Chennai Super Kings
Chennai has defied expectations and secured a top-two finish, reminiscent of their glory days. The prospect of a home game, providing a direct route to the final and to win it, has ignited the passionate Chennai supporters.
The team appears well-settled, with each player understanding their role. Although Moeen Ali hasn’t performed at his best, it’s unlikely they will drop him now. Ambati Rayudu, a solid middle-order batsman, and Sri Lankan pace sensation Maheesh Pathiarana are potential substitutes.
The predicted starting eleven includes:
Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni, Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana, with the possibility of a substitution.
Gujarat Titans
Gujarat, displaying their prowess, surprised everyone with a victory over Bangalore. Despite being considered underdogs, they now stand as the outstanding team with ten wins out of 14 matches. Their odds of 2.64 for back-to-back titles demonstrate their strength.
Josh Little’s return from Ireland duty strengthens the team further. He may replace Dasun Shanaka, allowing Hardik to move back to No. 3.
The predicted starting eleven will include:
Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shanakar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Hardik, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma, Joshua Little, Yash Dayal
Pitch Report
The pitch report suggests that the Chepauk surface has begun to slow down. Kolkata recently surpassed Chennai’s score of 144. In the previous two matches, scores of 167 and 139 saw spinners dominate, causing teams to struggle.
When Chennai bats first, a target of 170 will be hoped to achieve by the home side. Gujarat’s outstanding fielding skills and economical bowling rate this season can play a big role in impeding CSK’s batting momentum.
Betting on Chennai at inflated odds due to their strong home record seems tempting, although Gujarat should not be underestimated. They are equipped with skilled spinners, just like the Royals and KKR, who previously triumphed at this venue.
Gujarat may just edge out the victory. They have a perfect record of winning all three previous head-to-head matches when chasing, showcasing their extraordinary ability in the second innings.
In terms of individuals, there are enticing options who can perform well in this match. Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad are reliable choices for CSK.
Shubman Gill, who scored a century against RCB, is boosted to for the top Gujarat batsman. Gaikwad and Gill have excelled the last time these two sides met earlier in the season.
When it comes to bowling, Rashid Khan, who troubled CSK in their previous encounter, is an intriguing option for the man of the match. For Chennai, Pathiarana has been exceptional in the death overs and offers good value for the top bowler accolade.