IPL 2023: It’s fair to say that the first game of the tournament can be considered as one of the most important clashes for the team in the IPL as it sets the tempo for the whole tournament and instils a fair amount of confidence into the players and the team. Gujarat Titans will play the curtain raiser of the IPL 2023 against four-time champions Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi International Stadium in Ahmedabad and it’ll be an enthralling contest to watch.
IPL 2023: Strongest Playing XI of Gujarat Titans for the tournament opener against Chennai Super Kings
IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans barely put a foot wrong in the last edition of the IPL. Based on the collective effort from the whole team, they scripted history and won the title in their first appearance in the tournament. The Hardik Pandya-led side was a dominant force last year but it starts from the 0 again as they will look to replicate what they did last year and defend their title.
Coming to their playing XI for the first game against CSK, there’s no brainer that Shubman Gill will bat the top for his side. However, with quality talent around, there’ll be a headache for the management to select the second opener alongside the youngster. With the kind of performance veteran Wriddhiman Saha displayed last year, it’s fair to say that team will back him and allow him to start at the top before making any further changes based on the performances as the tournament progresses.
GT’s new recruit and New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson is expected to walk straight into the team and he will likely bat at No.3. The presence of the Kiwi batter will provide stability to the team and will allow openers to play even more freely. Skipper Hardik Pandya no doubt will be there at 4. Although, he bats down the order in the Indian team but he was extremely successful at No.4 last year in the league and is also expected to continue at the same position.
David Miller will not be available for the first game due to international duties. Therefore it’ll be an opportunity for Matthew Wade to reclaim his stake in the side yet again. The Australian batter failed drastically last season and was dropped from the XI. Rahul Tewatia, who was the MVP of the team last year is likely to be slotted at 6 and is also expected to contribute more with the ball as well.
Vice-captain Rashid Khan no doubt walks straight into the team. He is expected to play a huge role with the ball for his team and also with the bat down the order. Shivam Mavi, Mohammad Shami and Alzarri Joseph are expected to be the three frontline pacers in the team whereas R. Sai Kishore, who impressed many with his performance last year, is likely to retain his place.
Here’s the Strongest Playing XI of Gujarat Titans for the tournament opener against Chennai Super Kings
Shubman Gill
Wriddhiman Saha (wk)
Kane Williamson
Hardik Pandya (C)
Matthew Wade
Rahul Tewatia
Rashid Khan
Shivam Mavi
Alzarri Joseph
Mohammad Shami
R Sai Kishore
IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans (GT) squad for the tournament
IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans had a staggering IPL auction this time around. They roped in the likes of Kane Williamson, Odean Smith, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, Joshua Little and Mohit Sharma to strengthen their team.
Here’s Gujarat Titans’(GT) squad for the tournament:
Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, Sai Sudharsan, Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Pradeep Sangwan, Darshan Nalkande, Jayant Yadav, R Sai Kishore, Noor Ahmad, Kane Williamson, Odean Smith, KS Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Urvil Patel, Joshua Little, Mohit Sharma
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