Abhishek Sharma & Vaibhav Sooryavanshi to open in IPL 2026 team of the week (April 20 to 26)

We’ve officially entered the backend of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. All teams have played at least 7 matches. In fact, six teams have already featured in 8 games. The only thing that hasn’t changed since last week is that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) remain undefeated. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) have improved their performance.

This week’s action commenced with the Mumbai Indians (MI) claiming a resounding victory over the Gujarat Titans (DC). The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) similarly defeated MI at their home. Nearly 1,000 runs were scored on April 25, with PBKS completing the highest successful run chase in T20 history. It ended with the first Super Over of the IPL 2026 season.

IPL 2026 Team of the Week (April 20 to April 26)

IPL 2026 Team of the Week

High intent top-order: Sooryavanshi, Abhishek & KL

Abhishek Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi were by far the best openers. Although Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh aren’t far behind the powerplay strike rate, these two have gone on to score a hundred. Both struck 15-ball fifties. Abhishek scored his hundred in 47 balls, while Sooryvanshi got there in 36 balls, the 3rd fastest century in IPL history.

KL Rahul actually ended with a better strike rate after his historic, unbeaten 152-run knock. He became the first Indian to score over 150 runs in the IPL. But just imagine what an opening partnership between Abhishek and Sooryavanshi can do. So, Rahul will move to number three. This means Rahul’s Delhi Capitals (DC) teammate Nitish Rana misses out.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Anupam Nath via Alamy

Not volume but impact: Shreyas, Tilak & Rinku

Several batters scored more runs than Shreyas Iyer. But no one, barring Rajat Patidar, can stand up to him at number four. Moreover, he brings leadership to the table. But Shreyas had an impact. Without him, PBKS weren’t guaranteed to beat DC. Tilak Varma perhaps played the best knock of IPL 2026, where he went from 19 off 22 to 101 off 45. Rinku Singh did something similar for KKR, as he scored 40 off the last 2 overs, took 5 catches, and hit the winning run.

CSK spinners on top

No Ravindra Jadeja or Ravichandran Ashwin, but two CSK spinners find themselves on the list. Akeal Hosein dismantled MI in the powerplay itself. Taking 2 wickets, but his new version troubled them in the middle overs as well, bagging 2 more scalps. Noor Ahmed hasn’t been that dangerous, but he’s easily the best spinner outside of him.

Pacers with speed, variety & skill

Mohsin Khan has been the best bowler in the last week. He claimed his maiden 5-wicket haul against KKR. He has been unplayable in the powerplay and middle overs. Kagiso Rabada has perhaps been the best powerplay pacer, taking 5 wickets during this period. He has been bowling upwards of 145 km and 150 km with ease, looking at his dangerous best in the IPL after years.

Image Credit: AP Photo/Mahesh Kumar A. via Alamy

Prince Yadav just hasn’t been going for runs. He has just 2 wickets, but he bowls in every phase, and no one seems to be able to hit him. In this team, he can primarily bowl at the back end. Nitish Reddy can be used similarly. He, like Prince, can bowl in the powerplay and death. Of course, not at that efficiency, but he’s the only worthy all-rounder.

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