IPL 2023: 3 surprise Dream11 fantasy team picks for GT vs CSK match

IPL 2023 playoffs get underway on Tuesday, May 23, with table toppers Gujarat Titans (GT) taking on the second-placed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the Qualifier 1 match. Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium will play host to this high-stakes game.

The two teams clashed against each other in the opening match of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Ruturaj Gaikwad smacked a 92-run knock in that game to help his team score 178 runs in 20 overs.

In reply, Shubman Gill's half-century and Rashid Khan's brilliant cameo helped the Titans reach 182/5 with four balls to spare. Rajvardhan Hangargekar bagged three wickets for the Super Kings in that match.

The conditions in Chennai might be a little different when the two teams meet in the playoffs. The pitch used for the last match at this venue helped the slower bowlers. CSK managed only 144 runs after winning the toss and opting to bat first against the Kolkata Knight Riders.

Besides, GT have never lost an IPL match against CSK. The two franchises have clashed thrice in the league's history, with the Titans emerging victorious on all occasions.

The Dream11 users may stack up their fantasy teams with Gujarat Titans players for tonight's IPL 2023 match, but here's a list of three such surprise picks that can prove to be differentials in the contests.

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#1 Hardik Pandya, Gujarat Titans

Hardik Pandya was the MVP of the Gujarat Titans last season. He led the team from the front in both departments, but this season, Pandya has not fired much with the willow. He has played a couple of crucial knocks for his team, but his numbers have not been the same as the previous season.

Also, the GT skipper has not bowled a single over in the last three matches. Hence, fantasy cricket users might be reluctant to pick him in their teams. However, it is pertinent to note that Pandya is a big-match player.

He has enormous experience of playing in playoffs games. If Pandya gets going, he can score big and also end up taking a couple of wickets for his team.

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#2 Wriddhiman Saha, Gujarat Titans

GT's veteran opener Wriddhiman Saha has been a little inconsistent with the bat this season. Like Pandya, Saha played some impactful knocks, but his consistency has not been up to the mark.

Still, Dream11 users should pick Saha in their teams. The reason behind that is the wicket-keeper batter won a Man of the Match award against CSK last season. Also, he has played a lot of matches in Chennai. That experience should help him succeed in tonight's IPL 2023 match.

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#3 Ambati Rayudu, Chennai Super Kings

CSK have backed Ambati Rayudu a lot in IPL 2023. The seasoned campaigner has not fired all guns blazing this season so far. MS Dhoni is likely to back Rayudu in the playoffs as well.

If Rayudu gets his timing right, the veteran player can score a lot of runs for CSK. He has played a lot of high-pressure games as well, and that experience can be useful tonight.