*GT VS CSK PREVIEW- FINAL OF IPL 2023*
*THE BUILD UP:*
*IT ALL COMES DOWN TO HOW IT STARTED:*
IPL 2023 has come to a full circle with the two teams who opened this fantabulous tourney this year, ready to lock horns again, at the same venue. It is the finale of the sixteenth edition of the Indian Premier League as the veteran MSD heads out to lead his mighty CSK once again, in their tenth final appearance. The little said about this milestone, the better as the 4 time champions have a habit of doing this. They will clash and will come face to face against the very impressive Gujarat, who were not even picked to make it to the playoffs last year in their inaugural season but now hold a golden chance to do a double, with Hardik expected to become only the third skipper to achieve this feat. All their bases are covered and with home advantage on their side as well, they pose a serious threat today to the mastery of Dhoni and co.
While a lot of skill and tactics will be at play, the title clash will boil down to the pressures of the day for two teams who have enjoyed spells of domination throughout the season.
*GT PROBABLE XI:*
Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Sai Sudarshan, Hardik Pandya(c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Josh Little
While Rashid is the undisputed GOAT of T20 cricket, his numbers against CSK are the worst of the lot if compared with other teams out there. He averages nearly 29, having scalped 14 wickets in 14 games. This boils largely down to his mediocre record at the Chepauk but tonight, with the game set to take place at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium, he has a chance to come clutch for GT and improve his overall stats against this particular opposition as well.
Shubman Gill needs 122 runs to equal Virat Kohli's record of most runs (973) in an IPL season . While surpassing Kohli looks to be much of a drag, Gill will hold the ace tonight as well. He boasts of a spectacular record at this venue and has been in scintillating form, the CSK bowlers will have to be vary of his prowess and need to get the better of him in his first ten balls. Once set, Gill can take a massive toll on this inexperienced bowling group of Chennai and hurt them in so many different ways. More than the bowlers, Gill’s battle with Dhoni’s sharp mind will be more on display and at fore, if he counters it, it will add another dimension to his already masterful batting.
Sai Sudarshan, the southpaw who rose from the ashes because of TNPL, shows stunning game play against spinners and CSK who have a potent spin attack, will look to threaten him with their accuracy. These domestic batters play a lot of spin and as a result, have grown against this particular bowling type. Tonight will be another underrated rivalry as the trio of Jadeja-Theekshana-Moeen will be up against the emerging star Sudarshan.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Mohit Sharma to play this role and he will feel confident heading into this fixture as he is coming on the back of an impressive fifer at the death. Hardik has been using him for this role in particular and the veteran right armer has not disappointed him. If they chase, Sudarshan/Shankar could be the impact substitute.
*CSK PROBABLE XI:*
Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana
There will be a test of strength for CSK bowlers tonight at this huge stadium. They have done fairly well at their home ground but coming back here to do the same is going to be a big ask. Deepak Chahar in particular, with how he operates upfront against Gill, could decide this game within the first six overs.
Ruturaj and Gaikwad were able to negate the Shami threat in Qualifier 1. Will they be able to replicate something similar once again? This will be the question as a change of venue could very well change the outcome of this result. If Shami gets the two of them cheaply, the middle order of CSK who hasn’t experienced something similar like this, could be put under pressure.
This match will be MS Dhoni's 250th appearance in IPL - the first player to achieve the milestone. The veteran IPL skipper will look to make the most out of today in what is expected to be his final game as per reports.
*IMPACT PLAYER STRATEGY:*
Maheesh Pathirana to come in as the impact substitute and his battle against the finishers of GT could be one to watch out for as Miller,Tewatia and Rashid will come all guns blazing. Rayudu to play a similar role if CSK chase.
*MY PREDICTIONS FOR THIS GAME:*
*FOR GT:*
Highest run getter- Shubman Gill/Sai Sudarshan
Highest wicket taker- Mohammad Shami/Noor Ahmed
*FOR CSK:*
Highest run getter- Ruturaj Gaikwad/Shivam Dube
Highest wicket taker- Ravindra Jadeja/Maheesh Pathirana
*FOR THE GAME:*
GT to win the final and do a double. However, you can never quite count Chennai out with MSD at the helm.