Key match-ups, analysis, form, team news, weather forecast, tickets, TV and streaming information, odds, predictions and more ahead of the first encounter in the 2023 IPL
Defending champions Gujarat Titans take on Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the 2023 IPL.
The match will be played on Friday, March 3, with the first ball bowled at 7.30pm local time (3pm BST).
The game will take place at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Gujarat Titans come into the 2023 IPL hoping to retain the title they won last year, when they beat Rajasthan Royals in the final by seven wickets. It capped off a perfect debut season, with the side entering the competition for the first time in 2022.
The Titans, led by Hardik Pandya, enjoyed a near-flawless season, topping the group stages after just four losses and 10 wins in their 14 matches. In the Eliminator, they made a tricky looking chase of 189 against Rajasthan Royals look easy, winning by seven wickets. In the final, they limited a Royals side including top runscorer Jos Buttler to just 130, and were able to coast home in their chase.
The Titans also hold the mental advantage going into this fixture, having won both of their matches against Chennai Super Kings last season. The first time the sides faced off saw CSK post 169 for 5. A masterclass from David Miller, who scored 94 not out when no one else in the top six passed 12, and a rapid 40 off 21 by Rashid Khan saw the side home.
The second time the teams played was a low-scoring affair, with tight bowling from Mohammed Shami, and a controlled 67 not out from Wriddhiman Saha helping the Titans to a comfortable seven-wicket victory. These losses added to CSK's misery last season, as they managed just four wins, and ended the campaign second bottom.
Rashid Khan is the best T20 bowler in the world, according to the latest ICC rankings. He is also one of the foreign players most synonymous with the IPL, having played in the last five editions, taking over 100 wickets in the process. The leg-spinner was finally able to get his hands on the trophy with Gujarat Titans last season, and Khan will need to be on his best form if they want to defend their title.
Devon Conway was one of the Chennai Super Kings players who came away from last season's tournament with some credit, having scored 252 runs at a strike rate of 145.66. His record against leg-spin is impressive, only being dismissed six times in 39 innings, whilst striking at 125.81. Conway poses one of CSK's biggest threats, and may take a liking to Khan if he is still in when the Afghanistan captain is called upon. This may limit Khan's effectiveness, which could affect the Titans' chances in this game.
Matches played: 2
Gujarat Titans wins: 2
Chennai Super Kings wins: 0
It’s going to be hot in Ahmedabad as the 2023 IPL gets under way, with temperatures between 28 and 30 degrees Celsius expected during the match.
Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya (c), Wriddhiman Saha, Matthew Wade, KS Bharat, Urvil Patel, Kane Williamson, Shubman Gill, David Miller, Abhinav Manohar, B Sai Sudharsan, Rashid Khan, Odean Smith, Rahul Tewatia, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph, Mohit Sharma, Josh Little, Pradeep Sangwan, Shivam Mavi, Yash Dayal, Darshan Nalkande, Noor Ahmad, R Sai Kishore
Chennai Super Kings: MS Dhoni (c), Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Shaik Rasheed, Subhranshu Senapati, Ben Stokes, Ravindra Jadeja, Moeen Ali, Dwaine Pretorius, Mitchell Santner, Shivam Dube, Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Nishant Sandhu, Bhagath Verma, Ajay Mandal, Deepak Chahar, Sisanda Magala, Matheesha Pathirana, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh, Prashant Solanki, Tushar Deshpande
Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya (c), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami
Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, MS Dhoni (c, wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwaine Pretorius, Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh
Paddy Power have Gujarat Titans as favourites for this game, at 8/11. The Chennai Super Kings are evens to win this match.
Gujarat Titans have kept hold of the key personnel responsible for their title win last season, and possess quality in all departments. CSK will be desperate to right the wrongs of last season, and the introduction of a certain Ben Stokes could be just what they need. CSK will cause a shock, with Stokes demonstrating why he is worth over £1.6million to his new side.
Sky have the rights to the Indian Premier League in the UK, so you can the action on Sky Sports Main Event, and Sky Sports Cricket throughout the whole tournament.
For fans in India hoping to catch this intriguing opening fixture, Star Sports is the place to go.
Australians can catch every ball on Fox Sports, and people from New Zealand can watch the match on Sky Sport.
Supersport is the go-to destination for South Africans, and Willow is the place to watch this match in the USA.
For those in the Caribbean, Flow Sports has the coverage.
Additional reporting by Betzy Brize
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