The ultimate showdown of the Indian Premier League (IPL) is around the corner. The cricketing world has braced itself for the grandest spectacle there is!
Life comes full circle as the grand finale is a replay of the opening encounter of the campaign. Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face each other in the IPL final with silverware at stake.
Though the teams could not play the final on Sunday due to heavy rain in Ahmedabad, the reserve day on Monday is expected to throw up a cracking contest.
CSK found a shortcut to the final after beating Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. It was the first time the men in yellow got the better of Hardik Pandya & Co.
GT made it the hard way, proving their mettle of being the defending champions. After facing defeat against CSK, they thrashed Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2 on Friday, courtesy of Shubman Gill's stunning ton.
With that in mind, let's take a look at the predicted lineups, the best players, and the most important matchups in this game.
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Predicted lineups for CSK vs GT IPL Final
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Moeen Ali, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande.
GT: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Hardik Pandya (C), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Dasun Shanaka, Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shami, Darshan Nalkande, Noor Ahmad
Best batsmen from CSK vs GT IPL Final
Shubman Gill (GT): Shubman Gill has officially become the Orange Cap Holder in IPL 2023. The 23-year-old has been the best batsman in the ongoing edition, with 851 runs in 16 innings. It includes three centuries and four half-centuries. Gill has been tearing every bowling attack apart, and he would hope CSK to be no different on the night of the final.
Devon Conway (CSK): Conway is CSK’s leading run-scorer with 625 runs in 14 appearances. The opener struggled to find his usual form in the last game against GT and would hope to make amends this time in the big final. The men in yellow would be forever grateful to the Kiwi should he give a solid start to CSK.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): Ruturaj has been in sublime form in the past few matches. He is his team’s second-highest run-getter with 564 runs in 14 innings. He would be crucial in CSK’s chances of winning their fifth IPL title. Ruturaj’s record against GT is impressive, and he also scored a half-century in the last game. He would hope for history to repeat itself for one last time this season.
Best bowlers from CSK vs GT IPL Final
Mohammad Shami (GT): Mohammad Shami has consistently picked wickets this season. The speedster has 28 scalps in 16 matches and is the leading wicket-taker of the edition. He has an outstanding record against CSK while playing for GT - 7 wickets in 4 games. Shami's first spell could be immense in deciding the fate of the final, as he would have his sights on the wickets of the opening pair of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
Rashid Khan (GT): Rashid’s hold of the middle overs for GT has been vital for Gujarat this season. Khan has 27 wickets in 16 matches in IPL 2023. He has picked 14 wickets against CSK in his IPL career. With CSK’s middle order in good touch, Rashid would hope to nullify their effect during his spell.
Deepak Chahar (CSK): CSK’s very own “Swing-King” has been in tremendous form since his return from injury. Moreover, He has bagged 12 wickets in the last five matches, picking at least two wickets per game. Chahar has taken four wickets in IPL finals and would look to add to his tally as he faces the likes of Gill and Pandya.
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Key battles from CSK vs GT IPL Final
Deepak Chahar vs Shubman Gill: With Shubman Gill in the form of his life, Chahar’s first spell would be very crucial for CSK. He will have to go with a different strategy in the final and would have his eyes on the prize - the wicket of Shubman Gill. It will be the most-awaited battle of the day, as two in-form players face each other.
Rashid Khan vs Shivam Dube: Shivam Dube has been ruthless against the spinners in the ongoing IPL, and facing Rashid Khan in the quest for glory would be his toughest test. Rashid would look to dominate the middle overs of the CSK innings. This battle is certainly one to watch out for!
Mohammad Shami vs Ruturaj Gaikwad & Devon Conway: Shami would be crucial in providing a blistering start to Gujarat Titans. Whereas, much of CSK’s hopes would rest on the shoulders of their in-form openers. The winner of this battle would go a long way in defining the winner of the title.
