CSK vs GT Qualifier 1 Prediction 11: Gujarat Titans choose Dasun Shanaka over Alzarri Joseph, Ben Stokes unavailable for Chennai Super Kings

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT) faced off in the opening match of the IPL 2023 league stages on March 31 and the two sides also face off against each other in the first match of the playoff stages. Four-time winners CSK, led by MS Dhoni, are up against defending champions GT in Qualifier 1, with the winner progressing to the IPL 2023 final.

The question on everyone’s mind would be what would be the probable playing XI for the top two teams of the season in this crucial encounter. Dhoni-led CSK will miss Ben Stokes but it looks like they have options in overseas players. Stokes was injured for the majority of IPL 2023 and played only a handful of matches for CSK this season.

Once the Sri Lankan duo of Mahesh Thikshana and Mathisha Pathirana joined CSK this year, Dhoni maintained the ’12 playing’ in most of the matches – 9 out of 14 times. CSK are not going to make too many changes in this, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja and Tikshna are expected to be the three spinners for the team.

Ball Tracking with Mo & Co! ,#IPL2023 #WhistlePodu #Yellow , pic.twitter.com/ouvVlW2w82– Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 22, 2023

GT, on the other hand, have been hampered by their skipper Hardik Pandya not bowling in the last three matches. Pandya was very impressive with his bowling last season, especially against the Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2022 final.

To make up for Hardik’s absence, GT is expected to pick Sri Lankan all-rounder Dasun Shanaka over Alzarri Joseph, who will not only add depth to the team in batting but also provide bowling options. Rahul Tewatia may also chip in to give Hardik more spin bowling options.

The rest of the batting line-up is expected to remain the same for GT, who defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore in their last league match. Opener Shubman Gill has been in sensational form with back-to-back hundreds in the league, while all-rounder Vijay Shankar is also enjoying a stellar season.

Predicted Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans IPL 2023 Qualifier Playing 11

Chennai Super Kings: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Deepak Chahar, Mahesh Thikshana, Tushar Deshpande, Mathisha Pathirana

Gujarat Titans: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Dasun Shanaka, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Noor Ahmed, Mohit Sharma