Overview
This most intriguing of match-ups pits Indian Premier League (IPL) royalty in the shape of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) against the league’s new force, Gujarat Titans. The Hardik-Pandya-led Titans stormed to the title at the first time of asking in 2022, and have followed that up by topping the table again. With Shubman Gill in resplendent form with the bat, and Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan neck-and-neck in the tussle for the leading wicket-taker’s Purple cap, Gujarat are a side with few weaknesses. It’s also not escaped anyone’s attention how similar Pandya’s calm leadership style is to MS Dhoni’s.
After a disastrous title defence in 2022, Dhoni and Chennai are right back where their millions of fans feel they belong. There was a stutter midway through the season when they didn’t win for three games – one was rained off – but three wins in their final four matches clinched qualification without any undue alarms.
Chennai’s progress has been all the more remarkable since Ben Stokes, their marquee signing at the auction, played just twice. Dhoni has coaxed match-winning performances out of the previously unheralded Tushar Deshpande, while Shivam Dube has melded consistency with his awesome hitting power.
Both Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad, the CSK openers, have over 500 runs, while Dube, Ajinkya Rahane and Dhoni (103 runs from 54 balls) have all scored at a cracking pace when needed. Gujarat have four gun bowlers in Shami, Rashid, Noor Ahmad and Mohit Sharma, but Chennai will doubtless target the other four overs, regardless of whether it’s Yash Dayal or Alzarri Joseph that plays.
CSK have relied primarily on Deshpande and Ravindra Jadeja for wickets, while Moeen Ali and Maheesh Theekshana have been tidy rather than threatening. The revelation has been Matheesha Pathirana, whose slingy yorkers have brought back memories of Lasith Malinga’s glory years with Mumbai Indians. Against Gujarat, their skills and temperament will be tested to the hilt. Gill comes into the game on the back of consecutive centuries, while David Miller and Vijay Shankar have also produced vital contributions at a fast clip. You also expect Pandya to up his game on the big occasion.
It should be quite the contest. The final awaits the winner, while the losing side will get one more opportunity in Ahmedabad on Friday.
Also Read: Shubman Gill’s Poise Under the Spotlight Makes him Special
Venue Details and Time
MA Chidambaram Stadium. Chennai. 7:30 PM.
Expected conditions
It will be around 32C at the start of play, and what weather forecasters call ‘dangerously humid’. There will likely be dew to contend with in the second innings, which should influence the captain winning the toss to bowl first.
Head-to-head
CSK have yet to beat Gujarat in three attempts. On each occasion, the Titans have chased down a target in the final over.
Impact Player and Possible XIs
Chennai usually bring in Matheesha Pathirana as the impact sub when they bat first, with either Shivam Dube or Ambati Rayudu making way. Gujarat tend to bring in Vijay Shankar when they bat, with Yash Dayal or whoever is the fifth bowler making way.
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C, WK), Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande.
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph.
Also Read: Delhi Capitals Season Review – Pant’s Absence, and no Consistency