GT vs CSK Match Preview | CSK look to end dismal season on a high as GT target top-two finish

GT’s batting strength has largely hinged on their top order, with Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler leading the charge. With Buttler set to leave for national duty after this match, the team will be keen to give the middle-order more exposure. Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford, who made useful contributions against LSG, will be eager to build on that momentum. Bowling remains an area of concern for Gujarat. Rashid Khan, one of their key players, has struggled to find form and is currently enduring his most expensive IPL season. Despite that, the team continues to back him. The fast-bowling department also requires reinforcement, especially when it comes to finding a reliable fourth seamer behind Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, and Prasidh Krishna, a challenge that may intensify once Rabada departs for international duty after the league stage.

On the other hand, CSK are expected to finish at the bottom of the table, regardless of the outcome on Sunday. The match, however, offers another chance for emerging players like Ayush Mhatre, Urvil Patel, and Dewald Brevis to prove their mettle. After their recent loss to the Rajasthan Royals in Delhi, head coach Stephen Fleming acknowledged that the team’s position at the bottom fairly reflects their performance. While a win won’t change their standing, CSK’s loyal supporters will be hoping the team can sign off with a final victory.

Form Guide

GT: L W W W LCSK: L W L L L 

GT vs CSK head-to-head

Gujarat Titans hold a 4-3 head-to-head lead over Chennai Super Kings. In Ahmedabad, they’ve emerged victorious in two of their three meetings with CSK, with the sole defeat coming in the high-stakes IPL 2023 final.

Pitch and Weather

The Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad tends to offer a slight edge to batters, with high-scoring matches being a regular feature. In the previous game at this venue, both sides crossed the 200-run mark, underscoring its batting-friendly nature. As a result, the toss-winning captain is likely to opt for batting first to make the most of the conditions. Weather disruptions are unlikely, with only a 5% chance of interference expected. Temperatures during the match are forecast to peak at 40°C, with a minimum of around 30°C.

Team News:

This will be the last match where Gujarat Titans will have the services of Jos Buttler and Kagiso Rabada before they depart for national duty. Given Rabada’s expensive spell in the previous outing, the team might consider bringing in Gerald Coetzee as a replacement. However, beyond that, significant changes to the playing XI appear unlikely.

On the other hand, Chennai Super Kings are coming off a loss and may look to tweak their lineup. With Devon Conway struggling for form this season, CSK could consider recalling Shaik Rasheed to the top order in a bid to freshen up their batting.

GT probable XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, M Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Sai Kishore, Mohammed Siraj

CSK Probable XI: Ayush Mhatre, Shaik Rasheed, Urvil Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed

Broadcasting Platforms

The Indian Premier League will be digitally streamed on JioHotstar and telecast on the Star Sports network.