IPL 2026: Overseas stars who could end up warming the bench all season

All the teams had a busy time during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction as each team filled up the full quota of 25 players ahead of the 19th edition of the cash-rich league. Apart from Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), all other teams signed the maximum of eight overseas players. In a competition like the IPL, overseas players make a huge difference, as they not only add value to a team with their contributions with bat and ball but they also give the young Indian players the opportunity to pick their brains and hone their skills, allowing them to become better versions of themselves. In this article, we take a look at one overseas player each team may bench for the entirety of IPL 2026: One overseas player each team might bench all season Punjab Kings - Lockie Ferguson Lockie-Ferguson. (Photo source: X/IPL) Lockie Ferguson played just four matches in IPL 2025 before being ruled out of the remainder of the season due to an injury. The New Zealand seamer has had his struggles with injuries in recent years. While he could be an asset for any team when he is fit, he could leak a lot of runs when he is not in his peak rhythm. Punjab Kings are likely to start with Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Ben Dwarshuis, and Mitchell Owen as their four overseas players in the line-up. In the seam-bowling department, Xavier Bartlett is also an option, and he can be quite a handful with his pace and bounce. Azmatullah Omarzai can also give an all-round option to the Kings' line-up. Therefore, Ferguson might find it difficult to get a game. Gujarat Titans - Tom Banton Tom Banton. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images) Tom Banton returned to the IPL after a gap of five years. He has been roped in by the Gujarat Titans for INR 2 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction. However, it will be tough for him to break into the playing XI. His compatriot, Jos Buttler, will take the gloves during the season. In case Buttler misses a few games, the Titans can bring in Anuj Rawat to keep wickets and use Glenn Phillips, who can contribute with bat and ball. Luke Wood is another player who could have been picked in place of Banton. However, the left-arm seamer could get a game as he is the only other overseas seamer in the Titans' line-up apart from Kagiso Rabada. Delhi Capitals - Kyle Jamieson Kyle Jamieson (Source: Joe Allison/Getty Images) Kyle Jamieson was part of the Punjab Kings' side for the IPL 2025 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. During the IPL 2026 mini-auction, he was the last player to get hired as Delhi Capitals acquired his services for his base price of INR 2 crore. In the seam-bowling department, Delhi have many options to try out. They have two Indian pacers Mukesh Kumar and T Natarajan. However, there are four overseas pacers - Mitchell Starc, Dushmantha Chameera, Lungi Ngidi, and Kyle Jamieson - to choose from. While Starc should be a sure-shot starter, either Chameera or Ngidi should get the nod first if the Capitals choose to have two overseas pacers in their XI. Jamieson could be forced to watch the entire season from the sidelines. Rajasthan Royals - Adam Milne Adam Milne. (Photo Source: SAMEERA PEIRIS/AFP via Getty Images) Adam Milne has not played an IPL game since 2022. He had been roped in by the Rajasthan Royals for INR 2.40 crore at the mini-auction. However, like Ferguson and Jamieson, Milne could warm the bench for the entire season. The Royals already have Jofra Archer and Nandre Burger in their ranks. The young and talented Kwena Maphaka has also been retained. Milne, who has a decent T20 record, might not make it to the playing XI as he can swing the ball upfront but his death-bowling abilities are not as effective. The other overseas seamers in the line-up offer more with the ball in different phases of the innings. Sunrisers Hyderabad - Kamindu Mendis Kamindu Mendis Batting. (Photo Source : Gettyimages/ ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP) Kamindu Mendis played five matches last season for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL and performed decently. He is also a tremendous fielder and his catch to dismiss Dewald Brevis last season will be remembered by cricket enthusiasts for a very long time. However, having secured Liam Livingstone's services for a whopping INR 13 crore and having added Australian all-rounder Jack Edwards as backup, it seems difficult for Mendis to retain his place in the side. Livingstone offers the same skillsets as Mendis but is way more destructive a batter, something that aligns well with Sunrisers' style of play. Lucknow Super Giants - Matthew Breetzke Matthew Breetzke (Source: Fancode) Matthew Breetzke played just one game last season for the Lucknow Super Giants. The right-handed batter, who recently led South Africa in Pakistan in the absence of regular skipper Temba Bavuma, might have to sit on the bench for the entire IPL season. Lucknow's four overseas players are likely to be Aiden Markram, Mitchell Marsh, Nicholas Pooran, and one of either Wanindu Hasaranga or Anrich Nortje. In case they want to play both the bowlers, Markram could have to make way. Josh Inglis will also be a pushing for a spot in the playing XI whenever he is available. So, Breetzke will find it hard to break into the playing XI ahead of the aforementioned overseas stars. Kolkata Knight Riders - Rachin Ravindra Rachin Ravindra (Source /Getty Images) Rachin Ravindra signed for the Kolkata Knight Riders for INR 2 crore at the mini-auction. There is no doubt about the immense talent he possesses. However, the southpaw might have to wait the entire season for a chance in the starting line-up and end without a game under his belt for the three-time champions. KKR are expected to open the batting with Finn Allen, while Cameron Green, the most expensive player in the IPL 2026 auction, set to be in the middle order. Matheesha Pathirana and Sunil Narine should be the two other overseas players in the playing XI. If Allen isn't playing, Tim Seifert could seamlessly slot in as the wicketkeeper as he coulld also open the batting. Mumbai Indians - Sherfane Rutherford Sherfane Rutherford. (Photo Source: X(Twitter/Cricket west indies) Sherfane Rutherford played a promising hand at No. 4 for the Gujarat Titans last season. However, it was interesting to see the former champions releasing the West Indies batter ahead of the auction. Rutherford signed for the Mumbai Indians for INR 2.60 crore at the mini-auction. He will be competing with the likes of Will Jacks and Corbin Bosch for a spot in the playing XI. One between Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton should open the batting with Rohit Sharma. Trent Boult will take the new ball, while either AM Ghazanfar or Mitchell Santner will helm the spin-bowling department. These leaves only one overseas players' slot available. Jacks could be the first choice, with Bosch being a close second. Rutherford, who does not bowl too often nowadays, could find it tough to break into the side only on the basis of his batting skills. Chennai Super Kings - Akeal Hosein Akeal Hosein (Source: Gareth Copley/Getty Images) Akeal Hosein played his last IPL game in April 2023. The spin-bowling all-rounder could play the role played by Mitchell Santner a few seasons ago at Chennai Super Kings. However, CSK bagged young left-arm spin-bowling all-rounder Prashant Veer for a staggering INR 14.20 crore, and they might not want to have an overseas player in the playing XI who plays a similar role. Chennai opted for an overhaul of their squad after finishing last in IPL 2025. Dewald Brevis, Matthew Short, Nathan Ellis, and Noor Ahmad could be the four overseas players to start the season for the five-time champions. Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Jordan Cox Jordan Cox. (Photo source: Getty Images) Jordan Cox is an aggressive wicketkeeper-batter from England, who has done well in franchise leagues around the world. However, with Phil Salt and Jitesh Sharma set to be a part of the staring XI, he might have to watch the defending champions in action from the dugout. Apart from Salt, Tim David, Romario Shepherd, and Josh Hazlewood could be the overseas players in the playing XI at least for the first few games in the season. Even if Salt has to miss a few games, Jacob Bethell could replace him as Jitesh's presence in the line-up means that the Bengaluru-based franchise will not be compelled to bring in an overseas wicketkeeper.

IPL 2026: Overseas stars who could end up warming the bench all season

All the teams had a busy time during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 auction. Every team picked up the full quota of 25 players ahead of the 19th edition of the cash-rich league.

Mumbai Indians - Sherfane Rutherford