Mumbai: The 19th season of the IPL has kicked off, with all ten teams having completed their opening matches. After observing the first round of games, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen has predicted the four teams that could enter the IPL 2026 playoffs.

Pietersen, a former mentor for Delhi Capitals, believes that Mumbai Indians (MI), Delhi Capitals (DC), Rajasthan Royals (RR), and Punjab Kings (PBKS) are likely to face each other in the playoffs. However, he noted that unexpected player injuries could alter these rankings.

"After watching the first round of games this IPL season, as it stands, just by observations, this could be the top 4. Mumbai, Delhi, RR, Punjab. This can all change with injuries etc," Pietersen wrote in a post on X.

Notably, his list does not include the defending champions, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Although RCB secured a massive win against Hyderabad in their opening match, Pietersen—a former RCB player himself—omitted them from his top four.

Explaining his reasoning on X, he wrote: "About RCB, I have concerns regarding their middle overs, spinners, and Hazlewood's fitness. Remember – bowlers win you championships."

After witnessing both RCB and Mumbai Indians comfortably chase down scores exceeding 200, Pietersen feels that no target is safe this season. According to him, the toss will play a crucial role in the outcome of the matches.