Last Update: May 23, 2023, 09:30 IST
Chennai Super Kings will take on Gujarat Titans for the second time this year. (pic credit: sportzpix)
Chennai Super Kings themselves are yet to recover from the conditions at Chepauk as their head coach admitted at the start of the season
Chennai Super Kings will play against Gujarat Titans in the first Qualifier of IPL 2023 at home and the familiar conditions should make it a little easier for the four-time champions, especially considering that this will be the first time the visitors will be playing at Chepauk. ,
While CSK have made this venue their fort over the years, this year hasn’t been one either as they have lost three of the seven matches they have played here so far. He has faced defeats against Rajasthan Royals, Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders.
Even CSK coach Stephen Fleming has admitted that the conditions have changed compared to the earlier seasons.
In the post-match conference, Fleming said, ‘We are still not sure about our position in Chennai, in other years we were pretty sure but this year it has changed a bit.’
India spin legend Harbhajan Singh, who has represented CSK in the past, says CSK will have the home advantage but their performances have not been ‘foolproof’.
“The competition between CSK and GT will be intense as both the teams know how to win big games. CSK have a big advantage playing at home, they know the conditions very well but somewhere this year their performance at home has not been foolproof. So it makes things interesting but CSK look a completely different side when they play in the playoffs. I am really looking forward to this match,” he added star sports,
CSK finished ninth last season but this year they are back where they belong. Harbhajan believes that the performances of his openers Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been a big reason why Chennai finished second in the points table.
“Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway came into the field with full preparation. They have been complimenting each other very well this season. He has given good starts to CSK and scored a lot of runs and entertained the crowd. The team whose openers play well, scores well and that is the reason why CSK is in a good position today.”
