IPL 2023: GUJARAT TITANS V CHENNAI SUPER KINGS PREDICTION, STARS TO WATCH AND SUGGESTED BETS

Who, when, where

Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings, Friday, 31 March 2023, Ahmedabad

Talking points

The Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings will open the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League. It's the reigning champions against the four-time title holders in a highly-anticipated fixture featuring several local and global stars. The Titans will be without hard-hitting South African batsman David Miller. He was at the fore of their title-winning campaign last season. He has opted play for the Proteas against Netherlands before arriving late to the IPL.

England captain Ben Stokes will be lining up for the Super Kings - but head coach Mike Hussey has suggested all-rounder Stokes will only play as a specialist batsman. This is effectively to protect Stokes' match fitness ahead of the Ashes series later this year.

Head to head

The Titans beat the Super Kings on both occasions in the 2022 IPL. The Titans batted second twice and won inside an over to spare both times.

Stars to watch

Chennai have England's Moeen Ali, who'll likely be key with bat and ball. Homegrown talent-wise, there's Deepak Chahar and his late left-arm swing. New Zealand batsman Kane Williamson has moved from the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the Titans. He might play as an opening batsman, if not in the middle order. Seamer Shivam Mavi is among Gujarat's best local talent.

Prediction

Chennai have recruited well and retained some seasoned players, including captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja. Their pursuit of a fifth IPL title should start successfully against a Titans outfit needing to show they are not just one-hit wonders.

Suggested bets

Chennai Super Kings to beat Gujarat Titans

Hardik Pandya to be Gujarat's top bowler Ruturaj Gaikwad to be Chennai's top bowler

2023-03-30T16:19:21Z dg43tfdfdgfd