AB de Villiers’ IPL 2025 Top 4 prediction leaves CSK fans stunned

As the countdown begins for the electrifying Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025), legendary South African cricketer AB de Villiers has now intensified the buzz with his four picks for the playoffs. AB de Villiers has shockingly left out Chennai Super Kings (CSK) from his top-4 teams.

The 18th edition of the IPL is set to kick off on March 22, with the defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) locking horns with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. With 74 matches set for entertainment, fans are ready for yet another action-packed season.

AB de Villiers leaves out CSK as he picks IPL 2025 semifinalists

Adding to the excitement, AB de Villiers stunned one and all with his bold semifinalist picks for the upcoming IPL 2025. The legendary batter has backed his former team RCB, along with Mumbai Indians (MI), Gujarat Titans (GT), and defending champions KKR to make it to the IPL 2025 playoffs.

Read Also: Hardik Pandya's biopic mentioned before IPL 2025!! Which actor will play the lead?

AB de Villiers was quoted as saying by Sports Tak, “I think Mumbai Indians can reach the playoffs. I definitely think RCB will also reach the playoffs this time. Because this time the team is in balance, and then Gujarat Titans is also a contender for the playoffs.

I think defending champion KKR will also be in the playoff race and can be successful in making its place in the playoffs. These are my four teams that can reach the playoffs.”

CSK is a strong team, but I have not kept them: AB de Villiers

However, the omission of the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) led by Ruturaj Gaikwad with MS Dhoni being part of the squad surprised many. Despite acknowledging CSK’s strength, De Villiers decided to leave them out of his top four to spark heated discussions among fans.

The Proteas great also admitted that the CSK fans would have been disappointed with his picks, but he still feels MI, KKR, RCB, and GT will make it to the playoffs. De Villiers added, “Yes, I have not kept CSK. It is a strong team; CSK fans may be disappointed, but I will go with these four teams only.”

Last season, RCB shattered CSK’s hopes of making it to the playoffs, and then the latter yet again failed to make it to the finals. The Chennai team last won the IPL trophy in 2023 under MS Dhoni’s captaincy, while the RCB is yet to lift the trophy.

Read Also: Nitish Kumar Reddy exposes IPL teams' cheap strategy to get him before Mega Auction

RCB to face KKR in the IPL 2025 opener in Kolkata

On the other hand, KKR won the IPL trophy thrice, while MI is also the jointly most successful team with CSK in the tournament with five titles. However, Gujarat Titans won only one title and reached the final in the next season, but last year, they struggled to deliver under Shubman Gill’s captaincy.

RCB will play the IPL 2025 opener against KKR on March 22 in Kolkata, while CSK will face MI in their first match on March 23 at the M Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. On the other hand, Gujarat Titans will host Punjab Kings (PBKS) in their season opener on March 25 in Ahmedabad.