Player SpotlightSai Sudharsan Recalls Watching the CSK Bus Pass His School Before GT Clash
Gujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan spoke about his childhood bond with Chennai Super Kings ahead of their meeting in Ahmedabad on May 22.
Gujarat Titans are second with eight wins from 13 and have booked a playoff place. Royal Challengers Bengaluru lead them with 18 points, and with GT’s net run rate at +0.400 they would need an unrealistic margin against CSK to catch them, so a top-two finish depends on other results, especially any slips by Sunrisers Hyderabad. GT will want to bounce back from their recent loss to Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
Their batting builds steadily, with the openers balancing attack and wicket preservation before Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia and Jason Holder accelerate at the end. The bowling is the real strength: it strikes early in the powerplay, Rashid Khan has dominated the middle overs and Holder has been excellent at the death.
Chennai Super Kings play their last league game needing to win. They are sixth with six wins and seven losses. Their batting has depended on the powerplay, with a best of 212/2 against Delhi Capitals. The bowling has improved, with Akeal Hosein and Noor Ahmad controlling the middle overs and Anshul Kamboj their leading wicket-taker, though he has lost rhythm since conceding heavily against Lucknow. We expect Gujarat to win.
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch is generally well balanced, with true bounce and a quick outfield that supports totals of 170–200 or more in T20s. Quicks can find some movement early before the surface settles, and spinners may come into play in the middle overs as it slows. The large boundaries reward timing over raw power. Dew in evening games can make chasing easier.
Ahmedabad is expected to be hot and dry for the 7:30 pm start on 21 May, with temperatures around 36–38°C, clear to slightly hazy skies and minimal chance of rain. Light winds and moderate humidity are forecast. Dew may appear later in the second innings, which could help the chasing side by affecting the bowlers’ grip.
Our preview picks Gujarat Titans, who are second in the table and already in the playoffs.
CSK have six wins and seven defeats from 13 games, sit sixth and need a win here plus favourable results elsewhere.
According to our source, 229/4 against Rajasthan Royals.
Player SpotlightGujarat Titans opener Sai Sudharsan spoke about his childhood bond with Chennai Super Kings ahead of their meeting in Ahmedabad on May 22.
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