IPL 2026 is expected to be another exciting season, and early predictions from players are already creating buzz among fans. Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma recently shared his predictions for the upcoming season, including the likely Orange Cap winner, Purple Cap contender, and the teams that could reach the playoffs.
According to Sharma, Virat Kohli could finish as the highest run-scorer of IPL 2026 and win the Orange Cap.
IPL 2025 Recap and RCB’s New Phase
The IPL 2025 season ended on a historic note for Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The team finally lifted their first IPL trophy after years of waiting. Soon after the title win, the franchise also entered a new phase with a change in ownership.
For the 2026 season, RCB will try to defend their title. The team will be led by Rajat Patidar, who continues as captain. The squad also includes several key players from the championship season along with a few new additions.
Some of the important new signings include Venkatesh Iyer, who earlier served as vice-captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, and young Indian player Mangesh Yadav. These additions strengthen the squad as RCB prepares for another strong campaign.
Orange Cap Prediction for IPL 2026
During a podcast conversation with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, Jitesh Sharma was asked to predict the Orange Cap winner for IPL 2026.
He confidently named Virat Kohli as the most likely player to finish the season as the top run-scorer.
Sharma believes Kohli’s recent form for India in ODI matches against South Africa and New Zealand shows that he is batting extremely well. If that form continues into the IPL, Kohli could dominate the tournament.
Virat Kohli IPL Record Season
Kohli already holds the record for the most runs in a single IPL season.
| Record | Value |
|---|---|
| Season | IPL 2016 |
| Total Runs | 973 |
| Centuries | 4 |
| Matches | 16 |
Sharma even suggested that Kohli could challenge this record again if he maintains his current form throughout IPL 2026.
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Purple Cap Prediction for IPL 2026
When asked about the likely Purple Cap winner, Sharma picked Kolkata Knight Riders spinner Varun Chakravarthy.
Chakravarthy has been one of the most effective spinners in T20 cricket and has delivered strong performances for KKR in several IPL seasons.
Even though his form dipped slightly during the ICC T20 World Cup 2026, Sharma believes Chakravarthy has the skills and experience to bounce back and finish the IPL as the highest wicket-taker.
Jitesh Sharma’s Predicted Top Four Teams
Sharma also shared his predictions for the four teams that could reach the IPL 2026 playoffs.
He included his own team Royal Challengers Bengaluru among the top contenders.
Along with RCB, he believes three other teams could finish in the top four.
| Predicted Playoff Teams | Reason |
|---|---|
| Royal Challengers Bengaluru | Defending champions with strong squad |
| Punjab Kings | Consistent performances last season |
| Mumbai Indians | Experienced squad and strong IPL history |
| Sunrisers Hyderabad | Improving team with new leadership |
According to Sharma, Sunrisers Hyderabad could surprise many teams this season. The team has been improving and now has Ishan Kishan as captain after Pat Cummins’ injury.
What These Predictions Mean for IPL 2026
These early predictions suggest that IPL 2026 could be another highly competitive season.
If Virat Kohli wins the Orange Cap, it would add another major achievement to his IPL career. A strong performance from Varun Chakravarthy could also highlight the importance of spin bowling in the tournament.
The predicted top four teams show a mix of defending champions, traditional IPL powerhouses, and a possible surprise team.
With strong squads and new leadership changes across teams, IPL 2026 promises to deliver thrilling matches and standout performances.
Fans will be watching closely to see whether Jitesh Sharma’s predictions come true, especially the possibility of Virat Kohli chasing another record-breaking season.
CricketMAN2 will continue to bring updates, expert opinions, and match coverage throughout the IPL 2026 season.
