IPL 2026: A closer look at the key weaknesses every franchise must address this season.
The blockbuster Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 begins on March 28, nearly three weeks after the completion of the recent T20 World Cup 2026. The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will face the 2016 champions Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the curtain raiser at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru.
Even after significant player-signings during the IPL 2026 mini-auction, all ten sides have some weaknesses heading into the 19th edition of the competition.
Let’s take a look at the weakness every IPL team must fix in 2026.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) struggled massively in the death overs (16-20) of the IPL 2025. In 13 innings, their pacers picked up only 20 wickets inside the last five overs at a fourth-most expensive economy rate (11.46). For the upcoming campaign, they won’t have Matheesha Pathirana’s services. It will be a challenge for the Ruturaj Gaikwad-led side to use the right bowling options at the death.
Moreover, their experienced spin all-rounder, Ravindra Jadeja, has also left the franchise after more than a decade. This creates the vacancy of an India spinner, who could bat between six and eight. CSK will need to be careful in that aspect.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
The defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru have most of the departments covered ahead of the new season. But rustiness to their key bowlers will be a headache. The spin all-rounder, Krunal Pandya, spinner Suyash Sharma, and veteran pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar have not played any competitive cricket for the last three months.
Meanwhile, Josh Hazlewood, after the first two T20Is against India in October 2025, hasn’t played any cricket due to injury. His participation is also at risk. They need these players to be in form at the start of the campaign. On the other hand, their home venue, the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, which has not hosted any cricket for the last nine months, may bring some surprises.
Mumbai Indians (MI)
Mumbai Indians (MI), perhaps, have the best headache ahead of the IPL 2026. They have the ‘problem of plenty’ in choosing the best four overseas players. The management needs to be careful in picking the best four foreign players based on the conditions. At the opening spot, they need to choose between Quinton de Kock and Ryan Rickelton as the opening partner of Rohit Sharma. The choice will be between Mitchell Santner or Corbin Bosch.
With Trent Boult being a guaranteed member of the eleven, the five-time champions could take the chance to pick both Sherfane Rutherford and Will Jacks. In such a case, they won’t be able to explore the Afghanistan spinner, Allah Ghazanfar, in the playing eleven.
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Delhi Capitals (DC)
The spin department of the Delhi Capitals (DC), in the presence of Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, looks settled. For the pace department, they have Mitchell Starc, who picked up 14 wickets in 11 innings of the IPL 2025. Apart from Starc and Mukesh Kumar’s 12 wickets, the Capitals lacked good pacers.
The same issue is expected to continue in IPL 2026. Auqib Nabi has done pretty well in the domestic red-ball event, but he doesn’t have the experience of marquee T20 franchise competition. On the other hand, T Natarajan hasn’t played for a long time. It’s very unlikely that the management will be able to place Lungi Ngidi in the playing eleven along with Starc.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG)
In IPL 2025, Lucknow Super Giants’ batters between four and seven averaged only 23.08, the second worst in the event. Their combined strike rate of 141.33 also stayed at the ninth position among the ten sides.
Among the batters between four and seven, captain Rishabh Pant managed only 123 runs at a strike rate of just 105.13. Abdul Samad’s average of 20.50 in the same qualification didn’t offer them the same stability they desired.
Meanwhile, questions will be on the form of Mohammad Shami and Avesh Khan. Wanindu Hasaranga’s injury has also raised questions over their spin bowling department.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) experienced the third-most expensive economy (9.90) during the IPL 2025. Pat Cummins has also been nursing the injury that kept him out of the T20 World Cup 2026. There is no confirmation of the captain’s arrival. Moreover, they won’t have Shami for this edition.
In that situation, they will perhaps need to pick Harshal Patel and Jaydev Unadkat, both of whom were not decent with the ball last season. Travis Head, Heinrich Klassen, and Liam Livingstone are nearly confirmed in the eleven. That means they can pick only one of Brydon Carse and Eshan Malinga. Team selection will be very important for the Orange Army.
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Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
Injuries have already hit the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) even before the beginning of the IPL 2026. Matheesha Pathirana may miss four to five games due to his recovery. They signed Blessing Muzarabani in place of Mustafizur Rahman, but there will be uncertainty over the Zimbabwe pacer’s bowling performance. Harshit Rana, reportedly, has also been ruled out of the competition.
Captain Ajinkya Rahane struggled with an average of only 18.29 and a strike rate of 112.28 against spinners in IPL 2025. That was the same problem with Rinku Singh, averaging 20.60. On the other hand, Kolkata won’t have Andre Russell for this season, which will create a void in the lower order’s batting.
Rajasthan Royals (RR)
In the IPL 2025, Rajasthan Royals’ (RR) pacers picked up only 40 wickets in 14 innings at an economy rate of 10.60. Their bowling average of 42.95 didn’t help the franchise. Jofra Archer, their premier pacer, bagged only 11 wickets at an economy rate of 9.47.
Riyan Parag, who smashed 393 runs at a strike rate of 166.52 in 2025, has taken on the additional responsibility of the leadership. In Sanju Samson’s absence, he will need to shoulder the batting along with Yashasvi Jaiswal. Moreover, he will also have to use the bowlers at the right time in the best way possible.
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Punjab Kings (PBKS)
Even though they looked relaxed in the mini-auction, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have minor issues in the squad. Their fifth bowling option remains unaddressed. In Marco Jansen, Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, and Lockie Ferguson, the team has a balanced four-man attack. But most oppositions will target their fifth bowler.
They also don’t have the experience in the middle order, apart from captain Shreyas Iyer, which can bail them out of crunch situations. In the final of the last season, they lost three wickets for 26 runs in just 22 balls, which spoiled their momentum.
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Gujarat Titans’ weakness could again be their middle-order. Sherfane Rutherford’s surprising trade to Mumbai will hamper their planning further. They have the option of trying Glenn Phillips or Tom Banton at number four, but consistency will still be an issue for the two flamboyant batters. Their middle order (4-7) had the worst average of 20.62, losing 34 wickets during the IPL 2025.
In the finisher’s role, Rahul Tewatia will need to take responsibility. They will also hope Shahrukh Khan to go through a strong season with the bat.
The IPL 2026 begins on March 28, 2026. The BCCI has announced the schedule for the first 20 fixtures, with the rest of the Programme expected to come in the upcoming few weeks.
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