The highly anticipated IPL 2026 is set to kick off on 28 March, and all teams have already started their preparation for the biggest cricket league in the world. After the addition of the Impact Player rule, all teams look to maximize the power play, and this makes their opening pair so important in this league. In this article, we are going to see the top 5 opening duos that could dominate the opposition bowlers in the powerplay overs.
Top 5 teams with most dangerous powerplay batting units
MI - Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock
The Mumbai Indians feature one of the strongest powerplay batting units with two of the most experienced and dangerous openers, like Rohit Sharma and Quinton de Kock. Both of them have done tremendous work in the past as well, and in IPL 2026 the duo once again reunites to dominate the opposition in the powerplay. Both are known for their attacking gameplay on the field. Rohit scored the second most runs for MI last year, while De Kock recently came back to international cricket and is in great touch.
RCB - Virat Kohli and Phil Salt
Virat Kohli and Phil Salt's opening duo had been instrumental in the first-ever trophy of RCB in IPL 2025. The Kohli and Salt duo dominated the opposition in the power play last year. Virat scored 657 runs in 15 matches in IPL 2025 with a 144.71 strike rate, while Salt smashed 403 runs with a 175.98 strike rate last year.
RR - Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Suryavanshi, the young left-handed opening duo of the Rajasthan Royals, is one of the scariest duos in the IPL 2026. Both batters love to dominate the opposition in the powerplay with their amazing big-shot hitting abilities. Jaiswal has been a key player for RR in recent years, while 14-year-old Vaibhav announced himself last year with 252 runs in 7 matches with a 206.55 strike rate, including a century and a half-century.
GT - Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan
The Gujarat Titans opening duo, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan, doesn't look like the scary duo that just dominates the bowlers with their power hitting, but more than that, this duo is the best example of consistency. Both are known for their big knocks. The Shubman and Sai duo has also built many big partnerships, involving a 200+ run stand for the first wicket. This duo also completed 100 runs in the IPL last year. Their consistency makes this duo one of the most dangerous pairs this season.
SRH - Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma
Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are arguably the most dangerous opening duo in the Indian Premier League 2026 season. The Sunrisers Hyderabad pair loves to attack from the very first over and has been very successful with this approach over the last two years. Their aggressive style of batting has changed how many teams play during the powerplay, as they try to score as many runs as possible in the first six overs.
