Irfan Pathan Backs Punjab Kings To Win Maiden IPL 2026 Title

Irfan Pathan named Punjab Kings as his top pick to win IPL 2026, citing their strong squad balance and leadership under Shreyas Iyer.

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan has backed Punjab Kings to clinch their maiden Indian Premier League title in the 2026 season. With the franchise yet to win the trophy alongside Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, Pathan believes Punjab are best placed to break the drought this year.

He highlighted the team’s balance and consistency, pointing out their strong performances throughout the ongoing season. According to Pathan, the presence of a stable core and impactful players has made Punjab one of the most dangerous sides in the competition.

Shreyas Iyer’s Captaincy And Team Balance Impress

Pathan reserved special praise for skipper Shreyas Iyer, under whose leadership Punjab Kings have emerged as a dominant force. He also emphasised the form of their opening pair and the overall depth in the squad.

“It can, Punjab has a very good chance. They are playing impactful cricket and have a great combination. If Cooper Connolly starts bowling, which I feel is one piece missing in their bowling puzzle, because they are currently playing with just one spinner, they will be good to go. They have a fantastic Captain, their two openers are in tremendous form, and overall, the bowling unit also has quality,” Pathan said, speaking to JioStar.

Despite their strengths, Pathan noted that the team could benefit from an additional spinning option, with Cooper Connolly yet to contribute with the ball due to a back issue.

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Delhi Capitals And LSG Face Tough Road Ahead

While discussing other teams, Pathan mentioned that Delhi Capitals remain competitive but have struggled with momentum. Their narrow defeat to Gujarat Titans was highlighted as a key setback in their campaign.

“Delhi also, I feel, is a good team. Things seem to be 50-50 for them right now, but I feel that match against Gujarat Titans will sting. It was a close game, and if they had won that, they would have been three in three at that point. Lucknow has a lot of work to do, but my eyes will be on Delhi and Punjab. If I had to pick one, it would be Punjab,” Pathan added.

Meanwhile, Lucknow Super Giants continue to struggle at the bottom of the table, with inconsistent performances derailing their season.

Punjab Kings Lead The Standings

Punjab Kings currently sit at the top of the IPL 2026 points table with 13 points from nine matches, showcasing remarkable consistency. In contrast, Delhi Capitals are placed seventh with eight points from ten games, while Lucknow Super Giants remain at the bottom with just four points from nine outings.

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With momentum on their side and strong backing from experts like Irfan Pathan, Punjab Kings appear well-positioned to not only qualify for the playoffs but also mount a serious challenge for their first-ever IPL title.