IPL 2026 Squad Guide: All 10 Teams, Key Players and Betting Angles

IPL 2026 is almost here. Ten teams, ten squads worth of star power, and a tournament that delivers some of the best T20 cricket on the planet. The season gets underway on 28 March. This is your complete guide to who’s playing for who, the key names to watch, and the betting angles worth targeting.

All player data is drawn from Statz Cricket season leaders. Use the Statz Cricket bet builder to check hit rates before placing.

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings are the most decorated franchise in IPL history with five titles. Coach Stephen Fleming continues at the helm. MS Dhoni remains the heartbeat of the side – even at this stage of his career, his finishing ability and leadership in the dugout is irreplaceable.

Key Players

• Ruturaj Gaikwad (c) – One of IPL’s most reliable opening batters. A serial run-scorer with excellent strike rate in the powerplay. Strong candidate for Orange Cap markets.
• Sanju Samson – Gifted right-hander who can take any attack apart when he’s on. Excellent target for runs and sixes markets.
• MS Dhoni (wk) – Still finishing games. His hit rate in the death overs is extraordinary. Check his Statz Cricket profile for career T20 finishing data.
• Shivam Dube – Left-handed power hitter who has been one of IPL’s most consistent finishers in recent seasons.
• Noor Ahmad – Afghanistan’s young left-arm wrist spinner. Lethal in the middle overs and a genuine wicket-taker.
• Matt Henry – New Zealand’s new-ball specialist. Dangerous with the swing early. Good value in powerplay wickets markets.

Betting angle: Ruturaj for top CSK bat is the starting point. Dhoni in finisher/sixes markets when CSK are chasing is a recurring value angle – check his hit rates on Statz Cricket bet builder.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians are the most successful IPL franchise with five titles. Coach Mahela Jayawardene oversees a squad built around Hardik Pandya‘s captaincy and Jasprit Bumrah‘s genius with the ball.

Key Players

• Rohit Sharma – Five IPL titles, one of the greatest T20 openers of all time. Still capable of match-winning knocks. A name that belongs in any top-scorer market conversation.
• Jasprit Bumrah – The best T20 bowler in the world when fully fit. Any match he plays in, back him for wickets. Check his Statz Cricket data for powerplay and death over breakdowns.
• Hardik Pandya (c) – All-round talent who can win matches with bat and ball. Watch his hit rates across both disciplines.
• Suryakumar Yadav – The king of 360-degree batting. A guaranteed threat in runs and sixes markets when he bats in the top four.
• Trent Boult – Left-arm swing at its best. Lethal with the new ball and one of the best powerplay bowlers in franchise cricket.
• Tilak Varma – Young left-hander who has made rapid progress. Worth tracking in top MI bat markets.

Betting angle: Bumrah for most wickets in a match is one of T20’s most reliable recurring bets. Suryakumar for sixes markets whenever he’s in the top four. Use the Statz Cricket bet builder to validate both.

Rajasthan Royals

Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural IPL in 2008 and came agonisingly close to a second title in 2022. Coach Kumar Sangakkara has assembled one of the most exciting young squads in the competition – led by Yashasvi Jaiswal and featuring the extraordinary Vaibhav Suryavanshi.

Key Players

• Yashasvi Jaiswal – India’s most explosive young opener. Set IPL alight in recent seasons. An absolute must in runs and sixes markets when in form.
• Vaibhav Suryavanshi – 14-year-old phenomenon signed for a record price. The most talked-about young talent in world cricket right now. Handle with care in betting markets until he has an IPL sample – but watch closely.
• Jofra Archer – England’s tearaway quick returning after injury. When fit, he’s a game-changer in wicket markets. Pace and bounce that no batter enjoys facing.
• Ravindra Jadeja – Left-arm spin and hard-hitting lower-order runs. An all-rounder worth monitoring in multiple markets.
• Riyan Parag – Rapidly developing middle-order batter. Excellent in the back half of innings.
• Shimron Hetmyer – West Indian death-overs specialist. His strike rate in the final five overs is elite.

Betting angle: Jaiswal for top RR bat is the obvious play. Archer in wickets markets whenever he’s confirmed playing – but check injury status on match day. Hetmyer in sixes markets at the death is a specialist angle worth exploring.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Royal Challengers Bengaluru are the defending IPL champions. Andy Flower takes over as coach. The Kohli factor alone makes them one of the most-backed teams in the tournament.

