In a high-voltage clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT), CSK still dream of their playoff. The Yellow army will face Gujarat Titans today at Ahmedabad in an evening game and the crowd will be buzzing with equal support and cheer for both teams. One thing is clear that CSK crowd and the whistle follow the team wherever it plays.
Chennai Super Kings have been the most successful franchise for several years in the IPL, but this season, it has not been at its best. The team, led by the calmest of calm characters in Ruturaj Gaikwad, was previously sixth on the table and has now been demoted to seventh after KKR’s win over MI last night. However, what hurts even more for CSK is the absence of the legendary MS Dhoni, who has not featured in a single IPL game this season due to his calf injury.
CSK have 12 points from 13 games with a negative net run-rate, but are not yet eliminated from the tournament, meanwhile GT is currently second on the table, having already qualified with 18 points in 13 matches and a positive net run-rate. CSK has a great chance today to get two more points and keep its qualification hopes alive, GT will focus on not leaving the second spot, assuring a top two finish.
Head-to-Head
GT has been the most consistent team this IPL, and even while playing against CSK, the numbers do not lie. The rivalry has been neck to neck, with GT winning five matches and CSK four. The Titans are unbeatable at home and won both their games against CSK this year. The top order for the Titans has literally carried them this IPL Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharshan, and Jos Buttler have a strike rate above 150 consistently which is a major part of the team’s success.
For the first time since 2022, GT has looked like a well-structured and balanced team. Bowlers must perform if you have to win tournaments, and the bowling unit of GT has picked up 26 wickets inside the power play. This says a lot about the consistency and fitness of the bowlers. The core group of Rabada, Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, and Rashid Khan has cracked the code of bowling in tandem and are the top four wicket-takers for the team.
Sai Sudharshan, Gill, and Buttler are the top three run-scorers for GT with Gill and Sudharshan having a season of 500-plus runs each, and Rabada leads the chart with 21 wickets in 13 games at an average of 21.95, almost 22. GT was, however, at the bottom initially but powered itself into the top four in the latter half of the tournament.
Problems aplenty for CSK
With regards to CSK, it has been a forgetful IPL with several key players injured and last-minute adjustments in the team, which has disturbed the momentum and affected the impact. Barring Sanju Samson, no player has shown consistency. Sanju is the highest scorer for the team with 477 runs at an average of 47, but apart from him, no player has looked smooth and affirmative throughout the tournament. Yes, Captain Ruturaj has shown some form, but it is far too late.
CSK has been lucky not to lie at the bottom and has hung on to the position pretty well, but now their chances look very grim with an ultra-aggressive GT. Apart from injuries, the young brigade of CSK has not been particularly promising and seems to be underprepared. Anshul Kamboj has 20 wickets but has still been ineffective, especially under pressure.
Who will win?
I will be rooting for GT simply due to the stats and current confidence, but CSK also has the ability to win games, provided the openers and Ruturaj Gaikwad perform. Another positive for the yellow army is Urvil Patel and Kartik Sharma, both of whom have scored a fifty each for the team and have looked promising.
Tonight, the stakes will be high on GT, but for CSK, the tournament is still not over, and a win for them will not only keep them breathing but will also eventually dampen PBKS’s hopes, so PBKS will also be rooting for GT today.
Probable Playing 11
GT: Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharshan, Jos Buttler, Glenn Phllips, Kagiso Rabada, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, R. Sai Kishore, Arshad Khan, Prasidh Krishna, Siraj
CSK: Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Sanju Samson, Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Sarfaraz Khan, Anshul Kamboj, Akeal Hossain, Prashant Veer, Dewald Brevis.
Also Read:Â KKR vs MI: 3 Reasons For MI’s Narrow Loss To KKR