IPL 2026: Full List of Wicketkeepers for All 10 Teams
With the TATA IPL 2026 season set to begin on 28th March 2026, all 10 franchises have finalized their squads following the mini-auction held in Abu Dhabi on 16th December 2025. Amid all the buzz around star batters, marquee overseas signings, and captaincy decisions, the wicketkeeper spots across the 10 teams have quietly emerged as one of the most fascinating sub-plots heading into the new season.
The wicketkeeper-batter role has never been more important in T20 cricket than it is today. Modern teams want their glove men to be explosive top-order batters, versatile finishers, and reliable hands behind the stumps all at once. In IPL 2026, the wicketkeeper battle is particularly intense — with legends like MS Dhoni still in the game, world-class stars like Rishabh Pant, Jos Buttler, and Heinrich Klaasen leading their respective franchises, and exciting new generation keepers like Dhruv Jurel, Prabhsimran Singh, and Robin Minz staking their claims for regular IPL starts.
On Cricketwebs, we have compiled the most comprehensive guide to all IPL 2026 wicketkeepers — every team, every option, first-choice picks, backups, and expert analysis to help you pick the right glove man for your fantasy teams throughout the season. Whether you are building your Dream11, My11Circle, or MPL fantasy XI, knowing which wicketkeeper to select can be the difference between winning and losing your fantasy league. Read on for the complete IPL 2026 wicketkeeper list for all 10 teams.
IPL 2026 Wicketkeepers – All Teams Quick Reference
| Team | Primary WK (First Choice) | Backup / Other WK Options |
| Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Sanju Samson | MS Dhoni, Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma |
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) | Jitesh Sharma | Phil Salt, Jordan Cox |
| Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Finn Allen | Tim Seifert, Tejasvi Dahiya |
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Quinton de Kock | Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Prabhsimran Singh | Vishnu Vinod |
| Gujarat Titans (GT) | Jos Buttler | Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat |
| Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) | Rishabh Pant (C) | Nicholas Pooran, Josh Inglis, Mukul Choudhary |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | KL Rahul | Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Ben Duckett |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Dhruv Jurel | Yashasvi Jaiswal (emergency) |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) | Heinrich Klaasen | Ishan Kishan, Salil Arora |
1. Chennai Super Kings (CSK) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Sanju Samson | Backup: MS Dhoni, Urvil Patel, Kartik Sharma
Chennai Super Kings head into IPL 2026 with arguably the most talked-about wicketkeeping situation of any franchise — a combination that involves two of the biggest names in Indian cricket: Sanju Samson and MS Dhoni.
Sanju Samson has been traded to CSK from Rajasthan Royals ahead of IPL 2026, and his arrival at Chennai has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world. Samson is expected to take the gloves as CSK’s primary wicketkeeper-batter, bringing his explosive batting at the top of the order and his safe hands behind the stumps to complement an already powerful squad. His IPL career strike rate above 140 and ability to hit towering sixes makes him one of the most dangerous wicketkeeper-batters in the competition.
MS Dhoni, meanwhile, remains part of the CSK setup and is expected to play in a finisher or Impact Player role, allowing him to focus purely on batting in the death overs without the additional responsibility of wicketkeeping in every game. The 44-year-old CSK icon confirmed his availability for what is widely expected to be his final IPL season. Whether Dhoni will take the gloves in certain matches — particularly at home in Chennai where he is worshipped — remains a compelling storyline to follow throughout the season.
CSK also invested a staggering Rs 14.20 crore on young wicketkeeper-batter Kartik Sharma at the IPL 2026 auction, securing a high-ceiling youngster with serious potential for the future. Urvil Patel provides another explosive batting option in the wicketkeeping slot. The CSK wicketkeeping department is rich in talent, experience, and box-office appeal — making it one of the most watchable sub-plots of IPL 2026.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Sanju Samson | First Choice WK-Batter (Traded from RR) | Primary Wicketkeeper |
| MS Dhoni | Legendary Finisher / Impact Player | Secondary / Situational WK |
| Kartik Sharma | Young WK-Batter (Rs 14.20 Cr auction buy) | Future Backup |
| Urvil Patel | Explosive WK-Batter | Squad Backup |
Also Check: IPL 2026 New Rules Explained – Everything You Need to Know
2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Jitesh Sharma | Backup: Phil Salt, Jordan Cox
Defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru head into IPL 2026 with a settled wicketkeeping department, anchored by Jitesh Sharma as the clear first-choice gloveman. Jitesh had a memorable IPL 2025 season, contributing crucial runs in the middle and lower order as RCB claimed their maiden IPL title, and he returns as an important member of Rajat Patidar’s title-defence squad.
