It is quite shocking that the AI did not put Chennai Super Kings in the top four despite the team being one of the strongest in IPL’s history
The Indian
Premier League (IPL) 2026 is less than two weeks away, and, as in every season, it is impossible to predict which teams and players will perform. Analysts and experts give their opinion, but at the end of the day, no prediction is 100 per cent correct. Given that AI predictions have also become a trend nowadays, we turned to AI and asked which teams will end up in the top four – here are the teams in the hierarchy AI predicted.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB)
Banking on the success of 2025, AI feels Bengaluru has what it needs to finish at the top of the table due to the presence of a good batting depth that includes players such as Rajat Patidar, Virat Kohli, Philip Salt, Jitesh Sharma, Tim David, Krunal Pandya, Jacob Bethell and Venkatesh Iyer. In terms of bowling, RCB’s unit isn’t bad either, with capable wicket takers such as Josh Hazlewood, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Yash Dayal and Suyash Sharma.
Here are the 8 overseas players for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru for IPL 2026! 🌍🏏
— Sportskeeda (@Sportskeeda) March 15, 2026
Only four can make the playing XI — who are you picking? 🤔#RCB #IPL2026 #Cricket #Sportskeeda pic.twitter.com/FIOlG5QY54
The AI further added, “This is a side with power at the top, finishers in the middle and multiple bowling styles for different conditions. Add the fact that RCB are the defending champions and will start the season at home against SRH, and they look built not just for momentum but for consistency across venues. Among all ten teams, they appear to have the fewest structural holes, which is usually the biggest marker of a top-two finish in a long league phase.”
Mumbai Indians
The Mumbai Indians, who finished fourth last year, were put in the second position by AI because AI feels the team has the league’s scariest big-match core. The official squad includes Hardik Pandya, Jasprit Bumrah, Trent Boult, Deepak Chahar, Mitchell Santner, Tilak Varma, Will Jacks and Naman Dhir, giving the team options to deal with new-ball threats and middle-order elasticity. Even in the face of injuries or a dip in form, the team has the ability to fight back.
Experts highlight how vital #RohitSharma’s experience is for #HardikPandya and Mumbai Indians as they gear up for #TATAIPL 2026. 🤩
Watch HIT-MAN return to the field in blue for Mumbai Indians. 💪#TATAIPL 2026 👉 Starts 28 March! pic.twitter.com/PgBISpp7Cj— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 12, 2026
The AI also added, “Wankhede remains one of the clearest home advantages in the tournament, and this squad is almost purpose-built for those conditions, with hitters who can dominate short boundaries and quicks who know how to use bounce and new-ball movement. Their biggest issue in recent seasons has been balance, but on paper, this version looks better stitched together than some previous MI sides. If Hardik’s side stays reasonably fit, Mumbai should have enough match-winners to outlast more volatile teams like SRH, RR and KKR.”
Chennai Super Kings
According to the AI, the team most likely to finish in the top third is the Chennai Super Kings. Under Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad, Chennai is expected to follow a calm, defined style that has traditionally helped it do wonders in the tournament’s history. The team also has a wide batting lineup that includes MS Dhoni, Sanju Samson, Dewald Brevis, Ayush Mhatre, Sarfaraz Khan, Urvil Patel, and Shivam Dube.
🚨 CHENNAI SUPER KINGS LINE-UP LOOKS SO MALICIOUS FOR IPL 2026 🚨
Sanju - Gaikwad Combo big headache for opposition teams 🔥
• Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to play as captain
• Sanju Samson Red hot form in T20 WC
• Ayush Mhatre's hitting abilities in powerplay
• Ruturaj… pic.twitter.com/RX7qPJR291— Kiara (@crickiara) March 16, 2026
In the bowling unit, Chennai has a deep variety of spin and seam from the likes of Khaleel Ahmed, Noor Ahmad, Nathan Ellis, Rahul Chahar, Matt Henry, Akeal Hosein, Mukesh Choudhary and Shreyas Gopal. Overall, Chennai has top-order stability, finishing options, spin, seam and one of the most settled coaching environments in the competition.
Delhi Capitals
🚨DELHI CAPITALS LINE-UP LOOKS DANGEROUS.🚨
- Axar Patel set to return as captain
- Pathum Nissanka red hot form in T20I WC.
- David Miller in red-hot form with his power hitting
- Axar Patel & Auqib dar ready to Give his all-rounder performance.
- karun Nair best in middle… pic.twitter.com/E6Hrfuy1LZ— Sam (@Cricsam01) March 14, 2026
Last but not least, the AI feels the Delhi Capitals will finish fourth in the table and qualify for the IPL 2026 playoffs. Delhi’s squad, which includes KL Rahul, Karun Nair, David Miller, Ben Duckett, Pathum Nissanka, Prithvi Shaw, Abishek Porel, Tristan Stubbs, Mitchell Starc, T. Natarajan, Mukesh Kumar, Dushmantha Chameera, Lungi Ngidi, Kyle Jamieson, Kuldeep Yadav, and several others, is highly underrated. In previous seasons, Delhi has lacked cohesion, but for the upcoming season, the team feels more cohesive: there are options in the top order, the middle order has power, the all-rounders are healthy, and the bowling unit is strong enough to cover multiple phases of a T20 innings.
