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Hours before the IPL 2026 final between Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Gujarat Titans on May 31 in Ahmedabad, former India spinner and broadcaster Murali Kartik has revealed his team of the tournament on Cricbuzz, and his selections have surprised many.
Several expected names made the cut in Kartik’s Team of the Tournament, but he left out two of the Gujarat Titans’ biggest stars—Shubman Gill and Rashid Khan. Instead, Kartik rewarded players who consistently delivered throughout the tournament and played key roles in their teams‘ success.
Shubman Gill overlooked as Murali Kartik reveals his IPL 2026 Team of the Tournament
The biggest highlight of Murali Kartik’s team was the Rajasthan Royals’ teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. After setting IPL 2026 on fire with his fearless batting, the 15-year-old was picked as the Impact Player in Kartik’s dream XI. Vaibhav finished the season with 776 runs.
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He then picked Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan as Vaibhav’s opening partner. The left-handed batter enjoyed another outstanding season and crossed the 700-run mark once again. Despite strong performances at the top, Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill failed to get those top-order spots.
However, Kohli still found a place in Kartik’s team, but at number three. The RCB superstar once again proved his class by scoring more than 600 runs and playing a key role in his team’s second straight IPL final appearance. The broadcaster’s middle order is packed with firepower.
Rajat Patidar leads Kartik’s power-packed middle order
Sunrisers Hyderabad’s explosive batters Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen and RCB captain Rajat Patidar, who is also on fire with the bat, were selected in the middle order after producing match-winning performances throughout the season.
Kartik also picked Patidar as his captain. The RCB captain has impressed not only with the bat, amassing 486 runs at a stunning strike rate of over 196, but also with his leadership during the ongoing IPL 2026. Last year, Patidar also led RCB to their maiden IPL title after 17 years.
The former Indian spinner then strengthened his team with three all-rounders. Sunil Narine of KKR and Krunal Pandya of RCB earned their spots after making valuable contributions with both bat and ball, while SRH all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy was rewarded for his all-round show this season.
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Pandya scored 225 runs and scalped 13 wickets across 15 matches. While Reddy smashed 302 runs and took 8 wickets in 13 innings, Narine claimed 15 wickets in 13 matches. When it came to the bowling attack, Kartik went with three of the most successful fast bowlers of IPL 2026.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar leads Murali Kartik’s bowling attack
Veteran swing bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar was picked as the pace leader by Kartik after another impressive season with the RCB. Bhuvneshwar has so far taken 26 wickets in 15 matches at an amazing strike rate of 8. He was joined by Rajasthan Royals speedster Jofra Archer, troubled batters throughout the season, and took 25 wickets in 16 matches. He also scored 64 runs for RR.
The current Purple Cap holder Kagiso Rabada completed the former Indian spinner’s bowling attack. The GT fast bowler once again proved why he remains one of the most dangerous fast bowlers in T20 cricket with 28 wickets in 16 matches at an impressive economy rate of 9.44.
However, the biggest surprise was the omission of Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill, who has been excellent with the bat and leading his team from the front with 722 runs in 16 games.
Murali Kartik’s IPL 2026 Team of the Tournament: Vaibhav Suryavanshi (Impact Player), Sai Sudharsan, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Rajat Patidar, Heinrich Klaasen, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Krunal Pandya, Sunil Narine, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jofra Archer, and Kagiso Rabada.
