Ex‑CSK Legend’s Bold Picks: Sooryavanshi Makes the Cut, Kohli Left Out in IPL 2026 Team of the Season

When the IPL 2026 season finally wrapped up, the chatter around who truly shone and who fell short was as loud as ever. Amidst the endless debates, a former Chennai Super Kings stalwart—still revered for his cricketing brain—decided to cut his own ‘Team of the Season’. The list, however, turned heads for two very specific reasons.

First, the inclusion of Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. The young all‑rounder from Karnataka has been a quiet force all year—snatching crucial wickets, delivering gritty knocks down the order, and pulling off a few jaw‑dropping catches. The ex‑CSK star praised his “raw hunger” and said Sooryavanshi’s ability to swing the momentum with just a few deliveries makes him a future mainstay in any side.

Then there’s the glaring omission: Virat Kohli. Yes, the former captain and batting maestro, who still turns heads with his elegance at the crease, didn’t make the cut. The former Super Kings great didn’t sugarcoat his verdict, calling the decision “painful but necessary”, noting that Kohli’s strike rate and conversion of starts fell short of the season’s benchmark.

The list itself reads like a blend of established legends and breakout stars. It features the ever‑reliable Ruturaj Gaikwad, the swing‑king Mohammed Siraj, and the fiery left‑hander Rashid Khan, alongside fresh faces like Sooryavanshi. In the bowling department, the ex‑CSK star opted for a mix of sheer pace and spin wizardry, selecting Shubman Gill’s occasional off‑spin surprises and the crafty leg‑spinner Yashasvi Jaiswal.

Fans took to social media in droves, some applauding the boldness, others rolling their eyes at the exclusion of a cricketing icon. Yet, the underlying theme was clear: the former CSK legend wanted to spark conversation, to remind everyone that IPL is as much about the rising tide of talent as it is about the glittering names we’ve grown accustomed to.

Whether you agree with the picks or not, the list has already become a talking point that will echo throughout the off‑season, influencing auctions, contract talks, and, of course, the next year’s predictions. One thing is for sure—IPL 2026 delivered drama both on and off the field, and this ‘Team of the Season’ is proof enough.