Harsha Bhogle Reveals His Top XI from IPL 2026
Harsha Bhogle's Best XI for IPL 2026
After the conclusion of the 19th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Harsha Bhogle shared his ideal playing XI. This selection came after the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) triumphed over Gujarat Titans (GT) to secure their title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Notably, Bhogle's lineup did not include Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, who were the second and third-highest run-scorers in the tournament.
For his opening pair, Bhogle chose Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, the orange cap winner, alongside Virat Kohli. Kohli, who was the top scorer for RCB and finished fourth overall, showcased his adaptability throughout the season. Bhogle emphasized the significance of Sooryavanshi's emergence as a player capable of adjusting to various conditions, stating, "He is not just a young talent; he can adapt his game effectively."
Bhogle expressed that while he initially considered Shubman Gill for the opener position due to his impressive 732 runs, he ultimately favored Sooryavanshi for his unique skill set. He also highlighted the explosive potential of players like Abhishek Sharma and KL Rahul, but decided on Kohli as the perfect partner for Sooryavanshi.
Moving to the middle order, Ishan Kishan was selected as the wicketkeeper and number three batter, followed by Heinrich Klaasen and Rajat Patidar at four and five, respectively. Bhogle praised Kishan's striking ability, noting his 602 runs at a remarkable strike rate of 182. He also acknowledged Klaasen's consistent performance, which included over 600 runs.
For the all-rounder positions, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Krunal Pandya were chosen. Bhogle remarked on Reddy's valuable contributions and Pandya's versatility, particularly in high-pressure situations. He noted the lack of left-handed spin-bowling all-rounders, which led him to select Pandya for the seventh spot.
In the bowling department, Bhogle picked the top three wicket-takers of the tournament: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kagiso Rabada, and Jofra Archer. He also included Sunil Narine as the sole specialist spinner, praising his exceptional economy rate despite a modest wicket tally. Bhogle concluded by highlighting Kumar's return to form, noting his impressive 28 wickets and effective bowling strategies throughout the season.
Harsha Bhogle's IPL 2026 Team: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Heinrich Klaasen, Rajat Patidar, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Krunal Pandya, Sunil Narine, Jofra Archer, Kagiso Rabada, Bhuvneshwar Kumar.