With IPL 2026 just around the corner, former England captain Kevin Pietersen has reignited cricket debates with his all-time IPL dream XI. Speaking on the For The Love Of Cricket YouTube channel alongside Jos Buttler, Pietersen revealed a star-studded lineup that blends legendary performers with some bold calls.

Kevin Pietersen reveals his dream IPL XI ahead of the 2026 season

At the top of the order, Pietersen went with a nostalgic yet explosive combination: Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli. The duo, synonymous with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)’s golden years, edged out other iconic openers like Rohit Sharma and David Warner. Their chemistry and dominance during their peak years clearly left a lasting impression.

The middle order features two of the most consistent IPL performers – AB de Villiers at No. 3 and Suresh Raina at No. 4. Both players have crossed the 5,000-run mark in the tournament and are widely regarded as pillars of their respective franchises.

But the centerpiece of Pietersen’s XI is the leadership choice. MS Dhoni was named both captain and wicketkeeper, a decision Pietersen described as the “only non-negotiable” in his team. It’s a nod to Dhoni’s unmatched legacy as a leader, having guided Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to multiple IPL titles and remaining one of the most influential figures in the league’s history.

The all-rounders’ slot is equally power-packed, featuring Andre Russell, Ravindra Jadeja, and Sunil Narine. Pietersen’s faith in Narine was particularly strong, insisting that the mystery spinner “would walk into every IPL XI” – a statement that reflects Narine’s long-standing impact with both bat and ball.

Big omissions and bold calls that divided fans

While Pietersen’s XI is packed with legends, it’s the omissions that have created the biggest buzz. The absence of Rohit Sharma stands out the most. With five IPL titles as captain and over 7,000 runs, Rohit’s credentials are undeniable. Yet, Pietersen chose Gayle and Kohli ahead of him without hesitation – a decision that has divided opinions across the cricketing community.

Similarly, Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav also missed out despite being key contributors to Mumbai Indians’ success over the years. Instead, Pietersen opted for the proven match-winning abilities of Russell, Jadeja and Narine in the all-rounders’ department.

Also READ: Shreyas Iyer’s comeback story – From hospital bed to IPL dreams

The bowling attack, however, leaves little room for argument. Yuzvendra Chahal, the IPL’s all-time leading wicket-taker, leads the spin department. He is joined by two of the finest fast bowlers in the tournament’s history – Lasith Malinga and Jasprit Bumrah – forming a lethal combination capable of dominating any batting lineup.

Pietersen also explained his decision to leave out KL Rahul from the XI, offering an interesting insight based on his recent experience. “We fought so hard to get him to the top of the order [for Delhi Capitals] last season. He did, and got a hundred that next game. I was like, ‘Maybe you should listen,’” he said. His reasoning suggests that Rahul’s true value lies as an opener, making it difficult to accommodate him in the middle order of such a stacked lineup.

Ultimately, Pietersen’s dream XI reflects both personal preference and cricketing logic -but it also highlights just how difficult it is to pick an all-time IPL team. With so many legends across eras, every selection inevitably leaves out another great.

As IPL 2026 is all set to kicks off from March 28, debates around this XI will intensify. Whether fans agree or disagree, one thing is certain – Pietersen’s picks have once again reminded everyone of the incredible talent the IPL has showcased over the years.

Also WATCH: Shubman Gill trolls Abhishek Sharma and SRH in fun segment with Sahiba Bali

Australia Women produced a composed all-round performance to secure a 17-run victory over West Indies Women in the second T20I at Arnos Vale Ground, taking control of the series in what turned out to be a closely fought contest. Despite a spirited chase led by Hayley Matthews, the hosts fell short as Australia’s bowlers held their nerve in the crucial phases.

Australia post a competitive total after strong middle-order effort

After winning the toss and opting to bat first, Australia Women put up a solid total of 164/5 in their allotted 20 overs. The innings was built around impactful contributions from multiple batters, with Georgia Voll providing early momentum through a brisk 39 off 23 balls, striking six boundaries and a six.

Beth Mooney had a relatively quiet outing, managing 17 off 20 deliveries, but Phoebe Litchfield steadied the innings with a fluent 35 off 29 balls. The backbone of Australia’s innings, however, came from the experienced Ellyse Perry, who played a commanding knock of 42 off just 28 deliveries, laced with six boundaries.

