Four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will take on defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 28. Chennai beat Gujarat by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 in Chepauk to seal their berth in the final. On the other hand, GT hammered Mumbai Indians (MI) by 62 runs in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad to reach their second final in as many years. Gujarat have a 3-1 win-loss record over Chennai. However, all that will matter now is how the teams shape up on the big day. Here are player battles for CSK vs GT IPL 2023 final.
1. Shubman Gill vs Deepak Chahar
Given the kind of scintillating form Shubman Gill has been in, this could very well be the defining contest of the final, although both teams have many other match-winners. Gill has struck three hundreds so far and has looked in a different zone in the last few games. Can he come up with yet another special effort in the final against CSK?
At one point, Chennai would have been worried about Deepak Chahar after the pacer got injured again. But the bowler has made a stupendous comeback to the playing XI. He has looked very threatening and has claimed 12 wickets in the last five games. With the weather expected to be slightly cloudy, Chahar would look for the early swing to knock out Gill.
2. Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Mohammed Shami
Just like Gill vs Chahar, Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Mohammed Shami could also be extremely significant in the context of the IPL 2023 final. Gaikwad has had another impressive season for CSK, which has only got better towards the business end. He has notched up two match-winning fifties in his last two games. Another one in the offing?
GT pacer Mohammed Shami has been exceptional for the defending champions. In almost every game, he has struck early and put the opposition on the back foot. Heading into the final, he remains the Purple Cap holder, with 28 wickets in 16 games. Can Shami knock over Gaikwad cheaply?
3. Vijay Shankar vs Maheesh Theekshana
Vijay Shankar has been an unsung hero for GT in IPL 2023. He hasn’t had an extraordinary season, but he has played some fine knocks under pressure to bail their team out of trouble. Shankar’s six-hitting ability has also impressed many. Shankar 2.0 will be keen to fire in the final.
In the middle overs, Shankar will be up against Maheesh Theekshana, who has continued to bamboozle opponents with his variations, chipping in with key wickets. He has 11 scalps to his name in 12 matches at an economy rate of 7.91. Can he get the crucial wicket of Shankar?
4. Shivam Dube vs Rashid Khan
Shivam Dube vs Rashid Khan will be a fascinating battle. The CSK batter has been given the responsibility of launching an all-out attack on the opposition. And Dube has done a commendable job. In 15 matches, he has smacked 386 runs at an average of 35.09 and a strike rate of 158.85.
Dube will find it tough against Rashid Khan. The canny leg-spinner has had another glorious season in which he has already claimed 27 wickets in 16 matches at an average of 18.81 and an economy rate of 7.93. He will have the upper hand over Dube, but can the CSK batter find a way to dominate?
5. MS Dhoni vs Mohit Sharma
The last time these two teams met in Qualifier 1, Mohit Sharma won the death-overs battle. MS Dhoni tried to launch his ex-CSK teammate for a big hit but only managed to chip a catch. MSD gets another opportunity in what might be his last IPL game.
Dhoni has shown that he is still capable of hitting the big sixes. But, Mohit will be quietly confident in keeping him quiet. He will be on a high after his five-fer in Qualifier 2 against MI and will look to sign off IPL 2023 on a positive note. There can be no better way than to claim Dhoni’s wicket.