Jitesh Sharma is a dynamic right-handed batter who bats in the lower middle order and brings clean hitting to the crucial 16-20 over phase of innings. His keeping has improved steadily, and his understanding of the RCB setup makes him the automatic first-choice keeper for the defending champions. He is set to bat around numbers five or six in the playing XI.
Phil Salt, the England explosive opener, is part of the RCB squad and technically a wicketkeeper. However, given Jitesh Sharma’s established role, Salt is expected to play primarily as an opening batter in the field-up position rather than as the designated keeper. Jordan Cox provides further wicketkeeping cover in the squad, ensuring RCB has adequate depth behind the stumps even if Jitesh is unavailable. RCB’s wicketkeeping setup is clean, settled, and unlikely to cause selection headaches throughout the season.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Jitesh Sharma | Primary WK-Batter (Lower Middle Order) | First Choice Wicketkeeper |
| Phil Salt | Explosive Opener (WK by trade, plays as outfielder) | Outfield Backup |
| Jordan Cox | WK-Batter | Squad Cover |
Also Check: How to Watch IPL 2026 Live in USA, UK, UAE, Australia & More
3. Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Finn Allen | Backup: Tim Seifert, Tejasvi Dahiya
Kolkata Knight Riders have made a bold and exciting choice in their wicketkeeping department for IPL 2026 by bringing in New Zealand’s Finn Allen as the primary glove man and opener. Allen is arguably the hardest hitter of a cricket ball in New Zealand and one of the most destructive T20 openers anywhere in the world, capable of taking any bowling attack apart in the powerplay overs.
Allen’s inclusion alongside Ajinkya Rahane at the top of the order gives KKR one of the most explosive opening combinations in the tournament. His international T20 strike rate has consistently been above 160, and his fearless approach at the crease will be a massive weapon for KKR in the powerplay. Behind the stumps, Allen is a competent keeper who gets the job done efficiently.
Tim Seifert, another New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter, has been signed as a second high-quality keeping option. Seifert is equally destructive with the bat and provides KKR with genuine flexibility in the top of their batting order. Young Indian wicketkeeper Tejasvi Dahiya rounds out the keeping options as a domestic talent providing further squad depth. KKR’s wicketkeeping setup is among the most exciting and potentially match-winning in the tournament.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Finn Allen | Explosive Opening WK-Batter (New Zealand) | Primary / First Choice |
| Tim Seifert | WK-Batter (New Zealand) | High Quality Backup |
| Tejasvi Dahiya | Young Indian WK-Batter | Domestic Squad Backup |
Also Check: How Much Do IPL 2026 Umpires Earn? Full Breakdown of Match Fees, Seasonal Pay & Benefits
4. Mumbai Indians (MI) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Quinton de Kock | Backup: Robin Minz, Ryan Rickelton
Mumbai Indians, the five-time IPL champions, are heading into IPL 2026 with Quinton de Kock as their primary wicketkeeper-batter — a smart, experienced pick who brings world-class batting and reliable keeping to Hardik Pandya’s squad. De Kock was signed by MI for just Rs 1 crore at the IPL 2026 mini-auction, representing outstanding value given his international pedigree.
Quinton de Kock is one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket, combining destructive opening batting with exemplary glove work. The left-handed South African is a proven match-winner in T20 cricket, and his experience across all ICC events and franchise tournaments globally makes him one of the most reliable picks in the MI lineup. De Kock adds a quality international element to MI’s batting at the top of the order alongside Rohit Sharma.
Robin Minz, the exciting young Indian wicketkeeper-batter from Jharkhand, provides a high-upside domestic option for MI as well. Ryan Rickelton, the South Africa wicketkeeper-batter, adds further international backup. While de Kock is the clear first choice, MI’s depth in the keeping department ensures they are well-covered for any contingency throughout the season.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Quinton de Kock | World-Class Opening WK-Batter (South Africa) | Primary / First Choice |
| Robin Minz | Young Indian WK-Batter | Domestic Backup |
| Ryan Rickelton | WK-Batter (South Africa) | International Cover |
5. Punjab Kings (PBKS) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Prabhsimran Singh | Backup: Vishnu Vinod
Punjab Kings, fresh from an impressive runners-up finish in IPL 2025, head into the new season with Prabhsimran Singh as their first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. Prabhsimran has established himself as one of the most exciting young wicketkeeper-openers in Indian domestic cricket, combining aggressive strokeplay at the top of the order with dependable keeping behind the stumps.
