GT vs CSK Match Prediction: Who will win today's IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 match?
The Gujarat Titans (GT) are here again, and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are HERE AGAIN.
The defending champions were always going to be a team to watch out for in the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). They notched up 10 wins in the league stage, identical to their maiden campaign in the competition, to be part of Qualifier 1 for the second season running.
But MS Dhoni's men, though! Few expected them to be amongst the top two sides in the tournament, and the fact that they lost three games out of their seven at home would've spelled death in another edition. But CSK beat the odds and rose above the rest to clinch two cracks at the final.
The first of these two cracks will be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, where a sea of yellow will no doubt hover ominously around Hardik Pandya and Co. It's not a feeling they'll be new to, with the yellow army having taken over Ahmedabad in the opening game of IPL 2023.
That game feels like so long ago. Ben Stokes was in the reckoning to become CSK's MVP. Matheesha Pathirana hadn't established himself at the IPL level. Vijay Shankar hadn't re-established himself at the IPL level, and neither had Ajinkya Rahane.
Seven weeks of nail-baiting last-ball finishes, talented young breakout stars, several heated debates and plenty of memorable moments later, we've finally reached the business end of the most prestigious T20 competition in the world.
What better venue to host the first clash than Chepauk? Sit back and relax, for the IPL 2023 playoffs are finally here!
IPL 2023, GT vs CSK Match Prediction: Home advantage up against the best side in this year's competition
GT have been a cut above the rest this season. CSK have punched above their weight, sure, but the Titans are a real force in the format.
Shubman Gill has plundered runs at the top of the order, making a name for himself as arguably the best all-format batter in the world. Previously sidelined players, including Mohit Sharma and Vijay Shankar, have roared back into form, while youngsters like Sai Sudharsan, Abhinav Manohar and Noor Ahmad have fit in perfectly.
Mohammad Shami has wreaked havoc in the powerplay. Rashid Khan has been Rashid Khan. GT's dominance has been so unstoppable that captain Hardik Pandya has done barely anything of note in IPL 2023. He hasn't needed to, with his players doing everything in their power.
There are some similarities to CSK, of course. Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have become one of the strongest opener pairings going around, with Pathirana filling a massive death-bowling hole on the roster. Ravindra Jadeja's bowling has somewhat made up for his batting.
Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane have seamlessly become destructive spin and pace hitters respectively, while MS Dhoni - the one and only MS Dhoni - has butchered opposition bowlers in the final few overs. If it wasn't for a few names like Ambati Rayudu and Maheesh Theekshana, the Men in Yellow would've been an even more complete side than GT.
It's quite impossible to predict the outcome of a game as significant as Qualifier 1. You'd think that CSK could be the slight favorites due to how they usually play at home, but GT have two excellent tweakers in Rashid and Noor.
The Titans can even field an extra spinner if they want to; such is the composition of their side. If GT get their tactics right, they could easily restrict all of the Super Kings' batters.
Swing and seam trouble the openers, and there's no one better than Shami to exploit that weakness. The likes of Josh Little and Alzarri Joseph Iif they get a look in) can unsettle main middle-overs man Dube, while Rashid and Noor can be used (and potentially held back for the death) against Rahane, Jadeja, Dhoni and Rayudu.
You can never write off a team like CSK, who have an excellent chance to make their home crowd proud one last time this season. But Gujarat are the better side on paper and are the slightest favorites for this contest. 51-49 (if even that) in favor of GT.
Prediction: GT to win Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023.