"Punjab will win the final": Virender Sehwag's bold prediction for PBKS after KKR game washout in IPL 2026
Published - 07 Apr 2026, 01:55 PM | Updated - 07 Apr 2026, 02:02 PM
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Punjab Kings (PBKS) have shocked everyone with one of the biggest transformations in recent Indian Premier League (IPL) history. They were once kept slipping near the bottom of the points table, but this team has now turned into a powerful, confident, and well-balanced unit.
Under Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy and Ricky Ponting’s strong leadership, the Punjab Kings have now become one of the most fearless and dangerous teams in the IPL. Their rise started in 2025 when PBKS finally found the right combination and marched into their second-ever IPL final.
Shreyas Iyer-Ricky Ponting duo turns PBKS into a fearless force in IPL
Even though they ended as runners-up, losing the trophy to RCB in IPL 2025, Punjab’s fearless style of cricket had already made many believe they would bring something special sooner rather than later. And they were right, as PBKS made an even stronger comeback in the ongoing IPL 2026 with Shreyas Iyer-Ricky Ponting magic continuing.
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The PBKS have started their campaign with back-to-back victories, but their third game was washed out in Kolkata, and they had to share the points with the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). Still, the dominant Punjab side is leading the IPL 2026 points table with 5 points and a +0.637 net run rate.
The biggest strength of PBKS this year is their stable playing XI. Unlike the past seasons where they tried different combinations every week, there is no chopping, no confusion, no last-minute experiments. Players now look settled, the strategies look clear, and there is unity on the side.
Virender Sehwag predicts first-ever title for Punjab in 2026
This stability has made a huge difference for the franchise. Given the balance, confidence, and winning habit that they have, many experts are already calling Punjab Kings the strongest contenders for IPL 2026. They have reached the final twice but ended with heartbreak on both occasions.
However, the legendary batter and former PBKS captain Virender Sehwag admitted that this could be Punjab’s year to end their IPL title drought. He predicted that the Punjab Kings would make it to the final this season, also before eventually placed them among the top three teams for the glory.
Virender Sehwag said on Cricbuzz, “Punjab has played two finals. But they have lost both. So maybe this year Punjab will win the final. I will say that they are in the top 3.”
Mohit Sharma predicts Punjab Kings will finish in the Top-2 again
Meanwhile, the former Chennai Super Kings bowler Mohit Sharma has also predicted that Punjab Kings will make a second straight final appearance. He even said that PBKS are the strongest contenders for their maiden title in the IPL 2026.
Mohit Sharma said during the same discussion: “Stability is very important. If your playing XI is consistent, they have made no changes. I think at this point, I mean, I have agreed at this point that they are the strongest contenders to win the trophy. And this has been going on since last year. It's not like it happened this year. There have been 2-3 games.”
He added, “It's been going on since last year. And you don't need to change when your team is doing so well. If the last year's runner-up is not a strong contender, then I think we will have to say that everybody has different thinking. But yes, according to me, yes, they are a contender for the top 2.”
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