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Amit Mishra names favorites, leaves fans surprised
March 18, 2026: The 19th season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2026) is set to begin on March 28, with excitement building among fans over which teams will make the playoffs. All ten franchises, including Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, and Kolkata Knight Riders, are gearing up for the season. Ahead of the tournament, former cricketer Amit Mishra has shared his predictions, sparking discussions among fans.
Mishra believes that Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, and Sunrisers Hyderabad are strong contenders for the top four. For the fourth spot, he initially picked either Delhi Capitals or Gujarat Titans, but later included Royal Challengers Bengaluru in his list, effectively naming five teams as playoff favorites. His shifting stance, especially regarding RCB, has drawn attention given their recent success.
At the same time, Mishra ruled out six teams from the playoff race, including Chennai Super Kings, Punjab Kings, Rajasthan Royals, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals. Notably, RCB, led by Virat Kohli, will enter IPL 2026 as defending champions after winning their maiden title in 2025. Despite Mishra’s predictions, teams like CSK and Rajasthan Royals are still seen as strong contenders capable of turning the competition in their favor.