Virat Kohli Leads Most Talked About IPL 2026 Stars List Across India
Virat Kohli leads IPL 2026 talk list; Dhoni remains popular.
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 is approaching its business end, with the competition for playoff spots intensifying among the remaining teams. At this stage of the tournament, eight franchises are still in contention for the four available playoff positions, making the league table increasingly competitive as the final phase unfolds.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Sunrisers Hyderabad, and Gujarat Titans currently occupy the top three positions with 14 points each from 11 matches. Punjab Kings are placed fourth with 13 points from 11 games, keeping the race for qualification tightly packed. As the league progresses, individual performances have also become a major talking point alongside team standings.
One of the standout performers this season has been Vaibhav Sooryavanshi representing Rajasthan Royals. He has delivered a remarkable batting display, including two rapid 15-ball half-centuries and a blistering 36-ball century. His achievements have made him the first player in IPL history to register two centuries in fewer than 40 balls, drawing widespread attention for his explosive form.
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Despite his sensational performances, Sooryavanshi surprisingly does not feature among the five most talked-about players of IPL 2026, according to a list released by the tournament’s official broadcasters Star Sports. The data, compiled between March 28 and May 12, highlights overall fan engagement and discussion trends across India during the season.
The list is dominated by veteran Indian cricketers, with Virat Kohli leading at 44 percent, followed by MS Dhoni at 21 percent, Rohit Sharma at 18 percent, Sanju Samson at 10 percent, and KL Rahul at 8 percent. Notably, MS Dhoni remains second on the list despite not playing any match this season.
Six years after retiring from international cricket, Dhoni continues to command a massive fan following. Actor and ETPL co-founder Abhishek Bachchan recently expressed his admiration for the former India captain, saying he would love to see him feature in the European T20 Premier League. Dhoni, who retired in 2020, remains part of the Chennai Super Kings setup but has been sidelined this season due to a calf injury sustained before the tournament.
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