuvanshi — The 19-year-old’s IPL breakout innings are coming; KKR need him to take ownership of the No. 3 slot.
Latest Squad News
👉 Akash Deep has been ruled out for the entire IPL 2026 season after failing to recover from a lower-back stress injury
👉 Harshit Rana is set to miss the bulk of, if not the entire season, as he recovers from knee surgery.
👉 KKR are led by Ajinkya Rahane and coached by Abhishek Nayar with DJ Bravo serving as mentor, an entirely new support structure after the 2024 title.
Probable XI
- Finn Allen ✈️
- Angkrish Raghuvanshi
- Ajinkya Rahane (c)
- Cameron Green ✈️
- Rinku Singh
- Rovman Powell ✈️
- Ramandeep Singh
- Sunil Narine ✈️
- Varun Chakravarthy
- Umran Malik
- Vaibhav Arora
Impact Sub: Kartik Tyagi (Fast Bowler)
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 8/10 |
| Bowling | 6/10 |
| All-round Depth | 7.5/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Sunil Narine — At 37, Narine remains the most economical powerplay bowler and most explosive pinch-hitter in IPL history. His dual contribution in the first six overs — batting and bowling — can shift match dynamics in under three overs.
Predicted Finish: #10/10
KKR’s batting is deep enough to qualify — but their pace bowling crisis is the most severe of any franchise entering IPL 2026. Kolkata Knight Riders have suffered the biggest setback among all teams, particularly in their bowling department. A new coaching structure adapting to a rebuilding roster — the variables stack against them. Narine and Chakravarthy will keep them competitive on slow Eden Gardens pitches, but away games on flat decks could expose the bowling badly. A bottom-half finish feels unavoidable this season.
10. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Status: Dark Horse | Injury-Dependent Wildcard Storyline: Big Names, Bigger Fitness Gambles — Can Pant Turn Star Power Into Playoff Reality?
LSG have reached the playoffs in two seasons (2022, 2023) but finished seventh in both 2024 and 2025. They remain the only active team to have never reached an IPL final. The franchise responded with bold moves — Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar were acquired in a trade worth ₹10 crore, while key acquisitions included Wanindu Hasaranga and Anrich Nortje at base price, seen as smart value buys. But the elephant in the room is fitness: the team managed to get resources who are quite injury prone — Hasaranga’s fitness remains unclear, while Nortje, Shami, and Avesh Khan are all injury-prone. This squad’s ceiling is top-three; its floor is bottom-four.
Top Auction Buys
- Josh Inglis — ₹8.60 crore — WK-Batter → The biggest investment, although he is expected to be available for only part of the season. He is due to get married during the IPL.
- Anrich Nortje — Base Price — Bowler → He was one of LSG’s first-choice targets alongside Hasaranga; express pace at 150+ kph bolsters the death-overs attack.
- Wanindu Hasaranga — Base Price — All-rounder → Hasaranga was LSG’s “first-choice leg-spinner”; adds wicket-taking spin and lower-order hitting — if fit.
Squad Strengths
🎯 Elite overseas batting core: LSG has one of the best foreign batting resources — Markram, Inglis, Pooran, and Marsh provide firepower across all phases.
🎯 Devastating pace potential: Shami (swing), Nortje (express pace), Mayank Yadav (raw speed), and Avesh Khan form arguably the most fearsome Indian pace quartet — on paper.
🎯 All-round versatility: Some of the bigger stars in the team are all-rounders, who can chip in with the bat or ball when needed.
Squad Weaknesses
⚠️ Thin spin depth: Limited spin-bowling options could hurt them as the onus would heavily fall on leg-spinner Digvesh Rathi, who would need support from Shahbaz Ahmed
⚠️ Over-reliance on overseas batters: Balaji flags concerns over LSG being heavily reliant on their overseas batters in the top-order — if one overseas star misfires, the Indian middle order is thin.
⚠️ No proven finisher post-Miller release: LSG still lacks an experienced finisher after releasing David Miller. Inglis, while talented, is not a natural finisher and will miss part of the season.
Players to Watch
🔥 Mayank Yadav — Making a comeback after a nine-month injury break; previously reached speeds of more than 156 kph in IPL 2024. If fit, he’s the most electric fast bowler in the tournament.
🔥 Ayush Badoni — Underrated middle-order anchor; must step up as the primary Indian batter alongside Pant.
🔥 Mohammed Shami — Has not regained his spot in the India team since the Champions Trophy final; IPL 2026 is his redemption arc.
