Top 10 IPL Players to Watch in 2026
IPL 2026 has the most stacked star line-up in the tournament's history. Here are ten players to watch — a mix of Indian regulars, overseas finishers and emerging talents — picked on franchise impact and likely role in the upcoming season.
The full ranking — 10 picks
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Top pickRank 1. Virat Kohli
RCBWon back-to-back IPL titles with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in 2025 and 2026, finishing the 2026 final unbeaten on 75. The most-followed cricketer in the IPL and a fixture near the top of the run charts every season.
Photo: Prime Minister's Office · Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India -
Rank 2. Rishabh Pant
Lucknow Super GiantsBought by LSG in the 2024 mega-auction for ₹27 crore — the most expensive purchase in IPL history at the time. Will captain LSG into a new era.
Photo: Prime Minister's Office · Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India -
Rank 3. Travis Head
Sunrisers HyderabadThe Australian opener whose hitting helped SRH reach the 2024 final. The most destructive opener in T20 cricket right now.
Photo: Calistemon · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 4. Suryakumar Yadav
Mumbai IndiansMr 360°. The most innovative T20 batter in the world. Captains India in T20Is; expected to play a senior role at MI in 2026.
Photo: Prime Minister's Office · Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India -
Rank 5. Pat Cummins
Sunrisers HyderabadCaptained SRH to the 2024 final and lifted Australia's World Cup. Brilliant tactical mind, useful fast bowler. One of the most respected leaders in the league.
Photo: SirWellsy99 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0 -
Rank 6. Hardik Pandya
Mumbai IndiansReturned to MI as captain in 2024 after a Gujarat Titans title win. Powerful all-rounder who will be central to MI's plans.
Photo: Prime Minister's Office · Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India -
Rank 7. Abhishek Sharma
Sunrisers HyderabadIndia's T20I opening star and the top-ranked T20I batter for much of 2025. His powerplay partnership with Travis Head makes Sunrisers Hyderabad's top order the most feared in the league.
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Rank 8. Yashasvi Jaiswal
Rajasthan RoyalsThe breakout Indian Test star is also an IPL force. Has consistently hit 500+ runs in recent seasons opening for RR.
Photo: Prime Minister's Office · Wikimedia Commons · GODL-India -
Rank 9. Shubman Gill
Gujarat TitansGT's captain since 2024. Won the Orange Cap in 2023 and remains the highest-percentage Indian top-order player in the league.
Photo: Bollywood Hungama · Wikipedia/Wikimedia · CC BY 3.0 -
Rank 10. Rinku Singh
Kolkata Knight RidersThe 5-sixes-in-an-over guy. Has redefined what finishing means in the IPL. KKR's most clutch player across the last three seasons.
Photo: Wikipedia/Wikimedia · Editorial use
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About this list
Top 10 IPL Players to Watch in 2026 runs from 1 to 10. Virat Kohli takes the top spot, and Rinku Singh closes it out at number 10. It was first published on 27 May 2026 and last revised on 24 September 2026.
Spotted something out of date, or an entry you would rank differently? Tell us — the order on this page is revised as the picks change.
