The State of Play
Chennai Super Kings will look to boost their IPL 2024 play-off hopes when they take on the rock-bottom Gujarat Titans tomorrow.
CSK have been inconsistent of late, winning two and losing three of their last five outings – although they come into this contest on the back of a victory having seen off the Punjab Kings by 28 runs.
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Ravindra Jadeja was the hero, making an innings-stabilising 43 with the bat before claiming three for 20 from his four overs.
Captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was delighted his side overcame a series of injuries and international commitments that deprived them of Deepak Chahar and Matheesha Pathirana to secure a much-needed win.
He said: “A sigh of relief with the injuries we had. Not even sure about who was going to play on the morning of the match, so really happy with that.”
In Chahar and Pathirana’s absence, Simarjeet Singh came to the fore on debut, taking two for 16 from three overs and he will again be key in Ahmedabad, alongside spin trio Moeen Ali, Mitchell Santner and Jadeja.
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While the Super Kings’ post-season hopes are very much alive, the same cannot be said for the Titans, who are drinking in the last chance saloon.
Shubman Gill’s men currently sit bottom of the standings and have to win their remaining three games and hope results elsewhere go their way.
Given they have won just one of their last five, it remains a long shot.
Gill is still clinging to hope, however. Following the four-wicket defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru last time out, he said: “It’s very important to start from zero in our next match and move on from this game. Learn from mistakes and not repeat them. All about winning from here on.”
The 𝙠𝙚𝙚𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙨 of our 💙#AavaDe | #GTKarshe pic.twitter.com/Nuv5x5pKcP
— Gujarat Titans (@gujarat_titans) May 8, 2024
Expected line-ups
Gujarat Titans: Saha (wk), Gill (c), Sudharsan, MS Khan, Miller, Tewatia, R Khan, Shankar, Sutra, Sharma, Little
Chennai Super Kings: Rahane, Gaikwad (c), Mitchell, Dube, Ali, Jadeja, Santner, Thakur, Dhoni (wk), Deshpande, Singh
How to watch
Sky have the rights to show the IPL to UK viewers in 2024 and will broadcast every game live. Friday’s match will be shown on Sky Sports Cricket from 2.50pm BST.
In India, the games can be streamed on the Jio Cinema app and website. They are also available across the Star Sports Network.
May your day be as beautiful as Captain’s cover! 🥰#WhistlePodu #Yellove🦁💛 @Ruutu1331 pic.twitter.com/t6YJ1O7ksU
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) May 8, 2024
Prediction
While the Titans are desperate for a win, they just don’t have the firepower to deliver.
They have struggled from the outset and appear a team on the way down, rather than one capable of launching a late, dramatic run to the play-offs.
CSK have more quality from top to bottom. And they also know a win here would go a long way to securing their place in the post-season.
We are going for a Super Kings win!
