Cricket expert and former Indian opening batter Aakash Chopra has turned heads by announcing his Best XII of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. In a campaign that witnessed extraordinary individual brilliance, shattering historical milestones, and dramatic team turnarounds, Chopra’s selection sparked intense debate across social media. The most notable omission from his star-studded lineup is Gujarat Titans’ skipper Shubman Gill, who missed out despite finishing as the tournament’s second-highest run-getter. Instead, Chopra entrusted the leadership responsibilities to Rajat Patidar following his historic championship run for Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
A blockbuster top order ft. Vaibhav Suryavanshi and Virat Kohli
Chopra’s opening combination blends the explosive innocence of youth with a foundation of legendary consistency. He picked 15-year-old batting sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who completely revolutionized opening standards in T20s this year. Playing for Rajasthan Royals, Suryavanshi captured the Orange Cap by amassing 776 runs in 16 innings at an astronomical strike rate of 237.31, smashing a record 72 sixes.
Partnering the young prodigy at the top is the ever-reliable Virat Kohli. The RCB icon had a vintage season, anchoring his team to title glory with 675 runs in 16 innings, averaging 56.25 at a strike rate of 165.84, which included a brilliant unbeaten century.
Iskan Kishan steps into the number three spot after an explosive campaign with Sunrisers Hyderabad, accumulating 602 runs in 15 innings at an impactful strike rate of 182.42.
Rajat Patidar to lead the special team
The middle order boasts destructive finishing capabilities, marshaled by tournament skipper Patidar. He did not just lead RCB to consecutive titles; he personally dictated matches from the middle overs. He accumulated 501 runs at a staggering strike rate of 192.69, clearing the boundary 42 times.
Following the captain is South African powerhouse Heinrich Klaasen, who continued his elite spin-destruction template. Klaasen finished the season with 624 runs in 15 games, striking at 160.00 and crossing the historic milestone of 100 IPL sixes.
Nitish Kumar Reddy slots in next, having anchored the lower-middle order effectively for Hyderabad with robust local returns, complementing Krunal Pandya, who proved to be RCB’s ultimate utility man, playing a vital restrictive role during their championship final against Gujarat.
A multifaceted spin and pace bowling coalition
Kolkata Knight Riders’ veteran Sunil Narine quarterbacks the spin department. Narine created history during the tournament by becoming the first overseas bowler to breach the 200-wicket mark, capping off his season with 15 wickets across 13 matches with a phenomenal economy rate of 6.65.
The fast-bowling vanguard is spearheaded by veteran Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who enjoyed a massive renaissance under Patidar’s captaincy, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker of the season with 28 wickets in 16 matches at an exceptional average of 17.89.
Chopra rounds off his deadly pace battery with the express speed of Kagiso Rabada, who clinched the Purple Cap with 29 wickets for Gujarat Titans, and Rajasthan’s pace anchor Jofra Archer, who claimed 25 wickets in 16 appearances. Uncapped Jammu and Kashmir speedster Rasikh Salam Dar completes the lineup as the ultimate X-factor, capturing 19 wickets in just 12 matches and turning the final on its head with a spectacular 3 for 27 spell.
Aakash Chopra’s best XII of IPL 2026: Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Rajat Patidar (c), Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Krunal Pandya, Sunil Narine, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Kagiso Rabada, Jofra Archer, Rasikh Salam Dar
