Big Picture: Will the stars align for CSK?
Ahmedabad, the scene of arguably Chennai Super Kings’ greatest triumph in 2023, is set to host Ruturaj Gaikwad & co for one final hurrah in IPL 2026. Unless the stars and the mathematical possibilities associated only with particle physics align.
Battling with three other teams for the lone remaining playoff spot, CSK must first secure a convincing win. That may only be enough if Rajasthan Royals and Punjab Kings both lose their final matches, while Kolkata Knight Riders win no more than one of their remaining two.
It is an unenviable position because even a win would leave CSK waiting until May 24 – the final day of the league stage – to learn their fate. Defeat, meanwhile, would confirm a third straight season without a playoff appearance, a stark downturn for a side that missed the playoffs only once between 2008 and 2023.
For hosts Gujarat Titans – into their fourth playoffs in five seasons – the stakes are far more significant, and their equation less complex. A win strengthens their push for a top-two finish. A defeat may still leave them in second place, but only if Royal Challengers Bengaluru beat Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Gujarat Titans LWWWW (last five completed matches, most recent first)
Chennai Super Kings LLWWW
In the spotlight: Rashid and Gaikwad
Rashid Khan was carted for 57 in four wicketless overs by KKR in his last game, making it his most expensive IPL figures. Earlier in the season at Chepauk, CSK too had taken him apart for 21 in the only over he bowled. These two outings, though, are anomalies in an otherwise strong season where Rashid has picked up 16 wickets in 13 matches to remain one of GT’s key middle-overs trump cards. He’ll want to finish the league stage with a statement performance.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is CSK’s second-highest run-scorer this season, but his powerplay strike rate of 121 – the lowest among batters with 200-plus runs – underlines how quickly the game has moved away from the traditional anchor role he has often tried to play. Coach Stephen Fleming has continued to back Gaikwad despite his falling well short of the standards he set during his outstanding 2024 season (he was second on the orange cap race). But with CSK’s results underwhelming and Sanju Samson impressing in his debut season for the franchise, the pressure on Gaikwad to elevate his batting continues to grow, even if he may not yet be feeling the heat as far as leadership goes.
Team news: Dhoni back home in Ranchi
MS Dhoni has returned home to Ranchi, with batting coach Mike Hussey confirming a thumb injury. He will rejoin the squad should they make the playoffs. GT have a fully-fit squad to choose from.
Gujarat Titans (probable): 1 Shubman Gill (capt), 2 B Sai Sudharsan, 3 Jos Buttler (wk), 4 Washington Sundar, 5 Nishant Sindhu, 6 Jason Holder, 7 Rahul Tewatia, 8 Rashid Khan, 9 Kagiso Rabada, 10 Mohammed Siraj, 11 Prasidh Krishna, 12 Arshad Khan
Chennai Super Kings (probable): 1 Ruturaj Gaikwad (capt), 2 Sanju Samson (wk), 3 Urvil Patel, 4 Kartik Sharma, 5 Dewald Brevis, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Prashant Veer, 8 Akeal Hosein, 9 Anshul Kamboj, 10 Noor Ahmad, 11 Spencer Johnson, 12 Mukesh Choudhary
Stats and Trivia: Sai Sudharsan on the cusp of history
The match will be played on Pitch No. 7 which is made of red soil. It has only been used once previously this season, on April 4. A total of 414 runs were scored, with Royals defending 210. It remains the only instance of a side being able to successfully defend a score after winning the toss and opting to bat this IPL.
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