CSK vs GT, Qualifier 1 IPL 2023: Players to watch out for in match between Chennai and Gujarat

CSK vs GT, Qualifier 1 IPL 2023: The playoffs round of IPL 2023 begins today with hosts Chennai Super Kings taking on reigning champions Gujarat Titans in the first qualifier at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai today (May 23). Whether it will be CSK captain MS Dhoni's last match at the Chepauk Stadium is still debatable, but fans at the stadium are desperate to watch their larger-than-life skipper guide his team to beat Gujarat.

Chennai have been very strong at their home ground (Chepauk) with 43 wins in 61 matches.

Just 18 losses in front of their electrifying fans speaks volumes about their dominating record. 

But Gujarat are a force not to be taken lightly.

They beat Chennai in the inaugural match of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 31.

GT have faced CSK three times in IPL and have emerged triumphant on all the occasions.

Their batsman, Shubman Gill, is in the form of his life, and is at No. 2 among the highest run-getters in IPL 2023.

Gujarat bowlers, Mohammad Shami, who is holding the Purple Cap for the most wickets this season, along with leg-spinner Rashid Khan, the only bowler to take a hat-trick in IPL 2023, can finish any batting attack cheaply.

Chennai have the likes of openers Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad, who can decimate a decent bowling attack with their batting prowess.

ZeeBiz takes you through the list of players who can emerge as factors during the CSK vs GT clash.

From Chennai Super Kings (CSK)

MS Dhoni

His ability can't be measured with stats.

When four-time champions Chennai finished a poor ninth out of 10 teams in IPL 2022, it was assumed that the team needed some fresh leadership.

But Dhoni stays evergreen, even at 41. Whether the current IPL will be his last or he will continue is still not clear, but he has led the team to four titles, five runner-up positions, and 14 playoffs.

He has the potential to bolster his team to win the fifth IPL trophy.  

Devon Conway

Chennai spent just Rs 1 crore to retain Conway this season.

But the way he played in this IPL proved that he is worth way more than that.

He has played 13 matches in IPL 2023 and scored 585 runs with an average of 53.18 and six half-centuries.

In his last match, he scored a 52-ball 87 against Delhi. If he maintains his flow against Gujarat, the batsman can give Chennai a flying start against the Shami-led attack of Gujarat.

Rururaj Gaikwad

Gaikwad showed his class in the first match of IPL 23 season against Chennai, when he scored 92 runs in just 50 balls to play a key role in the team's win.

In the team's last match, against Delhi Capitals, on May 20, Gaikwad smashed a 50-ball 79 and knitted 141 runs with Conway for the opening-wicket partnership.

Gaikwad has the ability to hit boundaries and sixes against the fiercest attack.

If he clicks with the bat today, getting him out can be a challenge for Gujarat. 

Tushar Deshpande

Deshpande's evolution from an erratic bowler prone to bowling no-balls to the key bowler for Chennai has been exemplary.

Purchased at a base price of Rs 20 lakh, Deshpande has performed well above his worth with 20 wickets in 14 matches.

Though he took just one wicket in his last three matches, it mattered little as he has given 26 as the maximum runs in these matches.

The pacer can stop Gujarat's top order from scoring high scores.

From Gujarat Titans (GT)

Shubman Gill is a wall every opposition, including CSK.

The Chennai team needs to breach this wall if it dreams of beating Gujarat today.

His back-to-back brisk-paced centuries in his last two IPL matches (against RCB and SRH) were an example of Gill's extraordinary talent and awesome strokeplay.

He also smashed a 51-ball 94 against Mumbai Indians.

With 680 runs in 14 matches, including 2 tons and 4 50s, Gill can become the highest run-getter in the tournament. He is 50 runs behind Faf du Plessis, the highest run getter in IPL 2023, but his team, RCB, is out of the tournament.

Hardik Pandya

Pandya led the Gujarat team to the title triump in IPL 2022 and he seems to be on his way to repeating the feat.

The all-rounder is known for his power hitting and wicket-taking ability in middle overs.

He has 289 runs and three wickets in 13 matches.

However, he has not been able to bowl in his last three matches.

But, he is always a factor in batting and can pull his team out of any difficult position.

Mohammed Shami

If Gill shined with the bat, ace India pacer Mohammed Shami played the same role with the ball.

He jointly holds the Purple Cap with 24 wickets in 14 matches, including two four-wicket spells.

As a strike bowler, he can dismantle Chennai's top order, and can also finish tail-enders fast.

Chennai need to play him carefully.

Rashid Khan

Afghan leg-spinner Rashid Khan jointly holds Purple Cap with Shami with 24 wickets in 14 matches.

The 24-year-old is a seasoned IPL bowler with 136 wickets in 106 matches.

He is the only bowler to take a hat-trick in this IPL season.

He achieved the feat against Kolkata Knight Riders.

The leg-spinner came up with four for 30 in a key match against Mumbai Indians to power his team to victory and earn a spot in playoffs.

Chennai need to come up with a plan to stop him in today's qualifier.