Towards the end, Georgia Wareham and Nicola Carey chipped in with quick cameos to push the total beyond the 160-mark, giving Australia a strong platform to defend.

For West Indies Women, the bowling effort was disciplined but lacked breakthroughs at regular intervals. Deandra Dottin, Matthews, Afy Fletcher, Karishma Ramharack, and Jahzara Claxton picked up one wicket each, but none were able to significantly halt Australia’s scoring momentum.

Hayley Matthews leads the fightback in chase

In response, West Indies Women finished at 147/4, falling 17 runs short despite a promising start and a determined middle-order effort. Qiana Joseph began positively but was dismissed early after scoring 11. Matthews once again showcased her class with a superb knock of 56 off 41 balls, striking seven fours and three sixes. She anchored the innings and kept the required run rate within reach for a major part of the chase.

Stafanie Taylor supported her with a steady 22 off 27 balls, while Dottin injected late hope with an aggressive 39 off 28 deliveries, including two fours and two sixes. However, the lack of acceleration in the middle overs and the inability to find boundaries consistently towards the end proved costly.

Also READ: Beth Mooney’s explosive innings powers Australia to dominant win over West Indies in Women’s T20I opener

Alana King shines as Australia defend successfully

Australia’s bowling unit delivered a disciplined performance, with Alana King emerging as the standout performer. She claimed two crucial wickets while conceding just 25 runs in her four overs, effectively breaking partnerships and slowing the scoring rate.

Georgia Wareham also made an impact with the ball, picking up one wicket and maintaining tight lines, conceding only 16 runs in her spell. The rest of the bowling attack, including Kim Garth and Darcie Brown, played their roles in containing the opposition despite going wicketless. Eventually, Aussies ended up winning the contest by 17 runs and taking a 2-0 lead in the 3-match series.

Australia beat West Indies in the second Women’s T20I 👏#WIvsAUS
Scorecard 👉 https://t.co/bZ4TFF4fYK pic.twitter.com/XMrjadbgtc

— WomenCricket.com (@WomenCricketHQ) March 22, 2026

Also READ: West Indies vs Australia, Women’s T20I Series: Schedule, Squads, Broadcast and Live Streaming details

This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.

Former RCB coach Mohammad Kaif pointed out the weaknesses in the Gujarat Titans’ bowling deck. He noted that Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna have all been hit in the death overs, while Kagiso Rabada’s form has dipped in recent times.

The Titans entered the 2026 mini-auction with 20 players retained from the previous season. They only managed to pick four pacers in the side. Jason Holder, Ashok Sharma, Luke Wood, and Prithvi Raj Yarra.

The Gujarat Titans won the IPL in their debut season of 2022 and then finished as the runners-up in 2023. However, after back-to-back success, the Titans could not make a top-two finish in the next two seasons.

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Mohammad Kaif exposes the Gujarat Titans’ deficit of death overs specialists

Former Indian player Mohammad Kaif believes that the Gujarat Titans’ death bowling issues will cost them in the upcoming season of the IPL, much like they did the last time in IPL 2025. He pointed out that Mohammed Siraj was hit by a death last time in the IPL.

“Siraj is a new-ball bowler. Prasidh Krishna bowls in the middle. His strength is hit-the-deck bowling. The Ahmedabad ground is big. The square boundaries are big. He bowls hard lengths in the middle. So I can understand what his role is,” the former Indian batter responded.

Last time Prasidh Krishna operated in the middle phase and then bowled an over or two in the death. Kagiso Rabada has not been handy, and his spot in the XI might also not be a direct pick, as Holder and Phillips both seem crucial for team dynamics.

“Prasidh Krishna has shown improvement in his slower balls as well. The ball dips, and he picks up wickets, but they don’t have death bowling. Kagiso Rabada is getting hit. Siraj also got hit. I am talking about the final three or four matches last year. Prasidh Krishna got hit,” he added.

They always win the auction – Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif, in the same discussion video, highlighted that despite assembling a stunning side, the Gujarat Titans could not finish in the top two in IPL 2025.

“This team has two backups for every player. They always win the auction. Compared to other teams, their auction planning is fantastic. However, last year, they had won nine of the first 12 matches, and were sitting on top, but they couldn’t come in the top two after that. They had to play the Eliminator. They lost their last three matches consecutively,” he said.

