(Cricket news) Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, teams that have centred their campaigns around continuity, consistency in selection, and role clarity, have earned the opportunity to a second chance by coming in first and second, respectively. This is not a coincidence.
His opposite number, Hardik Pandya, has consistently demonstrated the leadership qualities of MS Dhoni. The traits of a charismatic leader for whom the squad would go above and beyond include supporting underperforming seniors, gripping the hands of junior players, motivating the uncapped, and increasing the spirits of players on the sideline.
The way that Hardik handled Vijay Shankar, who was previously seen as his rival, or the youthful Noor Ahmad and Josh Little, to name a few instances, was equally admirable to the way that Dhoni handled Ajinkya Rahane, Tushar Deshpande, or Matheesha Pathirana. With the support he has rarely had elsewhere, Vijay is having his greatest year with the bat in the IPL.
The captain’s support also contributed to Mohit Sharma’s transformation from a net bowler who swallowed his pride to hone his talents last season to one of the important bowlers this season. Prior to joining CSK, Rahane’s career appeared to be at a standstill. Ben Stokes’ injury provided him a foot in the door. After five games, he slammed the doors with a batting strategy that had never before been seen.
With the possibility of winning the World Test Championship looming, Rahane’s career has now gotten an improbable second or third wind as he prepares for the playoffs. Examples of players flourishing under the freedom and support Dhoni has given them include Shivam Dube, who went from an inconsistent all-rounder to an on-demand six hitter against spin, or Deshpande, who went from an unreliable seamer with no-ball issues to a deadly striker.
These two comparable but very distinct teams will face off in what is sure to be a thrilling matchup during Tuesday’s Qualifier 1. Given that they will have the home advantage firmly on their side, CSK will benefit from more than just a minor advantage. As a spot in the final is approaching, the Chennai supporters will have one more opportunity to celebrate their larger-than-life hero, their talismanic leader.
The Titans will need to recover quickly from their final league game against RCB, which went past midnight. The lengthy drive to the airport and the associated procedures to board would likely take more time than the actual flight to Chennai. The table-toppers’ ability to accomplish all of this in a short period of time while anticipating another game the following evening will undoubtedly be put to the test.
Both the team and the management deserve credit for making it this far for the second consecutive season. Now for the chance to become just the second team, following CSK in 2011 and 2012, to attempt a home final twice in a row in their second year of operation. That is as big as it can get.
Form guide
Chennai Super Kings W L W W L
Gujarat Titans W W L W W
Squad Update
Hardik has now gone three games without bowling. He didn’t finish his quota when he last bowled in a game on May 7 versus LSG. Without Hardik, the sixth bowler, against RCB, Yash Dayal and Mohit gave up 93 runs in their eight overs. Depending on the conditions in Chennai, they might need Dasun Shanaka or Rahul Tewatia to pitch in if Hardik isn’t bowling.
After serving with Ireland on international duty, Josh Little, who appeared in eight of the Titans’ first ten games, has returned to India and might take Dayal’s place in the starting lineup. Shanaka is expected to be replaced by Abhinav Manohar if the Titans choose that course of action. Expect little to no change from CSK because they don’t believe in making many adjustments.
Important Statistics
- Due to his two wickets in four innings against Hardik, Jadeja has a strong match-up against him. Comparatively, Gill has made 153 against him in 36 deliveries without getting dismissed once.
- Shami enjoys an advantage over CSK’s starters. Conway has been defeated by him on each of their previous two meetings, including the tournament’s first match. Gaikwad, who has only managed to score at a strike rate of 70, is also under control thanks to Shami. Against pacers he has faced at least 15 deliveries from, he has never had a lower strike rate.
- Rashid’s dismissal of Gaikwad did not cause him to change how he would approach the legspinner. His 147 strike rate is third among batsmen who have faced Rashid for at least five overs in the IPL.
- Together with Jadeja, Tewatia has struck 32 sixes in the final overs, which is the most by an Indian since the IPL 2020.
Use of Impact Player
When the Titans bat, Shubman Gill or Vijay Shankar are typically deployed as Impact Players. It may be wise to protect Gill from potential on-field injuries given that he will play in the WTC final less than a week after the IPL concludes. In spite of this, Vijay offers them a second bowling choice if necessary. But so far this season, he hasn’t been requested to bowl even one over. One of them will probably replace Mohit Sharma with the ball.
In each of the last three games they have played, Pathirana and Dube have been Impact Players. Ambati Rayudu had the chance to show off his fielding prowess in the previous game with a magnificent catch at mid-off. Rayudu may have earned the right to continue after playing a minor role on the pitch for the majority of the group stages. But is Dhoni really thinking that way?
Predicted Playing Xl
Gujarat Titans (probable XII): 1 Shubman Gill, 2 Wriddhiman Saha (wk), 3 Hardik Pandya (capt), 4 Vijay Shankar, 5 David Miller, 6 Dasun Shanaka, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Yash Dayal, 10 Mohammed Shami, 11 Noor Ahmad, 12 Mohit Sharma
Chennai Super Kings (probableXII): 1 Devon Conway, 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3 Ajinkya Rahane, 4 Shivam Dube, 5 Moeen Ali, 6 Ambati Rayudu, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 MS Dhoni (capt & wk), 9 Deepak Chahar, 10 Maheesh Theekshana, 11 Tushar Desphande, 12 Matheesha Pathirana
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