IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra Opines on the Battle to Watch Out For in CSK vs GT Final

Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked the contest between the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) openers and the Gujarat Titans (GT) new-ball bowlers as the battle to watch out for in the IPL 2023 final as well. However, the two sides will play against each other in the title decider at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 28. While Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad are CSK’s top run-getters in the ongoing season, Mohammad Shami is the highest wicket-taker of the tournament as well.

While previewing the game in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra said that the prolific Chennai Super Kings openers will be up against the veteran Shami. He also expects Shami, Hardik Pandya and Joshua Little to do well with the new ball for the Gujarat Titans, saying:

“The new-ball contest between Gujarat bowlers and Chennai openers, that’s my contest to look out for. If you see the entire tournament, if there is any pair after Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli, it is Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. They are unbeatable and do an amazing job but here Mohammad Shami will be in front of them. I think you might see Mohammad Shami, Hardik Pandya and Joshua Little in the powerplay. Rashid Khan might also bowl an odd over and Gujarat will attempt to break this opening pair at the start.”

Aakaash Chopra also said that Conway and Gaikwad have had contrasting returns as the opening pair in home and away conditions. Gaikwad (60 off 44) and Conway (40 off 34) added together an 87-run opening-wicket partnership against the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at home. While the former hit a 50-ball 92 in the league match against GT in Ahmedabad as well, his left-handed partner could only manage a single run before he was dismissed by Shami.

IPL 2023: “There is almost nothing to choose between the two” – Aakash Chopra on picking the favourite

“Chennai know that their openers are their honor and pride and if they do well, their life seems extremely beautiful. They do very well at home but play slightly ordinarily away from home,” he added.

Aakash Chopra also added that the Gujarat Titans have a minuscule edge heading into the final. A win for MS Dhoni-led CSK will help them join the Mumbai Indians (MI) as five-time IPL title winners whereas a positive result for the Gujarat Titans will make them the third team, after CSK and MI to defend an IPL title as well.

“Gujarat may start as just marginal favorites. You can talk about 51-49 type. There is almost nothing to choose between the two. The team bowling second might have a slight advantage if dew doesn’t come because you can break the opposition’s back if you have posted a good total earlier,” Aakash Chopra concluded.