Titans eye top-two finish as Super Kings spiral further
A crucial match looms in Ahmedabad as Gujarat Titans host Chennai Super Kings in the penultimate round of the IPL league stage. While the stakes are sky-high for Gujarat, Chennai arrive in disarray—searching for a reset after one of their most turbulent campaigns in recent memory.
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Team News & Form Guide
Gujarat Titans (GT)
Despite a recent hiccup against Lucknow, Gujarat find themselves with a golden opportunity. A win here would cement a top-two finish and put them on the fast track to the final. However, middle-order reliability continues to be their Achilles’ heel—exposed in their chase of 236 where the likes of Rahul Tewatia and Arshad Khan failed to make an impact. The match also marks the final appearance of overseas stalwarts Kagiso Rabada and Jos Buttler this season.
Probable XI: Sai Sudharsan (Krishna sub), Shubman Gill, Jos Buttler, Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Arshad Khan, Rashid Khan, R. Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj
Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Chennai’s season has spiraled, with just three wins from thirteen games. Experiments with youth like Ayush Mhatre and Urvil Patel continue, but structural issues remain unaddressed. The team’s decision to persist with MS Dhoni despite waning returns—highlighted by a sluggish knock in their recent loss to Rajasthan—has sparked debate. Whether Dhoni returns next year remains a talking point, but for now, CSK looks a team trapped in transition.
Probable XI: Ayush Mhatre, Devon Conway, Urvil Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube (Pathirana sub), MS Dhoni, Nishant Sindhu Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed
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Pitch & Conditions
Ahmedabad has lived up to its billing as a batting haven this season. First-innings totals have consistently crossed 200, with totals like 243, 235, and 224 lighting up the scoreboard. That said, consistency from the batting teams is not guaranteed—especially for a CSK side averaging just 173 across their last ten games. The surface is fast and true, ideal for clean hitting, and could reward teams that capitalize early in the powerplay.
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Players to Watch
Jos Buttler (GT): Playing his final match before departing, Buttler has enjoyed a productive record against the CSK attack and is poised for a standout performance.
Shubman Gill (GT): Quiet by his standards in recent games, Gill will be eager to lead from the front in such a crucial clash.
Ravichandran Ashwin (CSK): Elevated up the order in recent matches, Ashwin’s unorthodox presence at No. 4 may once again shape Chennai’s batting template.
Rashid Khan (GT): A game-changer with the ball and handy with the bat, Rashid will be central to Gujarat’s push for dominance.
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Match Outlook
Gujarat come into the match as clear favourites—not only due to form and balance, but because CSK appear to have lost both structure and belief. The Titans’ deep bowling reserves and top-order firepower could be too much for a Chennai side desperate for direction. Unless CSK strike early with the ball and rattle Gujarat’s middle, a one-sided affair may be on the cards.
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