The first qualifier match of the Indian Premier League 2023 is set to be played between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. This season, the teams of Gujarat and CSK are facing each other for the second time. In the first encounter, the Gujarat team defeated CSK. In such a situation, CSK will try to avenge the defeat from Gujarat in their home and get the ticket for the final. However, this win is also important for CSK because they haven’t been able to beat Gujarat in the IPL so far.
In such a situation, Gujarat must tread carefully in Dhoni’s house. Although even if a team loses in the first qualifier match, it will get a second chance, neither CSK nor Gujarat would want it to go for the second qualifier. Both will try to secure their place in the final by winning the first qualifier itself.
The pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium is known for having a good and uniform bounce. Due to this, the pitch is expected to provide a lot of help to the batsmen. Batsmen are capable of playing big shots with ease. However, the spinners can dominate in the middle overs. In such a situation, the team which handles the spin attack well can have more chances of winning the match.
On the other hand, if we talk about statistics, the team of Gujarat and CSK have faced each other in this league a total of three times. However, this will be the first time that the Gujarat team will play at Chepauk ground. In such a situation, the challenge before Hardik Pandya & Co. is going to be very difficult.
If we talk about the temperature of Chennai, the weather is expected to be completely clear. The day’s maximum temperature is expected to be up to 32 degrees. However, the match will be played at 7.30 pm. In such a situation, there will be some relief from the heat during that time, but the humidity can definitely bother you.
Possible playing XI of Gujarat Titans – Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (captain), Vijay Shankar, Dasun Shanaka, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, and Yash Dayal
Possible playing XI of Chennai Super Kings – Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (captain and wicketkeeper), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, and Mahesh Teekshana