The much-awaited 16th edition of the Indian Premier League will get underway on March 31, with defending champions Gujarat Titans taking on four-time winners Chennai Super Kings in the opening clash of the season in Ahmedabad.
In the last edition of the tournament, Hardik Pandya led the Titans to the elusive title. Pandya, Shubman Gill, David Miller, Mohammad Shami and Rashid Khan delivered the goods for the team throughout the season. Ahead of the 2023 season, they released players like Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Lockie Ferguson and Jason Roy among others, while acquiring new players like Kane Williamson, KS Bharat and Odean Smith. Gill and Khan are likely to be the two most important players for the franchise this season, with both being in sensational form.
The Super Kings, on the other hand, failed to make it to the playoffs last season, which was only the second time they failed to do so since the tournament’s inception in 2008. They have star all-rounder Ben Stokes joining them this year; CSK spent a staggering Rs 16.25 crore to sign Stokes. Among the other newcomers they have for this season are Kyle Jamieson and Ajinkya Rahane.
As per reports, Stokes will play as a specialist batter in the first few games to avoid aggravating an injury he has had recently. Fast bowler Mukesh Chowdhary, who was one of CSK’s best bowlers last season, is likely to be ruled out of the entire season due to an injury, but there’s no official confirmation on the same.
GT vs CSK Predicted XI
Gujarat Titans Predicted XI
Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, Matthew Wade, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Shivam Mavi, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little
Chennai Super Kings Predicted XI
Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathirana
GT vs CSK Match Details
Match: Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings
Date & Time: March 31, 7:30 PM
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Live Streaming: Star Sports Network and Jio Cinema app
Gujarat vs Chennai Fantasy Team
Wicketkeeper: MS Dhoni
Batters: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Kane Williamson, Devon Conway, Shubman Gill
All-rounders: Hardik Pandya, Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes
Bowlers: Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shami, Tushar Deshpande
GT vs CSK: Ahmedabad Weather and Pitch Report
The pitch at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad is likely to produce a high-scoring game. The spinners will be useful once the game progresses. The average first innings score in T20 matches played at the venue is over 165. Teams bowling first have had an upper hand over teams batting first.
The weather, meanwhile, will be humid during the game. The temperature is likely to be in excess of 30 degree Celsius.
GT vs CSK Match Prediction
On paper, Gujarat Titans look a stronger team as compared to the Super Kings, who have some injury concerns. Last year too, the Titans defeated the Super Kings in both the games played between the two sides. But with both teams making a fresh start to a new season, the result can go either ways.
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