Chennai Super Kings Predicted Playing XI vs Gujarat Titans for Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023

The Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) will face off in Qualifier 1 of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday, May 23.

The Titans were the first team to qualify for the playoffs, sealing their place in Qualifier 1 well ahead of the Super Kings, who waited until the penultimate day of the league stage to assure themselves of a spot. While Gujarat notched up 10 wins, Chennai managed eight with one no-result.

CSK's head-to-head record against GT doesn't look too promising, with the latter having come up trumps in all three matches between the two sides. However, they will take heart from their stellar home record.

Here is CSK's predicted playing XI for Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023 against GT.

Note: Playing XIs are bound to vary majorly in IPL 2023, with the introduction of the impact player rule as well as captains having the chance to name their side after the result of the toss is known.

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GT vs CSK: CSK Predicted Playing 11 vs GT in IPL 2023

Devon Conway has been CSK's leading run-scorer this season

It's the easiest thing in the world to predict CSK's playing XI, especially as the side approach the business end of the competition. Barring any injuries or last-minute availability issues, the Men in Yellow are going to stick with the same team.

Even though Ben Stokes has left the side to focus on his international commitments, it doesn't really affect Chennai, who weren't playing him anyway due to the team combination.

There are question marks over Ambati Rayudu and Maheesh Theekshana, who haven't been great with bat and ball, respectively. CSK haven't tried out any other batters in IPL 2023, so Rayudu is bound to play.

Theekshana's place, meanwhile, has been under threat from Mitchell Santner for quite some time now. While it would be understandable if the Super Kings decided to bring Santner in, especially against a rightie-heavy GT, they're unlikely to make a change like that at this stage of the competition.

Theekshana bowled a double-wicket maiden in CSK's final league game against the Delhi Capitals (DC) and was decent even before that unexpected feat. He should feature in the first game of the playoffs.

With Rayudu taking a stunning catch in the previous game, Shivam Dube could be subbed in or out for Matheesha Pathirana.

CSK's predicted playing XI for Qualifier 1 of IPL 2023: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Tushar Deshpande.

Impact player candidates: Shaik Rasheed, Akash Singh, Nishant Sindhu, Prashant Solanki, Ambati Rayudu.