IPL 2026: Rating all teams based on their pace bowlers

The IPL is a spectacle of T20 cricket. In this spectacle, the fast bowlers play a major role. Every year the IPL has seen different teams with extremely skilful fast-bowling units, complementing each other’s skills perfectly and blowing opposition teams away.

While in a country like India, individuals stand out among others, but this competition has seen success coming for teams which have solid balance and complementarity within their attack. The IPL 2026 also sees some terrific fast bowling units, and we take this moment to rank each team on their fast bowling prowess.

Here are IPL 2026 teams ranked on the basis of their pace attack

10 – Kolkata Knight Riders

Kolkata Knight Riders find themselves in a tough spot. Going into the auction with the highest purse, some would feel they have not replenished their fast-bowling stocks as required. Added to this come significant absences, which hurt their chances.

The withdrawal of Mustafizur Rahman after political tensions with Bangladesh, combined with fitness issues for star bowlers Harshit Rana and Matheesha Pathirana, comes as a big blow. Despite this, they have a strong Indian contingent of Akash Deep, Vaibhav Arora, Kartik Tyagi and the returning Umran Malik. They also have the services of Zimbabwean pacer Blessing Muzarabani, whereas star all-rounder Cameron Green also provides a seaming option.

9 – Lucknow Super Giants

Lucknow Super Giants signed Mohammed Shami and Arjun Tendulkar in the trade window and got hold of Anrich Nortje in the auction. But injury concerns surrounding Mohsin Khan and Mayank Yadav deplete their stocks.

Avesh Khan still remains a reliable option, along with Prince Yadav. The franchise also has fresh blood in the form of Akash Singh and 2024 U-19 World Cup star Naman Tiwari. They can also tap into the bowling of Arshin Kulkarni if necessary.

8 – Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings surprisingly had a poor auction, and it is reflected in the five-time champions’ fast-bowling stocks. New Zealand’s Matt Henry returns to Chepauk as an overseas option along with compatriot Zak Foulkes. They also have the retained death-over specialist Nathan Ellis and Jamie Overton, who can fill multiple roles.

The Indian core consists of Khaleel Ahmed and Anshul Kamboj, both powerplay-heavy bowlers whose strengths lie with the new ball. They have Tamil Nadu’s Gurjapneet Singh and left-arm seamer Mukesh Chaudhary as backups, but the lack of numbers is noticeable.

7 – Sunrisers Hyderabad

Sunrisers Hyderabad have a good mix of Indian and overseas options but are finding balance among them with their overseas-heavy batting approach. In Jaydev Unadkat, Harshal Patel, Nitish Kumar Reddy and new signing Shivam Mavi, they have an experienced Indian core, supported by Bihar’s Sakib Hussain and Mumbai’s Onkar Tarmale.

Captain Pat Cummins’ fitness concerns still persist after missing the T20 World Cup and four out of five Tests in the 2025-26 Men’s Ashes, due to back issues. If Cummins is unable to start, SRH have Sri Lanka’s Eshan Malinga, Australian BBL star Jack Edwards and England all-rounder Brydon Carse.

6 – Royal Challengers Bengaluru

Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s biggest concerns come from fitness concerns surrounding Josh Hazlewood, who has not played cricket since November 2025, missing the 2025-26 Ashes and the subsequent T20 World Cup as well. They also have to look after the legal trouble surrounding Yash Dayal, which puts his participation under a question mark.

RCB have added New Zealand’s Jacob Duffy to their ranks, along with a few inexperienced but promising names like Mangesh Yadav and Abhinandan Singh. They have Romario Shepherd and Rasikh Dar as all-rounders, but the presence of their two prime fast bowlers, along with the ever-reliable Bhuvneshwar Kumar, will be key if they are to successfully defend their title.

5 – Rajasthan Royals

Jofra Archer leads a Rajasthan Royals pace attack heavy on overseas flavour. The England quick is joined by franchise league veteran Adam Milne and South Africa’s Nandre Burger and hot prospect Kwena Maphaka. England’s Sam Curran, traded in from the Chennai Super Kings, adds more depth as a reliable option.

RR have the experienced Sandeep Sharma and Tushar Deshpande in their ranks, who are expected to provide support and stability with their bowling. Left-arm seamer Sushant Mishra comes in as the joint-highest wicket-taker in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. They also have Kuldeep Sen and Jammu and Kashmir speedster Yudhvir Singh, along with Bengal’s Brijesh Sharma. 

4 – Gujarat Titans

The Gujarat Titans were one of the most balanced fast-bowling attacks of last season, with every phase of the innings being ticked. Their balance, along with depth, makes them a strong, balanced unit. They have replenished their overseas stocks with the signings of Jason Holder and England’s Luke Wood. They also now have in their ranks Rajasthan’s Ashok Sharma, the joint-leading wicket-taker in the 2025 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, who is capable of bowling over 150 km/h regularly.

In Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Kagiso Rabada and Ishant Sharma, the 2022 champions have an experienced core to rely on, with Arshad Khan and Gurnoor Brar as reliable backups. With all boxes ticked, they are one of the teams to look out for.

3 – Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals find themselves in a position where their depth in Indian batting options and spinners allows them to potentially play two overseas fast bowlers in their playing XI. And this is how the attack is designed. Mitchell Starc is the headliner as always, with Sri Lanka’s Dushmantha Chameera. They have added Lungi Ngidi, who had a brilliant T20 World Cup, and Kyle Jamieson to their ranks.

Their Indian contingent consists of Mukesh Kumar and T. Natarajan and new addition Auqib Nabi, the Jammu and Kashmir star, who was the highest wicket-taker in the Ranji Trophy and a key player in J&K’s first-ever Ranji Trophy victory.

2 – Punjab Kings

The Punjab Kings have a very settled and balanced unit, with reliable domestic and overseas options. Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen form the core of Punjab’s attack, with Lockie Ferguson, Azmatullah Omarzai and new addition Ben Dwarshius to support them.

Their domestic contingent includes Karnataka’s death-over specialist Vijaykumar Vyshak and Vidarbha’s skilled right-arm pacer Yash Thakur. And if necessary, they have Aussie all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who is handy with the ball himself.

1 – Mumbai Indians

Mumbai Indians used this trade window smartly, acquiring key players to fill visible gaps in their squad. Local hero Shardhul Thakur was brought in as a reliable backup for Deepak Chahar, who faced injury concerns last season. MI also added Bihar’s Mohammad Izhar to their ranks.

Ashwani Kumar shone for the five-time champions in 2025 and now poses as a reliable backup for the dangerous Trent Boult. Captain Hardik Pandya and South Africa’s Corbin Bosch are hard-length specialists who excel in the middle and death overs. The balance that this attack provides allows for flexible use of the masterful Jasprit Bumrah, who is coming off the back of a highly successful T20 World Cup campaign.