IPL 2026 Ranking Best Overseas Players Core of All 10 Teams
With the Mumbai Indians, the clear outlier, here’s the ranking and rating of all 10 teams with respect to their best Overseas players for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
Year-on-year, the Indian Premier League witnesses some of the superstar Overseas players across the globe, and the year 2026 seems no different. Right from the likes of Jos Buttler and Phil Salt from England, to Travis Head and Camero Green from Australia, to Nicholas Pooran and Sunil Narine from the West Indies, to Heinrich Klaasen and Dewald Brevis from South Africa, and many more, the list of quality Overseas players in the tournament is never-ending.
This shows the tournament is filled with some of the amazing global talent in the league, which makes this league truly global. Each team has 7-8 Overseas players in the team, and among these players, four are usually their best buys as they form a part of the playing 11 core, and the others are usually backups. With such talent in the league, it brings to a very important question: which team has the best Overseas contingent in the Indian Premier League?
Well, it is a very interesting question. So, to arrive at the ranking and rating, we take a look at the cumulative rating of the top 4 Overseas players for each, and 3-4 Backups in the team. The rating is an aggregate where the top 4 Overseas players is given a higher rating, and the Backups are given slightly lesser weightage. So, with the final cumulative rating out of 10, each team is ranked 1-10 with respect to their Overseas player for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.
IPL 2026 Ranking All 10 Teams Best Overseas Players
#10: Punjab Kings (PBKS) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Marco Jansen
- Marcus Stoinis
- Azmatullah Omarzai
- Lockie Ferguson
- Michell Owen
- Cooper Connolly
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Xavier Bartlett
At number 10, we have the Punjab Kings Overseas contingent, with a rating of 8.67/10. If 10th ranked team has a rating of 8.67, one can say the competition is too tough for Overseas players. This also shows almost every team in the competition has quality Overseas players, with only thin margins separating them. Overall, PBKS have an all-round bunch of Overseas players like Jansen, Stoinis, Omarzai, Ferguson, etc., but none of them is extraordinary. They are good in their respective job, and as a team, they add tremendous value.
#9: Gujarat Titans (GT) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Jos Buttler
- Glenn Phillips
- Kagiso Rabada
- Rashid Khan
- Tom Banton
- Jason Holder
- Luke Wood
At number 9, we have the Gujarat Titans overseas contingent, rated 8.74, which once again highlights how narrow the margins are between teams in IPL 2026. GT boast a high-quality first-choice overseas core featuring elite match-winners like Jos Buttler, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, and Glenn Phillips, covering batting, spin, and fast-bowling departments comprehensively. The backup overseas options – Tom Banton, Jason Holder, and Luke Wood provide flexibility and role-based depth, but do not significantly elevate the ceiling of the squad.
#8: Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Matheesha Pathirana
- Tim Seifert
- Cameron Green
- Sunil Narine
- Rovman Powell
- Finn Allen
- Rachin Ravindra
At number 8, we have the Kolkata Knight Riders overseas contingent with a rating of 8.76, reflecting a strong but slightly unbalanced overseas combination. KKR’s first-choice overseas core features proven IPL match-winners like Sunil Narine, Cameron Green, and death-over specialist Matheesha Pathirana, who effectively cover all-round and bowling responsibilities. Whereas Tim Seifert adds wicketkeeping skill to the team. The backup overseas options – Rovman Powell, Finn Allen, and Rachin Ravindra provide explosive batting depth and situational cover, but overlap in skill sets limit tactical flexibility.
#7: Delhi Capitals (DC) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- David Miller
- Pathum Nissanka
- Mitchell Starc
- Tristan Stubbs
- Ben Duckett
- Dushmantha Chameera
- Kyle Jamieson
- Lungi Ngidi
For number 7, we have the Delhi Capitals overseas contingent with a rating of 8.81, reflecting a decent overseas core with clear role clarity in their first-choice players. DC’s first-choice overseas players include proven match-winners like Mitchell Starc, David Miller, Tristan Stubbs, and Pathum Nissanka, covering power-hitting, pace bowling, and top-order stability. The backup overseas options – Ben Duckett, Dushmantha Chameera, Kyle Jamieson, and Lungi Ngidi provide strong depth, particularly in the fast-bowling department; however, there is some lack of quality when we see the competition.
#6: Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Travis Head
- Pat Cummins
- Heinrich Klaasen
- Liam Livingstone
- Brydon Carse
- Jack Edwards
- Kamindu Mendis
- Ehsan Malinga
At number 6, we have the Sunrisers Hyderabad overseas contingent with a rating of 8.86, highlighting a powerful and well-balanced group of international match-winners. SRH’s first-choice overseas core is headlined by destructive opener Travis Head, captain and pace spearhead Pat Cummins, wicketkeeper-finisher Heinrich Klaasen, and all-round enforcer Liam Livingstone, covering batting, leadership, power-hitting, and fast bowling comprehensively. The backup overseas options – Brydon Carse, Jack Edwards, Kamindu Mendis, and Ehsan Malinga provide depth across pace-bowling and all-round roles, though they aren’t the most encouraging names out there.
