Former Indian cricketer and commentator Aakash Chopra recently shared his list of the best Indian batters against spin in IPL 2026. His selections created discussion among fans because the list does not include two big names of Indian cricket, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Instead, Chopra highlighted five players who he believes are currently the most effective against spin bowling in the IPL.
Aakash Chopra’s Top 5 Indian Batters vs Spin in IPL 2026
| Rank | Batter | IPL Team | Strength Against Spin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shreyas Iyer | Punjab Kings | Strong footwork and excellent control against spinners |
| 2 | Shivam Dube | Chennai Super Kings | Known for powerful hitting against spin bowling |
| 3 | Suryakumar Yadav | Mumbai Indians | Skilled at placing the ball and using spin to his advantage |
| 4 | Rajat Patidar | Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Consistent performer with strong strike rate against spinners |
| 5 | Abhishek Sharma | Sunrisers Hyderabad | Aggressive opener with high scoring rate against spin |
Why These Batters Stand Out Against Spin
Shreyas Iyer
Shreyas Iyer is widely considered one of the best players of spin in Indian cricket. His footwork and ability to rotate strike make him very effective in the middle overs. In T20 cricket, he averages over 43 against spin with a strike rate close to 140.
Shivam Dube
Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Shivam Dube is known for attacking spin bowlers. He uses his strength and timing to hit big shots, especially against left-arm and off-spin bowling.
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Suryakumar Yadav
Suryakumar Yadav has the ability to play shots all around the field. His wrist work allows him to guide the ball into gaps and score quickly even against quality spin attacks.
Rajat Patidar
Royal Challengers Bengaluru batter Rajat Patidar has been very impressive against spin bowling. He averages around 45 against spinners with a strike rate above 168. In the current season, he has also shown strong form with a very high strike rate in early matches.
Abhishek Sharma
Sunrisers Hyderabad opener Abhishek Sharma has become a dangerous batter against spin. He attacks bowlers early and uses the leg side effectively. His average against spin is around 42 with a strike rate of about 184.60.
Spin Bowling Remains Important in IPL 2026
Spin bowling continues to play a major role in IPL matches, especially on pitches in the Indian subcontinent where the ball can grip and turn.
Several spinners have performed well in the tournament so far.
| Spinner | IPL Team | Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Ravi Bishnoi | Lucknow Super Giants | Currently leading the Purple Cap race |
| Yuzvendra Chahal | Punjab Kings | Among the top wicket-takers |
| Sunil Narine | Kolkata Knight Riders | Continues to trouble batters with his variations |
Because spin plays such a big role in the IPL, batters who can score freely against spinners often become very valuable for their teams.
One of the biggest talking points from Chopra’s list is the absence of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
Both players have long been among the top performers in the IPL. However, Chopra’s list focuses specifically on batting ability against spin bowling rather than overall runs or reputation.
His selections highlight players who currently handle spin effectively and score quickly during the middle overs.
