Shubman Gill overlooked as former KKR spinner picks IPL 2026 Team of the Tournament
An Unexpected XI Ahead of the IPL 2026 Final
As the curtains prepare to rise on the highly anticipated IPL 2026 final between the Royal Challengers Bengaluru and the Gujarat Titans, the cricketing world has been treated to a spicy pre-match discussion. Broadcaster and former India spinner Murali Kartik recently unveiled his personal ‘Team of the Tournament’ on Cricbuzz, and it is safe to say that his selections have set social media ablaze.
While the team features several expected superstars who dominated the charts, the most glaring omission is that of Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill. Despite a stellar campaign where he amassed 722 runs in 16 matches, Gill failed to find a spot in Kartik’s lineup, a decision that has left many followers of the league perplexed.
The Rising Stars and Top-Order Power
Perhaps the most refreshing inclusion in Kartik’s side is 15-year-old Rajasthan Royals sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After a breakthrough season that saw him register 776 runs, the teenager was named the Impact Player, signaling a bright future for Indian cricket. He is joined at the top by Gujarat Titans’ Sai Sudharsan, who crossed the 700-run mark and proved his consistency once again.
Virat Kohli, ever the stalwart, secured the number three spot in the side. After scoring over 600 runs and spearheading RCB’s journey to back-to-back IPL final appearances, his presence was inevitable. Interestingly, while Kohli made the cut, the sheer volume of runs from Gill could not force his inclusion in the XI.
Middle-Order Firepower and Tactical Leadership
The middle order of Kartik’s team is built for destruction. It features explosive talents like Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen, who have been pivotal for their respective franchises this year. Alongside them is RCB skipper Rajat Patidar, who earned the captaincy of this dream team.
Patidar has been in sensational form, tallying 486 runs at an extraordinary strike rate exceeding 196. Beyond the numbers, his leadership during the 2026 season has been nothing short of exemplary, building on his previous success in helping RCB secure their maiden title last year.
All-Rounders and Bowling Dominance
The balance of the team is heavily reliant on a versatile all-round unit. Sunil Narine of KKR and Krunal Pandya of RCB were both rewarded for their contributions with the ball and the bat. SRH’s Nitish Kumar Reddy also earned a deserved place in the squad after a season defined by his dual-threat capabilities, scoring 302 runs and chipping in with 8 crucial wickets.
The bowling attack is arguably the most intimidating aspect of the selection. It features the evergreen Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who has taken 26 wickets at an incredible strike rate of 8. He is supported by the raw pace of Jofra Archer, who claimed 25 wickets, and the current Purple Cap holder, Kagiso Rabada. Rabada, with 28 wickets to his name, remains one of the most lethal T20 bowlers in the world today.
Final Verdict
Murali Kartik’s final XI looks like a formidable unit on paper, capable of dismantling any opposition. However, the absence of Rashid Khan and, most notably, the league’s leading lights like Shubman Gill, serves as a reminder of just how competitive IPL 2026 has been. With so many players performing at their peak, picking a perfect team is an impossible task, but it certainly keeps the conversation lively as we head into the final showdown.
Murali Kartik’s IPL 2026 Team of the Tournament:
- Vaibhav Sooryavanshi (Impact Player)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Virat Kohli
- Ishan Kishan
- Rajat Patidar (Captain)
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Krunal Pandya
- Sunil Narine
- Bhuvneshwar Kumar
- Jofra Archer
- Kagiso Rabada