The cricketer-turned-commentator pointed out that Shubman Gill’s side’s bowling got exposed under pressure towards the business end. Teams like LSG, CSK, and MI scored 225+ runs against them in the last three games, as they lost the back-end games, eventually being ruled out of the Eliminator.

“Bowling was their strength at the start, but when the main tournament came, when they had to win one match to qualify for the top two, they lost all three. So the bowling also got exposed under pressure,” Kaif observed.

How will the Gujarat Titans’ Playing 12 look in IPL 2026?

Gujarat Titans will not have much dilemma with their top three cricketers. They will have Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, the two Indian batters, opening for them. The world T20 veteran Jos Buttler has featured at no. 3 for the Titans.

They might be sorting in New Zealand middle-order batter Glenn Phillips in the middle order, who might come in handy with the ball and on the field as well. Phillips will be followed by a middle order, which doesn’t seem the strongest of the lot.

Washington Sundar and Shahrukh Khan can be next in the batting order, with Jason Holder in at no. 7 for the Gujarat Titans. However, this simply means that Kagiso Rabada would not feature in the playing XI.

The bowling deck would comprise the final overseas pick, Rashid Khan, pacers Mohammad Siraj and Prasidh Krishan, and spinner R Sai Kishore. After completing the XI, Nishant Sindhu and Rahul Tewatiya remain as the options for an Impact player.

ALSO READ: Akash Deep’s injury turns into major headache for KKR and Abhishek Nayar

Former India all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin made a bold prediction on the Kolkata Knight Riders’ future in the upcoming IPL 2026 season, which will begin on March 28. Mentioning the tagline of the franchise, which is ‘Korbo Lorbo Jeetbo re (Will do, will fight, will win)’, Ashwin mentioned that the team will definitely fight in the IPL 2026, but will they be able to win? The veteran has doubts.

After multiple injuries and early setbacks in the form of Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, the franchise’s early plans for the tournament have been dented. Ashwin predicted that KKR’s lack of depth in the bowling department could restrict them from claiming their fourth IPL title in 2026.

Ravichandran Ashwin’s massive prediction on KKR’s future in IPL 2026

In his YouTube video, the ex-cricketer explained that KKR’s two out of three titles came under Gautam Gambhir’s leadership and one came with Shreyas Iyer. As both of them are no longer part of the team, chances to qualify for the playoffs decreased significantly.

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The franchise made massive shuffles as soon as the team needed eight points in the points table in the previous season. Along with making changes in the squad, the management appointed Abhishek Nayar as their new head coach to replace Chandrakant Pandit.

“Korbo is there, Lorbo is there, but I don’t think Jeetbo is there. KKR won the title three times, twice under Gautam Gambhir and once under Shreyas Iyer. Now that I think about it, with Shreyas Iyer, you had a qualifying opportunity that went to another team. Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy history is compelling. KKR’s loss ended up being PBKS’ gain,” Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

Circumstances hit the team’s original plans hard ahead of the IPL 2026 session

The Purple brigade went to the mini auction with a large purse. They bought Australia all-rounder Cameron Green, Bangladesh pacer Mustafizur Rahman, and Sri Lanka seamer Matheesha Pathirana for hefty fees.

They had to release Rahman from the squad as per BCCI instructions. Later, it was reported that Harshit Rana, one of the integral parts of the team, was ruled out of the IPL 2026 because of injury reasons. Pathirana is also uncertain for the tournament, as he is yet to receive a No-Object Certificate from Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).

Ashwin’s concerns for the bowling attack

To fill up a spot, the Knight Riders roped in Zimbabwe pacer Blessing Muzarabani. Ashwin believes that, without Rana and Rahman, and an uncertain Pathirana, the team lacked power in their bowling attack, which will benefit the opposing teams and will eventually halt the Kolkata-based team’s trophy-winning plans.

“After the auction, I had said that KKR’s bowling attack is solid. But now, Mustafizur Rahman is not there. Pathirana’s injury is there, Harshit Rana has been ruled out.”

“KKR has the Blessing of Blessing Muzarabani, I am happy for him because he has worked hard and I am excited to see them, but with all the injuries plaguing them, somebody has to do the heavy lifting. I can’t see anyone who can do that,” Ashwin also added.

