The Gujarat Titans (GT) will face the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in game 29 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2022 at the Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium in Pune on Sunday, in the second game of the double-header. Gujarat are currently occupying the top spot in the IPL 2022 points table, having won four of their five games. They will go into Sunday’s clash, having defeated the Rajasthan Royals (RR) by 37 runs in their previous match. As for CSK, they broke their four-match losing streak with an impressive batting show against the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB). Their 23-run win in the last game will give them some confidence heading into the clash against GT.
1. Shubman Gill vs Maheesh Theekshana: Gill vs Theekshana will be an interesting contest. Chennai do not have a great bowling line-up, but the Sri Lankan spinner’s four-wicket haul in the last game will give them some hope. Gill played two fantastic knocks of 84 and 96 in GT’s wins over Delhi and Punjab. However, he has registered failed in the last two games and will be keen to get back among the runs. The elegant opener likes the ball coming on to the bat. Theekshana will not allow that, and he has got some impressive variations as well. It would be interesting to see how Gill deals with the Lankan offie.
2. Robin Uthappa vs Mohammad Shami: This will be the battle of the Indian veterans. Robin Uthappa rolled back the years and scored a fantastic 88 for CSK against RCB. The franchise got off to a poor start again, losing two wickets cheaply. There was a fear that Chennai might succumb to their fifth defeat in a row. But Uthappa’s brilliance ensured that wasn’t the case. For GT, pacer Mohammad Shami has been excellent at the start of the innings. He has got the ball to move around and has often claimed the key early scalp. He would be eyeing Uthappa’s wicket for sure.
3. Hardik Pandya vs Ravindra Jadeja: The clash of the captains, who have experienced contrasting fortunes. While Hardik has led his side to great heights, Jadeja has failed to inspire his troupes so far. The GT skipper will go into the match against CSK, having notched up two half-centuries in the last two games. In fact, he was unbeaten against RR, scoring a brilliant 87. Pandya will be keen to carry on his great form. As for Jadeja, he will be keen to make an impact. So far, his left-arm spin hasn’t worked to a great extent, but he did claim three scalps against RCB. Will he be up for the challenge against Pandya?
4. Shivam Dube vs Lockie Ferguson: CSK batter Shivam Dube has been in wonderful big-hitting form this season. What has been great to see is that he hasn’t thrown his wicket away after getting starts, something he has been guilty of in the past. Against Bangalore, he played a game-changing knock. Coming in with his team in trouble, he played a mature hand and carried the innings on his shoulders. Dube did not let his strike rate drop while playing with maturity. Lockie Ferguson will be a threat for Dube as he can slip in yorkers and quick bouncers. The left-hander has been troubled by such deliveries in the past. Can he pass the Ferguson challenge?
5. MS Dhoni vs Rashid Khan: Given that Gujarat have such a strong bowling line-up, CSK are likely to lose some early wickets. There is a possibility that MS Dhoni might be up against leg-spinner Rashid Khan. The former Chennai captain has had his struggles against slow bowlers in recent years. Hence, Rashid will be confident of keeping him quiet. Dhoni, though has his own methods of breaking the shackles. This could be one tight tussle.