IPL 2026: Top 5 Indian players who could make or break their careers in upcoming season

A few Indian players will aim for a big comeback in IPL 2026.

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026, which is set to observe a battle among 10 teams for the title, will begin on March 28. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) will lock horns in the IPL 2026 opener at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.

Just like the previous seasons, quite a few exciting talents will be part of IPL 2026 and will aim to make a mark with their brilliant performances. They will look to make the most of the opportunity and establish their careers. On the other hand, a few veteran players will also be in the spotlight and they would also be keen to bring their best show.

The tournament will be crucial for them in the context of their careers. Below are five such Indian players, who could make or break their careers in IPL 2026.

5 Indian players who will aim for a big comeback in IPL 2026

5. Karun Nair

Karun Nair has been retained by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 50 lakh. The right-handed batsman scored a wonderful half-century against Mumbai Indians (MI) last season.

He also made a comeback to the Indian team after IPL 2025, getting picked for the test series against England. However, due to a dismal performance in the campaign, he lost his place in the test side. Nair will bank upon IPL 2026 to catch the eyeballs of selectors.

4. Shardul Thakur

Shardul Thakur is set to witness a fresh journey in IPL 2026 as he will play for Mumbai Indians (MI). The five-time champions traded him from Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) for INR 2 crore.

Thakur last played for India in the test series against England in July 2025 and is aiming for his comeback. IPL 2026 is a good platform for him to showcase his might and impress with his performance.

3. Umran Malik

Pacer Umran Malik has been retained by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) for the upcoming season. The right-arm pacer became a talk of the town in the 2022 edition, with his ability to cross speeds of 150+ kmph consistently.

He had a stint with Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), but after that he struggled. Between 2022 and 2023, he featured in 10 ODIs and 8 T20Is before vanishing from the national team. He will aim for a comeback with a brilliant show in IPL 2026.

2. Venkatesh Iyer

Seam all-rounder Venkatesh Iyer was released by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) ahead of IPL 2026 and bought by Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the auction for INR 7 crore.

Iyer first grabbed the spotlight with his aggressive batting show for KKR in the 2021 edition, where they also ended as runners-up. He has also played a few games for India between 2021 and 2022. However, he could not cement his place in the national team.

1. Prithvi Shaw

After missing last season, Prithvi Shaw looks for a fresh journey in the 2026 edition. He was picked by Delhi Capitals (DC) for INR 75 lakh in the auction. Shaw made his debut in IPL 2018 and played for DC till the 2024 edition, before getting released from the squad and getting unsold in the 2025 auction.

The right-handed batsman has also played five tests, six ODIs, and one T20I for India. He has been eyeing a comeback to the national team for a long time and will leave no stone unturned for an impressive show in the upcoming tournament.

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