The first qualifier of the 16th season of the Indian Premier League will take place on 23rd of May between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans. Both teams are super strong. The warmth qualifier will start at 7.30 pm between the second most successful team and defending champions.
MS Dhoni-led Chennai is majorly dependent on its mighty batting line up whereas Gujarat tops in both departments. Interesting would be to watch whether or not Gujarat’s bowling line up will be able to restrict CSK.
Gujarat has got a trio of world-class bowlers with Mohammed Shami, star spinner Rashid Khan and Joshua Little. All three have left their remarks in the cash-rich league.
It will be worth noting how Hardik Pandya optimises his bowling assets to restrict the gigantic Chennai Super Kings. Pandya is indeed aware of the CSK’s hefty batting line-up and definitely has planned strategies to restrict them.
Chennai Super Kings team would definitely want to avail themselves of the home conditions as the qualifier will be taking place in MA Chidambaram Stadium. The wicket of MA Chidambatam stadium is known to provide help to both-bowlers and batters. However, the wicket is often dry and might help spinner as well as medium pacers.
Strength of Chennai Super Kings is the opening pair of Conway and Gaikwad. Both the batsmen have consistently performed brilliantly and gave the team a quick start. Despite this, Chennai has been a failure to defeat Gujarat in all three matches.
Gill, who is in mastely form as well as the ace spinner Rashid Khan with his bowling mate Shami are the Strength of Gujarat Titans. Gujarat has also got a solid unit of all-rounders.
The major target of the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans would be to take early wickets, particularly the opening pair and there are chances that he will go with a spinner in the first 6 overs as the wicket is often considered to help spinners.
Gujarat will focus on getting rid of CSK’s openers as early as possible in the game. Though CSK has got the strongest batting line up that ends long.
Another aspect that Gujarat Teams is likely to pay more attention is to score early quick runs and there is a high dependence on Gill.