Read More: Not Rishabh Pant! These 3 players could power LSG to IPL 2026 glory

The Rishabh Pant-led Lucknow Super Giants are under serious pressure. After a disappointing last season, LSG is desperate to bounce back in the upcoming IPL 2026. The franchise and fans expected something special when Rishabh Pant took over as captain, but the results did not match the hype.

Now, the Lucknow Super Giants are aiming for a fresh start with a strong squad this season. There is no second thought that world-class beasts like Jason Holder, Aiden Markram, Josh Inglis, Anrich Nortje, Wanindu Hasaranga and even Pant can win matches on their day in the high-pressure tournament.

3 players could power LSG to IPL 2026 glory

But cricket is not just about big stars but is about players who step up in tough moments. And for LSG, we predict that these three players – Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and Mohammed Shami – could become the real heroes in the upcoming IPL 2026, starting on March 28.

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Read Also: “It’s about time”: Zaheer Khan drops honest take on India’s fast bowling pipeline

The Lucknow Super Giants are set to kick off their campaign against the Delhi Capitals on April 1 at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, followed by an away game against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 5.

Mitchell Marsh

Mitchell Marsh could be the real X-factor for the Lucknow franchise this season. The Australian captain gives perfect balance to the team. The star all-rounder can be very dangerous in the powerplay, and if he gets a good start, he can take the game away from the opposition.

With the ball, Marsh can give a few solid overs and pick important wickets when needed. Additionally, Marsh is also a big-match player, and his experience becomes very important in tough IPL games, especially during the playoffs. And this makes him very valuable to the LSG. Marsh has 1293 runs and 37 wickets to his name in the IPL across 55 games so far.

Nicholas Pooran

The Lucknow franchise has massive expectations from Nicholas Pooran after making him the most expensive overseas retention at ₹21 crore. He is coming into the 2026 season after his best year in the IPL. The IPL 2025 was one of Pooran’s best seasons, scoring 524 runs at a strike rate of 196.25.

He also hit 5 half-centuries and smashed 40 sixes, which are the most in the tournament, proving how destructive he can be in the middle and death overs. Pooran is one of the best players of spin as well, and he plays the perfect role of stabilizer and hitter.

He can change the match in just a few overs and turn up the pressure on the opposition. The West Indies star has 2293 runs in 90 IPL games to his name, and he is expected to continue his fire this season as well.

Mohammed Shami

Indian pacer Mohammed Shami is one of the experienced players on the LSG side. Shami’s presence makes their bowling attack look dangerous and settled. He can swing the ball early and pick wickets in the power play. He also has the experience to handle pressure in the death overs.

This makes Shami a dangerous weapon for the LSG and the backbone of their attack. His experience can guide young bowlers like Mayank Yadav and support overseas pacers.

The Indian pacer joined LSG in an all-cash trade with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for INR 10 crore. Shami, who has 133 wickets to his name in his IPL career so far, will be eager to prove himself yet again after his poor 2024 season.

Read Also: Gary Kirsten lashes attack on Mohsin Naqvi-led PCB for creating toxic work culture

KKR suffer another major blow in their bowling department as the Bengal pacer has been ruled out of the race for IPL 2026. The pacer stars for Bengal in the domestic structure of Indian cricket and has represented India internationally.

The IPL has been transformed into the Injured Players League for the Kolkata Knight Riders, as even before the start of their campaign, they have been trashed. Akash Deep has formerly played for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (then Royal Challengers Bangalore) and the Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.

KKR suffer another injury blow ahead of IPL 2026

The Kolkata Knight Riders campaign already faced a massive blow after Harshit Rana was ruled out of IPL 2026. The Indian pacer struggled with an injury ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup; hence, the player was also ruled out of the World Cup squad.

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His recovery has been delayed, and hence he has been ruled out. Another player whose participation is also uncertain includes the Sri Lankan pacer Matheesha Pathirana, who was picked for a whopping INR 18 crores. Even if he were to be cleared to play, that would be nowhere before mid-April.

🚨 BREAKING 🚨

KKR suffer another injury blow as Akash Deep is ruled out of #IPL2026 pic.twitter.com/ZTgFGl73mr

— Cricbuzz (@cricbuzz) March 21, 2026

Now, Cricbuzz reported that Indian pacer Akash Deep, who was bought at his base price in the mini-auction, is also ruled out from IPL 2026 following an injury. Akash Deep was supposed to be Rana’s replacement in the KKR camp.

