Angkrish Raghuvanshi's powerplay SR of 152 against pace across 125 balls sits 18 points above the 134 average. The problem is everything else. His SRae of -11 means he strikes 11 points below expected across all phases, a significant drag on KKR's scoring rate.

The model slots Raghuvanshi at number 5 in the optimal XII. His natural best role is Top Order #3, but the presence of Rahane and Tripathi pushes him down. At 21 career matches, he is the youngest and least experienced batter in the XII.

Phase Breakdown

The middle-overs SR of 128 against pace across 60 balls sits 9 points below the 137 average. Against spin in the same phase, his sample is limited but the numbers are similarly underwhelming.

The death-overs SR of 138 across 32 balls is 21 below the 159 average. For a number 5 batter expected to provide late-innings acceleration, that is a concern.

Why He is in the XII

Raghuvanshi's inclusion is a bet on potential. His batting WAR of 0.17 per match and regressed WAR of 0.16 are modest. The projected 2026 WAR of 0.18 shows the model expects slight improvement.

At 21 matches, his 390 ball batting sample is small. The IPL confidence of 0.63 reflects that uncertainty. There is room for the numbers to improve significantly as he gains experience, but there is also risk they do not.

He scored 300 runs in 11 innings at 140 SR in IPL 2025, averaging 27 per outing with 1 fifty.

One notable pattern: 100% of his dismissals were caught (9 of 9). That aerial game needs adjustment.

What This Means for IPL 2026

Raghuvanshi is a development pick in a contending lineup. His powerplay numbers show genuine talent against pace. If his middle-overs and death-overs production improves even modestly, from 128 and 138 toward league average, his overall value jumps significantly. As a domestic player, he provides roster flexibility without costing an overseas slot.