The cricketing world is gearing up for the much-awaited IPL 2023 final between the Gujarat Titans (GT) and the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad today. Here are the top five things to look out for in this thrilling encounter:
1. Venue and Weather Conditions
The Narendra Modi Stadium, formerly known as the Motera Stadium, is the largest cricket stadium in the world, with a seating capacity of over 1,32,000. The stadium is widely regarded as a batsman's paradise, and the average first innings winning score has been 193 in this stadium in IPL 2023.
However, recent weather conditions might impact the game. The original match day saw a downpour in Ahmedabad, moving the final to a reserve day. Today, light to moderate rains or thundershowers are expected over isolated parts of Ahmedabad, but for the most part, skies are expected to be clear — at least for the duration of the match.
2. Team Lineups and Key Players
Both teams are likely to field unchanged lineups that got them through the qualifiers. Key players to watch out for from CSK include Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, and Moeen Ali. From GT, Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya, Vijay Shankar, and David Miller are the ones to keep an eye on.
3. Batting Prowess
The Narendra Modi stadium has a reputation for being a paradise for batsmen. GT player Shubman Gill recently scored a spectacular 129 against MI in the Qualifier, setting a new benchmark for the highest score in the IPL at the venue. Ajinkya Rahane of CSK is the second-highest run-scorer at the venue with 308 runs.
4. Bowling Figures
GT bowler Mohammed Shami has the best bowling figure at the Narendra Modi Stadium in its IPL history, with a spell of 4/11 against DC. He is closely followed by Mohit Sharma (17) and Rashid Khan (14) in terms of the number of wickets taken at the venue.
5. Historical Performance
Historically, GT has a strong track record at the Narendra Modi Stadium, with a win percentage of 62.5% this season. GT also clinched their first title on their IPL debut last season at the same venue, beating RR in the final. On the other hand, CSK last reached an IPL final in 2021, when they defeated KKR to bag their fourth title.
In conclusion, while statistics and historical performance provide some insights, cricket is a game full of surprises and anything can happen on the day. So, sit back, relax, and enjoy what promises to be an exhilarating match!
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