Akash Deep is currently undergoing rehab at CoE

Akash Deep was picked at his base price of INR 1 crore; however, the Bengal pacer has now been ruled out of the IPL as one of the top officials in the KKR camp confirmed that development. “Unfortunately, he is out of the IPL, ruled out for the season,” the KKR official said.

Akash Deep has not reported to the Kolkata Knight Riders camp, which is being held at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata, since the 18th of March. The reason for this is that he is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Bengaluru, although the exact nature of his injury remains unclear.

It has been revealed that the managers at the CoE have constantly been in touch with the franchise. Akash Deep has featured in 14 IPL matches and has claimed 10 scalps. However, his price dipped significantly after he was bought for INR 8 crores in 2025 by LSG.

KKR’s IPL schedule for 2026

The Champions from 2024 will kickstart their campaign in the IPL in 2026, with their first match scheduled to be played against the Mumbai Indians. They will kickstart their campaign at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium.

The three-time champions would then go on to play in their second game of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad on the 2nd of April at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They will then go on to host the runners-up from the last season, the Punjab Kings, on the 6th of April.

KKR will also host their fourth match of the season against Lucknow Super Giants on the 9th of April. The remainder of the schedule would be announced later, keeping the elections in mind.

ALSO READ: Not Shreyas Iyer! These 3 players could power PBKS to IPL 2026 glory

Former BCB secretary and the ACC CEO, Syed Ashraful Haque, explained that the ICC would not be able to bail out the BCB if the government takes some drastic steps against their administration, since it is a parent organization under them.

Earlier, Bangladesh Sports Minister Aminul Haque indicated that while speaking to the reporters, NSC and the government both would not take a unilateral decision, and would rather only rely on the reports before going into a conversation with the ICC.

He also had claimed that previously, as well, they were aware of the direct interference by the government in the BCB elections; however, they would take the next step only after conversing with ICC. Haque made those claims back on the 19th of March.

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NSC has the right to dissolve it—it’s there in the laws- the former BCB secretary explained

The BCB has spent the first portion of the year in global focus, as they stand off against the BCCI and, as a result, against the ICC after Mustafizur Rahman‘s snub from the IPL ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

The Bangladesh government announced an investigation into the elections that led to Aminul Islam’s rise as BCB president, following that fiasco. The former ACC CEO, Syed Ashraful Haque, pointed out that the board could be in trouble, since it comes under the jurisdiction of the NSC.

“It is a kind of threat, saying they communicated with the ICC regarding interference, so that they will be saved,” Ashraful said regarding the BCB’s earlier warning shots towards the government, in a conversation with the Daily Star.

“It is quite ironic for the current board to complain to the ICC. If BCB can’t run cricket well, NSC has the right to dissolve it—it’s there in the laws,” he explained.

NSC can do that without question because BCB is a part of NSC- Syed Ashraful Haque

He then went on to claim that a paper trail had pointed out some damaging evidence in Aminul’s candidacy. BCB is set to fall under the immediate purview of the NSC and the Sports ministry, and if that happens, then he is under some serious threat.

The Bangladesh Sports and Youth Minister had claimed that the probe was launched with an intention to dig into ‘irregularities, manipulation and abuse of power’ in Aminul’s BCB, and they could take some drastic responses if it was discrepant.

“The cricket leagues weren’t run well, among other issues, and if there were violations of election laws, they can dissolve it,” continued Ashraful. “NSC can do that without question because BCB is a part of NSC.”

Neither ICC can nor will it intrude in BCB’s governance

Speaking of the ICC’s role in this battle between the BCB and the Bangladesh Sports Ministry, Ashraful warned that the BCB will have no way out if the NSC opts to go out with the nuclear option, which does not give the ICC enough regulatory jurisdiction.

“ICC also cannot raise objections since this is outlined in the BCB constitution, which the ICC follows. Yes, the ICC has guidelines regarding good governance through democratic elections, but those are guidelines, not mandatory requirements,” he explained.

“We are under the ICC, but first we are under the NSC, which is the parent body. The ICC does not interfere in domestic governance as long as the BCB constitution is followed,” he continued.

He then went on to add that Pakistan changed their board president multiple times within just a few months, and then the ICC did not intervene. He then went on to add that, ” ICC is not our master; they are facilitators and friends. They will follow the constitution.”

