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.
