The Indian Premier League (IPL) is in its final round of games. It is time for the playoff! The stakes are as high as ever, and the silverware at touching distance.
Qualifier 1 is around the corner as Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) face each other for a direct ticket to the IPL Final.
These have been two of the most consistent sides throughout the group stages. The defending champions face four-time champions in what is poised to be a thrilling encounter at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium.
The Gujarat Titans topped the group table for the second year running and are playing as hosts to the “home-side” Chennai Super Kings, who finished second. They have met once this season, with the inaugural clash of the season going GT’s way. Both sides enter the knockout stages on the back of incredible away victories.
GT won a close encounter at the Chinnaswamy against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), courtesy of a match-winning century by Shubman Gill. CSK thrashed the Delhi Capitals at the Arun Jaitley Stadium to finish above Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) on Net Run Rate (NRR).
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Here is a comprehensive guide on the key batsmen, key bowlers, predicted lineups and key battles ahead of the clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings.
Predicted lineups for GT vs CSK
GT: Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Mohit Sharma
CSK: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Shivam Dube, Ajinkya Rahane, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Moeen Ali, Tushar Deshpande, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana
You can also bet on IPL Qualifier 1 between GT and CSK with Dafabet.
Best Batsmen from GT vs CSK
Shubman Gill (GT): Shubman Gill is Gujarat Titans’ best batsman by a mile. With 680 runs in 14 matches, Gill is only second on the list of the Orange Cap Holders. Gill scored a quickfire 63 off 36 balls against the same opposition in the opening encounter, and he would be hoping for the history to repeat itself, with the occasion much grander.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (CSK): Another Indian opener, Gaikwad, has been scintillating to watch in IPL 2023. He has scored over 500 runs and is in good momentum going into this game. His highest score this season (92) came against the Gujarat Titans early on in the tournament. He would be vital to perform to the best of his abilities in case his team is to go directly to the final.
Devon Conway (CSK): The Kiwi has been CSK’s top run-getter this season, with 585 runs in 13 innings. Having scored 87 in the last match against the Capitals, Conway would wish to keep the dice rolling as he faces GT in a must-win encounter. He has been on song for most games and would hope to play a match-winning knock against the Gujarat Titans.
Best Bowlers from GT vs CSK
Mohammad Shami (GT): Mohammad Shami is arguably the best fast bowler in this IPL, with 24 dismissals. Much of his team’s hopes would be resting on his shoulders to deliver in the knockout stages too. With an unbelievable record in the powerplay, Shami would hope to get the better of the opposition batsman to get early inroads into the opposition batting order.
Rashid Khan (GT): Rashid Khan has the most wickets this season, alongside his strike-partner Mohammad Shami (24). The Afghani spinner is the best at what he does, and CSK’s middle order has been firing on all cylinders in IPL 2023. He will be crucial in the middle overs for Gujarat Titans.
Matheesha Pathirana (CSK): Pathirana has been a revelation for CSK this season. The youngster has bagged 15 wickets in just ten appearances and is his team’s most-lethal weapon for the death overs. With GT’s in-form batting order, Pathirana would hope to shine on the highest level.
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Key Battles from GT vs CSK
Shubman Gill vs Deepak Chahar: Shubman Gill is in the form of his life after scoring a century against RCB in a crunch match. He has been one of the best batters in the tournament. Keeping him at bay would be half the job done for CSK, and Dhoni’s bet would be on swing-king Deepak Chahar to rise to the occasion.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway vs Mohammad Shami: Ruturaj and Conway have been the anchors of CSK’s big totals. Shami, on the other hand, has dismantled almost every batting order throughout the season. The outcome of this battle could be crucial in deciding the result of the match.
