IPL match preview: Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings
The Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings will open the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League.
Hardik Pandya.It's the reigning champions against the four-time title holders in a highly-anticipated fixture featuring several local and global stars.
The Titans will be without hard-hitting South African batsman David Miller. He was at the fore of their title-winning campaign last season. He has opted play for the Proteas against Netherlands before arriving late to the IPL.
The Super Kings would enjoy England all-rounder Ben Stokes' role with the ball, but head coach Mike Hussey has suggested Stokes will play as a specialist batsman. This is effectively to protect Stokes' match fitness ahead of the Ashes series later this year.
The Titans beat the Super Kings on both occasions in the 2022 IPL. The Titans batted second twice and won inside an over to spare both times.
Chennai have England's Moeen Ali, who'll likely be key with bat and ball. Homegrown talent-wise, there's Deepak Chahar and his late left-arm swing.
New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has moved from the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the Titans. He might play as an opening batsman, if not in the middle order. Seamer Shivam Mavi is among Gujarat's best local talent.
Chennai have recruited well and retained some seasoned players, including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. Their pursuit of a fifth IPL title should start successfully against a Titans outfit needing to show they are not just one-hit wonders.