#5: Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Dewald Brevis
- Matthew Short
- Noor Ahmad
- Nathan Ellis
- Matt Henry
- Jamie Overton
- Zak Foulkes
- Akeal Hosein
Number 5 belongs to the Chennai Super Kings overseas contingent, which has a rating of 8.88, again reflecting a thin margin separation with other teams. The CSK Overseas contingent is well-balanced, and has a mix of youth, versatility, and bowling depth. CSK’s first-choice overseas core features dynamic batter Dewald Brevis, spin sensation Noor Ahmad, and reliable pace options Matt Henry and Nathan Ellis, covering key impact roles across phases. The backup overseas options – Matthew Short, Jamie Overton, Zak Foulkes, and Akeal Hosein add strong all-round and bowling depth, giving CSK multiple tactical combinations depending on conditions.
#4: Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Aiden Markram
- Wanindu Hasaranga
- Mitchell Marsh
- Nicholas Pooran
- Josh Inglis
- Anrich Nortje
- Matthew Breetzke
At number 4, we have the Lucknow Super Giants overseas contingent, rated 8.89. The LSG team has a high-impact and well-balanced group of international stars, and is built around proven match-winners like Nicholas Pooran, Mitchell Marsh, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Aiden Markram, covering explosive batting, all-round balance, and spin depth. The backup overseas options – Josh Inglis, Anrich Nortje, and Matthew Breetzke further strengthen the squad with wicketkeeping cover, express pace, and top-order stability. Overall, LSG is the only team that can play all 4 Overseas batters together – a thing that has never been seen in the IPL before.
#3: Rajasthan Royals (RR) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Jofra Archer
- Shimron Hetmyer
- Donovan Ferreira
- Sam Curran
- Lhuan de Pretorius
- Adam Milne
- Kwena Maphaka
- Nandre Burger
At number 3, we have the Rajasthan Royals overseas contingent, with a rating of 8.99. This reflects an explosive and pace-heavy overseas combination with significant match-winning upside. RR’s first-choice overseas core is led by elite fast bowler Jofra Archer, complemented by destructive batter Shimron Hetmyer and versatile all-rounder Sam Curran, covering power-hitting, death bowling, and all-phase impact. Donovan Ferreira adds flexibility with finishing skills to the team. The backup group – Lhuan de Pretorius, Adam Milne, Kwena Maphaka, and Nandre Burger ensures depth in both areas.
#2: Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Tim David
- Josh Hazlewood
- Romario Shepherd
- Phil Salt
- Jordan Cox
- Jacob Bethell
- Jacob Duffy
- Nuwan Thushara
Moving to the top 2, we have the Royal Challengers Bengaluru overseas contingent, with a rating of 9.01, showcasing an explosive and role-defined group of international players. RCB’s first-choice overseas core is led by power-hitter Tim David, strike bowler Josh Hazlewood, seam-bowling all-rounder Romario Shepherd, and aggressive wicketkeeper-opener Phil Salt, covering finishing, pace, and top-order firepower. The backup overseas options – Jordan Cox, Jacob Bethell, Jacob Duffy, and Nuwan Thushara add strong depth across wicketkeeping, all-round roles, and varied pace profiles, thus giving RCB enough to explore in case of injuries.
#1: Mumbai Indians (MI) Overseas Players Ranking for IPL 2026
- Will Jacks
- Mitchell Santner
- Trent Boult
- Quinton de Kock
- Ryan Rickelton
- Corbin Bosch
- Sherfane Rutherford
- Allah Ghazanfar
Topping the list at number 1, we have the Mumbai Indians overseas contingent, with a solid rating of 9.06, making them the strongest overseas combination in IPL 2026. MI’s first-choice overseas core features elite, role-defining players like dynamic all-rounder Will Jacks, experienced left-arm spinner Mitchell Santner, world-class swing bowler Trent Boult, and proven wicketkeeper-opener Quinton de Kock, covering all key impact roles. The MI team also has like-for-like backups like Ryan Rickelton for de Kock, Corbin Bosch for Trent Boult, Sherfane Rutherford for Will Jacks, and Allah Ghazanfar for Santner, giving MI plenty to explore, even for any misses.
So, that’s about the best Overseas players ranking of all 10 teams for IPL 2026. Thanks for reading! Among all 10 teams, which team has the best Overseas contingent for IPL 2026? Please email your thoughts to business@cricalytics.com, or in the comments section below.
