3 factors which work in GT's favor ahead of the IPL 2023 Qualifier 1
The Gujarat Titans (GT) are in familiar territory in the Indian Premier League (IPL). They are all set to notch up their second straight appearance in Qualifier 1, having amassed 10 wins in their 14 league games this season.
The Titans will take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday, May 23. It will be a daunting task for them to go up against the home side, who are an excellent outfit at Chepauk and come into this game on the back of a thumping win that sealed their top-two spot.
However, if there's one team that can overcome the challenge, it's GT. They have an excellent combination along with an astute think tank and might even be the favorites to reach the final on the first try.
Here are three factors which work in the Titans' favor ahead of the IPL 2023 Qualifier 1.
#3 Key GT players are in supreme touch in IPL 2023
There's a reason why GT notched up 20 points to finish atop the IPL 2023 standings. Key players in both departments have stepped up to the plate and delivered on a consistent basis.
Underrated performers like Vijay Shankar, Mohit Sharma and Wriddhiman Saha have made important contributions. David Miller and Rahul Tewatia haven't been as involved as the last campaign, but they've been in decent nick and just haven't had enough opportunities to show it off.
Shubman Gill, who is an excellent player of both pace and spin, has been the team's highest run-getter by far this season. He hammered a sensational century, his second on the trot, against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Gujarat's final league game. The opener is in contention to clinch the Orange Cap.
Mohammad Shami, meanwhile, is the current holder of the Purple Cap. The pacer will be GT's ideal weapon against the CSK openers, who have each notched up more than 500 runs in IPL 2023. Speaking of which...
#2 The Titans' bowlers have exactly the right match-ups vs the CSK batters
Shami's returns could be the difference in Qualifier 1. CSK's openers have been their best batters in IPL 2023 and hold the key to their team's success, but they are susceptible early on. If the pacer's seam movement and accuracy can nip out a couple of wickets in the powerplay, the tone could be set.
Chennai's middle order has been propped up by the six-hitting of Shivam Dube, who has demolished the spinners with ease. He won't be up against any ordinary spinner, though. Rashid Khan is the best in the business, and Dube will have his hands full.
Oh, and in case Rashid can't provide breakthroughs, GT can always attack Dube with hard lengths. Any of Alzarri Joseph, Josh Little, Hardik Pandya and Shami can crank it up and get it up to the tall batter's chin.
If GT can prise out the openers and Dube, they'd have removed the backbone of CSK's batting lineup. They'll also be able to bowl spin to the likes of MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu. All three have disappointing numbers against spin in IPL 2023 (and most of them over time as well).
GT have the bowling firepower to target the CSK batters with clarity in Qualifier 1. The same is reflected in their head-to-head record, with Gujarat having clinched all of their three meetings in the league so far.
#1 Hardik Pandya has two world-class spinners to call upon
Spin will always play a big role at Chepauk, even if they roll out a fresh pitch for the playoffs. Luckily for GT, they have two of the best in Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad.
Both Rashid and Noor can turn the ball both ways with deception and have been among the side's best performers this year. The duo have scalped a combined 37 wickets in IPL 2023, and both have maintained an economy rate under eight.
Another team with a slightly weaker spin department could struggle in Chennai, but the Titans have two world-class operators. They can even afford to play another one in either R Sai Kishore or Jayant Yadav, should the need arise.