IPL 2026: Kevin Pietersen makes his early playoff predictions; overlooks RCB

Former England batter Kevin Pietersen has made an early prediction for the top four teams to qualify for the playoffs come the end of the league stage of the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL). This comes after all 10 teams have played at least one game this season.

Pietersen has backed the Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) to qualify for the final four stage.

The four sides predicted by Pietersen have all gone on to win their opening game of the new season, with MI and RR emphatically winning their respective games. 

“Having watched the first round of matches in the IPL this season, as it stands, just on observations, this could be the top 4. MI, DC, RR, PUNJAB. This can all change with injuries etc, but that’s how I see it atm.”

One of the biggest exclusions in Pietersen’s prediction is leaving out defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). The Rajat Patidar-led side beat the Sunrisers Hyderabad by six wickets after chasing down 202 with more than four overs to go. This was mainly down to Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal’s excellence with the bat. 

Pietersen, however, does not include RCB in his prediction due to them not having the best bowling attack this season. Last year’s talisman, Josh Hazlewood, who took 22 wickets for the Bengaluru-based outfit, is still not fully fit to feature for the defending champions.

“My concern with RCB is their middle overs and spinners. And Hazlewood’s fitness. Remember - bowlers win you championships.”

Pietersen has also left out two multiple title-winners in the form of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The latter have now gone on to lose their opening two matches of the 2026 season, after suffering a heavy 65-run defeat at the hands of SRH at the Eden Gardens on Thursday, April 2.

CSK, on the other hand, lost to RR in their opening game by eight wickets, after bundling out for just 127.