New Delhi: IPL 2026 has reached its business end, and a TOI online poll has revealed how fans feel about the season and what they expect from the playoffs.In the run-up to the IPL 2026 playoffs, cricket fans shared their views by answering a poll on TOI Online. The race to predict the eventual champions turned out to be a close one, with defending champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru emerging as favourites. Around 39 percent of voters backed Virat Kohli’s performance to lift the trophy. RCB topped the league table on the basis of high net run rate after registering nine wins in the tough 70-match league stage. They finished level on points with second-placed Gujarat Titans and third-placed Sunrisers Hyderabad.After RCB, fans picked Gujarat Titans as the next favourites, with the Shubman Gill-led team securing 24% of the votes. SRH followed with 21%, while ranked fourth Rajasthan Royals received 16 percent support.
One of the biggest talking points of the poll was the question: “Who is the hottest talent of IPL 2026?” The result was largely one-sided, with 15-year-old sensation Vaibhav Suryavanshi winning a massive 89% of the vote. Rajasthan Royals’ young opener has become one of the breakout stars of the season.Lucknow Supergiants’ Prince Yadav was a distant second with 7%, while Chennai Super Kings’ Anshul Kamboj and Karthik Sharma got 2% of the votes.
The poll also revealed growing concerns about the balance between bat and ball in the IPL. A massive 86% of fans felt that the tournament had become increasingly batting-friendly, as evidenced by the record number of 200-plus totals this season.Viewership trends also showed a shift towards digital consumption. About 43 percent of respondents said they watched IPL matches on smart TVs through streaming apps, while 27 percent preferred mobile phones. While traditional cable accounts for 25% of television viewers, only 5% watch on a computer or laptop.Another major concern among viewers was the increasing use of technology in matches. About 54% of fans felt that excessive technical interventions affected the pace and flow of the game.
