Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have acted quickly to deal with their growing injury concerns, bringing in Vidarbha pacer Saurabh Dubey as a replacement for Akash Deep ahead of IPL 2026. The 28-year-old left-arm seamer, who had been training with the squad as a net bowler, now finds himself promoted to the main team just days before the season begins.

Dubey may not yet be a familiar name in the IPL, but he comes with potential and the advantage of already being part of the KKR setup during pre-season. His inclusion gives the team a much-needed option in their depleted pace department.

Akash Deep out of IPL 2026 due to lower back injury

Akash Deep, meanwhile, has been ruled out after suffering a stress reaction in his lower back – an injury that typically requires several weeks of recovery. The Bengal pacer had picked up the issue during a Ranji Trophy match earlier this year and has since been undergoing rehabilitation at the BCCI’s Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru. He never joined KKR’s pre-season camp, leaving the franchise short on domestic pace resources.

Dubey’s journey to this opportunity hasn’t been straightforward. He was previously part of Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)’s squad in IPL 2022, but injuries cut that stint short. After going unsold in the IPL 2026 mini-auction, he remained in the available player pool, waiting for a chance – and now, that opportunity has arrived.

“He is a very talented left-arm fast bowler. He gets extra bounce off the wicket and can swing the ball both ways. It’s a good call by the Knight Riders management,” said Subroto Banerjee, highlighting Dubey’s strengths.

A KKR official also confirmed that Dubey had already been impressing in training sessions. “Dubey was a net bowler for KKR and was practising with them at Eden Gardens and in their camp in Mumbai, but he will now be in the main squad,” the official said.

Also READ: RCB legend Virat Kohli reacts to ‘chartered flight to London’ rumours ahead of IPL 2026

Injury concerns mount but KKR remain optimistic

While Dubey’s inclusion provides some relief, KKR’s injury list continues to be a major concern. Akash Deep is not the only pacer missing – young fast bowler Harshit Rana has also been ruled out after undergoing knee surgery. His absence, combined with Deep’s injury, leaves a significant gap in the team’s bowling plans.

Adding to the challenge, marquee signing Matheesha Pathirana is also unavailable for the opening matches as he recovers from a calf strain. His return is expected only around mid-April, meaning KKR will have to navigate the initial phase of the tournament without one of their key overseas pacers.

The franchise has already made other adjustments, including bringing in Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani earlier, but the constant changes have forced the management to rethink their bowling combinations.

Despite these setbacks, mentor Dwayne Bravo remains confident in the team’s depth and ability to adapt.

“The good thing about Indian cricket, especially at the moment, is that there is a lot of depth. There’re the likes of Umran Malik, Kartik Tyagi, Vaibhav Arora… they are young, exciting talents,” Bravo said.

KKR will begin their IPL 2026 campaign against Mumbai Indians (MI) on March 29 at the Wankhede Stadium. With a reshuffled bowling attack and a mix of experienced players and fresh faces, the team faces an early test of its resilience.

Also READ: Kevin Pietersen picks his dream IPL XI, names MS Dhoni as captain

The action on 23^rd March at 2:30 PM IST will bring Konark Suryas Odisha against Southern Super Stars in the tenth match of the Legends Cricket League 2026 at Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium, Haldwani.

Get the best KSO vs SSS Dream11 prediction, fantasy cricket tips, probable playing XI, and match insights for the 10^th match of the Legends Cricket League 2026. Expert analysis and more.

KSO vs SSS Match Preview:

The intensity of Legends League Cricket 2026 reaches a new peak as Konark Suryas Odisha prepares to challenge the table-topping Southern Super Stars in Match 10. This high-stakes encounter is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026, at 2:30 PM IST at the Indira Gandhi International Cricket Stadium in Haldwani. As the tournament moves into its mid-season phase, this clash represents a critical opportunity for Odisha to halt the Super Stars’ unbeaten run and climb the standings.

Meanwhile, historical data reveals a challenging narrative for the Odisha franchise in this specific rivalry. The Southern Super Stars have maintained a perfect record against them, securing three victories in their last three T20 encounters. Furthermore, the Super Stars enter this game as the defending champions, having defeated Odisha in a thrilling Super Over during the previous edition’s final. Therefore, the “Suryas” enter this Haldwani showdown with a powerful motivation to finally break their statistical duck against the league leaders.

