4 players who will be crucial to the chances of each team in the IPL 2023 playoffs

After more than 50 days of intense action, we finally have the four teams that will be contesting the playoffs of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The Gujarat Titans and the Chennai Super Kings, the two best teams in the competition, rightly finished first and second, respectively. They will play the first Qualifier on Tuesday night at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

The Lucknow Super Giants and the Mumbai Indians who finished third and fourth, respectively, will play out the eliminator at the same venue on Wednesday. The winner of this game will then play the loser of Qualifier 1 in the second Qualifier in Ahmedabad on Friday. The same venue will then host the summit clash between the winners of Qualifier 1 and 2 on Sunday.

The four teams who are in the hunt will look to bring their A-game to the playoffs because even a slight mistake can prove costly.

Here's a look at one player from each team who will be crucial to their respective team's aspirations in the playoffs:

#1 Rashid Khan (Gujarat Titans)

Rashid Khan will have to bring his A-game to the fore if GT are to defend their title

Rashid Khan is arguably the best T20 player in the world at the moment. As he has done in other leagues and for his country, Rashid has shone in the IPL as well. From 2017 to 2021, he was an integral part of the Sunrisers Hyderabad before moving to the Gujarat Titans.

Last year, he played an important role in Gujarat's title triumph and has continued his excellent form this year. In IPL 2023, Rashid has picked up 24 wickets and is the joint-highest wicket taker alongside teammate Mohammed Shami.

GT will hope for Rashid to continue his good work and help the team defend their title. The first qualifier will be held in Chennai, where spin plays a vital role and hence, GT will bank on his abilities. Ahmedabad, on the other hand, has proved to be good for batters and so, Rashid will be key with both bat and ball if Gujarat are to clinch the trophy.

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#2 Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings)

While he hasn't faced too many deliveries so far in IPL 2023, Ravindra Jadeja has done extremely well with the ball. In 14 games, he has picked up 17 wickets at an economy of under eight.

CSK's sensational batting this season has meant that Jadeja's ability with the bat has been rarely needed. However, CSK's batters may have an off day at some point, in which case, they will hope for a strong performance from the experienced Jadeja.

Moreover, his spin will be extremely handy during the first Qualifier in Chepauk. He has already delivered a couple of match-winning performances for his side and will hope to do well in the playoffs as well.

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#3 Krunal Pandya (Lucknow Supergiants)

Skipper Krunal Pandya will have to step up for his side in the playoffs

The Lucknow Supergiants batting line-up has been quite inconsistent in IPL 2023. Their performances haven't inspired too much confidence. The likes of Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran have played a few blinders, but the top and lower order will have to step up in the playoffs.

Central to LSG's hopes will be stand-in captain, Krunal Pandya. He hasn't had a great tournament with the bat, having accumulated only 180 runs in 13 innings so far. His strike-rate of below 120 has not helped his team's cause either.

Krunal will have to get his act together in the playoffs for his side to make progress. His bowling will also be crucial, especially in the eliminator in Chennai. Moreover, his decisions as captain will have a huge say in LSG's playoff campaign.

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#4 Jason Behrendorff (Mumbai Indians)

Behrendorff will have to take responsibility as MI's bowling attack is quite inexperienced

Despite having one of the weakest bowling attacks in the tournament, Mumbai Indians find themselves in the playoffs of IPL 2023. Their batting line-up, one of the best in the tournament, has led them to the playoffs stage. It has compensated for a misfiring bowling unit, but the bowlers will have to get their act together in the playoffs.

Piyush Chawla has looked after the spin department, but pace bowling has been a huge concern. Jason Behrendorff, MI's most experienced pacer, will have an important role to play in the final week of IPL 2023.

Chris Jordan, the other overseas quick, has a tendency to leak runs and thus, Behrendorff's contributions will be vital. This season, he has picked up 14 wickets in 10 games and will look to add to his tally as MI search for a record-extending sixth IPL title.