IPL 2023: Former team India cricketer Harbhajan Singh has made an early prediction for the ongoing season of the Tata Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 as he predicted the top 4 IPL teams to qualify for the IPL 2023 playoffs.
Season sixteen of the IPL is underway and has just crossed its halfway mark. Most of the teams have already played nine matches and are just a couple of games away from the IPL 2023 playoffs.
So far, it’s been a fantastic season for most of the teams. Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) continue to grow with confidence as they hold the top position in the points table followed by Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Rajasthan Royals (RR). Royal Challengers Bangalore, Mumbai Indians and Punjab Kings hold the next three positions respectively. While Kolkata Knight Riders, Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals are placed at the bottom of the points table.
Replying to a query on air with Star Sports, Harbhajan Singh reckons Gujarat Titans, Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bangalore will be the eventual playoff teams for IPL 2023.
The cricketer-turned-commentator added that although Mumbai, currently, looks behind in the points table, they will eventually cover and topple Rajasthan Royals to make their way into the top 4 of IPL 2023.
“It’s a very difficult question to answer (on which teams can qualify for IPL playoffs) but since you have asked, I believe GT will definitely be one of the teams to qualify,” said Harbhajan Singh while being on air with Star Sports.
“Chennai Super Kings will also be there. Mumbai Indians will be the third team to qualify. Yes, you might say that Mumbai are currently behind in the race but I believe they will qualify this season. And lastly, RCB I believe will finish in the top four,” he added.
“Rajasthan Royals will be in the race but someone or the other will overtake them in the end. I believe Mumbai Indians will overtake them,” he concluded.
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It’s worth noting that the IPL 2023 dynamics are quite hard to predict and put a timeline to, especially midway through the tournament. With at least four matches remaining for each franchise, most of the teams have their chances to make it through to the top 4.
Down Below is IPL 2023 Points Table before SRH vs KKR fixture on 4th May 2023.
IPL 2023 Points Table
| POS | TEAM | Pld | W | L | NR | NRR | PTS |
| 1 | GT | 9 | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0.532 | 12 |
| 2 | LSG | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0.639 | 11 |
| 3 | CSK | 10 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 0.329 | 11 |
| 4 | RR | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 0.800 | 10 |
| 5 | RCB | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | -0.030 | 10 |
| 6 | MI | 9 | 5 | 4 | 0 | -0.373 | 10 |
| 7 | PBKS | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | -0.472 | 10 |
| 8 | KKR | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | -0.147 | 6 |
| 9 | SRH | 8 | 3 | 5 | 0 | -0.577 | 6 |
| 10 | DC | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0 | -0.768 | 6 |
To know more details head to IPL’s official website.