*CSK VS GT PREVIEW- QUALIFIER 1*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*CSK’s HOME ADVANTAGE VS A CALM HEADED HARDIK LED GROUP:*
In front of what’s expected to be a jam packed stadium, it may eventually boil down to which team holds its nerves at the end. Whichever team has more players rising upto the occasion in this high octane clash, will triumph the other and emerge victorious. Whichever way you look, today’s IPL qualifier between Chennai and Gujarat has all the making of a humdinger and with stunning batting groups set to clash at the MA Chidambaram, it’s the bowling that will eventually decide the outcome of this much hyped up game.
There’s also the home advantage to consider. Most CSK players have the luxury of familiarity with the conditions. Though they haven’t been invincible here, they have been better than most others- utilising the conditions beautifully and winning 4/7 here. Tonight with a strong Hardik led GT, things can take a wild turn. They have one of the ace spinners in this format up their sleeves partnering the young afghani who has been impressive, in the form of Noor Ahmed. If the pitch aids turn and grip, these two are more than capable of wrecking havoc. On top of that, the heroics of Shami upfront can act as a knockout punch. GT have the resources to topple CSK at their own den and silencing the Chepauk crowd will be on their “To do” list for tonight.
*CSK PROBABLE XI:*
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(c)(wk), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana
Shivam Dube has an incredible strike rate of 175.93 against spin this season. Interestingly, he has hit only 3 fours against them but has tonked 20 sixes. Treating Rashid and Noor in that manner though, won’t be easy and straightforward but with Dube coming on the back of an impressive run against spin in general and a quality net session against Ajay Mandal, a left arm spinner, on the eve of the match, expect some fireworks.
CSK have their share of in form openers as Ruturaj and Conway have taken the attack to different bowling groups this season. They have repeatedly set a solid base for the middle order but a poor record vs Shami who is expected to take the new ball, could very well be their undoing. CSK would hope that the duo get out of that phase soon to make it count against others.
CSK are yet to open their account against the defending Champions, Gujarat. This piece of stat will be playing on the minds of players come this extremely crucial game at their home venue. Will today finally be their day?
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Maheesh Pathirana, whose stocks as a death overs bowler have been more than impressive this season, will take the field as the impact substitute. A similar role could be played by one of Rayudu or Dube when CSK bat second.
*GT PROBABLE XI:*
Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya (c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma, Yash Dayal
Hardik Pandya will be eyeing a comeback with the bat and what better than to perform and lead from the front in a game which gives a direct ticket to the IPL Finale. However. MSD could turn to all rounder Jadeja to stop Hardik as the left armer has gotten the better of Hardik twice in just 16 balls that he has bowled to the GT skipper in T20 Cricket. Pandya has managed to score just 18 off those 16 deliveries, highlighting his struggles against the former CSK skipper.
Shubman Gill is in imperious form, having smashed two back to back tons, both in an emphatic manner, and showing to the world what he has to offer in the times to come. Come this game, he would be eyeing a big score again but the law of averages and his mediocre record at Chennai could come back to bite him.
The 32 sixes Tewatia has hit in the death overs is the joint-most - alongside Jadeja - by an Indian since IPL 2020. If Tewatia gets good amount of time at the crease tonight, we could see a tasty battle as the finisher will be up against the rising talent of Pathirana who has nailed the death overs phase this season with his mixups and Yorkers.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
If the Chennai surface stays true to what it normally offers, Joshua Little could be a great addition when GT bowl second. If they bat second however, expect Vijay Shankar to play the same role.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR CSK:*
Highest run getter- Ruturaj Gaikwad/Shivam Dube
Highest wicket taker- Maheesh Pathirana/Ravindra Jadeja
*FOR GT:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Hardik Pandya
Highest wicket taker- Rashid Khan/Mohammad Shami
*FOR THIS GAME:*
GT to win and progress to the finals