Another new year, and another year of exciting cricket action awaits us in 2026. This year is anticipated as an eventful year, as it features the ICC T20 World Cup with India playing without their veterans for the first time, RCB entering IPL as the defending champions, and Indian greats Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli fighting to retain their places till the 2027 World Cup.
This year is expected to be a highly contested year between teams, as several underdogs will be looking to dominate the giants of the game in the T20 World Cup. Indian cricket might be witnessing one of its most happening years, as there have also been speculations over split coaching to be introduced for Test cricket.
Here are some of the wildest predictions made about cricket for the year 2026; however, they are not based on any reports and are only assumptions made over speculations and individual perceptions.
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5. Jasprit Bumrah to announce T20I retirement
Indian speedster Jasprit Bumrah is one of the most respected pacers in the world and the most feared when it comes to crucial junctures of the game. Bumrah was India’s main man on show during the previous T20 World Cup, where he finished with the second-highest wickets for India and was also named the player of the tournament. He recently became the first Indian bowler with 100+ wickets across all three formats of the game.
Bumrah is a very crucial player in the shortest format for India and will be a key asset in their title defence in 2026. However, he might announce his retirement following the T20 World Cup in India. The decision is fueled by the facts that Bumrah often has to manage his workload, and he will be key for India’s future campaign in Test and ODI cricket.
4. RCB to win IPL 2026
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru finally broke the jinx and won their maiden IPL title in 2025. The win left millions of RCB fans and the loyal players like Virat Kohli teary-eyed. However, this might just be the time when RCB would want to keep the trophy for some more time under their name.
Coming into IPL 2026, RCB would have the same dominating team with Virat Kohli as its epitome. They have made some further cool investments that would set their campaign further on track in the tournament. Hence, RCB can be pinned to win the upcoming editions of the IPL as well.
3. Rishabh Pant to lose significance
Indian wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant has represented India across all formats of the game. However, his run in international cricket has been trimmed due to injuries, and the veteran batter’s lack of form has led to a loss of significance across formats.
Pant has already been sidelined from the T20I format, as he has not been named in the ICC T20 World Cup 2026 squad as well. On the other hand, Pant’s place in ODIs is also threatened by the selectors eyeing Ishan Kishan and Dhruv Jurel for the role.
This leaves out Pant, only to feature in the red ball format for India. However, Pant’s reckless attitude and lack of composure at times when the team needs their experienced batter have been pricking the eye of the selectors, and Dhruv Jurel is emerging as a more balanced option in the middle order who can be relied upon under such circumstances.
If Pant fails to hold on to his Test spot with a bunch of convincing performances, then he might lose his significance in the coming year. Also, Pant’s performance would be noted as he turns out for LSG in his second season with the franchise in the IPL.
2. Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma to retire from international cricket
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, the two legendary Indian cricketers who have been the backbone of the Indian batting order for the past 15 years, have been constantly sidelined in recent years. Under Gambhir’s era, the two veterans suddenly announced their retirement from Test cricket.
The BCCI has been very disrespectful to the two legends, as they have been forced to make domestic appearances to feature in international cricket. Both players have obliged the BCCI to keep their 2027 hopes alive.
However, despite their fine form, Gautam Gambhir or the Indian selectors have refused to pass any statement on the two veterans’ participation in the World Cup. Hence, the probability of their retirement keeps the veterans on their toes.
1. Sourav Ganguly to join the Indian team; Gautam Gambhir’s monopoly in danger
India have been citing a split in the coaching module for the coming year. Gautam Gambhir is most likely to continue as India’s white-ball coach until the 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup. Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has been tipped to join the Indian team as the red-ball consultant or the red-ball coach, replacing Gambhir.
Ganguly, on the other hand, might also join the Indian dressing room as the Director of Cricket. Hence, this would surely lay shackles on Gautam Gambhir’s domination over decisions surrounding the Indian team. It is also to be noted that Gambhir made his debut for India when Ganguly was the captain of the team.
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