IPL 2023: Aakash Chopra Names Gujarat Titans’ Probable XI for Campaign Opener

Former India player turned veteran commentator Aakash Chopra has picked the Gujarat Titans’ (GT) probable XI for the IPL 2023 opener against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). However, the two sides will take on each other at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday, March 31.

Meanwhile, Gujarat will miss David Miller’s services as the middle-order batter as he is representing South Africa in the ongoing ODI series against the Netherlands as well.

In a video shared on his YouTube channel, Aakash Chopra added that the Gujarat Titans should stick with last season’s opening combination where Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha opened the innings, claiming:

“Gujarat have Shubman Gill and I will say Gujarat have Wriddhiman Saha. Get both of them to open. Keep Kane Williamson at No. 3. There is another wicketkeeping option in the form of KS Bharat and one more in the form of Matthew Wade. But I would say – Saha was doing well, so continue with him if he is batting well in the nets.”

Gujarat Titans are expected to give a tough fight to Chennai Super Kings

Aakash Chopra also stated Matthew Wade could play in the middle order in Miller’s absence, stating:

“Then Hardik Pandya at No. 4. After that, you can keep Matthew Wade at No. 5 if you want. Then Abhinav Manohar and Rahul Tewatia. I have heard Vijay Shankar is batting well. So this could be your batting lineup if Gujarat lose the toss and bat first.”

However, the Gujarat Titans could open with Sai Sudharsan instead of Saha as well, considering his excellent form in domestic cricket, with Wade donning the keeping gloves. Meanwhile, he also picked three specialist pacers and two spinners in their probable bowling attack, saying:

“If they get to bowl first, in bowling you will get Rashid Khan, Mohammad Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Shivam Mavi – who also bats decently, and then I am thinking Jayant Yadav and Hardik Pandya. The opposition team has Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Devon Conway and Moeen Ali.”

Aakash Chopra feels Jayant Yadav should play ahead of R Sai Kishore as well, stating:

“If there are so many left-handers, play Jayant Yadav. Jayant Yadav has been picked in this team just because they can use him whenever there are left-handers. Jayant has not picked up too many wickets whenever he has played but use the option when you have one. Don’t use R Sai Kishore here, use Jayant Yadav.”