New Delhi, June 4: IPL 2026 belonged to a special class of performers. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi rewrote batting records on his way to the Orange Cap. Sai Sudharsan and Shubman Gill powered Gujarat Titans into another final.
Heinrich Klaasen produced the greatest season by a non-opener in IPL history, while Virat Kohli, Rajat Patidar, Kagiso Rabada and Bhuvneshwar Kumar delivered campaigns worthy of A+ ratings.
This report card focuses on the next tier - the league's established stars, marquee captains and high-profile acquisitions who experienced varying levels of success in a season that pushed T20 cricket to new extremes.
Some enhanced their reputations. Others endured campaigns they would rather forget.
Sanju Samson (Chennai Super Kings) - Grade: A.
The ₹18 crore trade that brought Samson to
Chennai looked bold when it was announced. By the end of the season, it looked entirely justified.
Samson finished with 477 runs at an average of 43.36 and produced some of the tournament's most impactful innings. His two centuries included a magnificent unbeaten 115 against Delhi Capitals, while his ability to shift gears made him one of CSK's most reliable match-winners.
There were batters who scored more runs in IPL 2026, but few delivered as many decisive contributions. While he falls short of the A+ category occupied by the season's defining performers, Samson's campaign was undoubtedly among the league's best, considering his maiden season for the franchise.
Shreyas Iyer (Punjab Kings) - Grade: A
If Samson's season was built on match-winning peaks, Shreyas Iyer's was built on relentless consistency. The Punjab Kings captain accumulated 498 runs at an average of 55.33, finishing among the tournament's most dependable batters. He crossed fifty five times and added a century, frequently rescuing or stabilising innings in difficult situations.
In a season where power-hitting dominated headlines, Iyer reminded everyone of the value of composure and game awareness. His numbers may not have matched the extraordinary campaigns of Gill or Sudharsan, but his consistency earns him a deserved A grade.
Pat Cummins (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - Grade: B+
Pat Cummins' season was a tale of leadership outweighing individual numbers. The Australian skipper once again guided Sunrisers Hyderabad into the playoffs and helped create one of the most aggressive teams in the competition. While his bowling figures weren't spectacular by his own standards, his tactical influence remained immense.
SRH's run to the Eliminator owed much to the culture Cummins has built since taking over the franchise.
A stronger individual bowling season could have pushed him into A territory, but his leadership ensures a healthy B+.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (Chennai Super Kings) - Grade: B+
Gaikwad's season never truly reached the heights many expected. The elegant opener remained among CSK's most technically accomplished batters, but injuries and inconsistency prevented him from mounting a serious challenge for the Orange Cap.
Even so, his ability to provide stability at the top of the order remained valuable.
By his own lofty standards, IPL 2026 was good rather than exceptional.
Travis Head (Sunrisers Hyderabad) - Grade: B-
Travis Head entered IPL 2026 carrying enormous expectations after his explosive performances in recent seasons.
While he produced flashes of brilliance, he never fully dominated the tournament's batting charts. His most surprising contribution came with the ball. In limited opportunities, Head emerged as an unexpectedly useful bowling option and added balance to SRH's lineup.
A respectable campaign, but one that ultimately fell below expectations.
Jasprit Bumrah (Mumbai Indians) - Grade: B-
Normally, Bumrah is graded against impossible standards. Even in a difficult season for Mumbai Indians, he remained their most dependable bowler. However, injuries, inconsistent support from the rest of the attack and MI's overall struggles limited his influence.
There were still moments of brilliance, but IPL 2026 was not one of the defining seasons of Bumrah's illustrious career.
Ajinkya Rahane (Kolkata Knight Riders) - Grade: C+
Rahane's appointment as KKR captain generated plenty of discussion before the season. While he brought calmness and experience to the role, the results were mixed.
His batting lacked the explosiveness required in several crucial matches, and KKR struggled to consistently replicate the form that had carried them to the title in 2024.
There were useful contributions, but not enough to elevate the season beyond average.
Rishabh Pant (Lucknow Super Giants) - Grade: C
Pant's second season after his record-breaking ₹27 crore move to Lucknow Super Giants proved frustrating. The wicketkeeper-batter scored 312 runs at an average of 33.61 and strike rate of 146.79, numbers that appear respectable in isolation but underwhelming given his reputation and price tag.
More concerning was the uncertainty surrounding his role. Pant batted in multiple positions throughout the season, never fully settling into a rhythm.
LSG's disappointing 10th-place finish eventually led to Pant stepping down as captain, capping off a campaign that never truly got going.
Rohit Sharma (Mumbai Indians) - Grade: C
Rohit's season was heavily impacted by injury. A hamstring issue restricted him to just nine matches and disrupted Mumbai Indians' batting plans during a critical stage of the tournament.
When available, Rohit still showed flashes of quality, scoring 283 runs at a strike rate exceeding 157 and registering a highest score of 84.
But availability matters. Unfortunately for both Rohit and MI, injuries ensured IPL 2026 became a season of what might have been.
Hardik Pandya (Mumbai Indians) - Grade: C-
No player faced more scrutiny than Hardik Pandya. The Mumbai Indians captain struggled both individually and collectively as the franchise endured one of its worst campaigns. Pandya scored only 206 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 138.26, far below the standards expected from one of the league's premier all-rounders.
More importantly, the game-changing performances that once defined his career were largely absent.
With Mumbai winning only four matches and finishing ninth, questions surrounding Pandya's future leadership inevitably intensified.
Arshdeep Singh (Punjab Kings) - Grade: C-
The hyper-aggressive nature of IPL 2026 exposed several bowlers. Arshdeep Singh was among them.
While teammate Kagiso Rabada challenged for the Purple Cap with 29 wickets, Arshdeep struggled to find his usual rhythm. The left-arm pacer managed just 12 wickets and was frequently targeted during the death overs.
His swing with the new ball and execution at the back end never reached the levels that have made him one of India's premier T20 bowlers.
For a player of his calibre, IPL 2026 will be viewed as a season to learn from rather than celebrate.
Final Verdict
Not every season can produce heroes. While IPL 2026 elevated players like Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan and Heinrich Klaasen into the A+ bracket, several established stars found themselves operating a rung below.
Sanju Samson and Shreyas Iyer emerged with their reputations enhanced. Pat Cummins and Ruturaj Gaikwad delivered solid if unspectacular campaigns. Others, including Pant, Rohit, Hardik and Arshdeep, endured seasons that fell well short of expectations.
That perhaps was the defining lesson of IPL 2026.
In a tournament evolving faster than ever before, reputation alone guarantees nothing.
