IPL 2025: Mike Hesson picks top 4 teams who can qualify for the playoffs

Mike Hesson, a highly respected cricket strategist, served as the Director of Cricket Operations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) from 2019 to 2023. His tenure was instrumental in reshaping RCB’s squad, focusing on data-driven decision-making, player development, and addressing long-standing bowling issues. Hesson played a crucial role in RCB’s resurgence, guiding them to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2020 to 2022. However, despite his efforts, RCB failed to clinch their maiden IPL title, leading to a management overhaul in 2023.

Mike Hesson reveals his top 4 IPL 2025 playoff contenders

Despite moving on from RCB, Hesson remains deeply involved in Indian Premier League (IPL) discussions. Speaking to News 18 CricketNext, the former RCB head of cricket picked his four teams most likely to qualify for the IPL 2025 playoffs: Mumbai Indians (MI), Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).

“I’ve picked my four semifinalists – Mumbai, CSK, SRH, and KKR. I think they are the best,” said Hesson. However, he didn’t completely rule out Delhi Capitals (DC) and Punjab Kings (PBKS), acknowledging that both teams could challenge for a spot in the playoffs. I think Punjab and DC are not far behind. They will certainly be in the mix. Punjab, I wouldn’t say it’s a surprise, because I think they had a very good auction. They’ve got a well-balanced squad. There are a couple of little holes there, which I have talked about in detail on my own channels. But they are a pretty good squad,” Hesson said.

“And I think Delhi also, with Faf du Plessis and Jake Fraser-McGurk at the top, and KL Rahul in the middle order, they’ve got a really nice batting lineup. With Kuldeep Yadav and Axar Patel, they have two quality spinners, and their seam attack is well-rounded. Delhi certainly has a chance. But those top four I mentioned, I think, will be the ones fighting it out. Among those four, I have my favorite, which I’m going to talk about in a few days, but I think between those four teams, we will see the real title contenders,” Hesson concluded.

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Shaping RCB’s future: Hesson’s tenure (2019-2023)

Hesson’s arrival in August 2019, alongside head coach Simon Katich, marked a shift in RCB’s approach. Under his guidance, the team made strategic acquisitions, such as Chris Morris and Aaron Finch, for IPL 2020. These moves paid off as RCB qualified for the playoffs for the first time since 2016, finishing fourth. His influence grew stronger in 2021, particularly after Katich’s resignation, when Hesson stepped up as the de facto head coach. He played a pivotal role in selecting Faf du Plessis as RCB’s new captain after Virat Kohli relinquished leadership. With key signings like Wanindu Hasaranga and Josh Hazlewood, RCB finished third in IPL 2022, cementing themselves as a consistent playoff contender.

However, IPL 2023 saw RCB slip to sixth place, failing to qualify for the playoffs. The team’s inconsistency, particularly in the middle order and death bowling, led to changes in leadership. In August 2023, Andy Flower replaced Hesson as RCB’s Director of Cricket Operations, ending his tenure after four years of steady progress but without an elusive title.