IPL 2026 Countdown | Sixth sense and the 12 influencers

History warns us of the paradox of choice and we are often reminded that an overabundance of excellent options is its own kind of prison. The task of choosing six batters and as many bowlers from the embarrassment of riches available in IPL 2026 proved a daunting task.

Statistical stalemates were inevitable in a landscape full of world-beaters, which meant that the final 12-member list was driven by sixth sense.

Sanju Samson (CSK): The elegance with which he wields the bat has made him a perennial favourite for the ‘People’s Choice Award’. The 31-year-old artist, who delivered a masterpiece at the ICC T20 World Cup and won the Lead Actor honours, is primed to extend his purple patch in Chennai’s Yellow.

Yashasvi Jaiswal (RR): The dashing southpaw has the X-factor to edge ahead in the overcrowded race for a national call-up and a Royal show in the IPL could well trigger it for the 24-year-old batter.

Kohli factor: Royal Challengers can be upbeat knowing that The King will lead the charge in defending the crown.
| Photo Credit:
K. MURALI KUMAR

Virat Kohli (RCB): The only batter to score more than 2,000 runs (2,037 runs at an average of 56.58 and strike-rate of 146.54) since the start of IPL 2023, the 37-year-old maestro has not slowed down one bit though T20 batting has gathered pace over the years. Royal Challengers can be upbeat knowing that The King will lead the charge in defending the crown.

Nicholas Pooran (LSG): Since the start of 2024, the Caribbean T20 specialist has smashed 4,671 runs (158 innings at a strike-rate of 155.18) in T20s. The next best (James Vince’s 3,801) puts things in perspective on why the explosive left-hander is one of the most sought-after commodities in franchise cricket.

A 30-minute dose of Head’s fifth-gear batting will be enough to put Sunrisers in the driver’s seat.
| Photo Credit:
FILE PHOTO: SANDEEP SAXENA

Travis Head (SRH): Mr. Destruction strikes at a blistering 170.03 in the IPL. With 834 of his 1,146 runs coming through boundaries (126×4, 55×6), a 30-minute dose of the 32-year-old Australian’s fifth-gear batting will be enough to put Sunrisers in the driver’s seat.

Shimron Hetmyer (RR): The confidence gained from acing the No. 3 role in West Indies colours during the T20 World Cup (248 runs at a strike-rate of 186.47) should help him regain his mojo after a couple of quiet IPL seasons.

Jasprit Bumrah (MI): The peerless India pacer’s selection was the most, and perhaps the only, easy one as he is the world’s best bowler by a country mile.

Varun has a point to prove, and he has too much quality to let his recent slump derail his career trajectory.
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FILE PHOTO

Varun Chakaravarthy (KKR): Though the unorthodox spinner finished as the joint top wicket-taker (14) in the T20 World Cup, his economy rate took a beating (9.25 runs per over). He has enough weapons in his arsenal to make a turnaround.

Yuzvendra Chahal (PBKS): He is the most prolific bowler in the league’s history (221 wickets). With 174 IPL caps, the veteran leg-spinner has the numbers and guile to throw his hat in the ring for an India call-up again.

Rashid Khan (GT): The spell the Afghan cast over the willow-wielders in the IPL has begun to fade. The leg-spinner had a higher-than-usual economy of 8.93 over the last two seasons and only 19 wickets in 27 matches during that period. But, he has the wherewithal to set the record straight.

Trent Boult (MI): The Kiwi left-arm pacer has the premium quality of scalping wickets in the PowerPlay. With 72 of his 143 victims coming in the first six overs, Boult is the second-most lethal IPL bowler in the PowerPlay (only behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar, 80 wickets).

Lungi Ngidi (DC): He may not even get to feature in all matches if pace ace Mitchell Starc receives his NOC from Cricket Australia. However, the control and accuracy with which he dished out his loopy slower balls and yorkers against India in the T20 World Cup should be proof enough that he is more than just a back-up option.