Who will win IPL 2026? Irfan Pathan predicts

The IPL 2026 is now gradually approaching its final stages. All teams have their sights set on securing a ticket to the playoffs. The three most successful teams in IPL history — CSK, MI, and KKR — are currently positioned in the mid-table, and they need to win three consecutive matches to qualify. Conversely, teams that have won the IPL title once, RCB, RR, SRH, and GT, are currently leading the table. 

However, there are three teams still in search of their maiden title: Punjab Kings, Delhi Capitals, and Lucknow Super Giants. The Punjab Kings were runners-up in the final last year; this season, PBKS is once again delivering a magnificent performance and currently sits in second place on the points table with 13 points. PBKS won 6 of their first 7 matches, while one match ended in a 'no-result'. However, they have faced defeat in their last three matches, as a result of which they have not yet been able to cement their spot in the playoffs.

Nevertheless, former Indian cricketer Irfan Pathan believes that the Punjab Kings could win the IPL 2026 title. According to Pathan, the Punjab Kings are a very strong team. The team is captained by Shreyas Iyer, who is well-versed in handling the pressure of major tournaments and high-stakes matches. The team boasts a formidable batting order featuring batters such as Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Cooper Connolly, Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, and Marcus Stoinis; similarly, their bowling attack is equally robust, featuring star bowlers like Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marco Jansen, and Lockie Ferguson. However, he acknowledged that the team is still missing its second spinner, as Cooper Connolly has not yet been cleared to bowl.

“It can. Punjab has a very good chance. They are playing impactful cricket and have a great combination. If Cooper Connolly starts bowling, which I feel is one piece missing in their bowling puzzle, because they are currently playing with just one spinner, they will be good to go. They have a fantastic Captain, their two openers are in tremendous form, and overall, the bowling unit also has quality,” Pathan said. 

Irfan Pathan also described the Delhi Capitals as a strong and well-balanced team; however, he believes that their momentum was disrupted following their one-run defeat against the Gujarat Titans, causing them to lose their way. Regarding LSG, he remarked that the team still has a significant amount of work to do before they can emerge as a true contenders. In his view, Punjab is a strong contender to win the trophy.

“Delhi also, I feel, is a good team. Things seem to be 50-50 for them right now, but I feel that the match against the Gujarat Titans will sting. It was a close game, and if they had won that, they would have been three in three at that point. Lucknow has a lot of work to do, but my eyes will be on Delhi and Punjab. If I had to pick one, it would be Punjab,” Pathan added. 

At the moment, PBKS is in second position with 13 points after 10 matches. Delhi Capitals is in 7th position with 8 points in 10 matches, while LSH is at the bottom of the table with 4 points in 9 matches. From here, it seems that only the Punjab Kings will be able to qualify for the playoffs. DC's fate is still in their hands, and to get a playoff ticket, they will have to win all their remaining matches. At the same time, LSG's fate is not in their hands now. To reach the playoffs, they will not only have to win all their remaining matches but will also have to pray that the results of other teams go in their favour. If the top 4 teams reach 14+ points, they will be officially eliminated from the LSG playoffs.