The young Punjab-born cricketer has shown tremendous maturity and power in his batting, and his understanding of his role in the PBKS setup has grown significantly over the past two seasons. Under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer and the coaching of Ricky Ponting, Prabhsimran is expected to form a commanding opening partnership that can give PBKS explosive starts in the powerplay overs.
Vishnu Vinod provides able backup as a domestic wicketkeeper-batter with IPL experience. PBKS’s wicketkeeping situation is one of the most settled and straightforward in the competition — Prabhsimran is the undisputed first choice, and PBKS will be hoping he can build on the momentum of their title-run in 2025 to help push the franchise over the line and claim their maiden IPL title in 2026.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Prabhsimran Singh | Explosive Opening WK-Batter (India) | Primary / First Choice |
| Vishnu Vinod | WK-Batter | Domestic Backup |
6. Gujarat Titans (GT) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Jos Buttler | Backup: Kumar Kushagra, Anuj Rawat
Gujarat Titans possess one of the most celebrated wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket in Jos Buttler — a retained player and an automatic selection in the GT playing XI. Buttler is a proven IPL performer with a remarkable record in T20 cricket internationally, and his value to Gujarat Titans extends well beyond his keeping duties into his aggressive batting at the top of the order.
The England white-ball superstar brings a world-class combination of explosive batting, tactical awareness, and reliable glove work to the Titans. Buttler has been one of the most dangerous T20 batters in the world over the last decade, with a T20 international strike rate consistently above 140 and the ability to play match-defining innings at any position in the batting order. His retention by GT ahead of the IPL 2026 auction was one of the most significant squad decisions of the pre-auction phase.
Kumar Kushagra, the young Indian wicketkeeper-batter who has impressed in domestic cricket, provides backup cover alongside Anuj Rawat, another experienced domestic wicketkeeper. GT’s keeping department is straightforward — Buttler is the first choice in every XI, with Kushagra and Rawat providing assurance in the squad that any unavailability can be managed without disrupting the team’s balance.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Jos Buttler | World-Class WK-Batter (England) – Retained | Primary / First Choice |
| Kumar Kushagra | Young Indian WK-Batter | Domestic Backup |
| Anuj Rawat | WK-Batter | Squad Cover |
7. Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Rishabh Pant (Captain) | Backup: Nicholas Pooran, Josh Inglis, Mukul Choudhary
Lucknow Super Giants have the most expensive wicketkeeper in IPL history at the helm — captain Rishabh Pant, who was signed by LSG for a record-breaking Rs 27 crore at the IPL 2025 auction and continues to lead the franchise into the 2026 season. Pant’s presence alone makes the LSG wicketkeeping department one of the most star-studded in the entire tournament.
Rishabh Pant is arguably the most naturally gifted wicketkeeper-batter India has produced in a generation. His ability to bat at any position in the order, his unorthodox but devastatingly effective stroke play, and his electric presence behind the stumps make him an irreplaceable asset for LSG. As captain, his leadership credentials have also grown significantly, and he will be eager to lead the franchise to a strong campaign after a disappointing IPL 2025 season.
The depth behind Pant is also impressive. Nicholas Pooran, the destructive West Indies left-hander and T20 franchise cricket superstar, offers a world-class batting option in the middle order and can keep wickets if required. Australia’s Josh Inglis was signed for Rs 8.6 crore as another top-quality backup keeper, though he is expected to be unavailable for much of the early part of the season for personal reasons. Mukul Choudhary, the uncapped young wicketkeeper-batter, rounds out the LSG keeping options.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Rishabh Pant | Captain & Primary WK-Batter (Rs 27 Cr) | First Choice (Captain) |
| Nicholas Pooran | Destructive WK-Batter (West Indies) | High-Quality Backup |
| Josh Inglis | WK-Batter (Australia) – partial availability | Limited Availability |
| Mukul Choudhary | Young Indian WK-Batter | Domestic Cover |
8. Delhi Capitals (DC) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: KL Rahul | Backup: Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Ben Duckett
Delhi Capitals have one of the deepest and most versatile wicketkeeping squads in IPL 2026, headlined by the highly accomplished KL Rahul as their primary gloveman. KL Rahul is widely regarded as one of the finest wicketkeeper-batters in world cricket, combining technically excellent keeping with composed, high-quality batting at the top of the order.
