Rahul Chahar has named his all-time IPL XI and sprung a huge surprise by omitting Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) iconic match-winners Andre Russell and Sunil Narine. The Indian leg-spinner instead stacked his side with proven top-order stars and specialist T20 bowlers in an Instagram chat with Crictracker.

Rahul Chahar picks his all-time IPL XI ahead of the 2026 season

At the top, Rohit Sharma and Brendon McCullum form an explosive right-hand opening pair, with Chris Gayle slotting in as another devastating presence at the top or at No.3.

Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav offer stability plus high-tempo scoring in the middle overs, while Hardik Pandya adds the dual value of big-hitting and seam-bowling. MS Dhoni’s presence at No.6 or No.7 provides finishing power as well as unmatched leadership and game awareness.

Rashid Khan leads the spin department alongside Yuzvendra Chahalgiving captain Dhoni two elite wicket-taking options in the middle overs.

Among the pacers, Jasprit Bumrah and Bhuvneshwar Kumar handle the new ball and death overs, offering both control and penetration.

The 2026 IPL season is scheduled from March 15 – May 31, after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

No place for Andre Russell or Sunil Narine in Rahul Chahar’s all-time IPL XI

The biggest talking point from Chahar’s XI is the absence of KKR legends Andre Russell and Sunil Narine, both widely regarded as among the greatest impact players in IPL history.

Their exclusion suggests Chahar was willing to move away from sentiment and focus instead on recent form, consistency, and his own comfort as a bowler facing particular opponents. It also underlines how franchises and players increasingly value reliability across seasons rather than isolated explosive campaigns.

By leaving out Russell, Chahar has effectively chosen stability over a boom-or-bust finisher who can win games single-handedly but has also struggled with injuries and consistency in recent years. Narine’s omission, meanwhile, highlights the depth of spin options available in IPL history, where names like Rashid and Chahal can edge ahead on economy, adaptability and current effectiveness.

Rahul Chahar’s all-time IPL XI

Rohit Sharma, Brendon McCullum, Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, Hardik Pandya, MS Dhoni, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yuzvendra Chahal, Jasprit Bumrah.