GT vs CSK, IPL 2023 Final: Gill, Shami, Conway, Gaikwad, and other players to watch out for in Gujarat vs Chennai title clash

GT vs CSK IPL 23 Final: Players to watch out for

From Gujarat Titans (GT)

Shubman Gill has proved that if any team dreams of beating Gujarat Titans, it needs to first get rid of him. His three centuries in his last four matches have skyrocketed him to be the highest run getter in IPL 2023 with 851 runs in 16 matches. An average of 60.79 and a strike rate of 156.43 are sufficient to show how mercilessly he has been pulverising opponent bowlers. He has scored 42 (38) and 63 (36) in GT's two matches against CSK this IPL season.

Two of his tons and 94 against Lucknow have come at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, the venue of the IPL 2023 final.

One more big knock from him at the same stadium on Sunday can spoil Chennai's party. 

Hardik Pandya

Pandya led the Gujarat team to a surprise title win in IPL 2022.

He is just one step away from laying his hands on the IPL 2023 trophy.

Though he has an extremely strong team at his disposal with Gill, Mohammad Shami and Rashid Khan in their prime form, winning matches also comes down to Pandya's ability to guide the team gel as a unit and execute captaincy skills during key matches.

As an all-rounder, Pandya is known for his power hitting in the middle order and wicket-taking ability in middle overs.

He has 325 runs and three wickets to hi sname in 15 matches of IPL 2023.

His low number of wickets are because he has not been able to bowl in his last four matches.

However, it will come down to how he handles pressure against formidable opponents in Chennai on the title clash day.

Mohammed Shami

If Gill has been a headturner in IPL 2023 with his batting ability, Shami has done the same magic with the ball. 

Shami holds the Purple Cap with 28 wickets in 16 matches, including two four-wicket spells.

In his last match against Chennai, he took 2/28 and didn't leave much space for Conway and Gaikwad to hit big shots.

He has the potential to dismantle Chennai's top order during the final. Chennai need to handle him with care if they dream of scoring a high total.

Rashid Khan

If Shami has tamed opponent batsmen with his swinging deliveries, Rashid has weaved the same magic with his angular leg spins.

The 24-year-old Rashid has taken 27 wickets in 16 matches in IPL 2023 and is within striking distance of taking Purple Cap from Shami after the final.

Rashid is a seasoned IPL spinner now with his record of 136 wickets in 106 matches.

He is the only bowler to take a hat-trick in IPL 2023.

If Rashid gets some top-order wickets, Gujarat can be in real trouble in the title clash.

From Chennai Super Kings (CSK)
Devon Conway

Chennai Super Kings spent just Rs 1 crore to retain New Zealander Devon Conway this season, but he has played way better than the money spent on him as he is the top run getter for his team.

In 14 innings of 15 matches, the opener batsman has scored 625 runs with 92* as his highest.

In Qualifier 1 against Gujarat in Chennai, he scored 40 off 34 and knitted 87 runs for the first-wicket partnership with another in-form batsman, Ruturaj Gaikwad. Conway can provide Chennai a good start in the summit clash, which is very important against a strong team like Gujarat.    

Ruturaj Gaikwad

Gaikward cleared his intentions of explosive batsmanship when he scored fast-paced 50-ball 92 runs in CSK's opening match in IPL 2023 against Gujarat Titans.

In subsequent matches, he continued his class to amass 564 runs in 14 innings of 15 matches.

In Qualifier 1 against Gujarat Titans, his 44-ball 60 laid the foundation for Chennai's fighting total of 172 for 7.

His knock of 50-ball 79 against Delhi Capitals in a match before Qualifier 1 led GT to an easy win.

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

Gujarat need to dismiss him early to stop CSK from scoring high.

MS Dhoni

At the age of 41, Dhoni's ability is not measured through stats.

It hardly matters if he bats in the middle order or the lower order, if he hits a half-century, or if he returns to the pavilion early.

It is about his captaincy acumen and the motivation he gives to his teammates.

CSK finished ninth, their worst in IPL 2022, and were written off early this season.

After they lost the first match to Gujarat in IPL 2023, it appeared that Dhoni was losing his midas touch.

But the loss turned out to be fluke as Chennai recovered in style and stormed into the title clash, beating GT in Playoff 1.

Chennai are in the summit clash for the 10th time.

They have won 4 finals, while lost 5.

Dhoni has the charisma to power the team to clinch the fifth trophy, and join Mumbai Indians as the most successful team in IPL.

Tushar Deshpande

Despande's poor line and length and ability to bowl no-balls made him struggle in earlier IPLs, but his transformation in IPL 2023 into a blowler CSK can rely on during tough matches has surprised many of his criticis.

He has taken 21 wickets in 15 matches and is the best bowler in his team this season.

Though he has taken just 2 wickets in his last four matches, he hasn't given more than 26 runs in three of those matches.

Even if he stops GT openers Gill and Wriddhiman Saha from hitting big shots in the first few overs, Chennai batsmen will get the edge out of it during their innings.