As IPL 2026 moves into its closing stages, the race for the four playoff berths is tightening while the spotlight remains fixed on a familiar mix of form and star power. With eight franchises still chasing postseason positions, the story is being shaped as much by league standings as by the names fans can’t stop talking about.
IPL 2026 playoff race: who is in the driving seat
Eight teams are competing for four places in the playoffs. Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans currently occupy the top three spots, each sitting on 14 points after 11 matches. Punjab Kings are fourth in the standings, one step behind on 13 points from the same number of games.
- Top three: Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Gujarat Titans — 14 points from 11 matches
- Fourth place: Punjab Kings — 13 points from 11 matches
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi’s burst of impact in Rajasthan Royals’ camp
While the table continues to attract attention, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has also sparked a wave of discussion with his performances for Rajasthan Royals. The batter has produced two 15-ball half-centuries for the franchise, underlining how quickly he can change a game.
Sooryavanshi has gone even further, smashing a 36-ball century. That achievement has carried special weight: he is reported as the first player in IPL history to register two centuries in fewer than 40 balls.
- For Rajasthan Royals, Sooryavanshi has hit two half-centuries, each coming off 15 balls
- He also scored a century off 36 deliveries
- The 36-ball ton is framed as a historic feat: the first IPL player to make two centuries in under 40 balls
Star Sports’ ‘most talked about’ list keeps veteran names on top
Given Sooryavanshi’s record-setting form, it is notable that he does not feature among the five most-discussed players in IPL 2026. Star Sports, the league’s official broadcasters, released a ranking titled “Top 5 most talked about players in India during Tata IPL 2026” covering the period from March 28 to May 12.
The list is led by Virat Kohli with 44% of conversations, followed by MS Dhoni at 21%, Rohit Sharma at 18%, Sanju Samson at 10%, and KL Rahul at 8%. One striking detail is that Dhoni, despite being high on the chatter list, has not played a match in IPL 2026 so far.
- Virat Kohli — 44%
- MS Dhoni — 21%
- Rohit Sharma — 18%
- Sanju Samson — 10%
- KL Rahul — 8%
The overall message from the ranking is clear: even as new performers grab headlines, the pull of established legends—and the audience they attract—has not faded throughout the season.
Dhoni’s fandom, Bachchan’s ETPL wish, and his IPL status
Star power has been a recurring theme around Dhoni, and it has extended beyond the cricket world. Six years after his international retirement, Mahendra Singh Dhoni continues to command a level of fan interest described as unmatched. Actor and ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan said he would love to see Dhoni involved in the new European T20 Premier League.
When asked which Indian cricketer he would most like to see in the ETPL and why, Bachchan responded immediately and said he would want Dhoni in cricket, adding that the question did not need a reason. Dhoni, who stepped away from international cricket in 2020, remains part of the Chennai Super Kings squad.
However, he has not taken the field in IPL 2026 due to a calf injury picked up before the tournament.
- Abhishek Bachchan said he would love to see MS Dhoni feature in the European T20 Premier League
- Dhoni retired from international cricket in 2020
- Dhoni is still listed with Chennai Super Kings but has not played IPL 2026 because of a calf injury sustained before the tournament
