The first qualifier of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will be played between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. These two teams met only once in the group stage, where Gujarat Titans registered a comfortable win by 5 wickets.
In the league stage of the IPL 2023, GT won 10 of their 14 matches, and ended at the top spot on the points table, with 20 points to their tally and a net run rate of +0.809. On the other hand, CSK pulled off 8 wins of their 14 games this season, and ended in the second position on the points table, with 17 points to their tally and a net run rate of +0.652.
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These two teams have met thrice in the history of IPL so far, where Gujarat Titans have managed to clean sweep the men in Yellow. An exciting encounter is anticipated here between these two teams on Tuesday as the winner of the game will be reaching the final of the tournament and the loser will get another chance to reach the summit clash in the second qualifier.
Ahead of the first Qualifier of the IPL 2023, let’s have a look at the possible match-ups that would light up the Chepauk on Tuesday night.
#1 Devon Conway vs Mohammad Shami
The battle between CSK’s highest-run scorer and GT’s highest wicket-taker will be a treat. Mohammed Shami has bowled some fiery opening spells this season, scalping 24 wickets in 14 matches, and holds the purple cap. Conway, on the other hand, is CSK’s leading scorer with a tally of 585 runs. In the season opener, Shami cleaned up Conway cheaply. It’s a great opportunity for the Kiwi batter to settle the score.
#2 Shivam Dube vs Rashid Khan
Chepauk track is known for assisting the spinners and Rashid Khan is already in a red-hot form. With 24 wickets under his belt, the Afghan leggie is joint highest wicket-taker of the season and him bowling to Shivam Dube is something that fans won’t prefer to miss. At the same time, the CSK batter is having a great season and has smashed almost every bowler for a six. Dube has scored 385 runs in 12 innings and with the zone he is in currently, the GT bowlers will need to be at their best.
#3 Deepak Chahar vs Shubman Gill
Chahar made a sensational comeback from injury and he has been taking consistent wickets in the Powerplay. He also helped CSK in making it to the playoffs. On the other hand, Shubman Gill is going through an ominous form. He will enter the contest on the back of consecutive centuries, one of which spoiled RCB’s party this season. Gill striking Chahar out of the park is something that CSK fans wouldn’t want to see. Thus, the right-arm pacer will need to come prepared to contain the GT opener.
