RCB, CSK Snubbed As Virender Sehwag Makes Surprising IPL 2025 Playoffs Prediction

With less than two days left for the start of IPL 2025, experts have made their predictions, as far as the playoffs race is concerned. Former cricketer likes of Virender Sehwag, Michael Vaughan, Adam Gilchrist, among others revealed their top 4 for the upcoming season, while speaking to Cricbuzz. However, not a single former cricketer, barring former India all-rounder Rohan Gavaskar, picked Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) to finish in the top four this season. Former India batter Sehwag, apart from RCB, also predicted Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to finish outside the four playoff places.

Veteran cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle also backed RCB to finish in the top 4. Eight out of the 10 experts backed SunRisers Hyderabad to reach the final, making them the most common choice. 

Here are the top 4 predictions made by experts:

Virender Sehwag: MI, SRH, PBKS & LSG

Adam Gilchrist: PBKS, MI, SRH & GT

Rohan Gavaskar: RCB, SRH, DC & MI

Harsha Bhogle: SRH, MI, KKR & RCB

Shaun Pollack: MI, CSK, SRH & PBKS

Manoj Tiwary: SRH, PBKS, GT & KKR

Simon Doull: CSK, KKR, SRH & PBKS

Michael Vaughan: GT, MI, KKR & PBKS

Mpumelelo Mbangwa: SRH, GT, KKR & LSG

Ahead of the opening match between RCB and KKR on Saturday, the BCCI has made some significant changes in the rules for the IPL.

These rule changes were decided during the IPL 2025 captains' meeting in Mumbai on Thursday, as reported by news agency PTI.

Captains in the Indian Premier League will not be banned for over-rate offences and instead will be docked demerit points.

The move comes after Hardik Pandya and Rishabh Pant, captaining Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals respectively, were handed a one match ban for the team's third over-rate offence in the 2024 edition.

Hardik will be