Michael Vaughan made a bold IPL 2026 prediction, backing the five-time champions Mumbai Indians as the clear winner.
IPL 2026 begins in 2 days with RCB facing Sunrisers Hyderabad in Bengaluru. Ahead of the opener, Michael Vaughan made a bold prediction, backing the Mumbai Indians as the only team likely to win the IPL 2026 title.
“Only 1 team winning this year and it’s @mipaltan,” the former cricketer shared in the Stick to Cricket podcast.
Only 1 team wining this year and it’s @mipaltan https://t.co/09qX3TJH6J
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) March 25, 2026
Not MI! Alastair Cook Backs RCB to Win
Meanwhile, in the same podcast, Alastair Cook backed the defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru to win IPL 2026 title.
“I’m going RCB, and they’re going back-to-back. I’m trusting [Andy]Flower,” Cook said.
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Mumbai Indians remain the joint-most successful with 5 titles. Their last championship came in 2020. Last season, they reached the top 4 and beat the Gujarat Titans in the eliminator. However, they then lost to the Punjab Kings in the second qualifier despite scoring 200-plus runs.
IPL has completed 18 seasons so far. In that regard, only 2 teams have successfully defended the title. Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians achieved that record. RCB will now aim to join this list.
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