Experts and Panellists pick two top-favorite teams to win the IPL; leaving out CSK or MI

With all ten teams playing one match each in the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League, everyone has a true assessment of every team's strengths and weaknesses. Although it is an early stage of the tournament and nothing can be said, some teams have shown real intent.

And as per the combined predictions of the number of former cricketers and panellists, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Rajasthan Royals are the two teams to beat. Both teams also registered comprehensive wins in their first game of the tournament.

In a discussion on Star Sports, former Australian star David Hussey picked RR and LSG to finish as the top two teams, while the two-time IPL champion Jacques Kallis has backed RR and DC to finish as the top two in the IPL 2023.

Former Australia cricketer and former head coach of SRH, Tom Moody, has picked RR and LSG as the top two sides and said, "Early stages but LSG and RR look like the teams to beat. They can be the top two teams in the group stage."

Meanwhile, Australia skipper Aaron Finch, who led them to the T20 World Cup title, has named the last season's finalists, GT and RR, to finish the group as the top two once again. He said on Star Sports, "I think Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals will end up finishing as the top two teams. They again seem very strong teams."

Former Indian speedster S. Sreesanth reckons RCB and LSG will be the top two teams, while former Indian wicketkeeper Deep Dasgupta picked RCB and GT as the top two teams and said, "RCB and GT, these two teams can finish as the top two teams in IPL."

Sanjay Manjrekar also believes that RR and RCB will be the two best teams in the competition, while former Indian selectors and a member of the 1983 ODI World Cup Sandeep Patil said, "RCB and GT will be the top two teams in IPL."

Legendary Indian women's cricketer Mithali Raj has backed LSG and RR to finish in the top two spots. Just like Manjrekar, former all-rounder Irfan Pathan has also named RCB and RR as the best teams in 2023.

He said, "RCB and GT will be the top two teams in IPL. Bangalore and Rajasthan have started strongly and looked a very balanced side. They should finish in the top two in the league stage." Last but not the least, Mohammed Kaif has named RCB and LSG will end up as the top two places.