Rahul’s experience of keeping wickets in high-pressure international matches and across multiple IPL seasons for different franchises makes him ideally suited for the demands of the role at Delhi Capitals. Under captain Axar Patel’s leadership, Rahul’s batting stability and keeping reliability will be crucial to DC’s chances of going one better than their fifth-place finish in IPL 2025 and pushing for a first-ever IPL title.
The backup options at DC are remarkably strong. Ben Duckett, the explosive England opener, is technically a wicketkeeper and gives DC a world-class batting option at the top. Tristan Stubbs, the powerful South Africa middle-order batter, also keeps wickets and adds batting firepower. Abishek Porel, the talented young Bengal wicketkeeper, provides a quality domestic backup. DC’s wicketkeeping options give captain Axar Patel tremendous tactical flexibility in selecting his best playing XI.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| KL Rahul | Elite WK-Batter – Primary Keeper | First Choice |
| Ben Duckett | Explosive England Opener (WK by trade) | Outfield/Backup Option |
| Tristan Stubbs | Power-hitting SA Middle Order (WK) | Batting Cover / WK Backup |
| Abishek Porel | Young Indian WK-Batter (Bengal) | Domestic Backup |
9. Rajasthan Royals (RR) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Dhruv Jurel | Backup: Yashasvi Jaiswal (emergency)
Rajasthan Royals face a significant shift in their wicketkeeping department for IPL 2026 following the departure of Sanju Samson — who was traded to Chennai Super Kings — leaving a void that the franchise has filled by entrusting the gloves to the talented young Dhruv Jurel. This is a major opportunity for Jurel, who burst onto the international cricket scene with impressive Test performances for India and is widely regarded as one of the most technically correct wicketkeeper-batters in the country.
Dhruv Jurel comes into IPL 2026 with significant momentum behind him. His performances in the India Test squad impressed selectors and fans alike with his confident keeping and composed batting, and this IPL season represents the chance for him to establish himself as a regular franchise cricket performer in the T20 format as well. His natural game suits the T20 format — he can rotate the strike smartly while also playing attacking shots when the situation demands.
Rajasthan Royals, now captained by Riyan Parag, have a strong batting unit around Jurel including the flamboyant Yashasvi Jaiswal and the exciting young Vaibhav Suryavanshi. While Yashasvi Jaiswal can technically keep wickets in an emergency, Dhruv Jurel is comfortably the first and only choice for the primary keeping role in RR’s setup for IPL 2026.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Dhruv Jurel | First Choice WK-Batter (India Test squad) | Primary / First Choice |
| Yashasvi Jaiswal | Star Opening Batter (Emergency WK only) | Only in Emergency |
10. Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) – Wicketkeepers IPL 2026
Primary: Heinrich Klaasen | Backup: Ishan Kishan, Salil Arora
Sunrisers Hyderabad, led by captain Pat Cummins, head into IPL 2026 with South Africa superstar Heinrich Klaasen as their first-choice wicketkeeper. Klaasen is one of the most destructive middle-order finishers in world cricket and arguably the best wicketkeeper-batter in South Africa’s recent history, combining explosive batting in the 15-20 over phase with reliable and agile keeping behind the stumps.
Klaasen’s impact on SRH’s batting cannot be overstated. His ability to accelerate from ball one, his fearlessness against pace and spin alike, and his record of match-winning innings in pressure situations make him one of the most feared batters in T20 franchise cricket globally. In the IPL 2026 context, Klaasen’s role as finisher and wicketkeeper will be central to SRH’s plans to go one step further after a difficult IPL 2025 season.
Ishan Kishan, the dynamic India wicketkeeper-batter, is part of the SRH squad and provides a high-quality backup option. Kishan’s own explosive batting credentials — he has hit the fastest ever double century in ODI cricket — mean that SRH can field a powerful batting XI regardless of which keeper plays. Salil Arora provides additional domestic keeping cover in the squad. The SRH wicketkeeping department is deep, talented, and will be a major factor in the franchise’s fortunes throughout the tournament.
| WK Option | Role | IPL 2026 Status |
| Heinrich Klaasen | Elite Finisher & WK-Batter (South Africa) | Primary / First Choice |
| Ishan Kishan | Explosive WK-Batter (India) | High Quality Backup |
| Salil Arora | Domestic WK-Batter | Squad Cover |
Best Wicketkeepers for IPL 2026 Fantasy Cricket
Choosing the right wicketkeeper for your Dream11, My11Circle, or MPL fantasy team is one of the most important decisions you will make throughout IPL 2026. The WK slot earns points through batting performances, stumping opportunities, and caught behind dismissals, making it a multi-dimensional fantasy earner that can make or break your team’s total.
