3 Underrated Players To Watch Out For in IPL 2023 Opener Between CSK & GT 

image-lfwah7lvRahul Tewatia in action [Source: Twitter]

To the delight of cricket fans across the globe, India's biggest T20 festival, the Indian Premier League, is all set to begin today. Two formidable teams, Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, will clash in the opening fixture if IPL 2023 at the iconic Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Although both teams are studded with some T20 superstars, there are some underrated names- Shivam Dube, Rahul Tewatia and Yash Dayal- who can play crucial roles for their respective teams in this face-off. 


Shivam Dube

image-lfwaic1vShivam Dube [Source: Twitter]

Shivam Dube had a shilly-shally start to his IPL journey, representing the Royal Challengers Bangalore with modest success. However, since he has switched to Chennai Super Kings, the swashbuckling southpaw has grabbed a million eyeballs through his nonchalant hitting. 

Dube had his breakout season for CSK last year, amassing 289 runs at a magnificent 156.22. He played some really impactful knocks- 57 off 30 vs Punjab Kings, 95* off 46 vs RCB and 32 off 19 vs Dc- in the showpiece event. So, considering his prowess against leg spin and slow left-arm spin, we expect Dube to put up a show in the tournament opener. 


Rahul Tewatia

In the meanwhile, Rahul Tewatia rose to fame after shell-shocking Punjab Kings, smashing  Caribbean speedster Sheldon Cottrell for five sixes in an over in IPL 2020. Since then, the southpaw has consistently been an x-factor for his franchise. 

He enjoyed stellar success in the IPL 2022 as well, scoring 217 runs at a strike rate of 147.62 and assisting David Miller as a perfect fiddle in the finishing department. So, as Miller won't play the game, GT will depend on Tewatia to ensure a fitting finish for them through his fireworks. 


Yash Dayal

image-lfwajmj1Yash Dayal [Source: Twitter]

Although the eyes will be on Mohammad Shami, Rashid Khan and Hardik Pandya, Yash Dayal is another bowler from Gujarat Titans to watch out for in this match. Besides providing the left-arm angle, Dayal can make the new ball talk; thus, establishing himself as a genuine threat to CSK's top-order. 

Not to forget, CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad has a miserable record against left-arm seamers and so, we won't be surprised if he emerges as GT's match-winner tonight.