5 players who might struggle in IPL 2026

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is set to kick off on March 28 with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH)taking on each other in Bengaluru.

While a plethora of cricketers enter the tournament with an impressive run of form behind them, some are at the opposite end of the spectrum, searching for rhythm after a troubled time in the lead-up to the tournament.

On that note, here are five players who might struggle in IPL 2026:

Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans)

Afghanistan’s premier leg-spinner Rashid Khan has been one of the most consistent performers in T20 cricket, with an unmatched tally of 700 wickets in the format. His ability to control the game in the middle overs has established him as an invaluable asset for Gujarat Titans.

However, if his recent performances are an indicator, Rashid could be in for a tough time in IPL 2026. There has been a sharp decline in Rashid’s wicket-taking effectiveness, and the recently-concluded T20 World Cup was recent evidence, as Rashid managed only six wickets in four matches, quite below his elite standards. His IPL 2025 campaign was underwhelming to say the least: he picked up just nine wickets in 15 matches.

Venkatesh Iyer (Royal Challengers Bengaluru)

Venkatesh Iyer’s journey over the past year has been topsy-turvy. After being bought for an eye-watering INR 23.75 crore by Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in IPL 2025, he failed to justify the price tag, scoring just 142 runs in 11 matches.

The glaring lack of impact in crucial situations raised questions over his spot in the team, and he witnessed an unsurprisingly sharp drop in his valuation, bought for INR 7 crore by RCB in the Abu Dhabi auction last year. While the smaller paycheck could alleviate pressure, expectations still remain high from the seam-bowling all-rounder, a rare commodity in the Indian cricketing system.

Cameron Green (Kolkata Knight Riders)

Australian all-rounder Cameron Green is another high-profile player under scrutiny. After impressive performances with Mumbai Indians (MI) earlier in his IPL career, Green’s recent outings have been inconsistent at best, including the T20 World Cup and the Ashes, have not been particularly convincing.

Despite this, KKR invested heavily considering his potential, acquiring him for a ginormous INR 25.20 crore. Such a hefty price tag brings immense pressure. Balancing expectations with a dual role as a batter and bowler while navigating form could be a triple whammy, making IPL 2026 a baptism of fire. 

Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants)

Rishabh Pant, now leading Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), enters the tournament with a significant weight of expectations. Bought for a record-shattering INR 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, Pant had an underwhelming season, tallying 269 runs in 13 innings, with an 118-run knock in the final league fixture the saving grace in a glacial campaign.

While Pant has displayed glimpses of his uninhibited brilliance, consistency remains a perpetual concern. As both captain and batter, the pressure on Pant will be immense, and regaining rhythm quickly will be crucial to avoid another poor season.

Suryakumar Yadav (Mumbai Indians)

Suryakumar Yadav, one of the most dynamic T20 batters, had a phenomenal IPL 2025: he scored 717 runs in 16 matches at an average of over 65. However, his form nosedived after the tournament, particularly in international cricket. During the T20 World Cup, he managed a solitary half-century, and injuries disrupted his rhythm before the global event.

Representing the IPL behemoth Mumbai Indians, Suryakumar will be expected to replicate his previous heroics. But given his recent inconsistency and fitness concerns, maintaining that high standard will be anything but straightforward.