CSK vs GT: The big picture
CSK vs GT: Gujarat Titans, the debutants of the Indian Premier league could sense that things are far too easy in the league. The veterans of the IPL, on the other hand, rather had an appalling season so far. Ravindra Jadeja had a wayward start as the captain this season. However, their win against the south rival, Royal Challengers Bangalore could stitch up some early wounds.
The Challenge against the Titans will not be very easy for the reigning champions as their bowling unit is just about getting the hang of the game. GT has a great line-up of Hardik Pandya, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, and Mohammad Shami to take on the strong middle order of Chennai Super Kings. The top order is the only weak link that GT has so far and requires improvement.
Chennai Super Kings has a lot of room for improvement as they are preparing to square off against the table-top Gujarat Titans. With five matches completed already, CSK needs to gain momentum from the previous win and tighten some loose ends with clinical performances. Gujarat Titans, on the other hand, have an opportunity to stay on the top of the table and not climb back down.
CSK vs GT: Match details
When: Sunday, April 17, 7.30
Where: MCA Stadium, Pune
What to anticipate: The team that chose to bat has won three out of five matches in the MCA Pune. The venue has shown mercy to the bowlers without hampering their strategies. It is a familiar venue for CSK as they have a good record there. CSK has won six out of eight outings at MCA.
Also Read: IPL 2022: RR vs KKR Match 30 Prediction
CSK vs GT: Team-wise tactics
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat Titans currently hold the record of having picked up the most number of wickets (12) in the powerplay this season so far. Considering Gaikwad, Uthappa, and Moeen have a good history with Rashid Khan, all three of them will be able to score freely against him.
Probable XI: Matthew Wade (wk), Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Yash Dayal
Chennai Super Kings
Unavailable Player: Deepak Chahar (ruled out due to injury)
With Shivam Dube and Robin Uthappa in form, things will be easy for Chennai in the middle order. Dube has a strike rate of 199.28 against seamers while punishing spinners at 155.93. Titans will assign Rashid Khan to take on Dube, who he has faced only for six deliveries earlier.
Probable XI: Robin Uthappa, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja (c), MS Dhoni (wk), Dwayne Bravo, Chris Jordan, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary.
CSK vs GT: Trivia
Shivam Dube has 207 runs this so far, just 24 runs away from his previous best full-season tally. Lockie Ferguson has 10 wickets in the powerplay since IPL 2021 with a strike rate of 10.80 and has an economy of 7.11
