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The most awaited Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is set to kick off on March 22, with 10 franchises gearing up for an intense two-month battle to claim the coveted IPL trophy. As anticipation builds, AB de Villiers, the former South African captain and a Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) legend, has shared his playoff predictions for the upcoming season.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, de Villiers backed Mumbai Indians (MI), Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Gujarat Titans (GT), and defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) as the four teams most likely to secure a spot in the IPL 2025 playoffs.
“I think Mumbai Indians can reach the playoffs. I definitely think RCB will also reach the playoffs this time because the team is well-balanced. Gujarat Titans are also strong contenders, and the defending champions KKR will also be in the playoff race. These are my four teams that can qualify for the playoffs,” said de Villiers.
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CSK Misses Out on ABD’s Playoff Picks
One of the biggest surprises in de Villiers’ prediction was the exclusion of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), one of the most successful franchises in IPL history with five titles.
CSK, led by Ruturaj Gaikwad in IPL 2024, narrowly missed out on a playoff spot last year, losing a crucial match to RCB in a do-or-die encounter. While acknowledging CSK’s strength, de Villiers stood firm on his choices.
“Yes, I have not picked CSK. It is a strong team, and CSK fans may be disappointed, but I will go with these four teams only,” he added.
IPL 2025 Set for Thrilling Start on March 22
The IPL 2025 season opener will witness an exciting clash between Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) at Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
Meanwhile, some key captaincy changes have taken place ahead of the tournament:
✅ Mumbai Indians (MI) – Hardik Pandya will lead MI but will miss the opening game due to a slow over-rate offence in IPL 2024. Suryakumar Yadav will captain the side in his absence.
✅ Gujarat Titans (GT) – Shubman Gill continues as skipper after leading GT in IPL 2024.
✅ Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) – Ajinkya Rahane has been appointed captain following Shreyas Iyer’s release.
✅ Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) – Rajat Patidar will take charge, as RCB aims to end their title drought.
With the stage set, IPL 2025 promises to deliver yet another thrilling season, with teams battling fiercely to lift the prestigious trophy. Will de Villiers’ predictions hold true, or will CSK prove him wrong? Only time will tell!
