IPL 2022: Match 29 – Predicted Gujarat Titans Playing XI vs Chennai Super Kings

New entrants Gujarat Titans (GT) are having an excellent outing in their first season of the Indian Premier League (IPL), winning four out of their five matches. After registering their first-ever loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), the Titans made a strong comeback against Rajasthan Royals, winning their last encounter by a margin of 37 runs.

GT are placed first on the points table after beating Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), Punjab Kings (PBKS), Delhi Capitals (DC) and RR. Skipper Hardik Pandya seems to be enjoying his new captaincy role and that has also improved his performance with both and ball. To note, Pandya was adjudged the Player of the Match in GT’s last encounter against RR.

They are up against the defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in their next group stage match of IPL 2022. GT management will have some thinking to do before their next match. Wicketkeeper-batter Wriddhiman Saha and pacer Alzarri Joseph can be given their debut caps against CSK.

Gujarat Titans’ predicted XI against Chennai Super Kings

Openers – Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha

Opening batter Shubman Gill has failed to get going in his last two outings against SRH and RR, as he scored just seven and 13 runs respectively. However, Gill played an excellent knock of 96 off 59 deliveries that included 11 fours and one six against PBKS and steered his side to victory. He will look to give a solid start in his next match.

Australian wicketkeeper-batter Matthew Wade has failed to perform in several chances he has been given by the GT management. As a result, he could make way for aggressive Indian opening batter Wriddhiman Saha. The veteran batter has been around in the IPL for past many years and has represented several franchises including SRH, KKR and CSK.

Middle Order: Vijay Shankar , Abhinav Manohar, David Miller

All-rounder Vijay Shankar failed to perform in his first match for GT. The right-handed batter scored just two off seven deliveries, before getting scalped by pacer Kuldeep Sen. Shankar will desperately want to perform well in the match, else he can be replaced soon. Abhinav Manohar, who played an excellent knock of 43 off 28 balls in the previous match and 35 in just 21 balls against SRH, is expected to retain his position in the middle order for the Gujarat Titans.

South African batter David Miller has been a silent performer for GT so far. The left-handed batter scored 30 off 21 balls in the first match against LSG. Miller remained unbeaten in both the second and the third match as well, scoring 20 and six runs respectively. However, Miller showed his big-hitting skills in the previous match, smashing 31 off just 14 balls.

All Rounders: Hardik Pandya, Rahul Tewatia

Player of the Match in the last encounter, skipper Hardik Pandya has been a true leader for GT. The right-handed batter has played some good knocks in the past five matches including two fifties as well.  With the ball, he has managed to bag four wickets and has been bowling quite economically as well.

After his heroics against PBKS, Rahul Tewatia has contributed very less in the past two matches. The all-rounder  will like to perform more consistently for the new entrants and give himself an outside chance of getting selected in the Indian squad for 2022 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

Bowlers: Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, Alzarri Joseph

The bowling trio of Mohammed Shami, Lockie Ferguson and Rashid Khan have been performing well, taking some vital wickets for the new entrants. While Shami and Ferguson are doing well with the new ball, spinner Rashid Khan has been quite economical during the middle overs.

The GT team management will want to include the services of West Indian pacer Alzarri Joseph in place of young pacer Yash Dayal. Joseph has played three matches in the IPL and has scalped six wickets at an average of 14.5. However, he is quite expensive with the ball, bowling at an economy of 10.04.

GT Predicted Playing XI:

Wriddhiman Saha (Wk), Shubman Gill, Vijay Shankar Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Abhinav Manohar, Rashid Khan, Lockie Ferguson, Mohammed Shami, Alzarri Joseph