Players each team could target for IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) is coming to an end with only two teams remaining in the hunt for winning the title. While RCB won Qualifier 1 by beating Punjab Kings in the latter's backyard to enter the final, Mumbai Indians knocked Gujarat Titans out of the IPL 2025 in the Eliminator. MI and PBKS will face each other in Qualifier 2 at the Narendra Modi Stadium while the winner of the clash will meet RCB in the final on June 3. The focus of other teams would have already shifted towards making a strong comeback in the IPL 2026. The teams that did not perform as per expectations will have to analyse their mistakes and rectify them before the next season. There were some players who either did not appear in the IPL 2025 auctions, or went unsold, or missed out due to other reasons. One player each team could include in their squad in IPL 2026 Chennai Super Kings - Michael Bracewell Chennai Super Kings lacked a lot of things in the IPL 2025, finishing at the bottom of the points table for the first time in IPL history. They need someone like Michael Bracewell, who could replace Ravichandran Ashwin. Bracewell is not just a spinner who would be suitable for Chepauk, but is also one of the best lower-middle order batters who can add flexibility and stability in the team. Rajasthan Royals - Kartik Tyagi Rajasthan Royals had a mediocre bowling attack in the IPL 2025. They need an uncapped Indian bowler to assist Jofra Archer at the other end, both in the Powerplay and at the death. Kartik Tyagi, who has increased his pace, can be vital for the Royals. He can be great both with the new ball and with the old ball to complement Archer and Co. Kolkata Knight Riders - Jamie Smith Jamie Smith might be the player KKR has been searching for a long time. While they invested in Phil Salt during the IPL 2024, KKR did not have a reliable wicketkeeper batter in the 18th edition of the league, which has been the case since the exit of Dinesh Karthik. Jamie can open the innings and keep wickets for his side, which makes him a fine choice. Lucknow Super Giants - Alzarri Joseph Alzarri Joseph can be suitable for LSG, who did not have too many overseas bowling options in the IPL 2025 due to the injury of Matt Henry. The right-arm pacer has not lived up to expectations in the IPL. However, his recent form could suggest him returning to form. With great skills like pace and outswinger to back him up, Joseph could be a good fit for LSG. Sunrisers Hyderabad - Jayden Seales Jayden Seales has been one of the upcoming pace sensations in world cricket. The right-arm pacer has done well in the longer formats. By the end of 2025, he could make a case for himself in T20 cricket. SRH had a problem with their new-ball bowlers. Seales, a genuine wicket-taking bowler, can be the right fit as he can operate at a good pace. Delhi Capitals - Prithvi Shaw Prithvi Shaw might still be the player Delhi Capitals need. He was let go by the 2020 finalists due to fitness issues. However, with the Impact Player rule and the overseas openers like Jake Fraser-McGurk and Faf Du Plessis not firing, DC might have to go back for Shaw, who just has to give explosive starts in the Powerplay overs as an impact player. Gujarat Titans - Cameron Green Cameron Green missed the IPL 2025 due to an injury. However, the star all-rounder is one of the best players up for grabs with his diverse skills. Gujarat Titans are in need of such a player, as it will bolster their middle order. Green can be used as a finisher as well while he is a handy option with the ball and a safe fielder. Mumbai Indians - Sikandar Raza Sikandar Raza could prove to be similar to Mitchell Santner in his role. A lower middle-order batter with some handy spin bowling on offer. However, he is a better batter than Santner and makes a case for his place in the XI, especially because MI does not have a lot of designated finishers in their current squad. While age is not on his side, Raza can bring a lot of experience to the table. Punjab Kings - Navdeep Saini Navdeep Saini has not been picked by the IPL teams for a long time as the right-arm pacer has lost a bit of his pace. However, he has been doing well in the opportunities he has been getting in other tournaments. A pacer bowler like him can be used by a team like PBKS, which needs someone to assist Arshdeep Singh at the other end. Royal Challengers Bengaluru - Tanush Kotian Tanush Kotian is one of the up-and-coming Indian spinners who can play Test cricket for India in the near future. In the IPL 2025, RCB's only shortcoming was a lack of wicket-taking options in the middle overs. While Krunal Pandya and Suyash Sharma took care of the role, Kotian can add more depth with his spin bowling. While Suyash can win matches from his end on his day, Kotian could come as an upgrade for the Bengaluru-based frnachise.

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