Along with the youngsters, there are some experienced players too who are proving the widely used phrase that age is just a number, class is permanent. Shreyas Iyer and Rajat Patidar are among those players who are above 30 but have been playing exciting cricket for their respective franchises since the start of IPL 2026.
Along with Iyer and Patidar, there are three other experienced cricketers who are eligible to join the Indian national camp for the T20 International format. Who are the other three players, who are above 30 but have the potential to play important roles for Team India? Let’s find out.
List of 5 IPL 2026 stars over 30 who deserve India T20I spot:
1. Shreyas Iyer
The 31-year-old batsman has all the qualities to play for India in the shortest format of the game. Iyer, who guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the 2024 Indian Premier League victory and captained Punjab Kings to qualify for the final of the IPL 2025 season, has cemented himself as a star captain in the franchise league. He not only helped the team with his gray matter, but was also equally adept at middle-order batting. In the ongoing Indian Premier League season, the Punjab Kings captain has already registered a couple of half-centuries in four matches.
2. Rajat Patidar
Another Indian cricketer who needs no introduction. The 32-year-old, who broke an 18-year-old tradition and led Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to their maiden IPL title, should be in the T20I camp. Rajat Patidar has been a proven batsman in the domestic season, where he showed his flair and batting skills time and again. In the current league, middle-order batsmen are performing in a more aggressive manner. The RCB captain has so far scored 31, 48*, 63 and 53 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Chennai Super Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Mumbai Indians respectively.
3. Krunal Pandya
Another player from the RCB set-up who proved himself time and again. Whenever captain Rajat Patidar needs a wicket in crucial situations, he is handed the ball to the experienced spinner. The 35-year-old spinner, who featured in ODIs and T20Is for the team, deserves another stint with the Men in Blue brigade. In the IPL 2025 season, Krunal took 17 wickets in 15 matches at an economy rate of 8.23, including a brace in the final with an economy rate of 4.25. In the current season, he has 5 wickets in 4 matches so far.
4.Famous Krishna
Critics may have turned against the 30-year-old fast bowler for giving away too many runs in many matches for Team India, but it cannot be denied that Prasidh Krishna is a wicket-taking machine in the Indian Premier League. The winner of the Purple Cap in the IPL 2025 season has been working hard in the current season to retain the individual title. The Gujarat Titans fast bowler has already taken 10 wickets in 4 matches with an economy rate of 9.50.
5. Mohammed Shami
The 35-year-old fast bowler has done everything to return to Team India for another stint. One of the finest fast bowlers to have played alongside Jasprit Bumrah in international matches, he faced extremely challenging situations due to injuries. The Bengal fast bowler has been in great form since his return from rehabilitation.
Shami played with consistency for the Bengal cricket team in the 2025-26 domestic tournament, and is now in full force with the Lucknow Super Giants. Shami has so far taken 4 wickets in 4 matches of IPL 2026 at an excellent economy rate of 6.25. Brilliant batsmen like Abhishek Sharma and KL Rahul were out for a duck against the lethal fast bowler.
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