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Till last Sunday, the Chennai Super Kings’ campaign was threatening to unravel. For 20 overs against the Punjab Kings, it seemed that that would continue. But then, their bowlers stepped up, ultimately powering them to a comfortable victory.
So, after 11 games, CSK have 12 points. It still keeps them in the mid-table logjam, but it also means their playoff destiny is still in their hands. If they win all of the games that remain, they will qualify without any complex NRR calculations.
A defeat, though, and things could come down to NRR. CSK have a healthy NRR at the moment, but this is not what they would want. Leaving things to chance is not what the franchise usually does, and to that end, they will be itching to give a good account of themselves at the venue they were crowned champions for the fifth time.
The Gujarat Titans, unlike CSK, have not won enough games. But there is a possibility that they can still make the playoffs with 14 points. For that, though, they will have to start winning, and a victory against CSK will not just give them two much-needed points, but it will also inject the impetus their campaign requires.
Batting has been an issue so far for the Titans. Captain Shubman Gill has not been his usual self, and the middle order has often had to perform rescue jobs. Sai Sudharsan has been scoring runs but the tempo has not been great, and that has had a knock-on effect on the rest.
The Titans, however, have plenty of firepower in their side, including the likes of David Miller, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan, and they will hope they can get going when they need it most.
CSK have a few batting flaws to iron out themselves. They got out of jail against the Punjab Kings, but that does not dwarf how poor Ajinkya Rahane has been this season. They could include Rachin Ravindra and pair him with Ruturaj Gaikwad at the top, although that would mean Moeen Ali missing out and CSK having three left-arm spinners.
Then, there is the everlasting debate over where MS Dhoni should be batting. There are reports he is nursing a torn leg muscle, hindering his ability to bat higher and run for longer. If he again plays the role of death-overs marauder, CSK could do with a few lusty hits lower down, like he was doing earlier in the season.
With the ball, CSK will hope their bowlers rise to the occasion again. Simarjeet Singh bowled with fire in Dharamsala, and Tushar Deshpande was superb with the new ball too. Mitchell Santner provides more reinforcement to their spin stocks, alongside Ravindra Jadeja.
GT, on the other hand, have yet to fill the Mohammed Shami-shaped hole. Their Afghan wrist-spinners, though, could be key against a line-up that contains Daryl Mitchell and Shivam Dube – both of whom are clean strikers against spin. How this match-up unfolds, could even define where this contest ends up.
Either way, this seems a game that will be defined by fine margins. GT have pride and a distinct playoff possibility to play for. CSK, meanwhile, have a chance to retain control of their own destiny.
Expect another thriller!
GT Probable XII: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill (c), B Sai Sudharsan, Shahrukh Khan, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Darshan Nalkande, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Josh Little, Sandeep Warrier
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Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
