IPL 2026: Ranking each team’s death bowlers

In T20 cricket, bowling in the death overs often determines the outcome of a match. While strong batting lineups can post or chase big totals, it is the bowlers who can control the final overs that often secure victories for their teams. The period between overs 16 and 20 is usually the most crucial phase of an innings, where batters look to accelerate and score as many runs as possible.

Franchises, therefore, rely heavily on their specialist death bowlers, players who can execute yorkers, slower deliveries, and tight lines under immense pressure. While fast bowlers are generally preferred during this phase, some teams also use spinners strategically if the conditions support them. With IPL 2026 approaching, several franchises boast strong bowling attacks designed specifically to handle the pressure of the death overs.

Here is a ranking of the death bowlers for each team in IPL 2026:

Chennai Super Kings: 6.5/10

Chennai Super Kings appear to have one of the least experienced death bowling units among the teams this season. Although they have several capable bowlers, the lack of specialist death bowlers could be a concern.

Their pace attack includes Matt Henry, Nathan Ellis, Khaleel Ahmed, and Mukesh Choudhary. All-rounders such as Jamie Overton and Shivam Dube add depth, but the team may struggle if they fail to execute their plans effectively during the death overs.