Subramaniam Badrinath Drops Virat Kohli From Predicted IPL 2026 Playing XII
Former India and Chennai Super Kings batter Subramaniam Badrinath released his predicted 12-man squad for the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) cycle. In a video published on his YouTube channel, the cricket analyst omitted established stars Virat Kohli and KL Rahul, opting instead for a youth-focused top order featuring 13-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
Youth Over Experience: The Opening Pair
Badrinath selected Sooryavanshi to open the batting alongside Gujarat Titans captain Shubman Gill. Sooryavanshi recently made headlines as the youngest player sold at the IPL auction. This decision prioritizes aggressive intent over the traditional anchor roles typically played by Kohli and Rahul. The roster strategy mirrors current franchise models, building around a core of domestic batters while utilizing overseas quotas primarily for specialized bowling attacks.
Middle-Order Power and Finishers
The middle-order construction heavily favors strike rate and spin-hitting ability. Sai Sudharsan anchors the number three position, followed by South African wicketkeeper-batter Heinrich Klaasen, who serves as the designated power-hitter. Rajat Patidar takes the finisher role, rewarded for his high strike rate against spin bowling during the middle and death overs, bypassing traditional tournament run aggregates for situational impact metrics.
Predicted IPL 2026 Playing XII Roster
| Batting Order | Player Name | Primary Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Vaibhav Sooryavanshi | Opening Batter |
| 2 | Shubman Gill | Opening Batter |
| 3 | Sai Sudharsan | Top-Order Batter |
| 4 | Heinrich Klaasen | Wicketkeeper/Middle-Order |
| 5 | Rajat Patidar | Finisher |
| 6 | Krunal Pandya | Spin All-Rounder |
| 7 | Sunil Narine | Spin All-Rounder |
| 8 | Bhuvneshwar Kumar | Pace Bowler |
| 9 | Jofra Archer | Pace Bowler |
| 10 | Kagiso Rabada | Pace Bowler |
| 11 | Prince Yadav / Kartik Tyagi | Pace Bowler (Rotational) |
| 12 | Akeal Hosein | Impact Player (Spin Bowler) |
Spin All-Rounders and Pace Attack
The lower order features spin-bowling all-rounders Krunal Pandya and Sunil Narine. Badrinath explicitly stated his preference for economy rates and match control, which led to the surprise exclusion of Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan.
The pace department relies on established fast bowlers verified through ESPN Cricinfo metrics for death-over efficiency. Bhuvneshwar Kumar brings new-ball swing, while Jofra Archer and Kagiso Rabada provide high-pace variations and international experience governed by ICC standards. Badrinath included domestic fast bowlers Prince Yadav or Kartik Tyagi as rotational options, with West Indies spinner Akeal Hosein designated as the Impact Player to exploit turning tracks.