Jonny Bairstow’s name keeps popping up in every IPL 2026 conversation lately. Franchises are going crazy trying to figure out how to get him. This auction might witness some serious fireworks over him.
He was with Mumbai Indians in 2025 as a replacement player. But where will Bairstow land for IPL 2026? Four teams are already lining up bids behind closed doors.
Jonny Bairstow’s Impressive IPL Numbers
Here’s why everyone wants him so badly. Bairstow has played 52 matches since 2019. He’s piled up 1,674 runs averaging nearly 35. Not bad at all for someone who opens.
His strike rate – around 146. That’s serious hitting power right there. Bairstow’s got 2 tons and 9 fifties under his name already. Once scored 114 in a single knock too.
The guy’s hammered 173 fours and 74 sixes. Plus he’s grabbed 29 catches and pulled off 4 stumpings. Does everything basically.
Money-wise, SRH paid him ₹2.20 crore between 2019-2021. Then KXIP bumped that to ₹6.75 crore from 2022-2024. His price tag keeps going up.
Which Team Wants Jonny Bairstow for IPL 2026?
KKR desperately needs a reliable opening wicketkeeper for the next season. Jonny Bairstow fits their requirements perfectly. They’ll bid aggressively for him surely.
DC wants an explosive top-order hitter badly too. Their batting lineup needs firepower at the top. Bairstow solves that problem instantly for them.
CSK and RCB are also watching Bairstow closely apparently. Both franchises appreciate experienced overseas players like him. His leadership qualities add extra value.
The auction could see KKR and DC battling each other hard. Both teams have strong reasons to chase Bairstow for IPL 2026. Expect the bidding to cross ₹10 crore easily.
What’s Next for Bairstow?
England dropped Bairstow from all formats recently. That hurt his confidence initially. But selectors still believe he’ll return to form eventually.
His last IPL match was in June 2025 against PBKS. Bairstow scored 38 runs off just 24 balls then. He looked in decent touch that day.
IPL 2026 gives him a platform to prove doubters wrong. Whichever franchise grabs him gets a proven match-winner.
