The Indian Premier League has long been a star-maker, but it has also served as a revival platform for established names seeking a second wind. A few years ago, it reignited Dinesh Karthik’s career, paving
his way back into India’s T20 World Cup squad in Australia. And Karthik isn’t an exception; several players, once out of contention, have used the IPL to force their way back into the Indian team.
As the 19th edition gets underway, and with India set to tour Ireland and Zimbabwe later this year for T20Is, many players will be looking to make the most of this season to don the India jersey again. Here’s a look at five players who could make a comeback based on their IPL 2026 performances:
Shreyas Iyer: Known as ‘Sarpanch’ in the Punjab Kings camp, Iyer has been in red-hot form in IPL 2026. Fully recovered from the spleen injury that kept him out for months, he has been in top touch. He has already scored 203 runs in five matches, including three fifties, at a strike rate of 187.96. Iyer last played for India in 2023 against Australia.
Mohammed Shami: It’s been more than a year since he last played a T20I for India. Back then, he was battling a knee issue, but he now looks fit. He has been grinding in the domestic circuit and has delivered decent performances for his new franchise, Lucknow Super Giants. So far, he has taken four wickets in five matches, with best figures of 2/9 in four overs against SRH.
Krunal Pandya: When it comes to clutch players, Krunal Pandya stands out. The left-hander has been a valuable addition to the Royal Challengers Bengaluru setup since last year. Whether with the bat or ball, he has delivered consistently. He is currently among the top 10 wicket-takers in IPL 2026 with eight wickets. Krunal last played a T20I for India in 2021.
Prasidh Krishna: The right-arm pacer is currently the leading wicket-taker for the Gujarat Titans, with 11 wickets in five matches. Despite winning the Purple Cap last season, he is still awaiting a return to India’s T20I setup. Like Shreyas, he last played for India in 2023, during the T20I series against Australia after the ODI World Cup.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar: The swing specialist of modern-day cricket has been impressive once again. His spells last season played a key role in RCB’s title-winning campaign. He has carried that form into this season and is currently the third-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2026 with 10 wickets. He last represented India in a T20I in 2022 against New Zealand in Napier.
