Gujarat Titans' hunt for back-to-back IPL titles against four-time title winners Super Kings

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Our Predictions 

• Titans' star batsman Gill comes into this game with two hundreds in the last three games   
• Titans' bowlers Rashid Khan and Mohammad Shami have claimed 55 wickets between them 
• Chennai Super Kings have defeated Titans only once in four games between the two sides  

MATCH PREVIEW     

After 73 games, we are ready for the title clash of the Indian Premier League 2023. Defending champions Gujarat Titans will look to hold on to the title as they take on four-time champions Chennai Super Kings at their home ground. The Titans put up a brilliant show with the bat in their 2nd Qualifier game against Mumbai Indians, and they will look to repeat the same magic. CSK defeated the Titans in the 1st Qualifier, and the side will take inspiration from that win. Both teams have players in good form, and we hope to see an epic clash.  

Chennai Super Kings Preview     

MS Dhoni leads with a Midas touch, and he will be eying the 5th title for the franchise to equal the Mumbai Indians. The side has peaked at the right time, with four wins in the last five games. They put up a good show against the Titans in the 1st Qualifier, winning by 15 runs. The openers have been in superb form, and Dhoni would need them to deliver the goods. It will be a tougher challenge against the Titans at this venue, and he will look for a positive show from his players.  

Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have scored 625 and 654 runs this year, and the side will bank on its opening pair to set them a strong platform. In the middle order, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, and Ajinkya Rahane must do well as they have been on and off with their form. The lower middle order is strong for CSK, and they can expect quick runs from Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Dhoni. 

The bowling attack will be up against the Titans' top order in sublime form. Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande have bowled well and must strike early in this contest. Jadeja and Matheesha Pathirana must use the conditions well to make it tough for the opponents. Maheesh Theekshana hasn't been in the best form, and he must bowl tight spells in this game.  

Expected Starting XI for Chennai Super Kings     

MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Ambati Rayudu (Impact Player) 

Gujarat Titans Preview     

Hardik Pandya will feel the tailwind behind his team's back after the scintillating show they put up to knock the Mumbai Indians out of the tournament. It was a superb effort with the bat from them in the last game. They have a 3-1 record against the Super Kings, and Pandya would like his players to draw confidence from this record. CSK is a strong team with four titles under their belt, and Pandya and his men must put up a grand show to win this game.  

Shubman Gill is on the top of the moon with 275 runs in the last three games, and he will look for a phenomenal start with Wriddhiman Saha. Pandya, Sai Sudarshan, and Vijay Shankar have done well in the middle order and will aim to add quick runs. Rahul Tewatia, David Miller, and Rashid Khan make it a formidable batting line-up down the order.     
 
Mohammad Shami has 28 wickets this season, and he will look to put Chennai on the docks with a good show, sharing the new ball with Pandya. Rashid Khan has been in good form with 27 wickets and will enjoy the conditions at this venue. Mohit Sharma claimed 5 wickets in the last game, and he would need to do well in the supporting role with Joshua Little and Noor Ahmed.  

Expected Starting XI for Gujarat Titans     

Hardik Pandya (c), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little (Impact Player) 

TOSS: To Bat First      

We have seen the last five games going in favor of sides batting first. Both teams have their openers in good form. The wicket is good to bat at the start of the game and slows down in the second innings. Hence, we believe the side winning the toss would look to bat first and put up a big score on the board.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

The conditions will be hot and humid in Ahmedabad. We have seen a flat surface where fast bowlers have had a tough time, and batsmen have scored runs at will. Spinners are getting the ball to grip and turn, posing some challenges for the batsmen. The side batting first will need 180-200 runs on the board to defend it on this excellent batting surface.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The Chennai Super Kings did well against the Titans in their last game, but it was at home. Gujarat Titans are a different side playing in Ahmedabad. CSK bowlers must produce an excellent show for the side to claim its fifth title. The Titans have their openers in excellent form, and the middle order has also done well. With the top wicket-takers in their camp, the Titans have a slight edge to win this one and defend their title successfully.   

Our Prediction is for Gujarat Titans to win