Following the recent mini-auction in Abu Dhabi, all ten IPL franchises have solidified their squads for the upcoming 2026 season, set to begin on March 26. While the auction saw significant player movement, the primary wicketkeeping roles across the league are expected to remain largely stable, barring injuries or unforeseen circumstances.
Here is a look at the predicted first-choice wicketkeepers for each franchise for IPL 2026:
Chennai Super Kings (CSK): Sanju Samson
With the legendary MS Dhoni expected to manage his workload in what is anticipated to be his final season, newly traded acquisition Sanju Samson is set to take up the primary wicketkeeping duties. This will allow Dhoni to focus on his role as a specialist finisher.
Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB): Jitesh Sharma
Jitesh Sharma is tipped to be the main wicketkeeper, batting in the middle order, with England’s Phil Salt likely to feature as a specialist batsman and fielder.
Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR): Finn Allen
The hard-hitting New Zealand opener Finn Allen is expected to take the gloves for KKR, providing explosive power at the top of the order.
Lucknow Super Giants (LSG): Rishabh Pant
Captain Rishabh Pant will continue as the primary wicketkeeper and leader. The franchise has added strong backup in Australia’s Josh Inglis, with Nicholas Pooran also providing a keeping option.
Mumbai Indians (MI): Quinton de Kock
The experienced South African, Quinton de Kock, acquired for Rs. 1 crore at the auction, is likely to be Mumbai’s first-choice keeper.
Delhi Capitals (DC): KL Rahul
Star India batter KL Rahul is expected to shoulder the wicketkeeping responsibilities for Delhi Capitals in the coming season.
Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH): Heinrich Klaasen
While both Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan are set to play, the dynamic South African Klaasen is favoured to take the gloves.
Gujarat Titans (GT): Jos Buttler
The retained English superstar, Jos Buttler, remains the automatic first-choice wicketkeeper and a cornerstone of the Titans’ lineup.
Punjab Kings (PBKS): Prabhsimran Singh
The retained Prabhsimran Singh is set to continue as the primary wicketkeeper, valued for his aggressive powerplay batting.
Rajasthan Royals (RR): Dhruv Jurel
With the departure of Sanju Samson, young Indian talent Dhruv Jurel is poised to step up as Rajasthan Royals’ main wicketkeeper, reflecting the franchise’s strong faith in his abilities.
Teams will now focus on pre-season preparations, with the wicketkeeping decisions forming a key part of their strategic planning for IPL 2026.