Konark Suryas Odisha enters this fixture with a balanced record of one win and one loss from their completed matches. They rely heavily on the elite form of Morne van Wyk, who has already amassed 78 runs this season, and the tactical leadership of captain Irfan Pathan. Furthermore, the bowling department features the wicket-taking ability of Saurin Thakar, who leads their charts with 4 scalps. Additionally, the team seeks to utilize the experience of Ross Taylor and Ben Dunk to counter the Super Stars’ aggressive bowling attack and post a formidable total.

However, the Southern Super Stars arrive in Haldwani as the undisputed team to beat, currently sitting at the top of the table with 4 points and a massive net run rate of +3.452. The squad is powered by the explosive opening of Martin Guptill and the finishing prowess of Dinesh Karthik. Moreover, their bowling unit has been clinical, led by the discipline of Hamid Hassan and the spin of Harbhajan Singh. Furthermore, the visitors intend to leverage their psychological edge and winning momentum to secure a third consecutive victory and solidify their path to the knockouts.

Therefore, both legendary squads will fight with high intensity to dictate the tempo of the afternoon session. Konark Suryas Odisha aims to utilize their spin variety to stifle the Super Stars’ heavy hitters on the Haldwani surface. Additionally, the Southern Super Stars intend to leverage their superior all-round depth and recent dominance to maintain their perfect start to the 2026 campaign.

KSO vs SSS Head-to-Head Record:

KSO vs SSS Weather & Pitch Report:

Record of chasing teams:

KSO vs SSS Playing 11s (Predicted):

Konark Suryas Odisha Playing 11:

1) Morne van Wyk (wk)

2) Ben Dunk

3) Ross Taylor

4) Jermaine Blackwood

5) Irfan Pathan ©

6) Jesal Karia

7) Ravichandran Ashwin

8) Saurin Thakar

9) Ankit Rajpoot

10) Vinay Kumar

11) Piyush Chawla

Southern Super Stars Playing 11:

1) Martin Guptill

2) Hamilton Masakadza

3) Pawan Negi

4) Dinesh Karthik (wk)

5) Chaturanga de Silva

6) Chirag Gandhi

7) Harbhajan Singh ©

8) Hamid Hassan

9) Jeevan Mendis

10) Suranga Lakmal

11) Abdur Razzak

Hot Picks for KSO vs SSS Dream11 Prediction and Fantasy Cricket Tips:

Captaincy Picks:

Top Picks:

Budget Picks:

KSO vs SSS Legends Cricket League 2026 Captain and Vice-captain Choices:

KSO vs SSS Dream11 Prediction Team 1:

• Keepers – Morne van Wyk
• Batters – Hamilton Masakadza, Dhananjaya Munaveera, Jermaine Blackwood
• All-rounders – Malinda Pushpakumara, Jesal Karia ©, Rajat Jangid, Pawan Negi (vc), Saurin Thakar
• Bowlers – Ankit Rajpoot, Dhawal Kulkarni

KSO vs SSS Dream11 Prediction Team 2:

• Keepers – Morne van Wyk, Pawan Bisht
• Batters – Dhananjaya Munaveera, Jermaine Blackwood
• All-rounders – Malinda Pushpakumara, Jesal Karia, Pawan Negi, Saurin Thakar ©, Irfan Pathan
• Bowlers – Ankit Rajpoot (vc), Dhawal Kulkarni, Rakesh Singh

KSO vs SSS Dream11 Prediction Today Match 10 Legends Cricket League 2026 Players to Avoid:

KSO vs SSS Dream11 Prediction Today Match 10 Legends Cricket League 2026 Expert Advice:

KSO vs SSS Match Winner Prediction:

Considering the team combination, Konark Suryas Odisha is expected to win this match.

Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has addressed the ongoing player withdrawals from the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026. In response to these sudden overseas departures, Naqvi expressed complete indifference, claiming that the PSL continues to attract new talent and has enough replacements.

Several high-profile international cricketers have abruptly abandoned their contractual commitments in Pakistan to secure lucrative franchise deals in the upcoming Indian Premier League season, severely impacting multiple squads.

It all started when Zimbabwe fast bowler Blessing Muzarabani left Islamabad United to join Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the IPL 2026. The PCB has now threatened legal action against players who have withdrawn from the league.

