IPL 2022: Daniel Vettori picks the top four sides to qualify for the playoffs
Former New Zealand spinner Daniel Vettori has made bold predictions regarding the top four teams that will qualify for the IPL playoffs.
The bandwagon of the 15th edition of the IPL has crossed the halfway mark 38 league matches out of 70 have already been concluded. Hence, the race to the playoffs is heating up with each passing game.
The tournament has effectively turned into an eight-horse race as five-time champions Mumbai Indians have already been eliminated from the competition. Meanwhile, the defending champions Chennai Super Kings are also standing on the verge of the elimination.
Former New Zealand skipper Daniel Vettori has predicted the top four sides that will qualify for the playoffs. The legendary spinner was in a conversation with the ESPNCricinfo when picked his top four sides this season.
Daniel Vettori predicts four teams to qualify for the playoffs
The former Kiwi skipper feels Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will qualify for the playoffs this season. No surprises there as Gujarat Titans sit at the top of the points table with six wins and a single loss after seven matches. Meanwhile, Rajasthan Royals have looked like the most complete team in the tournament this season. They sit 3rd in the league standings with five wins and two losses in seven games.
For the other two teams, Daniel Vettori has for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Lucknow Super Giants. Both teams have five wins and three losses after eight matches, respectively. Surprisingly, Vettori left Sunrisers Hyderabad out of his list – a team sitting 2nd in the league standings with five consecutive wins in the previous five fixtures.
Daniel Vettori also offered some words of advice to Mumbai Indians‘ skipper Rohit Sharma amid the struggles. He has advised the Hitman to bat in the middle order.
“Potentially, we’ve seen in the past some down at three or four and it may just free him up, [going] away from a role he’s so used to. I think with Rohit Sharma, he opens for India, he’s captain of India, it’s hard to put yourself down the order in these situations,” said Daniel Vettori.
