Royal Challengers Bengaluru capped off another memorable season by defeating the Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2026 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The victory not only secured RCB’s second IPL title but also made them just the third franchise in tournament history to successfully defend their crown after Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

Rajat Patidar’s side once again showcased why they were the most complete team of the season. After winning the toss and opting to bowl, RCB restricted Gujarat Titans to 155/8 in 20 overs before chasing down the target comfortably in 18 overs. Rasikh Salam Dar starred with the ball, claiming figures of 3/27, while Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Josh Hazlewood picked up two wickets each. In the run chase, Virat Kohli delivered yet another masterclass, remaining unbeaten on 75 off 42 balls, while Venkatesh Iyer’s explosive 32 off 16 balls provided the perfect platform.

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While IPL 2026 produced several standout performances and emerging stars, it was also a season to forget for several high-profile players. Several established names failed to live up to expectations, resulting in disappointing campaigns for both themselves and their franchises. Here’s a look at the IPL 2026 Flop XI based on performances throughout the season.

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Ajinkya Rahane

Both captains endured difficult seasons with the bat while leading struggling franchises. Chennai Super Kings skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad never looked at his fluent best and finished with only 337 runs in 14 innings. His average of 28.08 and strike rate of 123.44 were well below expectations for a player considered one of the most reliable top-order batters in the league.

Similarly, Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane failed to provide consistency at the top. He managed 335 runs in 14 innings at an average of 25.76 and a strike rate of 135.08. While there were occasional glimpses of form, Rahane struggled to produce match-winning performances regularly.

No. 3: Nicholas Pooran

Few overseas stars entered IPL 2026 with bigger expectations than Nicholas Pooran. After several productive seasons, the Lucknow Super Giants batter suffered a dramatic decline in form.

Pooran managed just 234 runs in 14 innings, averaging only 18 while striking at 127.86. For a player known for his aggressive finishing ability and game-changing knocks, those numbers represented a major disappointment.

Middle Order: Rishabh Pant (Captain & Wicketkeeper)

Rishabh Pant’s difficult season ended with him stepping down as Lucknow Super Giants captain. Signed for a record fee and entrusted with leadership responsibilities, Pant was unable to inspire either with the bat or as captain.

He scored 312 runs in 13 innings at an average of 28.36 and a strike rate of 138.05. While those numbers are respectable on paper, they fell short of the standards expected from one of India’s premier T20 batters. LSG’s last-place finish with only four wins further highlighted the team’s struggles.

Suryakumar Yadav and Hardik Pandya

Mumbai Indians endured a forgettable season, and two of their biggest stars were unable to make a significant impact.

Suryakumar Yadav, usually one of the most destructive T20 batters in the world, scored only 270 runs in 13 innings at an average of 20.76. Although his strike rate remained healthy at 147.54, he rarely converted starts into substantial contributions.

Hardik Pandya’s campaign was equally underwhelming. The MI captain scored just 206 runs in 10 innings and managed only four wickets with the ball. His economy rate of 11.42 reflected how difficult the season was for the Indian all-rounder.

Cameron Green and Axar Patel

Kolkata Knight Riders invested heavily in Cameron Green at the IPL 2026 auction, spending a record ₹25.20 crore. However, the Australian all-rounder failed to justify that price tag.

Green scored 322 runs in 14 innings at an average of 32.20 while taking only seven wickets. Although those numbers are not disastrous, they fell far below expectations for the most expensive player of the season.

Delhi Capitals captain Axar Patel also endured a rare off year. With the bat, he managed only 173 runs in 11 innings at an average of 19.22. His bowling, usually his strongest suit, also lacked impact as he picked up 11 wickets at an average of 32.72.

Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult and Digvesh Rathi

Perhaps the biggest surprise inclusion is Jasprit Bumrah. Widely regarded as one of the world’s best bowlers, Bumrah struggled throughout IPL 2026. In 13 matches, he claimed only four wickets while averaging 102.50.

His Mumbai Indians teammate Trent Boult also failed to make an impact. The experienced left-arm pacer picked up just two wickets in five matches while conceding runs at an economy of 11.62.

Lucknow Super Giants spinner Digvesh Rathi completes the bowling attack. He managed only five wickets in 10 matches while leaking runs at over 10 per over, making it a season to forget for the young spinner.

Impact Player Options: Rohit Sharma (283 runs), Jitesh Sharma (116 runs), Dewald Brevis (151 runs), Harshal Patel (0 wickets), Kuldeep Yadav (10 wickets)