Rahul Chahar reveals his all-time IPL XI, there is no place for Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. Read
Rahul Chahar has named his all-time IPL XI and iconic match-winners of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Andre Russell And Sunil Narine Except it created a big surprise. The Indian leg spinner has instead included proven top-order stars and specialist T20 bowlers in his squad, said 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, while Chris Gayle joins in as another destructive presence at the top or at No. 3. Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav provide stability and fast 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 7 provides unmatched leadership and awareness of the game along with finishing power.
Rashid Khan leads the spin department, with Yuzvendra Chahalwho gives captain Dhoni two excellent wicket-taking options 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 between March 15 – May 31, following the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
There is no place for Andre Russell or Sunil Narine in Rahul Chahar’s all-time IPL XI
The biggest talking point of Chahar’s XI is the absence of KKR stalwarts Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, considered among the greatest impact players in IPL history. His absence suggests Chahar was ready to move away from emotion and focus on recent form, consistency and his comfort when facing particular adversities. It also underlines how franchises and players value reliability over the course of a season more than isolated explosive campaigns.
Barring Russell, Chahar has opted for consistency over an impressive finisher, who can win games single-handedly but has also struggled with injuries and consistency in recent years. At the same time, Narine’s absence highlights the depth of spin options in IPL history, where names like Rashid and Chahal can lead the way in 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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