The IPL 2026 is up and running as the first week of the competition has already witnessed some exciting action.
Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Capitals - all have won their first two group stage matches while the likes of Kolkata Knight Riders, Chennai Super Kings have started with consecutive defeats. Defending Champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru also started their defense in an excellent fashion.
Experts on Star Sports and JioHotstar, including Faf du Plessis, Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, Aakash Chopra, Cheteshwar Pujara, Mohammad Kaif, Hanuma Vihari, Piyush Chawla, Saba Karim, Sanjay Bangar, and Lakshmipathy Balaji, shared their takes on the TATA IPL 2026 playoff teams.
Mumbai Indians topped the charts as the clear frontrunner,
with nearly every pundit backing the five-time champions. Last season's finalists, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), also garnered solid support.
Mumbai Indians dominated JioStar experts' IPL 2026 playoff predictions on Star Sports/JioHotstar, picked by 10 of 11 pundits as the five-time champions' form endures. Last year's finalists RCB and PBKS earned strong nods too-RCB by 6, PBKS by 7 - hinting at sustained momentum.
Delhi Capitals surged as the surprise darling, backed by 7 experts, fueled by Axar Patel's leadership. SRH got 3 shouts, while CSK (4 picks) and MI's rivals like RR, GT, and KKR scattered support.
IPL 2026 Playoffs Predictions from All Experts
Faf du Plessis: MI, RCB, PBKS, and one of DC or CSK.
Irfan Pathan: MI, DC, PBKS, RR.
Harbhajan Singh: MI, SRH, PBKS (three picks).
Aakash Chopra: MI, DC, RCB, PBKS.
Cheteshwar Pujara: GT, CSK, MI, KKR.
Mohammad Kaif: PBKS, MI, DC, RCB.
Hanuma Vihari: SRH, DC, PBKS, MI.
Piyush Chawla: MI, PBKS, KKR, RCB.
Saba Karim: RCB, MI, DC, CSK.
Sanjay Bangar: MI, RCB, PBKS, DC.
Lakshmipathy Balaji: CSK, MI, RCB, SRH.
