As the IPL 2026 league stage heads towards the business end, Gujarat Titans (GT) host Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a crucial contest on Thursday (May 21) at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
GT have already qualified for the playoffs and will look to seal a top-two finish, while CSK are fighting for survival with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread. Ruturaj Gaikwad and his team have 12 points in 13 matches, and even a win won't guarantee their place in the knockouts.
GT vs CSK Team News
Gujarat Titans
GT enter the match in strong form with no major injury concerns. Shubman Gill continues to lead the side, supported by a solid batting unit. The bowling department remains well-balanced with world-class spinners and experienced pacers. Jos Buttler is expected to keep wickets.
Chennai Super Kings
CSK face a must-win situation. MS Dhoni will miss this match due to a lingering calf issue and team strategy. Ruturaj Gaikwad remains captain, with Sanju Samson likely to don the wicket-keeping gloves. The side will rely heavily on their overseas players and spinners to challenge GT on a slow Ahmedabad pitch.
The Narendra Modi Stadium pitch is expected to assist batters early before offering help to spinners. GT are clear favourites with home advantage and better momentum. Key battles will revolve around Rashid Khan against CSK's middle order and Shubman Gill's form against CSK's pace attack.
GT vs CSK Predicted Playing 11
Gujarat Titans
- Shubman Gill (c)
- Sai Sudharsan
- Jos Buttler (wk)
- Washington Sundar
- Shahrukh Khan
- Jason Holder
- Rahul Tewatia
- Rashid Khan
- Sai Kishore / Manav Suthar
- Kagiso Rabada
- Mohammed Siraj
Impact Player: Prasidh Krishna
Chennai Super Kings
- Sanju Samson (wk)
- Ruturaj Gaikwad (c)
- Sarfaraz Khan
- Dewald Brevis
- Shivam Dube
- Jamie Overton / Kartik Sharma
- Akeal Hosein
- Noor Ahmad
- Anshul Kamboj
- Gurjapneet Singh
- Mukesh Choudhary
Impact Player: Akash Madhwal / Prashant Veer
