IPL 2022 | Kevin Pietersen picks top-3 contenders to win the 15th season

Former England cricketer-turned commentator Kevin Pietersen has picked his three top contenders to win the ongoing 15th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Pietersen, who is currently commentating in the IPL, has picked the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans as prime favourites to win the competition, insisting that the current table-toppers will be challenging to stop.

With 7 wins after 8 games, the Titans have been the most successful side of the season and one of the things that has impressed one and all, including KP, is that they keep finding new match-winners and different ways to get past the finishing line.

Writing in his column for Betway, KP reckoned that GT have found a winning mentality, and that will make them a force to reckon with at the business end of the tournament.

"At the moment, it looks like Gujarat Titans are going to be difficult to stop in the Indian Premier League," Pietersen told Betway.

"They are consistently finding ways to win, whether from a good, middling or bad position in games. When you have that winning mentality, it becomes very difficult to break," he added.

"I didn't see them being at the top of the table when I first saw their squad, but they are on a roll," wrote Pietersen.

The former cricketer drew parallels with inaugural champions Rajasthan Royals while comparing GT's winning mentality.

"It reminds me of Rajasthan Royals when they won the title under Shane Warne in 2008 – they weren't the best side on paper but everybody knew what they were doing and they had a great mentality."

Apart from Gujarat, Pietersen has picked the Sanju Samson-led Rajasthan to be one of the prime contenders.

The inaugural champions have performed brilliantly thus far and are currently sitting at the second spot with six wins after 8 matches.

The former cricketer has also backed Delhi to come good in the second half of the season despite them blowing hot and cold thus far.

"Rajasthan Royals are going really well, too, while I expect Delhi Capitals, with all of their experience, to make a good push for the top four. Those three teams are my favourites to win the competition." wrote Pietersen.

Delhi are currently languishing at the 6th spot in the table after having managed 4 wins and as many defeats after eight encounters.

The playoffs of the 15th season will commence from May 24, with the grand finale set to take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29.