IPL 2023: Match 1, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) Predicted Playing XI vs Gujarat Titans

Indian Premier League (IPL) is all set to return with its 16th edition with the defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) hosting Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on March 31 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. In the last season, CSK looked shaky as they finished ninth on the points table. With four wins and 10 losses in 14 matches, Super Kings delivered their worst performance in the history of the league. 

Check here 👉 Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, Match 1 - Live Cricket Score

Learning lessons from their past mistakes, CSK will look to be at their best in this year’s competition under their fabled leader MS Dhoni. The four-time IPL champions also roped in swashbuckling England all-rounder Ben Stokes at a hefty sum of INR 16.25 crore at the 2023 IPL auctions held in December last year. The franchise will expect the England Test captain to be at his best in his debut season with CSK and justify the amount splurged on him.

Playing the first game of IPL 2023 in Ahmedabad, Dhoni & Co. will strive to start their campaign with a victory against the Hardik Pandya-led Titans. To pocket the blockbuster opening match, the CSK team management will look to select its best-playing XI.

Here’s Chennai Super Kings’ predicted XI for the inaugural IPL 2023 match against Gujarat Titans:

Openers: Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway

CSK will bank on Ruturaj Gaikwad to give a fierce start to their campaign with a victory against Gujarat. In the last two seasons, he had been the most impactful player for Super Kings with the bat. The right-handed batter played an essential part in CSK’s last title victory in 2021. The Pune-born batter also racked up 635 runs in 16 matches of IPL 2021 and ended up as the leading run-getter in the competition to clinch the Orange Cap.

Along with Gaikwad, New Zealand batter Devon Conway’s role will also be important to fare well against the defending champions. His inclusion in the playing XI will make a perfect right-left opening combination with the 2021 Orange Cap winner. The left-handed batter looked fine for the franchise in the last IPL installment, scoring 252 runs in seven games at a strike rate of 145.66.

Middle Order: Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu and Ben Stokes

Moeen Ali played an excellent quality of cricket for CSK in the last two editions. The southpaw has amassed 601 runs in 25 matches at a decent strike rate of 137.52. This year, he will look forward to continuing his form with the bat for the team. Against GT, he will be a vital cog to reinforce the batting unit with his aggressive playing style. 

Amabati Rayudu has displayed his efficiency for CSK on several occasions.  However, in the last couple of seasons, his bat largely remained quiet. Last year, the veteran scored only 274 runs in 13 matches at a strike rate of 122.32. This time, he would try to regain his form by starting well in the maiden game against the emboldened Titans.  

Eyes will be set on Ben Stokes who emerged as one of the costliest players at the IPL 2023 auction. The illustrious England all-rounder will play an integral role in strengthening the CSK batting line-up in the top order. Against the quality GT bowling attack, he is expected to back himself to make an important contribution to his team.

All-rounder and finisher: Ravindra Jadeja and MS Dhoni

The CSK team management will rely on Ravindra Jadeja’s all-round skills to kick off their upcoming IPL journey with a bang. The 34-year-old failed to be influential in the squad last year in all departments of the game. However, forgetting bitter memories, his endeavour will be to showcase his best for the team in the forthcoming tournament.

The much-revered loyalist of the franchise, MS Dhoni will be expected to bag another trophy for his team in IPL 2023. In the last few years, he failed to deliver with the bat at par with his reputation. However, needless to say, the legend has had his fair share of success with the bat in the tournament which he would try to replicate for his team when CSK play in front of the home crowd after a prolonged wait of four years.

Bowlers: Dwaine Pretorious, Deepak Chahar, Prashant Solanki, and Simarjeet Singh

Despite South Africa pacer Dwaine Pretorious’s below-par display in the last IPL installment, CSK retained him for the 2023 edition. After receiving incredible support from the team management, he would be keen to prove his efficiency in the marquee event. In the match against GT, the 34-year-old will look forward to making a vital contribution with the ball.

Last year, CSK missed Deepak Chahar’s services as the pacer got ruled out of the competition due to a back injury. In his absence, CSK’s pace attack failed to do wonders in the tournament but the same might not be the case in the upcoming T20 extravaganza as he is back to fortify the CSK bowling line-up. In the important clash against Gujarat, he will spearhead the fast-bowling unit with his experience and skills.

In the spin department, Prashant Solanki might be seen supporting Ravindra Jadeja, who will lead the spin attack. The 23-year-old has played a few List A matches and five domestic T20s and will look to utilise his experience and talent for the welfare of Super Kings.   

Simarjeet Singh has won some important games for Delhi in the domestic circle and would like to do the same for his IPL team CSK in the upcoming tournament. The talented pacer played six games last year, in which he claimed four wickets at an economy of 7.66. This season, he will look forward to exuding confidence with his medium pace to win games for the team.

Also Check: Gujarat Titans Predicted Playing11 against Chennai Super Kings