ALSO READ: “They don’t have…”: Ex-RCB batter exposes Gujarat Titans’ weakness ahead of IPL 2026

India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill might have lost his place in the T20I side, but he remains one of the key pillars of the Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Shubman Gill is expected to lead the batting charge for the franchise in the upcoming IPL 2026.

While all focus will be on Gill, we predicted that the three players who could be key contributors to the Gujarat team’s success this season are. GT’s 2025 season ended in the eliminator, but now they are keen on making a strong impression with a balanced and more confident lineup.

3 players could power GT to IPL 2026 glory

As the Gujarat Titans are set to begin their IPL 2026 campaign against the Punjab Kings on March 31 in New Chandigarh, Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan, and Prasidh Krishan can be the X-factors who can propel the franchise to their second title this year.

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Read Also: Akash Deep’s injury turns into major headache for KKR and Abhishek Nayar

Sai Sudharsan

Sai Sudharsan has become the backbone of GT’s batting. Last season, he won the Orange Cap for being the leading run-scorer (759 runs) in the tournament. Sai’s calm approach, ability to play long innings, and holding one end make him an irreplaceable player for the franchise.

His left-handed batting also offers the Gujarat Titans the opportunity to have a left-right opening pair with Gill. He is also a big-match player. Sai has over 1700 runs in 40 IPL matches to his name so far.

Rashid Khan

Afghanistan’s spin wizard and captain, Rashid Khan, may not have had his best season last year, but everyone knows what he is capable of. He is still one of the most dangerous spinners in T20 cricket.

The leg-spinner is the go-to player when the team needs a breakthrough. His googlies are very hard to read, and he bowls at a quick pace, which makes it difficult for batters to attack him. The wicket-taking spinner has become a dangerous finisher who can hit big sixes and turn the match in no time.

Rashid is one of the all-time successful spinners in the IPL, with 158 wickets in 136 matches at an impressive economy rate of 7.09. Now, he would be keen to make a significant impact for GT.

Prasidh Krishna

Prasidh Krishna has become the leader of GT’s fast bowling attack. The Indian pacer won the Purple Cap for being the highest wicket-taker with 25 wickets in the last season. He was especially dangerous in the death overs, picking up the most wickets in that phase.

He bowls with good pace and hits hard lengths, which makes it tough for batters to attack him. He is their main strike weapon in the league. With Mohammed Siraj, he forms a strong fast-bowling attack for the Gujarat Titans. Both bowls above 145 kmph will be key assets in the upcoming IPL 2026.

Krishna has so far played 32 matches and scalped 74 wickets in 66 IPL matches at an average of 29.61 and an economy rate of 8.77 so far. The GT are expecting the same kind of performance he delivered last season with the ball as they aim for their second IPL trophy this season.

Read Also: “I can’t see”: EX-RR spinner writes off KKR from IPL 2026 title race

Indian all-rounder Axar Patel will captain the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the upcoming IPL 2026, but their main strength will not be their leader. Last year, everything went wrong for the Capitals.

They had a great start, but the constant chopping and changing didn’t help them, as the Delhi Capitals failed to make it to the playoffs. Delhi’s big players failed to deliver consistently, and the team kept losing momentum. Yet, DC didn’t make too many changes at the mini auction.

3 players could power DC to IPL 2026 glory

They released players like Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk and signed experienced, impactful, and proven star players like David Miller, Ben Duckett, Pathum Nissanka, and Lungi Ngidi. Well, KL Rahul, Tristan Stubbs, and David Miller give strength to the batting, while Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav will take care of the spin department.

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Read Also: “I can’t see”: EX-RR spinner writes off KKR from IPL 2026 title race

However, they might miss the presence of Mitchell Starc in the early matches, but they look strong to make a strong impact. We predict that KL Rahul, Kuldeep Yadav, and Tristan Stubbs will play key roles in the team’s success in the upcoming IPL 2026.

KL Rahul

Indian wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul could be the most important player for the Delhi Capitals in the upcoming IPL 2026 after his strike rate improved. The right-handed batter made his DC debut last year, and he made a stunning impact with the bat by scoring 539 runs at a strike rate of around 150.

Delhi had a big problem with its opening, and Rahul can solve that with his ability to handle one end and then increase the speed when needed. The Karnataka star is expected to open the innings and give DC strong and stable starts in the upcoming season.

