IPL 2023, Playoffs: 3 records that can be broken in tonight's Qualifier 1 between GT and CSK

The stage is set for Gujarat Titans (GT) to take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the much-awaited Qualifier 1 of the ongoing IPL 2023. The fixture is scheduled to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai on Tuesday, May 23.

Both teams met in the tournament-opener of the in Ahmedabad, where the Titans defeated the Super Kings by five wickets.

GT finished first on the points table. They were the most dominant team in the league phase, winning ten of their 14 games. Their Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.809 was also the best among all ten franchises.

Time to unleash the warrior within! 🔥

#GTvCSK #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 https://t.co/JLULK6JWNZ

Chennai, meanwhile, finished just below GT in the second spot. They won eight of their 14 fixtures, with one game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ending up in a no-result.

Both GT and CSK have locked horns against each other thrice since 2022, with the defending champions winning all three encounters. They will look to continue their unbeaten tally against CSK and book their place in the finals of the tournament for the second time in a row.

Every IPL game offers both participating teams a chance to reach certain milestones, as does this. On that note, let's take a look at the top three milestones that could be reached in the upcoming Qualifier 1 between GT and CSK.

#3 Shubman Gill could become only the second Indian after Virat Kohli to score 700+ runs in a single IPL season

Shubman Gill celebrates his century vs RCB [IPLT20]

Shubman Gill has truly owned 2023 so far. After his heroics in the Indian team earlier this year, the GT opener has been in sensational form in the lPL, scoring two back-to-back hundreds in his last two fixtures.

The second-highest run-getter of the tournament so far, Gill has mustered 680 runs at a phenomenal average of 56.67 and at a strike rate of above 152.

He is extremely close to the 700-run mark and if he goes on to score those 20 required runs against CSK, Gill will become only the second-ever Indian player to amass 700 runs in a single IPL season.

Same, Same, 𝐍𝐎𝐓 Different! 💙

@ShubmanGill | #PhariAavaDe | #TATAIPL Playoffs https://t.co/GZOHk7bD36

Currently, Virat Kohli remains the only Indian cricketer to achieve the landmark. During his famous campaign in 2016, the former RCB skipper accumulated 973 runs.

#2 Rashid Khan could become the spinner with the joint-most wickets in a single IPL season

Rashid Khan has picked up 24 wickets this season [IPLT20]

From one Gujarat Titans star to another, Rashid Khan could also bag one record in the clash against CSK on Tuesday.

The Afghani tweaker has had a terrific season so far. He is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker of the campaign so far, having taken 24 wickets at an average of 18.2 across 14 matches.

If Rashid manages to pick up at least three more scalps tonight, he would become the spinner with the joint-most wickets in a single IPL season. The record is currently held by Yuzvendra Chahal, who took 27 wickets last year.

Given the nature of the surface in Chennai, it won't be a surprise if Rashid goes on to complete the milestone tonight.

#1 MS Dhoni could complete 4,500 IPL runs for CSK

With a superlative strike rate of 190.74, MS Dhoni has been quite impactful in the handful of chances he has got so far in IPL 2023.

Having been dismissed only twice in ten innings this season, the CSK skipper will be determined to help his side once again if the situation arises.

The Raw Version of the roar! 🔥

#GTvCSK #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛 https://t.co/flWkrlMwjP

The IPL veteran is also on the verge of completing a record for CSK. Having mustered 4,956 runs for the Men in Yellow, Dhoni is just 44 more runs away from becoming the second-ever player to amass 5,000 runs for CSK.

Suresh Raina is the highest run-getter in CSK history, having scored 5,529 runs across 195 innings for the franchise.