RCB ruled out as Steve Smith names his favorites for IPL 2024 title

Steve Smith who went unsold at the IPL 2024 auction will be making a comeback to the IPL as a cricket expert for the season. He has joined the panel of experts at ESPN Cricinfo and will be giving his opinions on the tournament.

The season kicks off with CSK taking on RCB at the Chepauk on March 22, Friday. CSK dropped a bombshell as MS Dhoni decided to step down as the Chennai Super Kings captain a day before the match. Ruturaj Gaikwad was named the new captain of Chennai Super Kings and will lead the team from the very first game.

Meanwhile, RCB will have the tough task of beating CSK at their home ground, Historically in the IPL the Banglore franchise has beaten CSK just once at the Chepauk. Overall the head to head count is 20-10 in favour of CSK.

The internet has been buzzing about MS Dhoni stepping down as the captain just before a new season. However, the management seems to have made peace with the decision. Stephen Fleming spoke about the rationale behind the decision in a press conference.

Also Read: What do KKR teammates think of Mitchell Starc getting ₹25 Crores in IPL 2024 auction? Former KKR captain reveals

Ruturaj Gaikwad also spoke about taking over the leadership role and making the most of the use of the presence of Dhoni, Ajinkya Rahane, and Ravindra Jadeja in the squad.

“I don’t think I need to change anything. Last year itself, Mahi bhai had just hinted about captaincy at some point in time. Just hinted that, ‘be ready, it shouldn’t be a surprise to you’. When we came into the camp, obviously he made me involved in some of the practice match simulations” Gaikwad told IPLT20.com.

He further said that MS Dhoni’s viral social media post ahead of the start of the season about his new “role” was a big hint for him that he was likely step down as the captain. He also acknowledged that talks were already on about him being named the potential captain from the moment that post went viral.

“I remember him posting about a new role on social media and everybody was just pointing towards me and asking me whether ‘you are the next captain?’ I was like, ‘maybe it meant something else for social media’. Back of the mind, it was there. I would say just a week (before) we came and he said, ‘I’ve decided this and this’, but definitely now that I’m here, I’m really looking forward to this.”

Speaking about Steve Smith, he chose Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants, and Delhi Capitals to make the final four of IPL 2024. Below is the list of his takes ahead of IPL 2024.

Steve Smith’s IPL 2024 Picks

Aligned with Smith’s picks? #TimeOut #IPL2024 pic.twitter.com/seIAwAgpuZ

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) March 22, 2024

Most Valuable Player (MVP)- Ruturaj Gaikwad
Breakout Star- Rachin Ravindra
Most Impactful Captain- Rishabh Pant
Mitchell Starc To Take 30 Wickets
Who Will Hit Most Sixes- Yashasvi Jaiswal
Virat Kohli To Score At A Strike Rate Of 140-Plus
Runs Rohit Shamrma Will Score-420
Player Who Will Force His Way To National Selection: Rishabh Pant
Any New Rule In IPL- No
IPL 2024 Playoff Teams: MI, CSK, LSG, DC

Also Read: RCB to lose yet another IPL trophy? AB de Villiers’ humungous prediction for his former team in IPL 2024