We Will Take Legal Action Against Players – Mohsin Naqvi

During a recent press conference, Mohsin Naqvi shared his stance on player withdrawals. The PCB chief claimed that the Pakistan Super League continues to attract fresh international replacements despite these ongoing challenges.

“2-3 have left & we are taking legal action on that. If you look at last year and this time, you’ll see how many Category A players we have attracted, players who never used to come before are now coming as well,” Naqvi stated.

“For us, it doesn’t make sense to clash with the IPL because there is a strong pool of good players. Even if some players are leaving, a large number are also coming to us.”

PSL 2026 To Be Held in Karachi and Lahore Without Spectators

Mohsin Naqvi also confirmed that PSL 2026 will be held only in Karachi and Lahore, with initial matches set to take place without spectators. The decision comes amid ongoing geopolitical tensions and an emerging oil crisis, which have forced the board to rethink its original plans.

The tournament was initially scheduled across six cities, including Multan, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Peshawar, but the PCB has reduced the venues to streamline logistics and ensure security.

Naqvi stated that the league will still begin on March 26 as planned, adding that matches will be played behind closed doors initially, with further decisions depending on the global situation.

“After consultations with the Prime Minister and security agencies, we have decided that the PSL will begin on March 26 as planned,” Naqvi stated.

“Initially, matches will be held without crowds, and this will continue depending on the global situation.”

Blessing Muzarabani’s IPL Move Triggers PSL Concerns Amid Player Exodus

Blessing Muzarabani’s move to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) has become the biggest talking point, as the Zimbabwe pacer left Islamabad United despite being signed for PSL 2026. He joined KKR as a replacement for Mustafizur Rahman.

Muzarabani is not the only player to prioritise the IPL window. Gudakesh Motie is expected to join Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), while Dasun Shanaka is also likely to switch to Rajasthan Royals (RR) as a replacement player.

These sudden withdrawals have left PSL franchises scrambling for replacements just days before the March 26 opener. The overlap with IPL 2026 has intensified the situation and significantly impacted team combinations.

Also read: PSL hit by player withdrawals; PCB and Mohsin Naqvi calls urgent meeting in Lahore on…

CSK have several backups for their players in the top order; however, they might struggle with some of their options lower down the order. A few of those players include the likes of MS Dhoni, the former captain who led them to five IPL titles.

Chennai Super Kings mostly win the auction, and they would look to bounce back with their performance in the franchise league as well. CSK made some massive investments in players like Prashant Veer and Kartik Sharma, who were invested in for a massive amount of money.

They also have a very good pack of overseas players, which includes Dewald Brevis, Jamie Overton, and Matt Henry. However, other than these players, they have their main strength in the Indian players in the Men in Yellow camp.

3 CSK players who might be a burden in IPL 2026

Noor Ahmed

The Afghan spinner was the central figure in CSK’s bowling attack back in IPL 2025 and finished as their highest wicket-taker in the season. The spinner moved from the Gujarat Titans to the Chennai Super Kings after he was acquired for a massive INR 10 crores in the mega-auction.

The left-arm spinner who bowls somewhat like a chinaman bowler enjoyed bowling on the helpful tracks of the M. Chidambaram Stadium. The grip of the surface further facilitates spin bowling. However, this time around, Noor will be one of the weakest links in the CSK squad.

Noor was not handy for the Afghanistan team in the ICC T20 World Cup, which was played on the Indian tracks. He was taken for many runs, and the batters almost read him from his arm, which unsettled the spinner. CSK would, on the other hand, depend massively on the Afghan spinner.

Prasanth Veer

The youngster from UP was bought for a whopping price of INR 14.20 crores by the Chennai Super Kings management. They had released their most veteran all-rounder in Ravindra Jadeja, and hence, wanted a replacement.

Jadeja is a one-of-a-kind cricketer, and there is no replacement for the Indian great. However, even if they wanted to pick any, they should have picked players who have some experience under their sleeves.

Prasanth Veer, the 20-year-old cricketer, would be burdened by the lack of experience and the immense burden on him, as he has to step into the big and responsible shoes of Ravindra Jadeja.

This will be a possible weak link in the Chennai dugout, as they will miss out on the shots that Jadeja used to play. Veer’s batting will be a concern, while his bowling might not be as effective as Jadeja’s economical spells in the middle overs.

