The countdown for the IPL 2026 season has started. On Saturday, March 28, the first match of the 19th season will be played between the current champions Royal Challengers Bangalore and Sunrisers Hyderabad and then the two-month long marathon for the trophy will begin. Which team will become champion will be decided on May 31. But it will be worth seeing which players will play a big role in that decision. But which new player is there in each team, who can make a difference for the team this time? Let us tell you-

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Current champion RCB did not buy many new players but one name which created discussion is Venkatesh Iyer. Last season, RCB had backed out after bidding for around Rs 23 crore. But the season was not good for Iyer from KKR and in such a situation, once again RCB bet on the left-handed batsman and he can be seen in a big role in the middle order for the team.

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings, which failed in the last two seasons, has selected some new players this time, who give strength to its batting. In this, domestic players like Prashant Veer and Karthik Sharma will be kept an eye on. But if anyone can be most effective for the team, it is Sanju Samson. Although Samson is an old player in IPL, but he will be playing for CSK for the first time and the kind of form he has shown in the T20 World Cup, must have increased the hopes of CSK.

Sunrisers Hyderabad

However, for Sunrisers Hyderabad, once again the most explosive batsmen like Travis Head, Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan and Heinrich Klaasen will play a big role. But in recent months, attention will be kept on Smrana Ravichandran, who has been batting explosively in every format in domestic cricket. This time there is a possibility that he will get a chance in the batting line-up of SRH and he can change the match with his explosive batting.

Rajasthan Royals

From Rajasthan Royals, there will be a big responsibility on Vaibhav Suryavanshi, Yashasvi Jaiswal, new captain Ryan Parag and pacer Joffra Archer. But in the true sense, spinner Ravi Bishnoi can make a real difference for this team. Last season, Rajasthan was missing a good spinner and this can be compensated by Bishnoi, for whom the last season itself was not special but the situation can change with the new team and new line-up.

gujarat titans

Although the playing-11 of Gujarat Titans, captained by Shubman Gill, seems to be set once again, but West Indies all-rounder Jason Holder can play an important role in it. Gujarat spent Rs 7 crore for Holder and if he gets a place in the playing-11, then apart from being a finisher, he can also help the team with the new ball.

Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians may not have won the title in the last 5 seasons but the team once again looks the strongest. Still, the one player whom the team traded to Gujarat Titans for this season, who can do wonders, is West Indies batsman Sharfan Rutherford. Rutherford has not had a good season for GT but in his current form he can prove to be very dangerous.

Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals had missed qualifying for the playoffs last season. But this time the team is looking better. Delhi has especially strengthened its bowling, in which the entry of South African pacer Lungi Ngidi is the most special. Ngidi is currently one of the best bowlers in the T20 format. The variety he showed in the T20 World Cup can be very useful for him and Delhi in the IPL.

punjab kings

Leaving aside the title, Punjab Kings, who were the most effective team last season, seem to be settled once again. However, this time it is expected that Mitchell Owen may get a chance among the four foreign players, who apart from his explosive batting, can also prove useful with his bowling. All that is needed is that captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting give him opportunities.

Kolkata Knight Riders

New Zealand's opener Finn Allen is also among the new players about whom there is the most curiosity. Although KKR made the highest bid of Rs 25 crore on Cameron Green, but in reality Allen, who is priced at Rs 2 crore, can be most useful for them. Kolkata needs a good opening pair and Allen can become the biggest factor in this. He has also expressed his intentions by scoring a century in just 33 balls in the T20 World Cup.

Lucknow Super Giants

Josh Inglis had given a strong performance for Punjab Kings last season but then due to marriage, he demanded his release. However, despite this, LSG bought him for 8.60 crores and he can strengthen the middle order of this team. The team already has stars like Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran and Rishabh Pant but Inglis can provide stability for it.