IPL 2023: Rashid Khan will be a trump card for Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1: Sehwag

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Chennai | M.A. The stage is all set for a big clash between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in the Qualifier-1 match at the Chidambaram Stadium, with the focus on key players from both the sides. Both the teams locked horns in the opening match of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with Hardik Pandya’s side emerging victorious by 5 wickets at home against the MS Dhoni-led side.

While defending champions Gujarat will be relying heavily on their strong bowling unit led by Titans Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan, who are the top wicket-takers with 24 wickets each. Four-time champions Chennai Super Kings will look to their successful opening pair of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway to get them off to a strong start on Tuesday.

Gujarat Titans will rely heavily on their star spinner Rashid Khan on the spin-friendly Chepauk track, feels former India cricketer Virender Sehwag, who considers the Afghanistan spin sensation a trump card for the defending champions.

The former India opener said, Rashid Khan is a trump card for Gujarat. If they want wickets, they get them and then the way Hardik has used Rashid, it is commendable. Rashid loves to break partnerships and has now become the most successful bowler of this season.

Both CSK and GT have been similar in their approach and it will be an evenly drawn contest at Chepauk when these two giants clash in the first playoff match of the season.

Highlighting the similarities between the two teams, former India cricketer Sanjay Manjrekar claimed that both are tactically similar teams and this would make for an interesting contest between them.

Manjrekar told Star Sports’ Cricket Live, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans have been very similar teams tactically. Both these teams do not make too many changes and the leadership group keeps the atmosphere light in the dressing room. It will be an interesting battle between these two in the playoffs.

Former India cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes that the home conditions will give CSK a slight advantage but the Dhoni-led side has not been able to turn Chepauk into an impregnable fortress this year like it has been in the past, but the experience of the playoffs will help this team. Will motivate well.

–IANS

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