The suspense factor as IPL 2023 starts today

Pranav Mehta

IPL STROKES

Tata IPL is ready to kick off a much-awaited action-packed season of cricket, which is nothing less than a festival for the cricket crazy fans. After a long wait, finally IPL is going back to its home and away format, which will mean that many franchise fans would be able to once again see their favourite team coming to stadiums which are closer to them.

OPENING CEREMONY

The BCCI has chosen the mode of silence to create an ultimate buzz on who are going to be the performers for the opening ceremony, which is to start at 6 pm India time and is expected to continue for 45 minutes. IPL on its social media handle confirmed the participation of Tamannah Bhatia. There have been rumours about the involvement of a special laser show, Arijit Singh and Rashmika Mandanna, though there have not been any confirmations with regards to it. In all likelihood, one would be lucky to be a part of the full-house (132,000) at the Narendra Modi Stadium and the roar of the stadium will showcase the love and passion for cricket in India.

OPENING MATCH

GUJARAT TITANS (GT) vs CHENNAI SUPER KINGS (CSK)

· TEAM FACTS – If CSK are known as the old war horse, then GT are the Generation Next. It is a match between India’s former captain and the future captain. It’s the game between a person who set the trend vs the person who is looking to re-define cricket. Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who is known as the leader of one of most consistent teams of IPL, will be locking horns against his disciple Hardik Pandya, who has the IPL trophy to his name in the first attempt.

· Head-to-Head - Played - 2; Won by GT - 2; Won by CSK – 0

· GT Expected Playing 11 - Shubhman Gill, Matthew Wade, Kane Williamson, Abhinav Manohar, Hardik Pandya, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammed Shami, Sai Kishore, Yash Dayal.

· CSK Expected Playing 11 - Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, MS Dhoni, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwaine Pretorious, Deepak Chahar, Prashant Solanki, Simarjeet Singh.

· CSK Possible Impact player - If CSK Batting 2nd: Ajinkya Rahane, Dwaine Pretorious; If CSK Bowling 2nd: Sisanda Magala, Simarjeet Singh

· GT Possible Impact player - If GT Batting 2nd: Abhinav Manohar, KS Bharat/Wriddhiman Saha; If GT Bowling 2nd: Josua Little, R Sai Kishore

· Pitch Report - The wicket at the Narendra Modi Stadium often provides a decent batting surface. However, as the game goes on, the spinners will become more useful because of the pitch. On this surface, the average first innings score is 170. In most cases, chasing teams have prevailed.

· Match Prediction – The two teams believe in strategic game play by using all-rounders instead of specialist bowlers. This year CSK looks like a completely different team and Dhoni is pretty well prepared for making IPL 2023 as his own. It could very well be the last year of Dhoni, something that we would never know till the time actually comes. GT might be the defending champions, who are playing with their home advantage, but the very calm and quiet MSD is ready to unleash a massive storm at the Narendra Modi Stadium and this would be through his superior strategic thinking and game awareness. Hence, it’s going to be Chennai Super Kings night!

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