A finish in the top-two is firmly within reach for table-toppers Gujarat Titans. Despite a setback in their previous outing against the Lucknow Super Giants, their destiny remains firmly in their own hands as a win over Chennai Super Kings will seal a spot in Qualifier 1, giving them two shots at reaching the final. For Shubman Gill, the newly appointed Indian Test skipper , a win here to seal a top-two finish, would add further weight to his credentials as the the next flagbearer of Indian cricket.
For CSK, however, it’s been a season to forget. The storied IPL team, which has won five titles, is staring at a bottom finish for the first time in IPL history. And the only escape route for the struggling CSK side is a massive win – defeat GT by 107 runs or with 45 deliveries to spare, assuming a first innings score of 200.
The game against LSG was only the second time this season that each of their top-three – Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharshan, and Jos Buttler – didn’t go past fifty in the same match. The middle order tried to step up, with Shahrukh Khan and Sherfane Rutherford coming up with fighting knocks, but GT fell 33 short of LSG’s 235. With Buttler unavailable for the playoffs stage owing to national duties, the middle order (no.4 – no.7) – which has faced the least deliveries (354) and has scored the least runs (590) among all teams – will be put to further test.
The focus will also be on a bowling attack that, barring the efforts of Prasidh Krishna and Sai Kishore, has lacked bite in recent games. Mohammed Siraj has managed just two PowerPlay wickets in his last eight outings, while Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada have collectively taken only 10 wickets in 61 overs, conceding runs at 9.89 per over.
For CSK, the focus has shifted to the future, a recurring theme through much of the second half of their campaign. And it’s the sum of all the misfiring parts that has led to their struggles this season. They have the lowest average (23.67) and the lowest run rate (8.5) in the PowerPlay among all teams, despite trying five different opening combinations. Their average opening stand of 20.15 is only marginally better than Delhi Capitals’ 19.2, which is the lowest this season.
The middle order has had to do all the heavy-lifting for them – CSK’s No. 4 to 7 have scored the most (1099) among all teams but have also faced the most deliveries (819), at a strike-rate of 134.18 (lowest among all teams). With top-order instability, an underwhelming bowling unit, and an overworked middle order, CSK are enduring their worst-ever IPL season.
When: GT vs CSK, Match 67 – Sunday, May 25 at 3:30 PM IST
Where: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
What to expect: The venue has witnessed eight 200-plus totals in six matches, suggesting another high-scoring game is on the cards. In the last afternoon clash here, GT chased down DC’s total of 203 comfortably.
Head to head: GT 4-3 CSK. In Ahmedabad, GT have won two matches against CSK while their only loss against them came in the IPL 2023 final.
Team watch
Gujarat Titans
Injury/unavailability: There are no personnel issues at the moment for GT, although they will be without the services of overseas players like Buttler and Rabada heading into the playoffs.
Tactics & matchups: A hit-the-deck bowler like Krishna, and the pace of Rabada could be good options for GT against Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis, the best CSK’s batters in recent games. Rabada against Shivam Dube is a favourable matchup for GT, as is Rashid against R Ashwin.
Probable XII: Shubman Gill (c), Sai Sudharshan, Jos Buttler (wk), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Chennai Super Kings
Injury/unavailability: CSK do not have any availability concerns at the moment.
Tactics & matchups: Ravindra Jadeja could be a good option for CSK against Jos Buttler, who has been dismissed by the left-armer twice in eight innings in the IPL. They could look at using Matheesha Pathirana early, considering he has dismissed Sudharsan twice. Meanwhile, Khaleel Ahmed has accounted for Gill twice, while he has also dismissed Shahrukh three times.
Probable XII: Ayush Mhatre, Devon Conway, Urvil Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Anshul Kamboj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana
Did you know?
- Rashid Khan has gone wicketless in 11 out of 25 games in the IPL since 2024. This season, he hasn’t got a wicket in seven out of 13 matches
- GT’s overseas bowlers have picked up only 12 wickets in 13 matches, at an average of 56.58 with an economy of 9.98
- Dewald Brevis has the third highest strike rate (170.1) in the middle overs in IPL 2025 (Min. 75 balls faced)
- Noor Ahmad has bagged 16 wickets in the first innings this season at an average of 13.75 with an economy of 7.33. However, he has struggled in the second innings, with only five wickets at an average of 33.4 and an economy of 10.43
What they said:
“When (MS) Dhoni was made captain for the World Cup for the first time, he was not captain anywhere. So nobody knew, 10 years, 12 years down the line, he is going to be one of the world’s best captains. If you had asked somebody at that point in time, including Dhoni, what do you think of your captaincy? There would be no answer. So you have to see a person over a period of time before you can make any judgement on him” – Aashish Kapoor, GT assistant coach, on Shubman Gill as a Test leader.
“We don’t obviously like being down here, but it’s not a motivation. We just wanted a good performance. We’re trying to string some performances together. The aim was two good performances (in the last two matches). Now it’ll be one good one to finish. It’s probably fitting that we’re at the bottom. We’ve played that type of cricket, so you can’t hide away from it” – Stephen Fleming, CSK head coach, acknowledges their poor show this season.
