We believe these Indian batters will make a dent or two in the bowlers’ chins
The Indian Premier League (IPL) is approaching, and as usual, batters are
preparing to ignite the tournament with an abundance of runs. Given that the tournament involves so many players, it is incredibly hard to determine which batter will be in form and which will miss. However, we still have expectations of a few Indian players, so ahead of the tournament, check out the list below.
Sanju Samson
Before this over, Hardik Pandya sledged Sanju Samson, but Samson took it seriously and responded strongly by hitting his main bowler, Rashid Khan, for three consecutive sixes. pic.twitter.com/JEzu5pYhAT
— Mahi Patel (@Mahi_Patel_07) March 17, 2026
A hero of India’s 2026 T20 World Cup campaign, Sanju Samson is high on confidence and is expected to churn out the same kind of performance for his new team, the Chennai Super Kings. Down south, he will feel more at home, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni, despite not being the captain, will advise Ruturaj Gaikwad on ways to put Samson to use effectively in the team's strategy and lineup.
Shivam Dube
Ravi Shastri " Shivam Dube is explosive,he's devastating & he's a match-winner.He hits sixes for fun,and when it comes to spin bowling,he can kill you.He can park a few balls from long island into a small island,Watch out for Jaiswal & Dube in the T20 WC"pic.twitter.com/zeDxuYP1xg
— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) May 7, 2024
This is one player we believe is never praised enough but who silently does the job and goes back home. Down the batting order, Shivam Dube will play a crucial role for the Chennai Super Kings and will put up decent numbers on the board as a finisher.
Hardik Pandya
🚨 HARDIK PANDYA NEEDS HIS REAL VERSION KUNG-FU- PANDYA — Harbhajan Singh Message🚨
Harbhajan Singh said - “Hardik needs to bring back his old Hardik version. He has to win matches with bat & ball and lift trophy for the 6th time for mumbai indians”
pic.twitter.com/zWb0YsWz3B— Kiara (@crickiara) March 17, 2026
Despite facing challenges during the T20 World Cup campaign, Hardik Pandya undoubtedly possesses the ability to score significant runs in the middle order, particularly during the death overs, and ultimately secure victory for his team. We anticipate that he will regain his form, as he must perform with both bat and ball if he intends to remain with the Mumbai Indians for an extended period. Good captaincy alone may not increase his stay at the blue camp.
Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Another day, Another 50 by Vaibhav Suryavanshi.This time in the semi final against the quality srilankan team.
I think, the kind of talent he has been, he will make an India debut by the age of 15.pic.twitter.com/WVklOR24xn— Sujeet Suman (@sujeetsuman1991) December 6, 2024
Still a kid, but how can we not have expectations from Vaibhav Suryavanshi, given that he is hitting bowlers left, right and centre in every tournament? Suryavanshi had proved his mettle last season and showed his batting prowess in several international tournaments. This season, we expect him to become a regular in the starting XI of the Rajasthan Royals.
Virat Kohli
King Kohli is back.
— Sonu (@Cricket_live247) March 17, 2026
Virat Kohli has arrived in India for IPL 2026. pic.twitter.com/3H5QBHDfaP
Virat Kohli is one man we can never write off, and therefore, great things are expected of him despite his absence from the T20I format. Last season, he was the third-highest run-scorer of the tournament, and this year, he will be expected to put more runs on the board in a bid to defend Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s title in the campaign.
Abhishek Sharma
🚨FIRST MATCH IN IPL 2026 AT CHINNASWAMY RCB Vs SRH🚨
— MANU. (@IMManu_18) March 11, 2026
Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs Sunrisers Hyderabad on 28 march.
Virat Kohli vs Travis Head.
Abhishek Sharma vs Phil Salt
RCB vs CSK at Chinnaswamy
MI vs RCB at Wankhede
KKR vs SRH at Eden Gardens
pic.twitter.com/q9I30EHCiR
Abhishek Sharma has had a tough time during India’s T20 World Cup-winning campaign, but he is also one of the country's T20 stars. Known for his explosive innings in the IPL, Sharma will be expected to find his form back, as if not, his chances of staying in the Indian T20I camp could diminish. Therefore, not only for Sunrisers Hyderabad, but Sharma must do well to stay in the Indian side.
