Ruturaj Gaikwad won the toss for Chennai Super Kings and chose to bowl against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. CSK felt the red-soil track would offer “some pace and bounce,” a combination they believe can unsettle batters early.
Chennai’s XI includes two notable swaps. Gurjapneet Singh comes in as the left-arm fast option, and batting allrounder Matt Short replaces Akeal Hosein. The other change sees Prashant Veer left out, with Short taking the spot among the left-arm spin allrounder mix.
Dhoni ruled out, Impact Sub likely Kartik Sharma
MS Dhoni will not be part of the playing group. He is also not at the venue, having returned to Ranchi to manage a finger injury. CSK’s likely Impact Sub is Kartik Sharma, who has impressed batting at No. 4 in recent outings.
On the other side, Gujarat Titans are preparing to reshuffle their bowling set-up. GT are expected to bring back fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, replacing left-arm spinner R Sai Kishore. Batting first, Prasidh has also been listed among Gujarat’s Impact Sub choices.
Quick facts
- Toss decision: Chennai Super Kings chose to bowl
- Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
- Pitch expectation: “some pace and bounce” on the red-soil surface
- CSK changes: Gurjapneet Singh in; Matt Short replaces Akeal Hosein; Prashant Veer omitted
- GT change: Prasidh Krishna likely replaces R Sai Kishore
- Dhoni status: not playing, not at the venue due to a finger injury; returned to Ranchi
- Playoff context: CSK need a big-margin win; GT aim for a top-two finish and already have qualification confirmed
With the chase for the top end of the table tightening, Chennai know they must win by a large margin to keep their narrow playoff chances alive. Gujarat, meanwhile, are targeting a top-two finish and have already secured qualification, with a confirmed “Q” next to their name on the points table.
Gujarat Titans XI: Shubman Gill (capt), Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Kagiso Rabada, Arshad Khan, Mohammed Siraj.
Gujarat Titans Impact Sub options: Prasidh Krishna, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Phillips, Kulwant Khejroliya, Kumar Kushagra.
Chennai Super Kings XI: Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), Sanju Samson (wk), Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Matt Short, Anshul Kamboj, Noor Ahmad, Spencer Johnson, Mukesh Choudhary, Gurjapneet Singh.
Chennai Super Kings Impact Sub options: Kartik Sharma, Macneil Noronha, Sarfaraz Khan, Kuldip Yadav, Aman Khan.