Squads:
Gujarat Titans Squad: Shubman Gill(c), Jos Buttler(w), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahrukh Khan, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Sai Sudharsan, Ishant Sharma, Jayant Yadav, Dasun Shanaka, Kusal Mendis, Washington Sundar, Mahipal Lomror, Karim Janat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Anuj Rawat, Gerald Coetzee, Manav Suthar, Kumar Kushagra, Gurnoor Brar, Nishant Sindhu
Chennai Super Kings Squad: Ayush Mhatre, Devon Conway, Urvil Patel, Ravindra Jadeja, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, MS Dhoni(w/c), Anshul Kamboj, Ravichandran Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel Ahmed, Matheesha Pathirana, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tripathi, Deepak Hooda, Shreyas Gopal, Rachin Ravindra, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Mukesh Choudhary, Nathan Ellis, Shaik Rasheed, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Andre Siddarth C”””
ChatGPT said:
IPL 2025 Match Preview Blog: Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings – Clash of Extremes
As IPL 2025 races toward its business end, Match 67 presents a storyline rich with contrast—table-toppers Gujarat Titans (GT) are poised for a shot at glory, while Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are grappling with their worst season in franchise history. Set against the backdrop of the colossal Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, this Sunday afternoon clash (May 25, 3:30 PM IST) could determine not just the playoff picture, but also the future direction of two iconic teams.
GT’s Road to Redemption
After a hiccup against the Lucknow Super Giants, the Titans are still firmly in control of their playoff destiny. A win here guarantees a top-two finish, securing them a coveted Qualifier 1 spot—essentially, two chances to reach the final. For newly appointed Indian Test captain Shubman Gill, a strong finish would not only solidify his leadership on the field but also his image as the next big thing in Indian cricket.
GT’s campaign has largely been powered by their top-order trio—Gill, Sai Sudharsan, and Jos Buttler. The loss to LSG was only the second instance where all three failed to score fifties in the same match, exposing the vulnerability of their middle order. With Buttler unavailable for the playoffs due to national commitments, pressure now mounts on the underutilized and underperforming middle order. GT’s Nos. 4-7 have faced the fewest balls (354) and scored the least runs (590) this season—an area that needs immediate attention.
Bowling hasn’t fared much better lately. While Prasidh Krishna and Sai Kishore have provided some control, senior pros like Rashid Khan and Kagiso Rabada have been unusually quiet. Combined, they’ve managed just 10 wickets in 61 overs with an alarming economy of 9.89.
CSK’s Fall from Grace
For MS Dhoni’s CSK, IPL 2025 has been a campaign to forget. Once synonymous with consistency and comebacks, the five-time champions now stare at a bottom-table finish—a first in their storied IPL history. Only a miraculous win against GT—either by 107 runs or with 45 balls to spare—can give them a faint mathematical hope.
Their top-order instability has been glaring. Despite trying five different opening combinations, CSK have the lowest average (23.67) and scoring rate (8.5) in the PowerPlay. An average opening stand of just 20.15, marginally above the last-placed Delhi Capitals, paints a bleak picture.
Their middle order has done the heavy lifting, scoring a league-high 1099 runs. But it’s come at a cost—they’ve faced the most deliveries and have the lowest strike rate (134.18) in the league. Add an underwhelming bowling unit to the mix, and the sum total has been a season of underperformance.
Pitch & Conditions
Expect another run-fest in Ahmedabad, where eight 200+ scores have been posted in just six matches. GT, in particular, will draw confidence from their successful chase of 203 in the last afternoon clash here.
Key Battles & Matchups
- GT Tactics: Rabada and Krishna may be GT’s best shot against the in-form Ayush Mhatre and Dewald Brevis. Rashid Khan remains a critical matchup weapon, especially against R Ashwin, while Rabada has historically troubled Shivam Dube.
- CSK Tactics: Ravindra Jadeja holds the edge over Buttler with two past dismissals. Pathirana might be CSK’s trump card against Sudharsan, while Khaleel Ahmed has had success against both Gill and Shahrukh Khan.
Probable XIs
Gujarat Titans:
Gill (c), Sudharsan, Buttler (wk), Rutherford, Shahrukh, Tewatia, Rashid, Arshad Khan, Sai Kishore, Rabada, Siraj, Prasidh Krishna
Chennai Super Kings:
Mhatre, Conway, Urvil Patel, Jadeja, Brevis, Dube, Dhoni (c & wk), Kamboj, Ashwin, Noor Ahmad, Khaleel, Pathirana
Stat Nuggets
- Rashid Khan has gone wicketless in 7 of 13 matches this season.
- GT’s overseas bowlers have averaged a high 56.58 while taking just 12 wickets.
- Dewald Brevis boasts a fiery strike rate of 170.1 in middle overs (Min. 75 balls faced).
- Noor Ahmad shines in the first innings (16 wickets @ 13.75), but fades in the second.
Voices from the Camp
Aashish Kapoor (GT Asst. Coach):
“You need to observe a leader like Gill over time before judging. Remember, Dhoni wasn’t even a domestic captain before leading India.”
Stephen Fleming (CSK Head Coach):
“We’ve played the kind of cricket that puts you at the bottom. The goal is to finish with one good performance, if nothing else.”
Final Word
It’s a battle of ambition vs reflection. For Gujarat, the stakes are high and the reward—an easier path to the final—is tantalizingly close. For Chennai, it’s about pride and finishing with their heads held high. Either way, expect fireworks in Ahmedabad.
