IPL 2026: 'RCB will do exactly what Peshawar Zalmi did' - Former Pakistan batter backs defending champions to retain their crown

Published - 26 May 2026, 18:05 IST | Updated - 26 May 2026, 18:13 IST

Former Pakistan batter Basit Ali believes that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) will retain their Indian Premier League (IPL) title in a dominant fashion, something the Peshawar Zalmi did in the recently-concluded Pakistan Super League (PSL).

RCB go into Qualifier 1 on the back of topping the table with 18 points to their name from 14 matches. Rajat Patidar’s side are in quest to become only the third side in IPL history to retain their crown, something only achieved by the Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians.

Ali stated that the defending champions will ease their way into the final in Ahmedabad by defeating the Gujarat Titans (GT). The 55-year-old claimed that the only side that can challenge RCB are the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who need to first overcome the Rajasthan Royals in the Eliminator.

“RCB will do exactly what Peshawar Zalmi did—straightforward domination. If anyone can challenge RCB, it is Sunrisers Hyderabad. Otherwise, no one else has a chance,” Basit Ali said on the ‘Game Plan’ podcast.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal has also backed RCB to win Qualifier 1 and reach the showpiece final in Ahmedabad on May 31.

“I feel RCB are very dangerous on that ground. Their top three batters—Shubman Gill, Sudarshan, and Jos Buttler—are very strong. RCB’s batting goes very deep till 7 or 8. Their bowling is also very strong. It will be a high-scoring match. I feel it will go beyond 200, maybe even 220–225,” Akmal said.

Like RCB, Peshawar Zalmi also looked in outstanding form across the entire 2026 PSL season. The side captained by Babar Azam suffered only one defeat in the season and went on to win their second PSL title and first since 2017.

Mark Boucher picks defining battles in IPL 2026 Qualifier 1

The Royal Challengers, meanwhile, have already lost five matches during the league phase. They ended the round with the same number of points as the Gujarat Titans and Sunrisers Hyderabad but with a much superior net run-rate.