MS Dhoni

Chennai Super Kings management is not yet sure about MS Dhoni’s availability in IPL 2026, although they admitted that he will be available for all the games; his role is yet to be specified. It is also not certain whether Dhoni will feature as an impact player or not.

Dhoni’s batting position would be demoted down the order, and he would feature mostly as a lower-order finisher. Though his experience is of immense use for the Super Kings, his age and fitness would be a question for the CSK team.

With Sanju Samson in the team, MS Dhoni would not be needed behind the stumps; however, if he is used as an impact player, then younger players would beat him in the race, as a fresh player of legs is essential for them.

ALSO READ: Not Yashasvi Jaiswal! These 3 players could power RR to IPL 2026 glory

Spencer Johnson, the left-arm speedster from Australia, has been signed by the CSK franchise as a replacement for Nathan Ellis. Johnson left the PSL just a week ago after citing personal reasons.

The PSL was supposed to grow in its magnitude, but it hasn’t. Many players who were signed with the PSL franchises left the league, citing one reason or another, and were seen returning to the IPL. Shahid Afridi’s statement seems to be real, as he had claimed that only the unsold IPL players play the PSL.

PSL features many big names in 2026, but the likes of Steve Smith, David Warner, and Devon Conway had all gone unsold in the IPL before turning to the Pakistan Super League. Hence, the difference in standards and money is evident.

Spencer Johnson signed by CSK days after leaving PSL

Spencer Johnson had signed with the Quetta Gladiators as a direct signing ahead of the 2026 PSL season; however, he later withdrew before the start of the contest, citing some personal reasons. This decision was made official on the 15th of March.

CSK, the most followed IPL franchise, was then starting to look for Nathan Ellis’ replacement for the upcoming season. Ellis could have been their lead pacer in Matheesha Pathirana’s absence, but now he has been ruled out.

Just a week after withdrawing from the PSL, the Australian speedster has been signed by the Super Kings, and he confirmed it with an Instagram Story.

Spencer Johnson, he became 🦁🦁#IPL2026 #CSK pic.twitter.com/EzfiybCoee

— Karthi S (@karthicrickt) March 22, 2026

Spencer Johnson is Nathan Ellis’s like-for-like replacement

Australian pacer Nathan Ellis was picked as a crucial player in the deck following the release of Matheesha Pathirana; his importance had piled up to a new level. However, the 31-year-old from Australia injured his hamstring and was ruled out of the competition.

The injury that flared up during the recent One Day Cup final in Australia has made him miss the IPL season in 2026. However, this gave Spencer Johnson a clear chance to feature in the IPL once again, after a not-so-promising season for KKR in 2025.

He is a like-for-like replacement, as the left-arm pacer also has a stunning stock ball that shapes away from right-handers, a slower ball that could deceive anyone, and lastly, a toe-crushing yorker, which he can land to perfection in the death overs.

Who will lead the CSK bowling deck in 2026?

Chennai Super Kings will have Anshul Kamboj and Khaleel Ahmed, who will be heading the IPL 2026 pace bowling deck. Jamie Overton, on the other hand, will be a seam bowling all-rounder who can add variety to the side.

CSK are loaded with left-armers, as Gurjanpreet Singh and Mukesh Choudhary would also be on the bench for the Super Kings. The Stephen Fleming-coached side will have Matt Henry available for the series as a backup for Ellis.

Spinners Noor Ahmed and Rahul Chahar were both picked into the side and will be part of the XI, especially when matches are played at their home ground at the M. Chidambaram Stadium.

ALSO READ: 3 players who can win Orange Cap in IPL 2026, ft Finn Allen

The TATA Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is around the corner, with just six days left for the mega event. The IPL is set to last for more than two months, with only 20 days of the schedule having been released by the managing committee due to the Assembly Elections in India.

Over the years, there have been cricketers who have got names from this tournament and built their reputations for scoring lots of runs in competition. There have been young names that have won the Orange Cap in IPL, which is provided to the batter with the most runs in the tournament. Ahead of the IPL, we will find out the possible players to win the Orange Cap in IPL 2026.