Latest Squad News
👉 In LSG’s warm-up match, young pacer Mayank Yadav and wrist-spinner Digvesh Rathi were the standout performers.
👉 Wanindu Hasaranga remains doubtful for the entire season due to hamstring injury, while Josh Inglis is partially unavailable due to personal leave.
👉 LSG will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow.
Probable XI
- Aiden Markram ✈️
- Mitchell Marsh ✈️
- Nicholas Pooran (wk) ✈️
- Rishabh Pant (c)
- Ayush Badoni
- Abdul Samad
- Shahbaz Ahmed
- Mohammed Shami
- Anrich Nortje ✈️
- Digvesh Rathi
- Mayank Yadav / Avesh Khan
Impact Sub: Mohsin Khan (Pacer) — for Shahbaz Ahmed on seam-friendly decks
Squad Rating
| Department | Rating |
|---|---|
| Batting | 8.5/10 |
| Bowling | 7/10 |
| All-round Depth | 7.5/10 |
💥 X-Factor: Mayank Yadav — Previously able to reach speeds of more than 156 kph in IPL 20247, his raw pace is unmatched in the tournament. If he stays fit for 10+ games, LSG’s bowling transforms from vulnerable to terrifying overnight.
Predicted Finish: #7/10
LSG’s squad reads like a fantasy draft — Pant, Pooran, Marsh, Shami, Nortje, Hasaranga — but the fitness question marks are overwhelming. Nortje is injury-prone, and so are Shami and Avesh Khan. Mayank Yadav is fully fit for now, but was unfit the entire last season. If even two of these gambles pay off, LSG are a playoff lock. If the injury bug bites again as history suggests expect another frustrating seventh-place finish. The talent deserves top-four; the medical room says seventh.
🏆 IPL 2026 — Predicted League Stage Standings
IPL 2026 Team Preview — Predicted League Stage Standings
| Position | Team | Reason (One Line) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mumbai Indians (MI) | T20 World Cup core intact, no injury concerns, and Bumrah’s death-overs mastery is the tournament’s single biggest advantage. |
| 2 | Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Defending champions with the most settled squad — Kohli-Salt opening and title-winning chemistry offset Hazlewood’s delayed start. |
| 3 | Gujarat Titans (GT) | IPL’s most prolific top-three (Gill, Sudharsan, Buttler all 500+ runs in 2025) guarantees league-stage dominance, playoff conversion is the question. |
| 4 | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | 2025 finalists with 21 retained players and unmatched all-round depth (Stoinis, Jansen, Omarzai) ; Ferguson’s seven-match absence costs them top-two. |
| 5 | Delhi Capitals (DC) | Most balanced roster in years with Miller, Stubbs, and Kuldeep but Starc’s delayed arrival and DC’s chronic late-season fade keep them just outside playoffs. |
| 6 | Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Devastating batting firepower (Klaasen, Head, Livingstone) wins games but Cummins’ absence early and paper-thin spin depth leaks too many close finishes. |
| 7 | Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Star-studded on paper (Pant, Pooran, Shami, Nortje) but injury-prone pace unit and Hasaranga’s doubtful fitness make them a medical room away from collapse. |
| 8 | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Youth-heavy rebuild (₹28.4 crore on two uncapped players) is the right long-term play, but Ellis’ injury and inexperience guarantee Year 1 growing pains. |
| 9 | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Curran ruled out, 22-year-old captain in Parag, and a fragile middle order beyond Hetmyer; tantalizing raw talent trapped in a transition year. |
| 10 | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Catastrophic pace crisis (Akash Deep, Harshit Rana out; Pathirana delayed) leaves the bowling unit decimated before a ball is bowled; ₹25 crore Green can’t fix it alone. |
Every IPL season promises to be the best one yet. This time, it actually might be. The squads are stacked, the rivalries are intense, and the storylines write themselves before a single ball has been bowled. This IPL 2026 team preview is just the beginning. At The Deep Midwicket, we’ll be right here through every match — predictions before, analysis after, and honest takes always. No filler. No fence-sitting. Just cricket, covered the way it deserves to be. IPL 2026, let’s go.
Disclaimer: The views, opinions, and predictions expressed in this article are solely those of the author and are based on current squad compositions, recent player form, and historical trends at the time of writing. These predictions are for informational and entertainment purposes only and should not be used for betting or gambling of any kind. Squad details, injury updates, and playing XIs are subject to change. We recommend checking official team and IPL sources for the latest updates.