Team India out-and-out cricketer Hanuma Vihari revealed his predicted top four teams for the IPL 2026 playoffs as the tournament reached a crucial mid-stage. The Andhra-born cricketer excluded Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Rajasthan Royals (RR) from his top four prediction in the ongoing tournament.
IPL 2026 has entered an important phase and 46 out of 70 league matches have already been completed. The top of the table is extremely competitive. One team leads with 13 points, while four others in the top five have 12 points. This has created a narrow margin where a single win or loss can change the situation instantly.
Meanwhile, the teams outside the top spots are still in the competition but facing increasing pressure. With limited matches left, there is very little margin for error. Only the top four teams at the end of the league stage will qualify for the playoffs.
Hanuma Vihari predicts top 4 for IPL 2026 playoffs; Sunrisers Hyderabad eliminated
On May 4, Hanuma Vihari shared his playoff picks for IPL 2026 through his official X (formerly known as Twitter) account. He favored Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) to qualify but picked Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) for the remaining two spots.
my top 4
PBKS
rcb
Chennai Super Kings
GT– Hanuma Vihari (@Hanumavihari) 4 May 2026
Currently, Punjab Kings, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals occupy the top four positions in the points table, while the rest of the teams are still mathematically in contention.
The commentator ignored Sunrisers Hyderabad and Rajasthan Royals, who are currently in the top four, but backed Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans to clinch playoff qualification.
Punjab Kings lead IPL 2026 standings as RCB trail in the playoff race
Punjab Kings have maintained their dominance in IPL 2026 so far, losing only a few matches and remain on top of the points table with 13 points. Their consistent performances have kept them ahead of the group, even as the competition got tougher in the middle stages of the season.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru are in second place with six wins and 12 points from their first nine matches. The defending champions have maintained strong form and remain one of the most balanced teams, and continue their pursuit of another playoff finish.
Both Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore were among the top teams last season. They met in the final, where RCB won their first IPL title. Only the top four teams in the final standings will qualify for the playoffs.
Chennai Super Kings are struggling in the opening round while Gujarat Titans remain in the playoff race
Chennai Super Kings faced a poor start in IPL 2026 and lost their first three matches in a row. The five-time champions are currently placed sixth in the points table with four wins from nine matches. He has eight runs and a net run rate of +0.005.
Despite slow starts, Chennai Super Kings have a history of bouncing back from difficult situations. The team has recovered from frequent early setbacks last season and remains a serious contender if they maintain consistency in the upcoming games.
On the other hand, Gujarat Titans have moved to fifth position in the table after winning three consecutive matches. They have the same points as Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad, but are behind them due to a lower net run rate.
The Titans have shown good balance with both bat and ball, which has kept them in the competition. If they maintain this form in the remaining matches, Gujarat Titans are in a good position to make the top four and qualify for the playoffs.
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