Rahul Chahar has named its all-time IPL XI and has sprung a big surprise by omitting the iconic match-winner of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). andre russell And Sunil NarineThe Indian leg spinner instead pitched his side with proven top-order stars and specialist T20 bowlers in an Instagram chat with Crictracker,
Rahul Chahar picks his all-time IPL XI ahead of 2026 season
At the top, Rohit Sharma and Brendon McCullum form an explosive right-handed opening pair, with Chris Gayle being another destructive presence at the top or at No. 3. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav provide stability and high-tempo scoring in the middle overs, while Hardik Pandya adds the dual value of big-hitting and seam-bowling. MS Dhoni’s presence at No. 6 or No. 7 provides unmatched leadership and game awareness along with finishing power.
Rashid Khan leads the spin department Yuzvendra ChahalDue to which captain Dhoni got two specific options to take wickets in the middle overs. Among the fast bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar handle the new ball and death overs, providing both control and penetration.
The 2026 IPL season is scheduled from March 15 to May 31 after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
No place for Andre Russell or Sunil Narine in Rahul Chahar’s all-time IPL XI
The biggest talking point in Chahar’s XI is the absence of KKR stalwarts Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, both of whom are widely considered to be among the most influential players in IPL history. His exclusion shows that Chahar was keen to move away from emotions and focus on recent form, consistency and his comfort as a bowler facing particular opponents. It also underlines how franchises and players value reliability throughout the season rather than individual explosive campaigns.
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By leaving out Russell, Chahar has effectively opted for consistency rather than a pacey or slick finisher, who can win games single-handedly but has also struggled with injuries and consistency in recent years. Narine’s omission, meanwhile, highlights the depth of spin options available in IPL history, where names like Rashid and Chahal can thrive on economy, adaptability and ongoing effectiveness.
Rahul Chahar’s all time IPL XI
Rohit Sharma, Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.
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