IPL 2026: 5 players who bounced back after a poor 2025 season

The recently concluded IPL 2026 season treated fans to some of the finest redemption stories in the tournament's history. A few individuals, who looked entirely out of rhythm and struggled for form during a disappointing 2025 campaign, completely turned the tables this year. 

After a tough season, these cricketers emerged as the biggest match-winners for their respective franchises in this season of IPL. Let’s take a look at 5 players who brilliantly silenced their critics and made a roaring comeback in IPL 2026.

5 players who bounced back after poor 2025 season:

Anshul Kamboj 

The Chennai Super Kings pacer Anshul Kamboj had a good IPL 2026 season for them, picking up 21 wickets, with a bowling average of 25.24. He was one of CSK’s main bowlers in the 2026 season, and bowled some tough overs for them. In contrast to this, he had a relatively poor season in IPL 2025, where he picked up just eight wickets in as many matches. 

Venkatesh Iyer 

The dashing left-hander from Madhya Pradesh, Venkatesh Iyer had a stellar IPL 2026 for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), and played an important role in their successful title defence. Iyer had a disastrous IPL 2025 with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring just 142 runs in 11 innings.

He was eventually released by the three-time champions. RCB picked him up in IPL 2026 auction, and was used as an impact sub in the second half of the season. He scored 209 runs in just seven innings at a strike rate of 186.61. It was a great comeback after the disappointment of 2025. 

Rashid Khan 

The spin wizard from Afghanistan, Rashid Khan once again showed why he is regarded as one of the best bowlers in T20 cricket. He had a disappointing IPL 2025 for Gujarat Titans, managing to pick up just nine wickets in 15 matches at a poor economy rate of 9.35.

Even in 2024, Rashid had taken just 10 wickets. There were whispers that his magic was fading, but the champion bowler came back strongly in the 2025 season, helping GT reach the final of the tournament. He ended the season with 21 wickets in 17 matches. 

Ishan Kishan 

Ishan Kishan had one of the greatest comebacks in 2026, be it for the Indian team in T20 World Cup 2026 or for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2026. The left-hander, despite hitting a century on his SRH debut, had a poor IPL 2025, scoring just 354 runs in 14 matches.

But he roared back strongly in this year’s IPL, where he smashed 602 runs in 15 matches, including six fifty-plus scores. He also led them in the first few games in Pat Cummins’ absence. 

Jofra Archer 

The English pacer Jofra Archer was breathing fire in IPL 2026 for Rajasthan Royals, especially with the new ball. He picked up 25 wickets in 2026 at a stunning strike rate of 14.40. He was deadly in the powerplay overs, and in the death overs as well. Archer was one of the main reasons for RR’s successful campaign in 2026.

In 2025 however, he was not at all at his best with the ball, picking up just 11 wickets in 12 matches at an economy rate of 9.47.