Gujarat Titans' big challenge against CSK at the Chennai Fort 

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Our Predictions 

• Gujarat Titans have won all three games against the Chennai Super Kings in the past  
• Titans' bowlers Mohammad Shami and Rashid Khan have the most wickets in the season  
• Super Kings' bowlers have been inconsistent, barring Deepak Chahar, who has bowled well  

MATCH PREVIEW     

It is the big game where defending champions Gujarat Titans lock horns with the Chennai Super Kings in the 1st Qualifier of the IPL. The Titans were the first team to qualify for the playoffs with a dominant show during the group stage. The Super Kings also did well in the last game, earning a berth for themselves. The Titans have dominated the tournament from the start, but CSK is a different team when it plays at home. It will be a test of nerves for both teams, and we expect a close contest.  

Gujarat Titans Preview     

They have played like defending champions, and Hardik Pandya would be proud of his team's efforts. However, the real test for the side starts here, and they have to be at their best in this game. The bowling attack has been in good form, and Pandya would like them to execute their plans as CSK batters are in murderous form. They have never lost a game against Chennai, and Pandya would look to maintain that unblemished record.  

Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill have done phenomenally well at the top, and the pair needs a good partnership. Pandya would look to anchor the innings in the middle order with David Miller and Sai Sudarshan. Rahul Tewatia is the perfect finisher, and the side will expect quick runs from him, along with Dasun Shanaka in the lower middle order.      
 
Mohammad Shami has had his best IPL season, and early wickets from him and Mohit Sharma can put CSK on the backfoot. Rashid Khan's form is an advantage for the side, and he will look to keep the scoring rate under check along with Noor Ahmed. Pandya and Alzarri Joseph complete a strong bowling attack for the team, and they have to be on the money as CSK has depth in batting.  

Expected Starting XI for Gujarat Titans     

Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Sai Sudharsan, David Miller, Dasun Shanaka, Rahul Tewatia, Mohit Sharma, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmad, Alzarri Joseph (Impact Player) 

Chennai Super Kings Preview     

MS Dhoni's side finished 2nd on the points table with a 77-run victory over the Delhi Capitals. Though the side has excelled with the bat, especially at the top, the bowling attack hasn't looked threatening. It can prove to be a weakness against the Titans. Dhoni is a veteran of many battles and would look to use his resources well and break the jinx against the Gujarat Tians.  

Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been destroying bowling attacks. This year, they have over 1000 runs between them and would look to set off the fireworks. The middle order has been on and off with its form, and the trio of Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, and Ajinkya Rahane must bat well. Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, and Dhoni add depth and firepower to this batting line-up.  

It will be an acid test for the bowling attack, and the onus would be on the new ball pair of Deepak Chahar and Tushar Deshpande to make early inroads. Jadeja, Matheesha Pathirana, and Maheesh Theekshana must keep up the pressure on the batsmen in the middle order. Moeen Ali hasn't bowled much this season and must do well in the supporting act  

Expected Starting XI for Chennai Super Kings     

MS Dhoni (c & wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Ajinkya Rahane, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande, Ambati Rayudu (Impact Player) 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

Chasing scores has been easy at this venue, and in the last five games, only once has the side defended its total successfully. It is a high-pressure contest, and both teams would like to go by the past trend and opt for bowling first in the game.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

It will be a warm and humid evening in Chennai, and the weather will test the players. It has played likely typical Chennai wicket where spinners have done well. We expect a flat surface where batsmen can score runs while the dryness would aid the spinners. A score of 180 runs would be a good total in this high-pressure game.  

OUR PREDICTION      

The Chennai Super Kings have done well with the bat, but the inconsistency in the bowling department would worry the team management. Their bowlers must be on the money to edge past the Gujarat Titans. The Titans have their top and middle order in good form, which will boost their confidence. The bowling attack has done well, and it is the differentiator between the two teams. We believe the Titans have the edge in this game.  

Our Prediction is for Gujarat Titans to win