No defending champions KKR in Irfan Pathan's predicted playoff teams for IPL 2025

Former India cricketer-turned-commentator Irfan Pathan has come up with a big prediction about the playoff teams for the ongoing Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025). He counted on the five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to be one of the top four teams to qualify for the tournament’s knockout stage.

Pathan feels that the yellow outfits have a well-equipped group this season, including likes of veterans, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, alongside youngsters like Afghan spinner Noor Ahmed. Pathan also predicted that spin bowling will be one of the major keys of success for CSK in the ongoing 18th edition of the tournament.

Besides that, Pathan also predicted that another five-time champion side, Mumbai Indians will also make it to the top-four stage of the tournament.

“It looks like a very good team. I think they will bring back the mantra of spin to win it. There will be a little more turn on their pitch. They have also strengthened their batting. Ashwin, Jadeja and Noor, if these three are playing, you are getting a very solid 12 overs,” said Irfan Pathan in a video on his YouTube channel.

“Mumbai Indians did not do well at all last year. Things have changed this season. They look fresh, and from what we have seen, there is not that much pressure on the captain because it is the second season. If Bumrah gets fit soon, then what do they have? there are Trent Boult and Deepak Chahar. You have the experience of Rohit Sharma, and if Suryakumar Yadav's form comes back completely, this team will have a lot of match-winners in their playing XI,” he added later.

Irfan Pathan backs RCB and DC to be another two teams in the knockout

Furthermore, Irfan Pathan also backed Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) to secure their place in the top four teams who will be playing the playoffs in the tournament’s current edition.

“They have brought Phil Salt, who was part of KKR's winning team. So, that experience will come here. Although his form has not been good in recent times, he will be playing at Chinnaswamy, which is a graveyard for the bowlers. He will play with a lot of confidence, and his partnership with Virat will be tremendous,” he said about RCB.

“They have Fraser-McGurk, Faf du Plessis and KL Rahul if he bats in the top three. They have tremendous firepower and international experience. Captaincy experience will be seen, and a little fearlessness will be seen from Fraser-McGurk,” the 40-year-old added further while speaking about DC.