He is one of the most consistent top-order batters in the IPL, with over 4,400 runs at an average near 50. Overall, the former PBKS and LSG captain has 5,222 runs in 145 matches to his name in the IPL.

Tristan Stubbs

Tristan Stubbs remains the big X-factor for the Capitals. He is an ultra-aggressive anchor-finisher in the middle order against both spin and fast bowling. In death overs, he can be a very dangerous batter, and DC must feel blessed to have such a talented star, who is also a useful wicketkeeper and off-spinner.

Stubbs, who was retained by the franchise for a whopping INR 10 crore, has so far amassed 705 runs at a high strike rate of 163.19 and picked up 4 wickets at an average of 17.25 in 32 IPL matches. Additionally, the South African star has also taken 17 catches to prove his multi-dimensional skill.

Kuldeep Yadav

India’s wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav remains the main wicket-taking bowler for DC alongside the skipper Axar Patel after being retained for ₹13.25 crore by the franchise. The Chinaman bowler’s job is to break partnerships while attacking the batters.

His left-arm wrist spin, googly, and flight confuse batters, giving DC an advantage. He is the team’s trump card in tough moments, as he keeps running low and takes key wickets. Kuldeep has so far played 98 matches and scalped 102 wickets at an economy rate of 8 and an average of over 26 so far in the IPL.

Read Also: “Tu karlega..”: Shubman Gill backed Abhishek Sharma after ‘three ducks’ during T20 World Cup 2026

A charming interaction between Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma highlighted the relationship between the top batters of the Indian cricket team. During the BCCI Naman Award ceremony, Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill faced each other for a brief conversation.

The Indian cricket fans know that these two batters from Punjab are very close to each other. Whenever they shared the same dressing room, field, or the team bus, paparazzi got their moment. Like multiple times before, Gill and Sharma shared a very joyful chat during the interview, which is now viral on social media platforms.

Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill engaged in a funny chat

The funny conversation started with a very simple question, which could be answered in only one word. But if the person standing opposite is the best friend of the team, then things are different.

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The presenter asked Gill whether Sharma sought advice from him after registering three back-to-back ducks in the recently concluded T20 World Cup 2026. Abhishek Sharma had a very poor run during the tournament when he managed to get three ducks in a row in the group stage.

Gill, the captain of Team India for the Test and ODI formats, who will advise the No.1 T20I batter in the world? “No.1 T20I batsman in the world ko kaun advice dega?” Shubman Gill said.

These types of comments can only be made if the person next to you is a very close friend. As Gill started the chat in a teasing way, and that too publicly, Abhishek Sharma, who loves to smash the ball all over the park, easy to assume that he did not hold back.

Sharma claimed jokingly that he texted Shubman first

After Gill’s remark, Sharma replied, “Maine hi message kiya tha isko 3 duck ke baad ke mujhe bat de de, isse pehle koi aur record bann jae” (I was the one who messaged him after three ducks and told him to give me his bat, otherwise some other unwanted record would have been made).”

When presenter asked Shubman if he gave any advice to Abhishek Sharma before T20I WC-

SG- no.1 T20I batsman in the world ko kaun advice dega 😭😭

AS- maine hi message kia tha SG ko 3 duck ke baad ke mujhe bat dede, isse pehle koi aur record bann jae 😂 He said ke tu kar lega… pic.twitter.com/5zMiFpMism

— Naina Dev (@NainaDev380254) March 21, 2026

When most of the batters prefer not to talk about the bad days on the pitch, Sharma was talking about his hat-trick of ducks jokingly, which is common among friends. As soon as the video was shared on social media platforms, cricket fans thoroughly enjoyed the pure friendship atmosphere.

Abhishek did not forget to share what Shubman told him in reply when he asked to give his bat. “Usne bola tha, tu kar lega” (He told me, you’ll manage it)”, Sharma further added.

Shubman Gill made the chat more hilarious with his final touch

It was a small line, but enough to express how much trust and comfort they contained for each other.

As the conversation shifted from runs to bats, the presenter asked, “Who do you think has the best bat?” to Abhishek Sharma. He spontaneously replied, “Shubman ka hi” (Shubman’s, of course)”.

In reply, what Shubman said made the whole conversation more hilarious. “Woh mere bat se hi khelta hai hamesha (He plays with my bat all the time anyway),” Shubman Gill said.

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