IPL 2023: Irfan Pathan, Harbhajan Singh, and Mohammad Kaif share interesting predictions ahead of summit clash

Finally, after 73 matches of high-voltage encounters, it will be the top two teams from the league stage who will be up against one another in the all-important final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023.

Despite the loss that Gujarat Titans (GT) suffered at the hands of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Qualifier 1, GT looked like a completely different side when they played against the five-time IPL champions, Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2. 

Gujarat Titans won Qualifier 2 by a comprehensive margin of 62 runs on the back of terrific performances from Shubman Gill (129 off 60) and Mohit Sharma (5/10) to secure their place in the second straight finals in two years. With the buzz of the IPL 2023 final at its peak, the legendary India cricketers Harbhajan Singh, Irfan Pathan and Mohammad Kaif have come up with interesting predictions regarding the all-important final.

Mohammad Kaif, the former India cricketer, asserted that the IPL 2023 season's final match between GT and CSK represents a full circle.  Kaif also claimed on Star Sports' Cricket Live that the four-time IPL champions and defending champions have given each other tough competition.

 "The match was played at this very ground where GT won, and later CSK returned the favour when GT went to Chennai by defeating Gujarat by a big margin in Qualifier 1. So, the final is going to be a heavily-contested one," the former India batter said.

According to Harbhajan Singh, CSK is a very formidable side and its skipper is one of the shrewdest' cricketing minds' in the world.

"This team has reached the finals the greatest number of times because each of its players believes in the ability of each of their partners. Part of the reason is that its captain believes in his teammates and is one of the shrewdest cricketing minds in the world - his name is Mahendra Singh Dhoni," said Harbhajan. 

Moreover, another legendary India cricketer Irfan Pathan stated that his feelings are inclined towards MS Dhoni.

 "But it will be an emotional match between CSK and GT. I am a Gujarati and will want GT to win, but my feelings are inclined towards MS Dhoni. There's still no clarity on whether he'll play next year. Because of the Dhoni factor, the heart is backing CSK," the veteran India pacer concluded.