Key Players

• Virat Kohli – The IPL’s all-time leading run-scorer. Consistency made human. Any market involving Kohli runs needs to be priced correctly because the bookmakers know his value.
• Phil Salt – England’s explosive opener who hits the ball to all parts from ball one. His powerplay strike rate is among the best in the world.
• Rajat Patidar (c) – Capable top-order batter stepping up to lead for the first time in IPL.
• Tim David – Singapore-born power-hitter and one of the most sought-after T20 finishers globally. Death-overs sixes machine.
• Josh Hazlewood – Australia’s tall right-armer with a brilliant white-ball record. Excellent value in bowling markets in conditions that favour seam.
• Krunal Pandya – Left-arm spin all-rounder who offers control in the middle overs.

Betting angle: Kohli to score 30+ is a market that pays out regularly – check his hit rates on Statz Cricket bet builder. Salt in powerplay runs markets is underrated value. RCB open at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on 28 March – a high-scoring ground that suits their batting heavy lineup.

Gujarat Titans

Gujarat Titans won back-to-back IPL titles in 2022 and 2023. Coach Ashish Nehra has built a squad around Shubman Gill and the evergreen Rashid Khan, who remains one of the most valuable T20 bowlers on earth.

Key Players

• Shubman Gill (c) – One of India’s best young batters and the anchor of Gujarat’s top order. Consistent and aggressive. Top GT bat market is one to keep backing.
• Rashid Khan – The best leg-spinner in T20 cricket. Economy rate, wicket-taking ability and match-reading intelligence that no other spinner matches. Always back him in wickets markets.
• Jos Buttler (wk) – England’s World Cup-winning captain brings world-class opening batting to GT. A dangerous target for runs and sixes, especially in powerplay markets.
• KG Rabada – South Africa’s express quick. One of the best T20 new-ball bowlers in franchise cricket. Excellent in wicket and economy markets.
• Sai Sudharsan – A technically refined top-order batter who has been one of IPL’s standout performers in recent seasons.
• Washington Sundar – Off-spin all-rounder who controls the middle overs and contributes runs in the lower order.

Betting angle: Rashid Khan is arguably the single most reliable wicket-taker in T20 franchise cricket. Back him every game he plays. Buttler and Gill forming the top of the order is a genuinely dangerous combination – GT to post big totals is worth monitoring on Statz Cricket.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad won in 2016 and reached the final again in 2024. Daniel Vettori coaches a side built around one of the most feared opening partnerships in T20 cricket – Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma. Pat Cummins captains.

Key Players

• Travis Head – Australia’s most destructive T20 opener. His scoring rate in the first six overs is extraordinary. A must-target in runs, sixes, and powerplay markets.
• Abhishek Sharma – The other half of SRH’s fearsome opening partnership. Left-handed, aggressive, brilliant. When both fire, SRH post totals nobody can chase.
• Pat Cummins (c) – One of the best T20 captains and bowlers in world cricket. His death bowling is elite. Great option in top bowler and wicket markets.
• Heinrich Klaasen (wk) – South Africa’s most dangerous T20 finisher. His strike rate in the final overs is among the best in the world.
• Liam Livingstone – England’s big-hitting all-rounder who adds genuine depth to the middle order.
• Nitish Kumar Reddy – Young Indian all-rounder who has emerged as one of IPL’s most exciting domestic talents.

Betting angle: SRH total runs market is worth watching every game – they score at a relentless rate when Head and Abhishek get going. Head in powerplay runs and sixes is possibly the single highest-ceiling individual bet in the tournament. Use Statz Cricket bet builder for current hit rates.

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals have never won an IPL title but consistently produce top-quality cricket. Coach Hemang Badani has a strong squad. Axar Patel captains and Mitchell Starc headlines the overseas bowling attack.

Key Players

• KL Rahul (wk) – One of India’s most consistent T20 opening batters. Excellent in runs markets, especially when batting at the top of the order.
• Mitchell Starc – Australia’s left-arm quick brings genuine pace and swing. A wicket-taking machine in the powerplay. One of IPL’s most expensive signings.
• Axar Patel (c) – Left-arm spin and aggressive batting. Axar is a genuine match-winner who can contribute in all three phases.
• Kuldeep Yadav – India’s premier left-arm wrist spinner. His middle-over wicket-taking ability is elite. A must-watch in bowling markets.
• Ben Duckett – England’s left-handed opener and one of the most compact T20 batters in world cricket. Good value in runs markets at most prices.
• David Miller – South Africa’s ‘Killer Miller’ is one of T20’s most dangerous finishers. His late-innings strike rate is outstanding.

