IPL 2023: Predicting 3 bowlers who could pick up the most wickets in tonight's GT vs CSK Qualifier 1 clash

The stage is set for Gujarat Titans (GT) to take on the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the much-awaited Qualifier 1 of the ongoing IPL 2023. The fixture is scheduled to be played at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chepauk in Chennai on Tuesday, May 23.

Both teams met in the tournament-opener of the in Ahmedabad, where the Titans defeated the Super Kings by five wickets.

GT finished first on the points table. They were the most dominant team in the league phase, winning ten of their 14 games. Their Net Run Rate (NRR) of +0.809 was also the best among all ten franchises.

Chennai, meanwhile, finished just below GT in the second spot. They won eight of their 14 fixtures, with one game against the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) ending up in a no-result.

As the season has progressed, the surface at the Chepauk Stadium has deteriorated a bit. The average first-innings total in the last three IPL 2023 games at the venue has been 150. The spinners are expected to rule the roost once again tonight.

As GT and CSK gear up to face each other for the high-octane Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023, let's take a look at three possible bowlers who could be amongst the wickets on Tuesday.

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#3 Mohammed Shami - GT

Mohammed Shami pumped up after a wicket vs CSK [IPLT20]

Since IPL 2022, Mohammed Shami has played a crucial role in GT's success. He has bowled well consistently with the new ball, and skipper Hardik Pandya relies on him to make early breakthroughs.

This season has been extremely fruitful for the Indian international as well. With 24 scalps at an average of 17.6 in 14 league games, Shami is currently the joint-highest wicket-taker and the Purple Cap holder in IPL 2023.

Since moving to GT, Shami has had a terrific record against the Men in Yellow, having taken five wickets across three innings, that too, at a phenomenal average and economy rate of 13.6 and 5.6, respectively.

With him being in ominous bowling form, Shami's battle against an in-form CSK batting unit will be one to watch out for.

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#2 Deepak Chahar - CSK

Deepak Chahar for CSK [IPLT20].

After missing half of the season due to an injury, Deepak Chahar has finally found his feet in the yellow of CSK once again.

The right-armer went wicketless in his first four IPL 2023 games and looked a shadow of himself earlier in the campaign. However, as the season has progressed, Chahar has been vital with the new ball for the four-time champions.

In only his last four outings, the 30-year-old has scalped 10 times at a phenomenal strike rate of 7.7. He has taken a three-wicket haul in each of his last two games, one against the Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and the other time against the Delhi Capitals (DC).

CSK will hope that Chahar continues his rhythm and keep the momentum going in the crunch game against GT as well.

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#1 Rashid Khan - GT

Rashid Khan is the joint-highest wicket-taker in IPL 2023 [IPLT20]

Undoubtedly one of the best spinners in the shortest format, Rashid Khan has always been a prime candidate to be amongst the wickets.

In fact, the Afghani tweaker has been enjoying his best-ever IPL campaign, having taken 24 scalps in 14 innings in the tournament so far. The 24-year-old is also currently the joint-highest wicket-taker alongside his teammate Shami.

Rashid’s ability to deceive batters with his variations and extract turn and bounce from the pitch makes him a formidable force to be reckoned with.

Flying high with the Gujarat franchise, Rashid will look to continue his rich vein of form to haunt CSK on a surface that is expected to be conducive for spin bowling.