Ishan Kishan reveals team he wishes to play for in IPL [Source: AFP]The IPL 2026 season is just around the corner and about to kick off on March 28. According to the official IPL schedule, the defending champions RCB will cross swords against SRH in the season opener at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. This will be the first time the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will host an official cricket match after the infamous stampede incident following RCB's clinical title triumph in the IPL 2025. As the ground braces for a historic return, key SRH batter Abhishek Sharma has made a big revelation about his IPL teammate, Ishan Kishan. Although CSK and RCB have been two of the most-followed franchises, the swashbuckling batter has apparently made a surprising choice on one IPL team he wishes to play for. Not CSK and RCB! Abhishek Sharma reveals the team Ishan Kishan wants to representCSK and RCB have undoubtedly been among the biggest IPL franchises in terms of brand value and fan following. While the legendary MS Dhoni remains the most influential person in CSK, RCB has been graced by the talismanic Virat Kohli over the years. However, while most of the aspiring cricketers want to play alongside the cricketing legends, Ishan Kishan has a surprising team in his bucket list. Also read: Ishan Kishan Vs Abhishek Sharma: Who Should Lead SRH In Pat Cummins’ Absence?It's worth mentioning that the dynamic left-handed batter has already represented the Mumbai Indians and is currently a part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL squad. Ahead of SRH's IPL 2026 opener against defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Abhishek Sharma revealed the team Ishan aspires to play for one day. Speaking on a podcast, the swashbuckling southpaw disclosed that Ishan has expressed his eagerness to play for the Punjab Kings, if given an opportunity. Why does Ishan Kishan want to play for Punjab Kings in IPL?Abhishek Sharma stated that Ishan is in awe of how the Punjab Kings players don't get disheartened by their repeated failures to bag the trophy and find a way to overcome the setback every year. Notably, the Punjab Kings is one of the three IPL teams that have never won an IPL trophy. Although they entered the final in 2014 and 2024, they missed the title by the barest of margins, with KKR and RCB defeating them in the ultimate encounter. Harinder singh brar @harry7081 Abhishek just revealed in a recent podcast that during IPL with SRH, Ishan kept saying repeatedly how much he wants to play at least one tournament for Punjab. He said no matter the situation, Punjab players always stay happy even after losses. ❤️ #PBKS #PunjabKings #punjabi Mar 17, 2026, 8:02 PM However, despite the team's failure to win the title, the PBKS players regroup with new energy, hoping for a turnaround every year. The Punjab Kings management's tendency to recover from the setbacks has amazed Ishan, who seeks to be a part of their squad one day. Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma to play key roles for SRHTalking about Ishan Kishan and Abhishek Sharma, the destructive batting duo is expected to spearhead the Sunrisers' top order in the IPL 2026. These two players recently had contrasting T20 World Cup campaigns, where India defeated New Zealand to defend the title. Ishan would be keen to sustain his purple patch in the IPL, while Abhishek Sharma would be desperate to bounce back and make an impact for the Orange Army after a middling T20 World Cup campaign. Also read: Salman Ali Agha Run Out Controversy- Global Body Further Humiliates Pakistani
