Kevin Pietersen Predicts IPL 2026 Top 4 — RCB Snubbed!
The Big Call
Former England captain Kevin Pietersen has made his early IPL 2026 playoff predictions — and defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru are NOT in his Top 4.
After just one round of matches, Pietersen picked Mumbai Indians, Delhi Capitals, Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings to make the playoffs.
Why Not RCB?
Pietersen's concerns about RCB:
- Middle order form — Not convincing after the first match
- Bowling depth — "Bowlers win you championships"
- Josh Hazlewood's fitness — Ruled out of opener, availability uncertain
Despite winning IPL 2025, Pietersen believes RCB lack the bowling firepower to defend their title.
Pietersen's Top 4 Picks
| Team | Why? |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Indians (MI) | Strong squad depth, Rohit Sharma's experience |
| Delhi Capitals (DC) | Exciting young talent, Axar Patel's all-round ability |
| Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Sanju Samson leading, strong overseas contingent |
| Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Shreyas Iyer's captaincy, top of table after 2 matches |
Notable Omissions
Besides RCB, Pietersen also excluded:
- Chennai Super Kings (CSK) — Injury concerns, aging squad
- Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) — Inconsistent form
- Gujarat Titans (GT) — Despite Cameron Green signing
Our Verdict
It's very early to rule out RCB — they ARE the defending champions and have Virat Kohli. But Pietersen raises valid points about their bowling. With Hazlewood injured and Pat Cummins at SRH, their pace attack looks thin.
Meanwhile, PBKS are making a strong case early on with back-to-back wins.