GT vs CSK IPL 2023 Match Preview & Prediction | Qualifier 1

GT vs CSK kicks off the playoffs stage in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season. Both teams will be eyeing the direct route to the final. Gujarat Titans (GT), who won ten of their 14 matches in the league stage, will hope to repeat last season’s result, where they beat Rajasthan Royals to reach the final. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the trophy the last time they reached the playoffs in IPL.

The Qualifier 1 will be played at Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, on Tuesday at 7:30 PM.

Gujarat Titans

As GT heads to Chennai to seal a place in the final, Shubman Gill will want to continue his terrific IPL 2023 run. He is 51 runs away from taking the pole position in the Orange Cap race. Wriddhiman Saha and Vijay Shankar have provided excellent support and will face a tough challenge against an in-form CSK bowling unit. Hardik Pandya, David Miller, and Rahul Tewatia are reliable players in the strong GT batting lineup.

GT fans will be hoping for magic from Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan in Chennai. The duo have taken 24 wickets each and lead the Purple Cap chart. Shami removed Conway for one run, while the Afghanistan captain grabbed two crucial wickets the last time GT played CSK. Also, Noor Ahmad and Mohit Sharma are having an excellent season and could pose issues for the CSK batters.

Chennai Super Kings

Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad will be aiming to continue their deadly form. The opening batting pair has registered five 50-plus partnerships, three of which have come at Chidambaram Stadium. Against GT, Ruturaj will be instrumental as the 26-year-old has made 218 runs at a strike rate of 148 in three matches. Much is expected from Ajinkya Rahane and Shivam Dube. The duo scored close to 700 runs between them this season.

CSK’s bowling unit has found its rhythm as the season progressed. Deepak Chahar’s return from injury has revitalized the powerplay bowling. The pacer has been busy picking up wickets and inspired young Matheesha Pathirana, who has 15 wickets this term. Jadeja is another player who has shone in CSK colors in IPL 2023. The left-arm spinner and Maheesh Theekshana could smother GT batters in a spin-friendly Chepauk pitch.

GT vs CSK Head-to-Head

GT has a 100% record against CSK in IPL. The reigning champions won all three matches played against the four-time champions. Shubman Gill’s 36-ball 63 helped GT claim a comfortable win over CSK in the last meeting between the two teams. Ruturaj Gaikwad top-scored for the Chennai-based outfit with 92.

GT vs CSK Last Three Meetings

Date	Winner	Margin
March 31, 2023	GT	Won by 5 wickets
May 15, 2022	GT	Won by 7 wickets
April 17, 2022	GT	Won by 3 wickets

GT & CSK IPL 2023 Stats

Top Run-scorer: Shubman Gill – 680 runs (GT); Devon Conway – 585 runs (CSK)
Most Wickets: Mohammed Shami & Rashid Khan – 24 wickets (GT); Tushar Deshpande – 20 wickets (CSK)
Highest Sixes: Shubman Gill – 22 sixes (GT); Shivam Dube – 33 sixes (CSK)

GT vs CSK – Who Will Win?

CSK has won four of their seven matches at home this season. On the other hand, GT has lost only one match away from home in IPL 2023. It could be a nail-biting clash, with CSK likely to edge GT and reach a record tenth IPL final.