Former India women’s cricketer Anjum Chopra believes Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) have every chance to not only make the playoffs again but also successfully defend their Indian Premier League crown. Drawing inspiration from past dynasties in the league, she argued that the teams that get going early and keep their standards steady are the ones most likely to peak in the business end of the season.
Key takeaways
- Anjum Chopra is confident RCB can defend their IPL title, citing the importance of consistency in reaching the playoffs.
- RCB ended an 18-year wait by winning their first IPL trophy, beating Punjab Kings by six runs in the 2025 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
- She believes a new champion can still emerge this season, while RCB remain a strong contender to repeat.
- Chopra feels RCB look the most well-organised side in the 2026 campaign, with momentum carried over from last season.
- RCB are third in the points table in 2026 with four points and a Net Run Rate of 2.501.
- Punjab Kings have started well too, sitting second with five points after two wins from three matches and one draw.
RCB’s title defence: “consistently plays well”
Chopra made her case for RCB’s chances by pointing to franchises that have managed to lift the IPL more than once. In her view, teams that stay on top of their game from the early stages tend to carry that rhythm forward into playoff contention.
She specifically referenced Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings as examples of how a side can win the tournament and then back it up again. Her argument was that playoff qualification is not about reinventing everything mid-season—it’s about maintaining the level that got the team there initially.
Speaking in an interview, Chopra said RCB can absolutely achieve the same kind of repeat success. She added that once teams qualify for the playoffs, they are essentially starting from the form they left off with, which gives them a realistic pathway to go all the way. She also noted that the league can still produce a different champion, but RCB have the basis to defend their title.
Why Chopra rates RCB highly in 2026
Chopra’s confidence is also rooted in how RCB have looked so far in the 2026 season. She described them as the most structured and organised team at present, stressing that their status as defending champions has helped them build on what worked last year.
In her assessment, RCB have not merely picked up where they stopped previously; they have also appeared more complete and balanced in the current campaign. That combination—continuity plus improvement—is, in her view, a strong indicator of how far they can progress.
At this stage of the 2026 IPL, RCB hold the third spot in the points table. They have collected four points and boast a Net Run Rate of 2.501, reinforcing the idea that their performances are not only winning-based but also margin-friendly.
Punjab Kings in the mix after strong starts
While Chopra’s praise largely centres on RCB, she also highlighted Punjab Kings as a side that is trending upward. She pointed out that PBKS reached the final last season, meaning they already understand the demands of progressing through the knockout phase and what it takes to build from that experience.
Chopra suggested Punjab have the clarity that comes with having played the final before—knowing where the campaign ended and what to adjust for the next run. She also remarked that Punjab have begun the current season in a positive fashion.
PBKS have started the 2026 IPL with two wins from three fixtures, while one match has ended in a draw. As a result, they are placed second in the points table with five points, keeping them firmly in the conversation alongside the leading contenders.
