In a recent statement, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina expressed his belief that the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) can successfully defend their title in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026. RCB, who clinched their first IPL title in 2025, is currently performing well, sitting second in the points table with six wins out of nine matches. Raina commended the team's strong performance, highlighting their balanced approach and effective captaincy by Rajat Patidar. He emphasized that RCB players understand their roles, which contributes to their success. Raina also acknowledged the Rajasthan Royals (RR), currently fourth with six wins in ten matches, praising their exciting play and young talent, including Vaibhav Sooryavanshi and Jofra Archer. Additionally, he noted the Gujarat Titans, who are fifth in the standings, as strong competitors, particularly due to the form of spinner Rashid Khan and captain Shubman Gill. However, Raina remains confident that RCB has the greatest chance of defending their title this season.