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The IPL 2023 season has finally reached its business end with the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) locking horns in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, May 23, for a place in the final.
Arguably the two best teams in the league, GT and CSK have had some world-class players lift their game and help their teams comfortably get into the playoffs. Naturally, it will be a mouth-watering prospect to see these players go head-on against each other on such a massive stage.
Gujarat have never lost to Chennai in the IPL, but the latter are playing in their home conditions and will fancy their chances to set the record straight. On that note, let's take a look at the three player battles that could decide which team will make it to the IPL 2023 final:
#3 David Miller vs Matheesha Pathirana
Matheesha Pathirana has been an incredible addition to the CSK bowling line-up as he has all but solved the death bowling woes for the Men in Yellow. It has been extremely difficult for batters to line him up due to his sling-arm action and the deception that he is able to create with mixtures of yorkers and slower balls.
The young Sri Lankan pacer may be up against the experienced David Miller on Tuesday and there is a possibility that the match could be in a crunch situation when the two face off. One of the best finishers in the modern game, Miller has scored just three runs off eight balls from Pathirana in T20s.
This makes it intriguing as to whether the veteran southpaw can turn the tide or will the young pacer continue to be miserly at the death.
#2 Devon Conway vs Mohammed Shami
Devon Conway's consistency has been one of the main reasons why CSK find themselves playing in Qualifier 1. The Kiwi opener has given flying starts to his team and they will expect the same from him on Tuesday as well.
However, Conway has appalling numbers against GT pacer Mohammed Shami. He has scored just three runs in eight balls against Shami in T20 cricket and has been dismissed twice. If Shami gets some swing early on, he will fancy his chances to send Conway packing early. It will be interesting to see how the southpaw rises to this challenge.
#1 Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Rashid Khan
One of the few batters who has a fantastic match-up with star spinner Rashid Khan is CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad. He and Conway have been one of the most prolific partnerships in the IPL this season and GT will want to make early inroads. Whenever Hardik Pandya has needed a wicket, he has often turned to Rashid and has got the desired result.
Gaikwad has scored 66 runs off 45 balls from Rashid Khan in T20s and those numbers seem to show how comfortable he is facing the Afghanistan spinner. However, Rashid has also dismissed Gaikwad twice and is likely to get a bit of purchase out of the pitch at Chepauk. This makes it a blockbuster match-up to look forward to.
