The IPL 2026 playoff race has entered a fascinating phase, with every result now carrying major implications. Following Kolkata Knight Riders’ commanding eight-wicket win over Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday, former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shared his predictions for the four teams most likely to qualify for the playoffs. Despite KKR’s impressive turnaround after a disastrous start to the season, Ashwin believes the defending champions still face an uphill task in reaching the knockout stage.

Kolkata revived their campaign with four consecutive wins, including a dominant chase against Delhi, powered by Finn Allen’s stunning unbeaten century. However, Ashwin feels their slow start may ultimately prove costly. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ravichandran Ashwin admitted that while KKR remain dangerous, Delhi Capitals now appear unlikely to make the playoffs.

“The concept is that every team still has a chance, but Delhi Capitals don’t look like they’ll get there. KKR have made a fantastic comeback and reaching nine points after where they were is a phenomenal achievement. That is exactly why they are a three-time champion side,” Ravichandran Ashwin said.

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At the same time, the veteran spinner warned rival teams against taking KKR lightly if they somehow sneak into the top four. “I still feel KKR may fall short, but if they qualify, they will become extremely dangerous. Momentum matters a lot at this stage of the tournament,” he added.

Ashwin also named Sunrisers Hyderabad and Royal Challengers Bengaluru as his favourites to finish in the top two positions. According to him, both franchises have looked the most balanced and consistent sides in IPL 2026.

“SRH and RCB are almost confirmed for me. They have covered all bases and look settled heading into the final phase of the season,” Ravichandran Ashwin explained.

The former India off-spinner predicted that two teams among the Gujarat Titans, Rajasthan Royals, and Punjab Kings would likely join SRH and RCB in the playoffs. However, he refused to completely rule out the Chennai Super Kings despite their difficult campaign.

“If CSK want to qualify, they must win all four remaining matches. If they beat Lucknow Super Giants in the next two games, they can still make a late push and even go deep into the tournament,” he said. Ravichandran Ashwin also analysed Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s recent defeat to Lucknow Super Giants, suggesting that the long mid-season break affected their rhythm. RCB returned to action after an extended gap and suffered a narrow loss despite fighting hard in the chase.

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“When teams return after a break, it takes time to regain tempo. RCB were still very close against LSG and only lost by a small margin,” Ravichandran Ashwin observed. He further praised the squad depth and balance within the RCB setup, backing Rajat Patidar’s side to recover quickly and seal a playoff berth comfortably. “They have multiple options in both batting and bowling. RCB won’t disturb their stability too much because they already have a strong squad. On their day, they can beat any team in the tournament,” Ashwin concluded.