Vaibhav Sooryavanshi At Top: Players In Line For India Debut Based On IPL 2026

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi won MVP in IPL 2026. Image Credits- AFP

The Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) has come to an end, with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru lifting their second IPL trophy in a row. For the winning team, it was their rather experienced players who performed at the most lucrative league, but a bunch of younger guns took the bull by the horns this season. 

The recently concluded season will be remembered for countless moments, starting with the highest-ever target chased, the various controversies that occurred, and, most importantly, a 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi killing it in the powerplay. 

As the season has concluded, let us shortlist the top 5 players who can make their India debut based on IPL 2026 performances. 

5 IPL 2026 performers who can make India debut

5) Rasikh Salam

With Yash Dayal ruled out of the IPL 2026, Rasikh Salam stepped up to be a vital cog of the RCB bowling lineup. 

Although he wasn't included from the first game of the season, the right-arm fitted in brilliantly as soon as he joined the forces with Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood.

This season was the first time when Salam played over 10 IPL games in a year, and he finished with 19 wickets at 21.31 apiece, including a brilliant 3/27 in the IPL 2026 final vs GT. 

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One might regard him as yet another unsung hero, but Rasikh Salam surely has shown the calibre to do well for India, at least in the shortest format. Moreover, the Men in Blue need a third seaming option, who has countless variations up his sleeves. 

4) Prabhsimran Singh

Prabhsimran Singh had his second successive 500-plus-run season for PBKS. You ought to be special if Sachin Tendulkar praises you, and Prabhsimran has earned that at a tender age. 

The wicketkeeper gave his team berserk starts, and his intent remained consistent even when PBKS lost six in a row. If not for the bowlers, the story around Prabhsimran could have been different. 

His explosiveness is next to none, but he has evolved into a mature and responsible batter. What goes against the Punjab keeper is that he is a top-order batter, which makes it trickier for him to get into the ODI team. However, he can be a like-for-like replacement/backup for Sanju Samson in the T20I setup. 

3) Suryansh Shedge

India are in desperate need of a solid batter who can take over the finisher's responsibility in both limited-overs squads. If we look at options who did well while batting in the lower middle order, we will be narrowed down to Suryansh Shedge and Ashutosh Sharma.

Although Sharma scored more than Shedge, the PBKS finisher scored more crucial runs as he was included at the fag-end when the team were going through a tough phase. 

The 23-year-old knows how to take the attack to the opposition, but he is blessed with a compact technique. Sooner or later, he will knock on the door of the Indian selection. 

2) Prince Yadav

Although LSG didn't do well in the IPL 2026, Prince Yadav impressed everyone with his craft. He has the ability to move the ball in the air and has impeccable control over line & length. 

He indeed had DPL experience, but sharing the dressing room with Mohammed Shami and Bharat Arun polished him a tad bit more. 

Yadav has already been included in the Indian ODI squad for the Afghanistan series, and a debut will follow soon. Moreover, the speedster has shown the calibre to be considered for Tests and T20Is. 

1) Vaibhav Sooryavanshi

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was the hero of the IPL 2026, amassing 776 runs at an extraordinary strike rate of 237.31. He has already bagged a place in the India A squad, and the whispers have already turned into loud chatter to hand Sooryavanshi his India cap.  

At 15, he has the world at his feet, but the BCCI will need to groom the sensational talent as the coming years will be make-or-break for him. Nevertheless, wherever he has played, be it domestic circles or at U19 level, Sooryavanshi has also shone like a star. 

The highlight of this season was him taking the attack against the world-beaters like Jasprit Bumrah, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Sunil Narine, Josh Hazlewood and Kagiso Rabada. Thus, an India debut is not too far. 

Also Read: All Awards Won By Vaibhav Sooryavanshi In IPL 2026