Fantasy: Pandya, Gill could fetch you big money

Gujarat Titans will take on Chennai Super Kings in the opening game of the Indian Premier League 2023 in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 31). The Titans are the defending champions, having won the competition in their very first year of existence. Meanwhile, the Men in Yellow were all over the place last season and just managed to avoid the wooden spoon on the basis of NRR. 

But let us tell you one thing, you don’t take CSK lightly. You don’t take MSD lightly. The Ravindra Jadeja-captaincy combo didn’t really work out for Chennai, meaning Dhoni had to be brought back at the helm, and it could also turn out to be his last IPL season. 

Pitch and conditions

The Narendra Modi Stadium has hosted three T20s since 2022 and the batters here have scored runs at an average of 23.8 and a scoring rate of 8.1, while a wicket has fallen every 17.6 deliveries. The seamers here have way better numbers than spinners.

The fast bowlers here have operated an average of 19 and a strike rate of 14.9, while the corresponding numbers for spinners are 41.9 and 29.3 respectively. The latter (8.6) have also been more expensive compared to the pacers (7.6).

India and New Zealand were involved in a T20I encounter earlier this year and the hosts managed to bundle out Mitchell Santner and Co. for just 66 after amassing 234/4 in the first innings. What was interesting was that all of those 10 New Zealand wickets were taken by fast bowlers.

Suggested teams

While you could go for the above team, you can also choose your team from Cricket.com’s Fantasy Research Centre. You can use this tool to build your team with the help of algorithms. Then, based on your preferences, the platform will guide you through creating the ideal fantasy XI.

Captaincy suggestions

For small leagues: Hardik Pandya (capt), Shubman Gill (vice-capt)

For grand leagues: Shubman Gill (capt), Devon Conway (vice-capt)

Stats that matter

Hardik Pandya loves playing in Ahmedabad. The GT skipper has scored 150 runs in six innings at an average of 30 and a strike rate of 138.9 at this venue. On top of that, he also has 10 wickets at a strike rate of 16.8.

Shubman Gill has impressive numbers since the end of the last IPL. In 12 T20s, he has managed 462 runs at an average of 46.2 and a strike rate of 160.4. The last time Gill was in Ahmedabad in coloured clothing, he smashed 12 fours and nine maximums in his 63-ball 126* against New Zealand and registered the highest T20I score by an Indian batsman.

Deepak Chahar, who is returning from a long-term injury, has claimed 72.8 percent of his total 59 IPL wickets in the first six overs. Since IPL 2018, no other bowler has taken more wickets in the powerplay than Chahar.

Gujarat’s middle-order (Nos. 4-7) was their biggest strength last year. They had the best average (40.5) in IPL 2022, with the second-best being Sunrisers Hyderabad’s 28.6. They also had the third-best scoring rate (8.5), meaning they didn’t just amass runs but did that at a solid rate.

Grand League punts

In 28 T20s since 2022, Devon Conway has scored 965 runs at an average of 41.96 and a strike rate of 129, studded with nine fifties.

Rashid Khan has 37 wickets in 29 T20s since the start of this year. The spin-bowling all-rounder from Afghanistan can also fetch you points with the bat. Playing for GT last season, Rashid slammed 91 runs at an average of 22.75 and a strike rate of 206.8.

Probable XIs

GT - Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya (c), Matthew Wade, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, R Sai Kishore/Jayant Yadav, Alzarri Joseph, Shivam Mavi, Mohammed Shami. 

CSK - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (c & wk), Shivam Dube/Rajvardhan Hangargekar, Deepak Chahar, Dwaine Pretorius, Simarjeet Singh.