Sunil Gavaskar backs Punjab Kings and RCB as IPL 2026 finalists after Mumbai Indians exit

Royal Challengers Bengaluru eliminated Mumbai Indians in a last-ball thriller in IPL 2026. Sunil Gavaskar backed Punjab Kings and RCB as his finalists, while suggesting teams give youngsters opportunities and warning against complacency in the crucial race to the playoffs.

Hyderabad: Royal Challengers Bengaluru held their nerve in a last-ball thriller to knock Mumbai Indians out of TATA IPL 2026 with a dramatic two-wicket win.

Speaking on Star Sports’ ‘Amul Cricket Live’, JioStar expert Sunil Gavaskar said: “In T20 cricket, ups and downs are bound to happen. Once the season ends, that’s the right time to properly assess what went wrong. But at this stage, my view is that the senior players have given everything they had.”

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“Now, it may be the right opportunity to give younger players a chance in the remaining matches. That will help the franchise understand how these youngsters handle pressure and whether they can justify the faith shown in them,” he said.

On the upcoming PBKS-DC match, in the ‘Race to Playoffs’, Gavaskar said: “I would still back Punjab Kings. Sometimes, a couple of losses can actually help a team reset and avoid complacency. Delhi Capitals, on the other hand, have lost games they should have won, and that has been a recurring issue for them this season.”

” Punjab will know how important this stage of the tournament is, and they won’t want self-doubt creeping in with another defeat. I still see Punjab Kings and RCB as my finalists for this season,” he said.