Betting angle: Kuldeep Yadav for most wickets in a match is a well-established angle – check his IPL hit rates on Statz Cricket bet builder. Starc in powerplay wickets markets is worth monitoring from game one.

Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings have never lifted the IPL trophy. Coach Ricky Ponting takes charge of a revamped side that includes Shreyas Iyer as captain and a strong overseas contingent.

Key Players

• Shreyas Iyer (c) – Technically gifted middle-order batter who plays spin particularly well. Capable of scoring big when conditions suit.
• Prabhsimran Singh (wk) – Young Indian opener with exceptional hitting ability. An exciting talent worth tracking in runs and powerplay markets.
• Marcus Stoinis – Australia’s hard-hitting all-rounder is a consistent performer in franchise cricket. Excellent in sixes markets and offers genuine bowling value too.
• Arshdeep Singh – India’s best left-arm seamer in white-ball cricket. Exceptional in the powerplay and at the death. Back him in wickets markets.
• Yuzvendra Chahal – The most prolific wicket-taker in IPL history. Always back him in bowling markets – his hit rate for wickets across formats is elite.
• Lockie Ferguson – New Zealand’s express quick who generates genuine pace and bounce. Dangerous in powerplay wickets markets.

Betting angle: Chahal for most wickets in a match is one of the most reliable recurring bets in the IPL. His career numbers speak for themselves – verify on Statz Cricket leaders. Punjab open at Mullanpur on 31 March – check Statz Cricket grounds data for pitch tendencies before betting on totals.

Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders are the 2024 IPL champions. Coach Abhishek Nayar continues in charge. A squad built on explosive batting from Narine and smart death bowling.

Key Players

• Sunil Narine – The most valuable T20 cricketer of his generation. Destroys the powerplay with the bat and suffocates opponents with his off-spin. Back him in both batting and bowling markets.
• Varun Chakravarthy – India’s mystery spinner who has been one of IPL’s most consistent wicket-takers. Excellent in bowling markets, especially on turning tracks at Eden Gardens.
• Finn Allen (wk) – New Zealand’s explosive opener who scores at a devastating rate from ball one. Great value in powerplay runs markets.
• Rinku Singh – India’s most famous finisher. His strike rate in the final two overs is exceptional. Monitor in death-overs and sixes markets.
• Cameron Green – Australian all-rounder who adds pace bowling and useful batting at the top of the order.
• Matheehsha Pathirana – Sri Lanka’s rapid yorker specialist. His death bowling is extraordinary – seriously difficult to face when he’s on.

Betting angle: Narine in top KKR bat market is one of IPL’s best-value recurring bets. Varun Chakravarthy for top KKR bowler at Eden Gardens – conditions typically assist his mystery spin. Check both on Statz Cricket bet builder.

Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow Super Giants have been one of IPL’s most consistent franchises since entering in 2022. Coach Justin Langer oversees a squad with a genuinely star-studded top order after signing Rishabh Pant as captain.

Key Players

• Rishabh Pant (c & wk) – One of cricket’s most exciting and unpredictable talents. His unorthodox style makes him genuinely difficult to bowl to. A big-ceiling option in runs and sixes markets.
• Mitchell Marsh – Australia’s hard-hitting all-rounder is a powerful top-order presence and useful change bowling option.
• Nicholas Pooran – West Indies’ most destructive T20 batter. One of the biggest hitters in the world when in form. A must in sixes markets.
• Mohammad Shami – India’s premier right-arm pace bowler. His powerplay and death-overs bowling is elite. Back him in wicket markets from game one.
• Mayank Yadav – The most exciting fast bowling prospect in India. His raw pace generated enormous buzz last season. When fit, he’s one of the hardest bowlers to face in T20.
• Wanindu Hasaranga – Sri Lanka’s world-class leg-spinning all-rounder. Brilliant in the middle overs and a consistent wicket-taker across formats.

Betting angle: Pooran in sixes markets is one of the tournament’s highest-ceiling bets – volatile but enormous upside. Shami and Mayank Yadav are both serious wickets-market options. Check their current fitness and hit rates on Statz Cricket bet builder before each game.

Use Statz Cricket for IPL Betting

The Statz Cricket bet builder is the tool you need for player-level props across all ten teams. It pulls real hit rate data across T20 career and recent form – much more reliable than guessing on reputation alone.

Check the Statz Cricket grounds page before betting on totals – IPL venues vary enormously in terms of average scores and conditions. The full fixture list is available at Statz Cricket upcoming fixtures.