In a move that has sent ripples across the cricketing fraternity, former Chennai Super Kings batter S Badrinath has unveiled his ‘Best IPL 2026 XII’ from the league stage, making a controversial statement by omitting stalwarts like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. This exclusion comes despite both batters scoring more than 550 runs in the league stage, igniting a fervent debate on the criteria for selecting an elite team in the high-stakes Indian Premier League.

As an expert cricket journalist, I delve into Badrinath’s fascinating choices, analyzing the rationale behind his selections and the implications for the ongoing IPL 2026 season.

The Unthinkable Snub: Kohli and Rahul Left Out

The immediate talking point from Badrinath’s list is the glaring absence of Virat Kohli, a perennial run-machine and one of the sport’s most iconic figures. Similarly, KL Rahul, another consistent performer with the bat, also failed to make the cut. Both players’ statistics—amassing over 550 runs each in the league stage—would typically guarantee them a spot in any ‘Team of the Season’.

This decision prompts a critical question: What metrics did Badrinath prioritize beyond sheer volume of runs? It appears his selection philosophy leans heavily towards players who offer not just individual brilliance but also a profound ‘impact’ on their team’s success, particularly those from the four playoff-bound franchises. The original content highlights that ‘Nine out of the 12 players were from the four sides that qualified for the playoffs’, suggesting a strong preference for contributors to successful campaigns.

For Kohli and Rahul, despite their prolific run-scoring, Badrinath’s choices imply a potential focus on factors like strike rate in crucial phases, overall team contribution to winning efforts, or perhaps the dynamic role they play compared to others. While Kohli’s captaincy for RCB is noted later in the original content as being in ‘good nick’, Badrinath’s XI seems to be looking for something more specific.

Badrinath’s Bold XI: A Blend of Form and Impact

Badrinath’s selected twelve offers a compelling mix of established match-winners and emerging talents, predominantly drawn from the most successful teams of the league stage. Let’s break down his selections:

The Batting Contingent: Youthful Energy and Power-Hitting

• Openers: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi & Shubman Gill
  The choice of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi as an opener is intriguing, potentially marking him as a breakout star or a player who delivered significant impact. Partnering him is Shubman Gill, whose inclusion is less surprising given his leadership role with Gujarat Titans and his consistent performances, suggesting a blend of stability and aggression at the top.
• Middle Order: Sai Sudharsan (No. 3), Heinrich Klaasen (No. 4), Rajat Patidar (No. 5)
  Sai Sudharsan at number three points to his solid technique and ability to anchor the innings. Heinrich Klaasen’s selection at four underscores the importance of explosive power-hitting in the middle overs, a role he excels in. Rajat Patidar, listed at No. 5, is explicitly mentioned in the context of RCB’s strong form, with the original article stating ‘captain Rajat Patidar is in good nick’, highlighting his current peak performance and leadership.

All-rounders & Spin Wizards: Crucial Balance

• All-rounders: Krunal Pandya & Sunil Narine
  Krunal Pandya’s inclusion is justified by his ‘frugal’ bowling and consistent returns, a vital asset for RCB. Sunil Narine, a perennial IPL star for Kolkata Knight Riders, continues to be a go-to pick for his dual threat with bat and ball, often changing the complexion of games single-handedly.
• Specialist Spinner: Rashid Khan
  Rashid Khan, with his impressive haul of ’19 wickets for Gujarat Titans’, is an undisputed selection. His ability to pick wickets and control the middle overs makes him one of the most valuable T20 bowlers globally.

The Pace Battery: Raw Power and Experience

• Pace Attack: Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jofra Archer, Kagiso Rabada, Prince Yadav/Kartik Tyagi
  Badrinath’s bowling department is formidable. Bhuvneshwar Kumar offers experience and new-ball prowess, crucial for setting the tone. Jofra Archer, when fit and firing, is an asset any team would covet for his pace and wicket-taking ability. Kagiso Rabada, a consistent performer and a key cog in GT’s late-season bowling surge, rounds out a potent international pace trio. The flexibility of Prince Yadav or Kartik Tyagi as the final pace option suggests a preference for young, express pace or a specific skill set.
• Impact Sub: Akeal Hosein
  The inclusion of CSK spinner Akeal Hosein as the Impact Sub provides an additional spin option, demonstrating the strategic depth Badrinath envisions for his ideal team.

Connecting the Dots: Playoff Momentum and Team Performance

The context provided in the original article about the IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 between Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Gujarat Titans (GT) offers significant insight into Badrinath’s selections. RCB, ‘defending champions’, finished ‘top spot on net run rate’ with ’18 points from 14 matches’, showcasing their consistent brilliance. GT also finished with ’18 points’, having staged a ‘late-season surge…built on bowling’.

Several of Badrinath’s picks directly align with the standout performers from these top teams. Rajat Patidar, captaining RCB and ‘in good nick’, justifies his middle-order spot. Krunal Pandya and Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s ‘consistent returns’ with the new ball for RCB, as mentioned, strengthen their case. From GT, Shubman Gill’s captaincy and batting, alongside the bowling prowess of Kagiso Rabada, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna (who ‘struck hard with the new ball’), clearly influenced selections.

This highlights a crucial aspect of Badrinath’s selection philosophy: prioritizing players whose contributions are directly translating into team victories and playoff qualifications. It’s a pragmatic approach, focusing on form and tangible impact over historical reputation or merely accumulating runs without significant match-winning influence.

The Great Debate: Volume vs. Impact

The exclusion of high-volume run-scorers like Kohli and Rahul in favour of players such as Vaibhav Sooryavanshi or even Rajat Patidar (who is perhaps riding a wave of recent form and captaincy) sparks the age-old debate in T20 cricket: is it about sheer statistical output, or the ‘impact’ a player has in critical moments, often reflecting in their team’s success? Badrinath’s list strongly suggests the latter.

While Kohli and Rahul undoubtedly deliver runs, Badrinath seems to be seeking players who not only score runs but do so at a pace, in situations, or with an all-round game that fundamentally alters the course of a match. Sunil Narine’s dual threat, Heinrich Klaasen’s explosive finishing, and Rashid Khan’s consistent wicket-taking are prime examples of ‘impact’ players who make Badrinath’s cut.

This perspective offers a refreshing take on ‘Team of the Season’ selections, moving beyond simple aggregates to consider the nuanced value a player brings to the dynamic, fast-paced world of IPL cricket.

Conclusion: A Controversial Yet Thought-Provoking Selection

S Badrinath’s ‘Best IPL 2026 XII’ is undeniably controversial, primarily due to the omission of cricketing giants like Virat Kohli and KL Rahul. However, it is also a thought-provoking selection that challenges conventional wisdom and encourages a deeper look into player contributions in the T20 format. By prioritizing players from playoff-bound teams and those demonstrating significant ‘impact’ through their performances—whether it’s blistering batting, frugal bowling, or all-round excellence—Badrinath has offered a team that is not just statistically strong but also strategically cohesive and reflective of the current form shown in the league stage of IPL 2026.

As the IPL 2026 playoffs unfold, particularly with high-stakes clashes like RCB vs GT in Qualifier 1, Badrinath’s choices will continue to fuel discussions among fans and pundits alike, reminding us that in cricket, success is measured not just in runs and wickets, but also in timely impact and match-winning contributions.

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