3 players who can win Orange Cap in IPL 2026

Finn Allen

Finn Allen has been in excellent form in the recently concluded ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Scored the fastest century full member competition in T20I history. He scored a 100 off 33 balls in the semi-final against South Africa to take his team home to the final. The Kiwi opener was excellent throughout the tournament, scoring consistently.

Allen was picked by the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) during the mini-auction and also joined the team a few days back for the IPL 2026. He looked in a deft touch during the KKR intra-squad match. Finn Allen finished as the leading run scorer in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025/26 season. He will surely be one of the contenders for the Orange Cap in IPL 2026.

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli has been the leading run scorer in IPL history. He is just 399 runs away from reaching the 9,000 run mark in the tournament’s history. He has been one of the four players who have been a part of the IPL since 2008 and the only player to play for a single franchise for 19 years.

Virat Kohli has retired from T20I cricket; however, he looked in good form during the net session of the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Kohli has scored 600+ runs in the last three seasons of the IPL. He would yet again like to score and finish the IPL as the leading run getter and win the Orange Cap in IPL 2026.

Ishan Kishan

Ishan Kishan has been in excellent form since the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT). He led his side, Jharkhand, to win the tournament. Ishan was the leading run getter for the side and scored a hundred in the final. The Southpaw was added in the T20 World Cup 2026 and showcased his attacking cricket.

Ishan Kishan was India’s second-highest run getter with 317 runs and also scored a fifty in the final against New Zealand. He will be entering the IPL with red hot fom and will also be leading Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in Pat Cummins’ absence. With runs flowing from his bat, he will surely be one of the contenders to win the Orange Cap in IPL 2026.

Also Read: Mohsin Naqvi issues strong warning to players leaving PSL for IPL 2026

Mumbai Indians (MI) will push hard to claim their 6^th Indian Premier League (IPL) title. On paper, their squad is looking like a strong war machine that is ready to conquer the battlefield. But the reality could be different, as some of their key players have been struggling with their form for a long time.

Rohit Sharma remains one of the main topics for discussion related to the league or the team. The former captain of the team was not at its best in the previous IPL 2025 campaign. This season too, the opener’s performance will be under scrutiny throughout the season. Along with Sharma, 2 other stars can also trouble the franchise during the IPL 2026 contest.

3 players who are MI’s biggest burden in IPL 2026:

Rohit Sharma

Rohit Sharma can be a problematic figure for the team if he fails to take off instantly. Whether for Team India or for the Mumbai Indians, the former captain’s inconsistent form often led to a series of criticisms. There are no doubts over his credibility as a T20 opener; the uncertainty remains because of his consistency.

During the initial stage of the IPL 2025, the Mumbaikar was dismissed cheaply in the back-to-back matches. In 15 matches in 2025 for the Mumbai Indians, he concluded his batting stats with a batting average of 29.85, which was not justifying for a batter of his stature. The fans will definitely wish to see ‘Hitman’ at his peak so that the team can proceed strongly to claim their sixth IPL title.

Suryakumar Yadav

The T20I captain of the Indian cricket team himself can put the team in a difficult position during the title race in the IPL 2026. The batter’s inconsistency has remained a major talking point among the fans since the latter part of 2025.

Yadav was exceptional for the Mumbai Indians in the previous season, scoring 717 runs in 16 matches with a strike rate of 167.92, but dropped drastically when he went to play for the national cricket team.

In the T20 World Cup 2026, the middle-order batter remained mostly off-color. In 9 matches of the tournament, Yadav registered only one half-century, which was against the United States. If his form remains inconsistent, then the 5-time IPL champions may have to think differently.

Hardik Pandya

Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya’s performance will also be scrutinized if he fails again to guide the team to glory. The pace bowling all-rounder will have to maintain a consistent form both with bat and ball to maintain the balance of the playing combination.

With limited batting opportunities in the 2026 T20 World Cup, the middle-order batter registered a couple of half-centuries and a 30 for India, which is decent considering his batting position. With the ball, he took 9 wickets in 9 matches.

In the previous IPL season, he was clearly not at his best as his batting average was 24.89 after 15 games, and he claimed 14 scalps in 15 matches for an economy rate of 9.77.

Read More: Spencer Johnson turns down PSL to join CSK in IPL 2026

The Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are preparing for a comeback in the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. After failing to reach the playoffs for two consecutive years, Lucknow franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka recalled Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir to help secure better results.

