The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 is just about to begin and will get underway on Friday (March 31), with defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) taking on Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the tournament opener. Although there is still some time left for the commencement of the world’s richest cricket league, predictions from cricket experts and enthusiasts regarding top teams have already started floating.
Australia maestro Steve Smith who recently announced his arrival in the 16th edition of the IPL as part of the broadcasting panel, also came forward with his top four teams in the marquee tournament. Notably, Smith has previously captained Rajasthan Royals (RR) in the cash-rich league and has played overall 103 IPL matches, scoring 2485 runs, including a century.
Smith’s top pick for the 2023 season was the four-time IPL champion CSK which will be led by legendary MS Dhoni and features three of the world’s best all-rounders, namely Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes and Moeen Ali. At the same time, the Chennai-based franchise’s bowling attack comprises the likes of Deepak Chahar and Maheesh Theekshana.
The second team the 33-year-old Aussie cricket chose was the last year’s champion Gujarat. While GT have some of the prominent big hitters in their squad in the form of skipper Hardik Pandya, David Miller, Matthew Wade and Rahul Tewatia, they also have the services of one of the world’s best spinner Rashid Khan.
Meanwhile, Smith named Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) his third and fourth choice. KL Rahul captained LSG have match winners like Quinton de Kock, Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, etc.
On the other hand, SRH will be led by their new skipper Aiden Markram in the upcoming IPL. Markram has been in the form of his life and recently guided SRH’s sister franchise, Sunrisers Eastern Cape, to their maiden title in the inaugural SA20.
