Former India and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) opener Aakash Chopra makes multiple bold predictions ahead of the IPL 2026 season, which is scheduled to start from March 28.
For the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League, all of the franchises have made some reinforcements in their respective squads. It is assumed that the IPL 2026 season is going to be very competitive with multiple uncapped cricketers.
All the investments KKR has made can go in vain in the IPL 2026 season
KKR, the four-time IPL winners, is one of the few franchises that invested heavily in the mini auction. In the IPL 2025 season, they went to play the league as the defending champions, but failed to qualify for the play-offs. KKR finished 3rd from the bottom of the points table in the 2025 campaign.
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After the setback, the franchise went for a complete makeover. Keeping only a limited number of players intact as the core of the squad, KKR roped in multiple new names, including Australian all-rounder Cameron Green. Aakash Chopra, who played for Kolkata Knight Riders in the past, predicted that his former team will not qualify for the top four in the IPL 2026 season.
Aakash Chopra predicted the possible top 4 teams in the IPL 2026 season
Speaking on CREX, Chopra predicted the top 4 teams for the upcoming season. According to the former cricketer-turned cricket expert, Royal Challenger Bengaluru (RCB), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC), and Mumbai Indians (MI) can be the top four teams in the 2026 Indian Premier League.
Chopra felt that the league could get a new champion this season. He takes a bet on Delhi Capitals, the team that started the previous season in a promising way under the leadership of Axar Patel, but failed to qualify for the play-offs. Delhi finished as the 5th team in the points table with 7 wins in 14 matches. They dropped multiple crucial points in their last 5 group stage matches.
“Whoever plays well. I don’t know, a new winner I am thinking may be Delhi (Capitals),” Chopra said.
Presenting the RAPID FIRE ROUND with Aakash Chopra ft. IPL 2026#SanjuSamson #IPL2026 #RCBvsSRH #CricketMatlabCREX pic.twitter.com/6WqOisdUM1
— CREX (@Crex_live) March 15, 2026
Who will win the Orange Cap and the Purple Cap? Chopra opined in advance
In the rapid-fire round, the former cricketer and commentator predicted the top individual awards as well. According to him, Jasprit Bumrah can be the highest wicket-taker, while Sanju Samson can claim the orange cap as the highest run scorer. Bumrah is all set to play for the Mumbai Indians, and Samson will play for the Chennai Super Kings after being traded away from the Rajasthan Royals.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is likely to carry on his swashbuckling batting to claim the best emerging player award, Aakash Chopra predicted.
For the opening match of the IPL 2026 season, RCB will face Sunrisers Hyderabad (RCB vs SRH) on March 28 at the M. Chinnaswami Stadium. For the first time in the history of the league, RCB will perform as the defending champions.
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