Rishabh Pant will continue to lead the Super Giants despite having a difficult debut season as franchise captain. The management hopes that the expensive wicketkeeper-batter can guide LSG to their maiden IPL title after the Lucknow-based franchise strengthened their domestic fast-bowling core.

Sanjiv Goenka Recalls Crucial Advice From Gautam Gambhir

Sanjiv Goenka recalled the team-building philosophy shared by former franchise mentor Gautam Gambhir. Goenka admitted that he finally fully understood the importance of prioritizing wicket-taking bowlers over aggressive batters following their disappointing season last year.

🎙️SANJEEV GOENKA ON GAUTAM GAMBHIR :

🗣️ Gautam once told me that you can win individual matches on the back of your batsmen but you win tournaments on the strength of your bowlers. He said this to me in 2022 and I understood it last year.pic.twitter.com/R1suKx0s0p

— KKR Karavan (@KkrKaravan) March 22, 2026

“Gautam once told me that you can win individual matches on the back of your batsmen but you win tournaments on the strength of your bowlers. He said this to me in 2022 and I understood it last year,” Goenka said.

Mohammed Shami And Arjun Tendulkar Join The Squad

LSG bolstered their pace attack through major strategic off-season moves. The franchise successfully acquired premium fast bowler Mohammed Shami from Sunrisers Hyderabad for ₹10 crore.

The experienced wicket-taker will lead their revamped frontline bowling unit. Furthermore, LSG signed bowling all-rounder Arjun Tendulkar from the Mumbai Indians, while trading Shardul Thakur to the Mumbai franchise.

Arjun Tendulkar provides essential squad balance. He offers a valuable left-arm pace option and can contribute crucial lower-order runs during high-pressure T20 chases.

Meanwhile, LSG have concerns regarding their overseas combination, especially with Wanindu Hasaranga carrying an injury. The Sri Lankan spinner is currently recovering from an injury that ruled him out in the early stages of the T20 World Cup 2026.

Hasaranga suffered a tear in his left hamstring, and there is still no official update on his availability for IPL 2026. With the tournament fast approaching, the all-rounder is now in a race against time to regain full fitness.

Rishabh Pant Under Pressure After Disappointing IPL 2025 Campaign

The record ₹27 crore acquisition of Rishabh Pant endured a highly subpar individual campaign last year. Pant managed only 269 runs across 13 innings, registering just one century and one half-century for LSG.

Lucknow Super Giants won only six matches and suffered four consecutive defeats before crashing out of playoff contention. Pant now faces immense pressure to deliver immediate results.

Lucknow Super Giants will open their IPL 2026 campaign against Delhi Capitals on April 1. They will then face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), and Gujarat Titans (GT) during the initial phase of the schedule.

The franchise had reached the playoffs in its first two seasons under KL Rahul before experiencing a recent dip in form. With Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar strengthening the bowling attack, Pant must quickly build momentum to guide Lucknow Super Giants back to playoff contention.

Also read: Not Ajinkya Rahane! These 3 players could power KKR to IPL 2026 glory

In the absence of Pat Cummins, Ishan Kishan will lead Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) season. During the event, where the key players of the teams were on the stage, the temporary skipper made some hilarious comments, which resulted in a wave of smiles among the players and the fans who attended the event.

Like the previous season. SRH will play the IPL 2026 with a star-studded batting line-up. Ishan Kishan, Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, and Heinrich Klaasen are among the key batters who will be in charge of claiming most of the runs on the scoreboard.

What did Ishan Kishan say at the event?

During the event, the stand-in captain of SRH jokingly said that he and Abhishek Sharma would happily settle for 70 each. But he would like to see most of the runs scored by the two overseas batting stars, Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen.

“The day we score 300 runs, the most important batters are Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen. Abhishek and I will be happily settled for 70s,” Ishan Kishan said, in a friendly gesture, and the crowd enjoyed the moment thoroughly.

Ishan Kishan says that the day Travis Head and Heinrich Klaasen score big (centuries), 300 is possible. Meanwhile, he and Abhishek would happily settle for 70 each🤣🧡 pic.twitter.com/AByoXtDxXW

— Ishan’s (@Ishanworld32) March 22, 2026

SRH formed a batting powerhouse for the IPL 2026 campaign

SRH has a packed batting department with multiple power hitters. Apart from these 4 batters, the squad contains Smaran Ravichandran, Kamindu Mendis, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Liam Livingstone, Jack Edwards, and multiple other domestic talents who have proved their batting skills in the past.

