IPL 2026 Ranking All 10 Teams Best Combination of Openers

Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, the outliers in our ranking of the best combination of openers for all 10 teams for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

If T20 cricket is an art, openers are the true artists of the format. Every team in T20 cricket thrives on openers, and fortunately, the Indian Premier League witnesses some of the most famous and dangerous opening batters in the world. So, be it the likes of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt from England, or Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh from Australia, or our local boys, Abhishek Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal, there is extreme quality when it comes to openers in the IPL. 

Fortunately, each team is filled with quality openers that lay the foundation for their success from the start of the match. With the IPL 2026 Mini Auction concluded, there are quite a few teams that will be seeing new openers in IPL 2026. But which team has the best opening combination for IPL 2026? Well, let’s analyse the current squad, and look at the ranking of all 10 teams basis their best openers for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. 

IPL 2026 Ranking Best Combination of Openers for All 10 Teams

#10: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Ajinkya Rahane & Tim Seifert

Number 10 belongs to the predicted opening duo of KKR, Ajinkya Rahane and Tim Seifert. KKR would be getting away from their traditional strategy of opening with Sunil Narine this year. With Cameron Green, Ajinkya Rahane, Tim Seifert, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi already among the top-order batters in the team, expect KKR to open with Captain Ajinkya Rahane and a WK opener, Tim Seifert. It’s a good opening pair, but barring Rahane, who is good for quick 30-40s, Seifert is unproven in the IPL. Even if they try Finn Allen, the result would be the same. Hence, KKR find themselves in 10th position for their opening combination.

#9: Delhi Capitals (DC): KL Rahul & Pathum Nissanka

For number 9, we have the Delhi Capitals team, and they will also be trying a new opening combination in the form of KL Rahul and Pathum Nissanka. Unlike last year, when Delhi Capitals opened with Abhishek Porel, the addition of Nitish Rana means Abhishek Porel may not be needed. Now, KL is a good IPL player, but Nissanka or even Ben Duckett are unproven. Hence, they find themselves in the 9th position – slightly better than KKR.

#8: Punjab Kings (PBKS): Priyansh Arya & Prabsimran Singh

For number 8, we have the young and dynamic uncapped opening duo of Punjab Kings, Prabsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya. In their first year as openers, both Arya and Prabsimran did really well together. Aside from their aggressive and fearful cricket, both were also consistent with their performance, with over 400 runs by each player. Needless to say, all eyes will once again be on them to see how they carry their form and performance in IPL 2026.

#7: Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Sanju Samson & Ayush Mhatre

For number 7, we have the Men In Yellow opener, Ayush Mhatre and Sanju Samson. Now, Sanju Samson is an established opener without a doubt, but Ayush Mhatre is still young, and may need a few years before he makes a name for himself. Also, unlike Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who is smashing records almost everywhere, Ayush hasn’t had the same impact post IPL 2025. So, even though there is talent, the CSK openers may be slightly short of the competition.

#6: Mumbai Indians (MI): Rohit Sharma & Quinton de Kock

Number 6 belongs to the Mumbai Indians openers, Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock. Now, both Rohit and de Kock are established openers, but both are inconsistent, and hence, don’t feature in the top 5. It is a fact that Rohit hasn’t had the same impact on IPL as he has had at the International stage. Similarly, with all the talent, de Kock hasn’t made a name for himself yet, as Warner, Gayle, and Buttler have. But these two are quite experienced, and in their day, can take the game to the opposition.

#5: Rajasthan Royals (RR): Yashasvi Jaiswal & Vaibhav Suryavanshi

Number 5 belongs to the Pink Army openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi. This has got to be one of the most aggressive opening pairs alongside Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. Both Vaibhav and Yashasvi are naturally attacking, and always like to keep the ball rolling. While Yashasvi has already proven himself in the IPL, Vaibhav, in his first year itself, has shown what he is capable of. With Sanju not in RR, both will be in focus this year.

#4: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Mitchell Marsh & Aiden Markram

For number 4, we have the Lucknow Super Giants openers, Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh. Now then, from number 4, the competition heats up as we are now getting into both established openers categories. Not only are Aiden Markram and Mitchell Marsh established T20 players, but they are also Captains for their respective national sides. Having already proven their credentials in IPL 2025, expect them to continue with the same performance in IPL 2026 too.

#3: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Abhishek Sharma & Travis Head

Moving to number 3, we are now looking at the most aggressive opening pair of the competition. Yes, we are talking about the belligerent opening duo of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head. True match winners by skills, Abhishek and Travis, are slightly more consistent versions of Vaibhav and Yashasvi. Needless to say, they are the MVPs not just for SRH but also for their respective national side.

#2: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB): Virat Kohli & Phil Salt

Coming to the top 2, and we are looking at the Royal Challengers Bengaluru openers, Virat Kohli and Phil Salt. A proper fire and ice combination, Virat Kohli has learnt the art of switching gears when needed, aside from being a supporting partner to aggressive Phil Salt. The duo were quite successful last year as openers, and given their stature and performance, there is no doubt, they are second on the list of best openers for IPL 2026.

#1: Gujarat Titans (GT):  Shubman Gill & Sai Sudharsan

Now, to the numero uno, we have the most consistent opening batting duo of the competition, Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill. If there were an award for scoring runs consistently, this opening duo would be at the summit. What’s more, they also strike well in excess of 140, which shows they know how to adapt based on the situation. So, overall, the Gujarat Titans’ opening duo is the best opening duo of the competition.

So, that’s about the full IPL 2026 best combination of openers ranking for all 10 teams. Which team has the best openers for IPL 2026? Please email your thoughts to ipladdafounder@gmail.com. 

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