IPL 2023: 3 Players Who Will Be Crucial for Gujarat Titans to Win GT vs CSK Match No. 1

IPL 2023: The first game of the 16th edition of the Indian Premier League will see Gujarat Titans defending their title against Chennai Super Kings. It will be the tournament’s opener, which will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After a dominating performance in their maiden season, GT would like to replicate their success in the coming season as well.

For that, they need some players to deliver some extraordinary performances. However, GT has a number of match-winners in their ranks who can win them the game single-handedly. But in this article, we will look at three players who will be crucial for the defending champions when they face CSK in Ahmedabad on Friday. 

IPL 2023: 3 Key Players for Gujarat Titans in the GT vs CSK Match No. 1

3. Shubman Gill

Shubman Gill has been the best batter for India across all three formats in the last six months or so. He is the only batter in 2023 to score a century in all three formats. He has become a key player for India and is the prime candidate for the upcoming 2023 ODI World Cup. Many doubted Gill’s place in the T20 side, but he shut down his critics with a brilliant century recently against New Zealand.

His current form indicates that he might end up as the highest run-getter for Gujarat. Even in the last season, he was one of the reasons for Gujarat’s success. He scored 483 runs in 16 innings at 34.50, with a best of 96. Gill also scored four half-centuries. He will be crucial to Gujarat’s success at the top against CSK.

2. Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan needs no introduction to the game. Even AB de Villiers named him the best T20 player in the world. His presence on the field puts pressure on the opposition. Rashid is growing with his age, and being the vice captain of the team, he has done a pretty good job so far. He picked up 19 wickets in 2022 at a superb economy rate of 6.59, with a best of 4/24.

Apart from bowling, he played some brilliant cameos with the bat. CSK will not forget the game in 2022, when Rashid smashed 40 off 21 to win GT the game. Thus, Rashid will certainly be the biggest threat for CSK heading into the game. And if he maintains his current form, CSK may find themselves on the losing side. 

1. Hardik Pandya

Who can match the intensity that GT skipper Hardik Pandya brings to the game when he is on the field? India’s best white-ball all-rounder in the modern era has led GT to glory in its maiden season. He is just a complete package and showed that he has got a tactical brain on his shoulder as well. Hardik is equally effective in his all four skills; batting, bowling, fielding and captaincy. He can win the game in any one of the above four departments.

He was the best player for GT in the 2022 edition. Hardik scored 487 runs in 15 innings at 44.27 and a strike rate of 131.26, including four half-centuries. He also took 8 wickets at a decent economy rate of 7.27. Thus, he is by far the best player in his camp, and being a captain, he has always performed. His recent form for India has already seen him win a number of games, and we might see the same against CSK on March 31.