5 players who can make a strong comeback in Indian Premier League 2026

IPL 2026 is set to begin in a few days, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru facing former champions Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The special league has played a major role in the growth of franchise cricket worldwide and in the development of Indian cricket. It has helped create star players, discover new talent, and turn domestic cricketers into well-known names.

However, some star players miss certain IPL seasons due to injuries or poor form. Every team in the league has players who will aim to perform well and make an impact in their roles.

Some players will look to make a strong comeback this season. These include Prithvi Shaw, who was picked by Delhi Capitals late in the auction, Ruturaj Gaikwad, who missed the second half of last season due to injury, and Shubman Gill, who will aim to return to India’s T20I team.

With that in mind, here is a list of five players who could make a strong comeback in IPL 2026.

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Prithvi Shaw

Prithvi Shaw, once seen as one of the brightest young talents in Indian cricket, is a player who can make a strong comeback in IPL 2026. He returns to Delhi Capitals, a team where he has enjoyed success in the past, including strong opening partnerships with Shikhar Dhawan and David Warner. After a good domestic season following his move to Maharashtra, Shaw will now focus on performing well in the IPL and rebuilding his career. He has played 79 matches for Delhi Capitals and scored 1892 runs.

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Chennai Super Kings captain Ruturaj Gaikwad is another player who can make a strong comeback this season. He missed the second half of the previous IPL due to injury. Gaikwad has been part of the Indian team setup and will look to return in form. He will also have the support of experienced players like Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni in leadership matters.

Sarfaraz Khan

Sarfaraz Khan’s career has gone through many phases. He started as a promising uncapped player with RCB, learning under Chris Gayle, but could not fully deliver on his early promise. Later, he performed consistently in domestic cricket and earned a place in India’s Test team. However, he is currently out of contention. Sarfaraz went unsold last season but was picked by Chennai Super Kings in this year’s auction. The Chepauk pitch could suit his style of play, especially against spin. His creative batting makes him a useful T20 player, and he will aim to perform well and move closer to a return to the national team.

Shubman Gill

India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill will see IPL 2026 as a chance to return to the T20I side. This makes him another strong candidate for a comeback this season. Gill has played 118 IPL matches and scored 3866 runs. He will aim to deliver consistent performances and strengthen his place in the shorter format.

Yuzvendra Chahal

Yuzvendra Chahal is another player who can make a strong comeback in IPL 2026. The experienced spinner is currently out of the Indian team but remains one of the best bowlers in the league. He is the leading wicket-taker in IPL history, with 221 wickets in 174 matches. Chahal will look to use this season to prove his form and push for a return to international cricket.

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