Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings IPL Tips: Titans too strong for CSK

Click here for Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings Hyderabad odds
Thursday 21 May,15:00
TV: Sky Sports

Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings IPL team news

Gujarat Titans are fretting over the fitness of Sai Sudharsan, who suffered a nasty blow to his elbow in defeat by Kolkata. He had to retire hurt and it almost certainly cost GT the chance to get a little closer to a stiff target of 247.

If Sai is out they could return to Kumar Kushagra as opener. Kushagra opened in the absence of Shubman Gill early in the season, making 18 against Royals. An alternative is to use Jos Buttler in that role adding middle-order depth in the form of Shahrukh Khan. Sai Kishore, the spinner, has made a welcome return to action having played only twice all season.

Possible XI: Kushagra, Gill, Buttler, Sundar, Nishant, Tewatia (sub Siraj), Holder, Rashid, Rabada, Arshad, Kishore

Chennai Super Kings have to win and hope that Rajasthan and Punjab both lose their final matches of the season if they are to qualify for the play-offs. That should be enough for them to squeeze in on net run rate.

They were looking strong two games ago but a disastrous loss to bottom-of-the-table Lucknow and then a five-wicket defeat by Sunrisers will probably put paid to their hopes.

The loss to Sunrisers was desperately disappointing on a wicket which got slower. But there was no excuse for the innings from Ruturaj Gaikwad who managed only 15 from 21, a strike rate of 71.

Possible XI: Samson, Gaikwad, Urvil, Sharma (sub Mukesh Choudhary), Brevis, Dube, Prashant, Akeal, Noor, Dubey, Johnson

Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings IPL pitch report

Ahmedabad is usually good for batting but the dominant discipline may well be decided by the type of soil; red for batters, black for bowlers. There have been some low scores there in the last three games; RCB's 155, Punjab's 163 and Gujarat's 168 (defended) against Sunrisers. It will be tempting to consider going under the higher total runs line on the Betfair Sportsbook, both can be backed at 5/61.84. Gujarat's total is 191.5. Chennai's is available at 187.5. A key factor here is Gujarat have the meanest bowling group in the tournament.

Still, the advice has to be for confirmation about which track on the square that will be used. It could be there is a fresh road prepared. There is no rain forecast but there has been excessive heat in the build-up. A very dry surface may bring spinnerrs into play.

Gujarat Titans v Chennai Super Kings match prediction

Gujarat are 8/111.73 with Sportsbook for the win and as big as 1.814/5 for the points on the Exchange. it should be noted that this is not a dead rubber for the Titans. They need to win to hold on to that all-important second spot with Sunrsiers facing Bangalore in their final match. A loss here and win for SRH would see them slip out of the top two.

We expect Gujarat to win. Chennai's great strength is the spin pair of Noor Ahmad and Akeal Hosein. But they didn't lay a glove on GT in the head-to-head this season.

There is an important point to be made about the Gujarat price, though. It is surprisingly big. At this stage of the season there is no doubt which are the really good sides and Gujarat are comfortably classed in that section. Indeed, their bowling economy could be enough to take them to the title.

It is not unusual to see the best team rated below 1.75/7 and we would have been able to make a case for them even if slightly above that bracket. The cream should be rising to the top at this stage.

Gujarat are underrated in the sixes match-up so taking the special bet that they hit most sixes and win the game at 9/43.25 is a strong option.

Gujarat Titans v CSK IPL player bets

We have to point out the price on Kushagra for top GT bat. The [12/1] is no way near reflective of his price if he were to reprise his opening role. we're not saying he's going to win but any opener should be no bigger than 5/16.00 in reality. And it's not as if the guy is a no-hoper. his domestic hitting record is very strong and you don't get an IPL deal without being one of the best around. By all means take it. And if he doesn't play then it's money back as a non-runner.

Bookmark Betting.Betfair for cricket tips on all the big games and tournaments