IPL 2026: Predicting four semi-finalists in the tournament

IPL 2026 looks set to be a blockbuster, and if form, balance and squad construction count for anything, four sides stand out as the likeliest semi-finalists: Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals. Each franchise has kept or added players that solve clear tactical problems.

Tournaments in India reward squads that can do three things well: (1) get runs in the powerplay, (2) choke scoring in the middle overs with spin or smart seam plans, and (3) finish or defend in the death overs. These four franchises checked all three boxes through either retention strategy or smart auction buys. Teams that rely too heavily on a couple of match-winners, or that lack a clear death-over plan, risk slipping in the knockouts.

1. Mumbai Indians

Mumbai’s strength is straightforward, i.e., they’ve built a deep, experienced unit around a reliable bowling core and multiple finishing options. The franchise spent heavily in retentions and entered the auction with only a small purse left, which shows confidence in the players they already have and in marginal buys to plug holes. 

Jasprit Bumrah’s return to form and a clutch of young Indian cricketers give MI control at the back end, while their batting has multiple options able to rotate the strike and clear the rope in the final five overs — the combination that wins knockout games. That settled balance, plus experience managing tournaments, makes them clear semi-final contenders.

2. Royal Challengers Bengaluru 

RCB’s recruitment strategy has been to keep a championship core and add role players who can be slotted without disrupting combinations. With seasoned match-winners at the top and finishers who can swing the run-rate in the last six overs, RCB pair raw hitting with specialist bowlers who know their jobs. 

Crucially, they’ve focused on building a bench that offers multiple bowling plans — seam options for powerplay and death, and wrist-spin for middle overs — which lets them adapt to different Indian venues. When a team has both a reliable powerplay score and bowlers who can protect a defendable total, it’s hard to keep them out of the last four.

3. Punjab Kings 

Punjab have quietly assembled one of the better teams in the tournament. Their strategy leans on a disciplined pace-unit up front and wrist-spin depth through the middle — exactly the mix that can choke scoring on subcontinental tracks. 

What lifts PBKS from being just bowl-heavy is the presence of aggressive, game-changing batters who can dominate the powerplay and finish with intent. If their top order fires and their bowlers execute plans at the death, PBKS will be in every tight game late on, and that’s essential for reaching semis in a competition where small margins decide outcomes.

4. Delhi Capitals 

Delhi’s recruitment focused on shoring up the top order and adding variety to the bowling attack. The Capitals’ clear aim was to remove early vulnerability by ensuring solid starts and a middle order with players who can both stabilise and accelerate. 

On the bowling side, they bought pace and a few specialist options to manage powerplay overs and close matches. That balanced approach of reliable runs at the top, several bowling combinations to match opponents and depth in finishing roles, gives DC the adaptability needed across Indian venues and makes them strong semi-final contenders.

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