Top 5 Fantasy Wicketkeepers for IPL 2026
| Rank | Player | Team | Why Pick Them |
| 1 | Rishabh Pant | LSG | IPL’s most expensive player, explosive batting at any position, captain’s leadership bonus potential |
| 2 | Heinrich Klaasen | SRH | World’s most destructive finisher, massive 6-hitting ability, consistent IPL performer |
| 3 | Sanju Samson | CSK | Explosive opening batter at powerful CSK franchise, high SR above 140, consistent run-scorer |
| 4 | Jos Buttler | GT | T20 legend with world-class strike rate, proven IPL performer, retained for massive Rs figure |
| 5 | KL Rahul | DC | Technically excellent, consistent run-scorer, great for differential captain/VC options in DC matches |
Fantasy Tips for WK Selection:
- Always pick a wicketkeeper who is confirmed as the starting XI — an unused WK earns zero points regardless of their reputation.
- Prioritize wicketkeepers who bat in the top 4 — they face more deliveries and have more opportunities to accumulate batting points and boundaries.
- In home matches, look at pitch and venue stats to identify WKs who tend to perform well at specific grounds — e.g., Klaasen at Hyderabad, Pant at Lucknow.
- Finn Allen (KKR) is an outstanding differential pick for Grand Leagues given his explosive batting potential and relatively lower ownership compared to Pant or Klaasen.
- Dhruv Jurel (RR) is a budget-friendly WK option who can free up budget for premium batters and bowlers in your fantasy XI.
IPL 2026 Wicketkeepers – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Who is the best wicketkeeper in IPL 2026?
Rishabh Pant (LSG), Heinrich Klaasen (SRH), and Jos Buttler (GT) are widely regarded as the three best wicketkeeper-batters in IPL 2026. Pant’s explosive batting and captaincy at LSG, Klaasen’s devastating finishing ability for SRH, and Buttler’s world-class T20 batting for GT make all three exceptional options depending on the matchup
Q2. Who is keeping wickets for CSK in IPL 2026?
Sanju Samson is expected to be the primary wicketkeeper for Chennai Super Kings in IPL 2026, following his high-profile trade from Rajasthan Royals. MS Dhoni, the CSK legend, may play as a finisher or Impact Player but is likely to take a backseat on keeping duties as Samson takes over the gloves full-time.
Q3. Will MS Dhoni keep wickets in IPL 2026?
MS Dhoni’s keeping role in IPL 2026 remains one of the biggest storylines of the season. With Sanju Samson now at CSK as the primary wicketkeeper, Dhoni is expected to primarily play as a finisher or Impact Player in his likely final IPL season. However, there may be specific match situations or home games where Dhoni could take the gloves, and that possibility alone makes IPL 2026 an unmissable watch.
Q4. Who is the wicketkeeper for RCB in IPL 2026?
Jitesh Sharma is the primary wicketkeeper for Royal Challengers Bengaluru in IPL 2026. The dynamic lower-middle-order batter played an important role in RCB’s maiden IPL title triumph in 2025 and returns as the automatic first choice behind the stumps. Phil Salt, while technically a keeper, is expected to play as an opening batter in the field without the gloves.
Q5. Who keeps wickets for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026?
With Sanju Samson traded to CSK, Dhruv Jurel takes over as the primary wicketkeeper for Rajasthan Royals in IPL 2026. The talented India Test-squad keeper is a significant opportunity for a young cricketer who has already demonstrated his quality at the international level.
Q6. Which IPL 2026 wicketkeeper is best for fantasy cricket?
For fantasy cricket, Rishabh Pant (LSG) is the top-rated wicketkeeper option due to his explosive batting, captaincy multiplier potential, and ability to change games single-handedly. Heinrich Klaasen (SRH) and Sanju Samson (CSK) are equally strong picks depending on the fixture. Finn Allen (KKR) is a great differential pick in Grand Leagues.
Q7. Who keeps for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026?
Jos Buttler is the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter for Gujarat Titans in IPL 2026. The England white-ball superstar was retained by GT ahead of the mini-auction and is an automatic selection in their playing XI. Kumar Kushagra and Anuj Rawat serve as backup wicketkeeping options in the GT squad.
Q8. Who is the wicketkeeper for KKR in IPL 2026?
Finn Allen, the explosive New Zealand wicketkeeper-batter, is expected to be the primary keeper for Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2026. Tim Seifert, another New Zealand keeper, provides high-quality backup. Allen’s destructive batting at the top of the order makes him an exciting fantasy pick for KKR matches.
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