IPL 2022: Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden Predict Top Four Teams To Qualify For Playoffs

Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar named four probable teams that will qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs stage this year. On Saturday, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) by six wickets in the IPL 2022 opener in what was the team’s first match after Dhoni quit captaincy duties.

Dhoni played a phenomenal knock of 50 from 38 balls that powered CSK to a decent score of 131 in the first innings, he was involved in a 70-run stand with skipper Ravindra Jadeja. However, Dhoni’s tremendous innings went in vain as KKR chased the target with nine balls to spare.

Delhi Capitals have progressed in the last couple of years: Sunil Gavaskar

Gavaskar believes Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians, CSK, KKR and Delhi Capitals, based on their performance in the last three seasons, will be the likeliest four teams to make it through the knockout stage of IPL 2022.

“Of course Mumbai Indians. I think Delhi Capitals, the way they have progressed in the last couple of years is impressive, so Delhi Capitals are the second team,” Gavaskar said on Star Sports. 

“Then I think it could be Kolkata Knight Riders because they are a very very good team. And I am hoping for Jaddu’s sake that Chennai Super Kings could be the fourth team,” he added. 

I am actually going to leave Mumbai Indians out of that: Matthew Hayden

Former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden almost had the same teams like that of Gavaskar’s choice, apart from Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in place of Mumbai Indians.

“CSK will be the first team I wish to see in the top four. I am actually going to leave Mumbai Indians out of that. I’ll have Delhi across in the list and then Kolkata. And then pretty much like last year, I think RCB have a really good side. So these are my top four picks,” the former CSK player said. 

IPL 2022 has 10 teams participating in the league stage with the inclusion of two additional teams – Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Gujarat Titans.

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