We are now entering the business end of the IPL (IPL 2023) where the margin for error is zero and no team can afford to make any mistakes, especially in a season where the teams are so close in a logjam for the ages. There’s barely anything seperating the teams and a matter of one loss or one win could drastically tip the scales in another team’s favor.
However, there is enough information to identify the favorites to make it to the final 4 because they possess some key qualities that the others don’t. It will be a great battle for a playoff spot for sure!!
With that said let’s look at the 4 favorites to make the top 4 in IPL 2023-
Gujarat Titans
The most settled side in the IPL 2023 tournament and the defending champions have sealed their spot in the playoffs. They are comfortably perched on the top of the table with 18 points, 5 clear of the nearest challenger at 2nd place. The defending champions have talent from the top to bottom of their squad and have almost all the bases covered. They look like favorites to retain their crowns, and their performances in this tournament have just gone on to show us why
Chennai Super Kings
Second last the season before, second this season. It has been some jump from the men in yellow and it has come despite their big name acquisition warming the bench. The likes of Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad aside, it is the contribution of the unheralded names like Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, and Matheesha Pathirana along with Tushar Deshpande who have been the reasons for this redemption. They are peaking at just the right time of the competition and are only getting better and better.
3 skippers that really need to step-down post IPL 2023
Mumbai Indians
Inspite of having statistically the worst bowling line-up, and a glaring inability to set up or defend totals while batting first, the 5-time champions find themselves sitting third on the points table, which goes on to show you that you can write them off at your own peril. Any team that can chase down 200+ totals with consummate ease should be considered as a contender. Mumbai have been a devastating force while chasing totals and that should make the other teams sit up and take notice. With a batting order that has the likes of Kishan, Cam Green, Tilak Varma, Nehal Wadhera, Tim David, and a certain Suryakumar Yadav, who cares if skipper Rohit is not in form?. 200 or 220, bring it on.
Royal Challengers Bangalore
While it was a close call between RCB and LSG, RCB are slighter favorites because of the quality of their top 3, and the fact that they will be playing away from home. With the side experiencing mixed fortunes at the Chinnaswamy, the factor of playing in different conditions could just be what this RCB side needs to take that jump to the next level. They have the talent, they have the skill. It just requires a little bit of luck and a rub of the green.
Overall reasoning as to why these teams will qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs!!
RCB needs to win at least one of their games out of the remaining 2. The first one is against SRH, which is already out. The second fixture is against a Gujarat Titans side that is already on top and is through to the next round. So, this game wouldn’t matter too much to them.
CSK too have a match against a weak DC side that is already out!! And MI’s last match is also against SRH. So, it seems to be NO-BRAINER really!!
Today’s Prediction- Mumbai Indians should ideally beat LSG!!
