According to Sunil Gavaskar, four teams are likely to qualify for the IPL 2022 playoffs this year. In their first match since Dhoni retired as a captain, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) lost by six wickets to the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2022 opener.

In the first innings, Dhoni scored 50 from 38 deliveries, helping CSK put up 131. Ravindra Jadeja and he scored 70 runs together. Dhoni’s excellent innings were however in vain since KKR chased their target with nine balls left to spare. According to Gavaskar, based on the performances of Rohit Sharma’s Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Delhi Capitals in the last three seasons, they will be the four most likely to advance to the semifinals of the IPL 2022. ”Obviously, Mumbai Indians. Delhi Capitals are the second team, this is based on the progress they have made in the last two years,” Gavaskar stated during a press conference. ”Then Kolkata Knight Riders would be a very good choice since they are a very strong team. I hope Jaddu’s Chennai Super Kings will be the fourth team,” he added. 

Matthew Hayden selected a nearly identical team to Gavaskar’s, except for RCB instead of Mumbai Indians. “CSK is my first choice to be in the top four, no doubt. Mumbai Indians will not make the cut. Delhi and Kolkata will be on the list. RCB has a very good side this year too, just like last year. The four players below are my top four picks,” stated the former CSK player during a recent interview.