Despite an underwhelming campaign, the franchise protected most of its key talents for the 2026 season. In the IPL 2025 points table, SRH ended sixth in the 10-team league. With three back-to-back wins in the last round of the group stage, they secured 6 wins in 14 matches.

More than their batting firepower, cricket experts like Aakash Chopra are worried about their bowling front, as they will have to play the initial few matches without the service of their prime pacer Pat Cummins. Another overseas pacer, Sri Lanka’s Eshan Malinga also yet to confirm his participation in the league.

“This year, Sunrisers Hyderabad probably won’t be able to do much in the IPL again. I don’t think they will qualify for the top four. Sunrisers Hyderabad have a very strong batting lineup, but their bowling lineup is not that strong,” Aakash Chopra strongly predicted in his YouTube video.

SRH will have to face RCB in the opening match of the tournament

Sunrisers Hyderabad will start their IPL 2026 campaign on March 28, for the opening match of the edition. In the highly anticipated clash, SRH will be up against the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). To start the season on a positive note, both of the teams will try their best to claim the match to keep their morale high.

Expectations will be high around Ishan Kishan as he has guided the Jharkhand Cricket team to claim their maiden Syed Mushtaq Ali trophy before winning the 2026 T20 World Cup with team India, defeating New Zealand in the Final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Read More: Ishan Kishan set to apply SMAT-winning strategy at SRH

The RCB management would be thrilled, as two of their match-winning players from the victorious season of 2025 might emerge as the biggest burden for them, owing to different reasons like injury, lack of form, and others.

The Royal Challengers Bengaluru picked many new players in their squad after releasing one or two players who didn’t seem to be the best-performing cricketers the last time. Led by Rajat Patidar, they picked players like Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, and many other Indian youngsters.

They won their maiden title in 2025 after a long wait of 18 editions. They will be preparing for their maiden title defence this season and will kickstart their campaign against the Sunrisers Hyderabad at their home ground of M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

3 players who are RCB’s biggest burden in IPL 2026

Venkatesh Iyer

One of the costliest Indian players in the history of the IPL, Venkatesh Iyer, was bought for a whopping price in the mega-auction for IPL 2024. However, after a failed season, the KKR team released him ahead of the mini-auction.

RCB acquired his services as a batter for INR 7 crores. Despite his dip in price, Venky seems to be a weak link in the RCB side. The reason for this is his poor form across any format of the game. Iyer has failed miserably with the bat, even in domestic cricket for his state team.

The batting all-rounder will be seen in a jersey other than that of KKR for the first time. However, his role in the RCB team is to strengthen the middle-order batting in the absence of Liam Livingstone. Not useful with his medium pace, Iyer could be used only as a batter, and if he flops in that department, the Challengers do not have many options to replace him.

Josh Hazlewood

Another lead pacer in the side, Josh Hazlewood, was their best player when he picked the most wickets for the IPL-winning side. Having picked up these many wickets, Hazlewood was their match-winner with the ball.

He has picked wickets in the power play with the new ball and has given RCB the upper hand. On the other hand, Hazlewood has also been remarkably economical in the death overs for the RCB. In his absence, it would be very tough for players to fill his shoes.

The Australian has been out of cricket action since the Ashes series due to several injuries. His return to the IPL has been blocked by these injuries, as he would miss out on the first half of the competition.

Though the Royal Challengers have Jacob Duffy as his backup, it would be a huge burden for RCB, since they can neither release the player, due to his importance, nor can they have his services at the start of the competition.

Phil Salt

Lastly, the English opener Phil Salt, who was one of the highest-scoring cricketers in 2025 for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The opener was their most dynamic batter and often gave them splendid starts within the first six overs.

The explosive batter has not given away his batting style; however, he has been out of touch over the past year. Salt has lacked runs in international as well as franchise-level cricket, and this will be a huge concern for the Royal Challengers going into the upcoming IPL edition.

They also do not have many backup players to replace him in the playing XI. Instead, Virat Kohli could open with the English youngster Jacob Bethell. However, promoting Bethell or Devdutt Padikkal in the batting order will expose the weakness of the middle order to their opponents.

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