When finalists of last year’s IPL meet, there’s always a question of match prediction as the CSK vs GT clash is set for Tuesday. Who do you think will edge past the other side?
The match will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. A house-packed crowd of Yellow Army will await the Titans when they travel to Chennai on Tuesday.
CSK vs GT: Current Situation
With a major win over Hardik’s Pandya-led Mumbai Indians in their opening game of the IPL 2024, Gujrat Titan will be flying high. The GT players were visibly high-spirited at the Ahmedabad ground, and why shouldn't they be?
What has been incredibly odd was to see how the GT crowd booed former captain Pandya during the toss. Nevertheless, Shubman Gill will be feeling confident to get a few runs under his belt as well leading his team to his first-ever win as an IPL skipper.
It is incredibly breath-taking to see GT emerge into a formidable unit in the last contest under Ashish Nehra’s guidance as the former Indian pacer was constantly speaking to his players and captain during the first game against Mumbai.
The whole team looked extremely strong-bonded and that is what is primarily required to survive in a tournament as long as the IPL.
As for the Chennai Super Kings, they are also in high spirits following a thumping win over Faf du Plessis’ Royal Challengers Bangaluru.
MS Dhoni looked incredible behind the wickets as well as the true leader that he is, often seen helping the newly-appointed CSK skipper, Ruturaj Gaikwad.
The last time they met in the finals, Ravi Jadeja hit the winning run to Mohit Sharma to add a fifth IPL title to CSK’s trophy cabinet. This time around, will things be different?
CSK vs GT: X-Factor Players Who May Change The Match
There are elite players in both teams, but the following are the ones who bring a unique x-factor to their approach:
Mustafizur Rehman
The left-arm pace sensation has been an incredible addition to the CSK team. In the first game of the season, he was awarded the Player of the Match for his incredible figures of 4.29 in his quota of four overs.
The Bangladesh man did not let the RCB batters keep him in control for once. He broke their back at the very top, picking scalps of Virat Kohli, du Plessis, and Rajat Patidar.
This never allowed RCB to heal from the loss of their best batsmen, ending up with a mediocre total of 173 on a batting paradise. Chennai went on to chase it with eight balls and six wickets to spare.
The key for Gujarat Titans will be to see off his opening spells without letting FIzz cause much damage to their openers.
As a bowler, his task is to use his natural outswinger (to right-handed batters) and either get them edged to the keeper or slip. And a cutter with loads of other variations are already part of his reputation which only adds more doubt in the batsmen’s minds.
Sai Sudharson
Sai Sudharson was Gujrat Titan’s top scorer in the last clash against MI. His 39-ball 45 helped them set a target of 169 which proved to be just enough to win in front of the home crowd.
He’s an exceptional left-handed who shows maturity with the bat in even crunch situations. Despite being just 22, Sudharson doesn’t go about the game very casually.
You will never see him throwing his wicket away in vain. The left-handed batter knows the value of his runs and comes clutch in pressure situations. Batting at number 3, his job is to anchor the innings till the last over while getting boundaries here and there.
Gaikwad
The new CSK captain isn’t just a good leader but an amazing opener as well. The 27-year-old was not long ago an Orange Cap-holder of the season after racking up the most runs in the league in 2021.
His ability to get going from the first ball, and even sticking to the role of anchor in the late part of the innings makes him a complete, all-format batter.
But this time he isn’t opening alongside former CSK man and current RCB skipper, Faf du Plessis. This time he has a young prodigy like himself who came all the way from New Zealand to play in his debut IPL season - Rachin Ravindra.
He scored only 15 in the opening game against RCB, but he ended up walking away with the W over RCB, his first as a CSK captain.
Azmatullah Omarzai
Afghanistan has not produced many bowling all-rounders who can bowl above 140km/h and also have the ability to drive one through the covers in a delivery this pacey.
He’s an exceptional all-rounder who has been making waves ever since he was given his national cap.
The delivery with which he set up Ishan Kishan in the first match spoke volumes of his bowling. His outswing was extremely accurate which was not making it easier for the MI batters to take him on.
Moreover, his batting elegance has helped him play at number 4 for the Titans.
IPL match prediction CSK vs GT
Both sides boast an incredible squad, but the rhythm that CSK is in will just be even better in their home ground. The Chepauk pitch has been a friend to the Chennai men and it will be an uphill task for Gill and co to edge past the reigning champions.
It will take something special from the team, especially Titans’ bowlers to help topple a gigantic batting line-up like Chennai’s.
Hence, CSK has a better shot at grabbing another two points on Tuesday. They’re more familiar with conditions, and wickets.
On a batting track like Chepauk, both teams will have to be very accurate with the ball, something that CSK will be expected to stand head and shoulders above the opposition when playing at home.