With the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 coming to a close as the top eight teams fight for the coveted trophy and the title, the Indian subcontinent is all set to welcome the 19th edition of the prestigious Indian Premier League (IPL 2026). The platform provides a golden opportunity for several out-of-favour players to revive their careers and push for a comeback in their national side.
With the tournament continuing to be a major selection platform for the IPL 2026, strong performances can quickly bring players back into contention for the Indian national team. Here in this article, we’ll take a look at five players who can make a comeback with a brilliant performance in the IPL 2026 as they look to end their dismal run.
5 Players who can revive their T20 career in IPL 2026
Sanju Samson
Sanju Samson, who is regarded as one of the country’s most gifted white-ball cricketers, is also one of the most inconsistent batters. That he has three centuries and also seven ducks in T20Is tells you the story. Despite getting his opening spot back in Team India in place of Shubman Gill, he failed to cement that spot with a string of poor shows. But post T20 World Cup, Shubman Gill is likely to return to the opening spot, and it could end Samson’s T20I career. The IPL 2026 will be his shot at redemption
With Samson being traded to Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the biggest move of the season, the IPL 2026 could be the perfect platform for him to revive his T20 career and strengthen his case for a permanent spot in the Indian national colours.
Prithvi Shaw
One of the players to watch is Prithvi Shaw, who has been out of form and favour lately. Shaw, who went unsold in the IPL 2025 mega auction and thus missed the season, was finally picked in the IPL 2026 mini-auction after a decent run in the domestic season. Known for his explosive batting, IPL 2026 presents a chance for him to showcase his improved fitness and maturity at the top of the order.
Ruturaj Gaikwad
Ruturaj Gaikwad remains one of India’s most technically sound T20 batters. But fluctuating form and fierce competition have just slowed his progress in the format at the international level. While Gaikwad must look to maximise the powerplay and aim to increase his strike rate, adding more attacking options, thus making him less predictable, would overall help him in his revival. Playing alongside MS Dhoni and holding the helm in the CSK colours, IPL 2026 offers him a prime opportunity to revive his T20 career and push for a strong comeback.
Speaking of his numbers in the IPL 2025, Gaikwad could only score 122 runs across the five games he featured in before being ruled out with an elbow injury. Moreover, his last appearance in the Indian colours came against South Africa in the ODI series, he will look to make a memorable mark to find a permanent spot in the India XI.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill, whom the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian coaching staff looks at as an all-format player, has recently faced scrutiny over strike rate in high-pressure T20I games. As a result, he was even omitted from India’s T20 World Cup 2026 squad. The 26-year-old has seen a tremendous dip in form in T20Is, where he has amassed 869 runs across 36 innings, but his average of 28.03 and a strike rate of below 140 have put him to work more. But with the IPL 2026 fast approaching and Gill holding the helm at Gujarat Titans, a defining season could reassert him as the first-choice T20I opener for India.
Venkatesh Iyer
Venkatesh Iyer burst onto the T20 scene with explosive batting and handy medium pace after a brilliant IPL season in 2021. He was considered a like-for-like back-up of Hardik Pandya. But inconsistent form and injuries have slowed his international momentum. With modern T20 cricket demanding dominance against spin in the middle overs, Iyer needs to strengthen his power-hitting and also contribute more with a ball while maintaining his fitness and field impact. IPL 2026 presents a major opportunity for him to revive his T20 career and push for a return to the India national cricket team, especially being looked at as a finisher.
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