The fortunes of these 5 legends will change after IPL 2026. Shreyas Iyer and Shami on the radar of selectors, will one player return after 5 years?

News India Live, Digital Desk: The excitement of IPL 2026 is at its peak and this season has reopened the doors of Team India for many Indian players. The eyes of the board and selectors are fixed on the experienced stars who have been away from the blue jersey for a long time. Looking at the current performance, it is believed that as soon as the IPL ends, there are 5 such players who can be called for the Afghanistan Test or the upcoming white ball series. The most surprising name in this is that of a player who has been out of international cricket for almost 5 years. Shreyas Iyer: Also included in the captaincy race! Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer is currently seen in the best form of his career. So far this season, he has scored more than 200 runs in 6 matches at a strike rate of more than 180. The way Iyer is playing both spin and pace has impressed the selectors. There is even talk that he can be given the big responsibility of captaincy in the T20 format. His presence in the middle order can give Team India the stability it has been looking for for a long time. Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The old edge is back. Experienced fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Bhuvneshwar Kumar have been on fire with the ball in IPL 2026. Shami, who is playing for Lucknow Super Giants, is proving to be adept in the powerplay with the new ball. At the same time, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, playing for RCB, remains in the top-5 in the Purple Cap race due to his accurate line-length and swing. Bhuvneshwar has proved that he still has a lot of cricket left in him by taking 10 wickets in the last 6 matches. Looking at the form of these two, their comeback is considered almost certain. Krunal Pandya: Will the 5-year drought end? The most interesting name in this list is that of Krunal Pandya. While playing for RCB, Krunal is playing the role of an excellent all-rounder. Not only has he taken wickets with the ball, he has also honed his art of scoring runs quickly in the lower order. Let us tell you that Krunal played his last match for India in the year 2021. Looking at his current fitness and bowling variations, the selectors are considering him as a backup to Ravindra Jadeja. Prasidh Krishna: The pace havoc continues. Prasidh Krishna, playing for Gujarat Titans, has made a great comeback after his injury. With 12 wickets in 6 matches, he has reached second place in the Purple Cap list. His extra bounce and pace can prove to be a trump card for the Indian team in the upcoming foreign tours. It is almost certain that Prasidh Krishna will get a place in Team India’s squad in the series to be held immediately after IPL 2026.