GT vs CSK| IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 Match: Dhoni's CSK vs Hardik's GT eyes direct path to Finals

• Image Credit: Sportstar

• May 23, 2023 | Poonam Nath

MS Dhoni's CSK takes on Hardik Pandya's Gujarat Titans in Chennai, with both teams vying for a direct spot...

Digital Desk: Dhoni and Hardik's connection has been cherished both on and off the pitch. Hardik has beaten Dhoni's team in three of the last four encounters. Both the teams today will lock horns to win the final spot.

The master tactician and most respected MS Thala Dhoni will have his hands full tonight as the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) host the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) for the first time at the legendary Chepauk Stadium in the Indian Premier League (IPL). A battle of wits looms huge at the legendary MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday, with Hardik Pandya's GT continuing their epic rivalry with the Yellow Brigade. The victory of the 'first versus second' match in Qualifier 1 will be the first IPL finalist this season. 

In the absence of ace cricketer Ben Stokes, CSK is anticipated to rely on stalwarts Ajinkya Rahane and Moeen Ali, while Pandya's GT is expected to capitalise on the Impact Player Rule. With Dhoni's CSK standing in the way of the Titans' second IPL title win.

 In Qualifier 1, the Chennai Super Kings take on the reigning champions Gujarat Titans. One of these two teams will travel to Ahmedabad for the final, which will take place on Sunday, May 28. 

The one who will lose today's Qualifier 1 round will also fly to Ahmedabad to play the victor of the Eliminator between Mumbai Indians and Lucknow Super Giants. 

Pitch Report: Batting or Bowling at MA Chidambaram Stadium?

As the matches proceed, the pitch of the MA Chidambaram Stadium slows down. As a result, winning the coin toss becomes extremely important. Batting first would be advantageous in these instances. However, given GT's formidable bowling lineup, famed for its ability to defend any target, they may opt to bowl first. A score of 170 or more is considered a strong total on this pitch. 

Playing-Off Squad: 

• Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (c), Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ambati Rayudu, Subhranshu Senapati, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Ravindra Jadeja, Tushar Deshpande, Matheesha Pathirana, Simarjeet Singh, Deepak Chahar, Prashant Solanki, Maheesh Theekshana, Ajinkya Rahane, Ben Stokes, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Sisanda Magala, Ajay Mandal, Bhagath Varma, Akash Singh.

• Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, B. Sai Sudharsan, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Pradeep Sangwan, Darshan Nalkande, Jayant Yadav, R. Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Dasun Shanaka, Odean Smith, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma.