Worst Playing XI of IPL 2026: The 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) has now reached its final stage and the picture of the playoffs is almost clear. While many uncapped and young players have shone in IPL 2026, there have also been some star players for whom this entire season has been no less than a nightmare. Despite salaries worth crores and considerable experience in international cricket, the performance of these veterans has been quite disappointing.

On the basis of the performance of such big players this season, the worst playing 11 of IPL 2026 has been prepared, in which 5 players are the current captains of one or the other team. There are many names included in this playing 11 who can turn the match on their own, but this season they have proved to be a huge flop.

These players flopped badly in the top order

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane have been selected as openers in the worst playing 11 of IPL 2026. This season, both these players have failed to give a good start to the team as opening batsmen and were seen struggling to score runs. CSK captain Ruturaj has scored 321 runs in 13 matches played so far this season at an average of around 30, while KKR captain Ajinkya has scored 272 runs in 13 matches at an average of around 23.

From Surya to Pant, everyone failed in the middle order.

Many big players in the middle order have disappointed the fans with their poor performance. This season was very disappointing for Suryakumar Yadav, popularly known as Mr. 360 and only a few good innings were seen from his bat. Surya has scored 210 runs in the 12 matches played so far this season at an average of only 17.50. At the same time, LSG captain Rishabh Pant has performed poorly in both captaincy and batting this season.

Pant was seen struggling continuously under the pressure of his huge price and captaincy. He has scored 286 runs in 13 matches played this season at an average of 28.60. At the same time, there were huge expectations from RCB’s Jitesh Sharma in both the roles of finisher and wicketkeeper, but his bat also remained silent throughout the season. Jitesh has been able to score only 90 runs in 10 innings of 13 matches played so far this season.

Hardik Pandya flopped in both captaincy and batting.

The captaincy of this flop playing 11 has been handed over to Mumbai Indians captain Hardik Pandya. Hardik’s performance as captain and all-rounder this season was not as per expectations. Hardik has captained in 9 matches so far this season and has won only 2, while facing defeat in 7 matches. At the same time, he has scored only 172 runs in 9 matches with the bat, while taking 4 wickets with the ball.

Along with him, Delhi Capitals captain Akshar Patel is also included in this flop playing 11, who failed to make an impact with both ball and bat this season. Patel has scored 134 runs in 10 innings of 13 matches played so far this season and has taken 10 wickets. At the same time, the name of RCB’s all-rounder Romario Shepherd is also included in this team. Shepherd has scored only 83 runs in 7 innings of 12 matches played so far this season and has taken 7 wickets.

Jasprit Bumrah also included in flop playing 11

The most surprising name in the flop playing 11 is that of fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah. The IPL 2026 season proved to be a nightmare for Bumrah, who is counted among the most dangerous fast bowlers in the world. He has been able to take only 4 wickets in the 13 matches played so far this season, while he has given away runs at an economy rate of 8.36. Everyone is surprised by this poor performance of Bumrah.

At the same time, foreign fast bowlers Marco Jansen of Punjab Kings and Matt Henry of CSK also proved to be very expensive. Yansen has taken only 7 wickets in the 12 matches played so far this season, while Henry has taken 2 wickets in 3 matches. Both failed to bring initial success to the team with the new ball. At the same time, LSG spinner Digvesh Rathi, who came into limelight for his celebrations in IPL 2025, has also been a flop this season and has been able to take only 5 wickets in the 9 matches played so far.

Worst playing 11 of IPL 2026 (with impact players)

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Suryakumar Yadav, Rishabh Pant, Jitesh Sharma, Hardik Pandya (captain), Romario Shepherd, Axar Patel, Marco Jansen, Digvesh Rathi, Matt Henry, Jasprit Bumrah.

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