Actor Tarun Khanna, known for his powerful roles in mythological dramas like Karm Phal Data Shani, Radha Krishna, Jai Kanhaiya Lal Ki, Devi Adi Parashakti, Katha Vishwas Ke Itihaas Ki, Santoshi Maa, and Param Avtar Shri Krishna, is not just a familiar face on television but also an ardent cricket enthusiast. As the buzz around Indian Premier League 2026 intensifies, the actor shares his candid views on teams, players, and the future of the sport.
Speaking about the possible playoff lineup this season, Tarun offers a confident prediction. “I think the top four teams will be Punjab Kings, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Royal Challengers Bangalore, and either Rajasthan Royals or Gujarat Titans. These five teams look like the ones that will make up the top four,” he says, indicating a tight race among the frontrunners.
When asked about his favourite team this year, he leans towards the Rajasthan Royals. “The way Rajasthan is playing, it’s really interesting. They have two very attacking openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi. Then the rest of the batting lineup and their fast bowlers add to the strength. Overall, I think they’re a very exciting team to watch this season,” he explains.
Tarun is particularly impressed with emerging talent in the league. “Number one on the list of most impressive players for me would be Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, and then Mukul Choudhary. Among the bowlers, I cannot really pick one,” he admits, highlighting the depth of young Indian talent this year.
Backing his belief in youth, he adds, “I would love to see Vaibhav Sooryavanshi in the Indian team right away, at least in the T20 format,” suggesting that impactful performances should be rewarded quickly.
However, the actor doesn’t shy away from critiquing the current state of the game. He voices concern over the imbalance between bat and ball. “I think there should be a proper balance between bat and ball. But right now, the IPL organisers seem hellbent on giving too much of an advantage to the batsmen. There should be more lively pitches where fast bowlers can make an impact, because only then will there be a real contest,” he says. He also questions the ‘impact player’ rule, adding, “It is a game of 11 players, not 12.”
On whether the T20 approach affects players in longer formats, Tarun is clear. “Yes, I think players who have been consistently performing in T20 formats will struggle in Test cricket. We have seen this even with top players like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Test cricket is a game of patience, and it truly tests a player’s skills,” he notes.
Despite the glamour of shorter formats, his heart firmly belongs to Test cricket. “My favourite will always be Test cricket. I have grown up watching legends like Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Akram, Joel Garner, Malcolm Marshall, and Brian Lara. For me, these are real cricketers,” he says with admiration.
Looking ahead, Tarun expresses concern for the future of the longest format. “The future of Test cricket is slightly dicey because players are earning so much money in T20 cricket that they are not as interested in playing Test matches. It feels like a bubble that could burst one day,” he warns.
He concludes with a suggestion for the league itself. “Even the IPL feels too long as a tournament. It should be reduced to around 40 days and not stretched over two or two and a half months. The focus should shift back more towards Test cricket,” he signs off, making a strong case for preserving the traditional essence of the game.
