With excitement building for the 2026 season Indian Premier Leaguepredictions started pouring in from former cricketers. The final votes include two former England captains — Michael Vaughan and Alastair Cook – have chosen various favorites to lift the coveted trophy. While both acknowledge the league’s competitiveness, their picks reflect conflicting beliefs about experience and momentum.
Michael Vaughan backs the return of the 5-time champions
Vaughan reported Mumbai Indians to restore glory and secure a sixth IPL title. The five-time champions have not won the tournament since 2020 as they beat Delhi Capitals in a dominant final. The former England captain believes Mumbai’s squad depth and winning pedigree make them strong contenders to end their title drought. He noted that despite a few tough seasons, the franchise still has a balanced mix of experienced stars and new talent.
According to Vaughan, Mumbai’s ability to handle the pressure in tight moments could be crucial in the course of the long and demanding tournament. He suggested that teams with a history of success often find ways to bounce back, and MI could be poised for just that in 2026.
“Mumbai Indians are winning this year. They haven’t won in a few (years), but they have an incredible team.” Vaughan said on The Overlap Cricket YouTube channel.
Alastair Cook goes with a star-studded side to repeat history
In contrast, Cook supported Royal Challengers Bengaluru to successfully defend their titles. The Bengaluru-based side enter the season as the defending champions and are aiming to become only the third team in IPL history to win back-to-back titles. Cook expressed his confidence in the team’s leadership and structure, particularly emphasizing the influence of head coach Andy Cicek. He believes that RCB’s recent success has instilled a winning mentality in the team, which can lead them to another successful campaign.
If RCB could win again, he would join the elite list with him Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians – the only teams to have won back-to-back titles before.
Also READ: IPL 2026: Who is Aryaman Birla? Meet the new chairman of RCB
The season opener sets the tone
The 18-year history of the IPL has seen several teams dominate the competition. Apart from Mumbai and Chennai, Kolkata Knight Riders have also established themselves as a successful unit with many titles. However, each new season brings new challenges and surprises, far from predictable. RCB’s recent rise has added a new dimension to the competition, while traditional powerhouses like Mumbai will be keen to regain their dominance. With several teams strengthening their squads, IPL 2026 is expected to be one of the most competitive editions yet.
The tournament will start with an interesting clash between RCB and Sunrisers Hyderabad On March 28 at the famous M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. Meanwhile, Mumbai Indians will begin their campaign against them a day later. Kolkata Knight Riders at the Wankhede Stadium.
Also READ: Pat Cummins reveals when he will be ready to play for SRH in IPL 2026
