CSK vs GT tip-off XI: New template for foreign players, IPL’s best bowling attack and Shubman Gill hand Gujarat Titans advantage

On Sunday, at the gigantic Narendra Modi Stadium, the IPL 2023 final will pit the defending champion Gujarat Titans against the four-time champion Chennai Super Kings.
In their first meeting this season, which was also the first game of IPL 2023 at this same venue, it was GT that won after a thrilling run-chase. Chennai levelled things up winning Qualifier 1.
Having lost the first qualifier, the hosts breezed through to the final with Shubman Gill’s brilliant century against the Mumbai Indians and a career-best showing from Mohit Sharma with the ball on Friday. Here are the factors that Gujarat will rely on heading into the final:
Lethal bowling arsenal
When it comes to GT’s bowling arsenal, the ancient adage, “Batters win games, bowlers win tournaments” couldn’t be more true. The side’s bowlers have been particularly impressive this season. The Titans will be fired up to take on the fierce Chennai batters with the likes of Afghans Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmed and Irishman Josh Little part of their assault. Usually for IPL teams, the template is to pick foreign players from the big cricket-playing nations like Australia, England, West Indies and so on. But GT have reposed their faith in two Afghans and an Irishman, who form the crux of their team.
All-rounder Rashid has once more demonstrated his value to his team. He is now the second-highest wicket-taker of the season with 27 wickets under his belt thanks to his lethal spin. In addition to this, he has also established his abilities as a superb batter with a 79-run knock of just 32 balls against MI.
Apart from having strong spin options in the form of Rashid and Noor, they also cons of a scorching pace attack led Mohammed Shami (28 wickets) and Mohit Sharma (24 wickets). With 28 victims to his name so far this season, Shami has taken the most wickets, while Mohit will play in this game brimming with confidence having taken a fifer against MI.

Our bowling attack 💙💯
Their precision, power, and passion make them an unstoppable force in the game! 💪@MdShami11 | @rashidkhan_19 | #MohitSharma#PhariAavaDe | #CSKvGT | #TATAIPL 2023 Final pic.twitter.com/zWYqb57Y4R
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 28, 2023
Shubman Gill’s red-hot form
With three centuries this year, the most recent being against Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, opener Shubman Gill has made it a habit to put on a show each time he steps onto the pitch. Gill, who has scored the most runs in this season so far, will be aiming to continue his outstanding batting performance.
He has the stats against every bowling style and in every phase. He has three centuries and an average of 94.1 in Ahmedabad this year, with a strike rate of 176.2.
Only England’s white-ball captain Jos Buttler, who scored 863 runs for Rajasthan in 2022, stands between the Gujarat batsman and the season’s top performer, Virat Kohli.
Perk of playing at home
It will already be advantageous for them to play the final in Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium in front of a potential 100,000 fans. On top of that, the Titans have the team, particularly the bowling attack, for all types of playing surfaces.
Titans organised three preseason camps under head coach Ashish Nehra before the commencement of the season to prepare for the competition. To put it briefly, everything is in place to do a repeat in their second season in IPL.
Vijay Shankar to bat at No 3
When it comes to going after large totals, GT’s middle-order seems to have incredible potential with players like David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, and Vijay Shankar in their lineup. Miller and Tewatia haven’t had many chances this season, but Vijay has had a stellar season, scoring 301 runs in 13 games with three half-centuries, and is most likely to bat number three in the championship game.

Sweating it out in the nets ahead of the -! 💪🏻@vijayshankar260 | #CSKvGT | #PhariAavaDe | #TATAIPL 2023 Final pic.twitter.com/FZaKFxjCqs
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 27, 2023
Gujarat Titans Predicted line-up: Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, Sai Sudarshan, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Mohit Sharma. Predicted Impact Sub: Josh Little
Gujarat Titans Squad: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Hardik Pandya (c), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little, Srikar Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Odean Smith, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Pradeep Sangwan, Matthew Wade, Jayant Yadav, Dasun Shanaka, Abhinav Manohar, Alzarri Joseph, Darshan Nalkande, Urvil Patel, Yash Dayal