IPL 2026 Squads – Complete Teams, Comparison & Analysis
The 19th season of the Indian Premier League is locked in, and after a high-profile mega auction in Abu Dhabi, every franchise now is aware of exactly what it’s working with. All ten teams have finalised their IPL 2026 squads, blending demonstrated international names, reliable Indian regulars, and a handful of children who should surprise all and sundry.
If you’re after a clear, no-frills breakdown of how each team shapes up, you’re in the right place.
What this blog covers
- Full IPL 2026 squads, team by team
- A simple comparison table across all franchises
- Data-backed insights to help you judge squad balance at a glance
Key Highlights from the IPL 2026 Auction
Once the auction dust settled, a few clear trends stood out:
- Cameron Green finished as the most expensive overseas signing
- Teams leaned heavily toward genuine all-rounders and quality fast bowlers
- Overseas depth mattered more than ever for several franchises
- Young, uncapped Indian players attracted serious interest, not just bench roles
In short, franchises weren’t just buying big names. They were buying flexibility, options, and insurance for a long season.
IPL 2026 Squads – Team-wise Breakdown
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Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
MS Dhoni, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Sanju Samson, Shivam Dube, Rahul Chahar, Jamie Overton*, Noor Ahmad*, Dewald Brevis*, Akeal Hosein*, Matt Henry*, Matthew Short*, Zak Foulkes*, among others.
CSK once again put their faith in experience. The core looks familiar, with just enough youth mixed in to keep things fresh without rocking the boat.
Delhi Capitals (DC)
KL Rahul, Axar Patel, Kuldeep Yadav, Mitchell Starc*, Tristan Stubbs*, David Miller*, Ben Duckett*, Pathum Nissanka*, Kyle Jamieson*, and others.
Delhi’s squad looks powerful on paper, especially when you factor in the overseas firepower. If things click, they’ll be tough to contain.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler*, Rashid Khan*, Kagiso Rabada*, Mohammed Siraj, Sai Sudharsan, Rahul Tewatia, Jason Holder*, and others.
GT look well balanced across departments. There’s match-winning quality at the top and plenty of depth lower down, which usually separates contenders from the rest.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Sunil Narine*, Cameron Green*, Rinku Singh, Varun Chakaravarthy, Rachin Ravindra*, Finn Allen*, Mustafizur Rahman*, and others.
KKR have built a flexible squad, packed with multi-skilled players who give the team plenty of tactical options on different surfaces.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
Rishabh Pant, Nicholas Pooran*, Mohammed Shami, Mitchell Marsh*, Wanindu Hasaranga*, Aiden Markram*, and others.
LSG have clearly gone after impact players—guys who can change a game in a few overs, whether with bat or ball.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Suryakumar Yadav, Trent Boult*, Quinton de Kock*, Will Jacks*, and others.
Mumbai stick with a familiar formula: proven stars, a strong Indian core, and smart overseas additions. It’s worked before, and they’re backing it again.
Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis*, Marco Jansen*, Lockie Ferguson*, Arshdeep Singh, and others.
PBKS look solid on paper, but their season may come down to one thing—consistency. If they find it, they’re dangerous.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
Yashasvi Jaiswal, Ravindra Jadeja, Sam Curran*, Jofra Archer*, Shimron Hetmyer*, Ravi Bishnoi, and others.
Rajasthan have plenty of flair, but managing player fitness—especially among the quicks—could be the difference between a strong run and missed chances.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Virat Kohli, Phil Salt*, Josh Hazlewood*, Tim David*, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, and others.
RCB have clearly stacked their batting. There’s enough bowling experience to support it, but the strategy is obvious: score big and put teams under pressure.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Pat Cummins*, Travis Head*, Heinrich Klaasen*, Ishan Kishan, Liam Livingstone*, Harshal Patel, and others.
SRH look modern and aggressive, especially with the bat. This squad feels built for high-tempo T20 cricket.
IPL 2026 Squad Comparison Table
Team Total Players Overseas Players Indian Players Star Strength
| Team | Total Players | Overseas Players | Indian Players | Star Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSK | 25 | 8 | 17 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| DC | 25 | 9 | 16 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| GT | 25 | 8 | 17 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| KKR | 25 | 9 | 16 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| LSG | 25 | 7 | 18 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| MI | 25 | 8 | 17 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
| PBKS | 25 | 8 | 17 | ⭐⭐⭐½ |
| RR | 25 | 8 | 17 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| RCB | 25 | 7 | 18 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SRH | 25 | 9 | 16 | ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ |
What the Numbers Really Tell Us
When you look past the big names, a few patterns emerge:
- SRH and DC have the deepest overseas benches
- MI, GT, and SRH look the most balanced overall
- CSK continue to trust experience over constant reinvention
- RCB have doubled down on batting, betting on runs rather than restraint
On paper, no team looks wildly out of place—which says a lot about how tight this season could be.
Final Thoughts
IPL 2026 is shaping as much as be one of the most aggressive seasons in current memory. The squads are flippantly matched, full of verified performers, and supported by rising expertise. As usually, achievement won’t simply come right down to large names—it’ll hinge on balance, fitness, and dealing with strain whilst it subjects most.
Keep a watch out for gambling XI predictions, delusion IPL insights, and in shape-through-suit breakdowns because the event unfolds.
