IPL 2023 Final | Three Reasons Why GT Hold Advantage Over CSK
GT will meet CSK on Sunday in IPL 2023 Final [Source: Twitter]
In one of the most anticipated Indian Premier League (IPL) Final in recent times, the Gujarat Titans (GT) will lock horn against the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Sunday, 28th May at Ahmedabad, in front of a jam-packed Narendra Modi Stadium.
The Titans, who are playing in only their second IPL season, have been able to play down the pressures of being the defending champions in this edition and displayed enthralling cricket, in both their wins and defeats. Hardik Pandya, who will want to take home a second successive IPL title, will be up against CSK, who are playing their 10th final under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, which is a daunting task.
However, keeping everything in mind let us read into the three major factors that will give GT an edge over their more accomplished opponents.
Home Record of Gujarat Titans
The Narendra Modi Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for GT. The franchise, which played its first full season in Ahmedabad this edition, have won six out of nine matches and lost just three. Gujarat have won four games while batting first, and two while chasing, making them a balanced outfit at home.
The true nature of the track has been a boon for Gujarat's explosive batting line-up, who enjoy the ball coming onto the bat, as opposed to being slow and low.
Having won their maiden IPL trophy at the same stadium last year, GT will look forward to evoking good memories and winning their second consecutive title.
Shubman Gill
Shubman Gill has 533 runs at Ahmedabad in IPL 2023 [Source: AP Photo]
When it comes to batting, Shubman Gill has been dishing out hundreds for fun in the ongoing IPL 2023. With 851 runs and as many as three centuries, Gill has toyed opposition bowlers.
Gill's form in 2023 has been terrific, and his favourite ground has been Ahmedabad, where the batter has slammed as many as four centuries this year alone.
Overall in IPL 2023, the 23-year-old has scored 533 runs at Narendra Modi Stadium, with two centuries. Gill's maiden T20I ton and second Test century also came at Ahmedabad earlier this year.
No IPL baggage
After winning their maiden IPL trophy last year, GT have played like champions, and shown no complacency. Individual brilliance might have handed them defeats but as a team under Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten, the defending champions have shown no excess baggage.
Come Sunday, GT will feel the pressure of heading into the final as defending champions, but will not have a rich history of several lost finals to avenge. CSK, on the other hand, will look to hand MS Dhoni a perfect send-off, and lift their fifth trophy, adding additional stress.
In the final it is all about, who handles the pressure situations better, and which team heads into the match light and free.
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