The Gujarat Titans (GT) will play host to the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in Match No. 66 of the 2026 Indian Premier League on Thursday, May 21, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The Titans come into this clash on the back of a 29-run loss to the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, where they failed to chase down a mammoth total of 248, despite getting close. They have qualified for the playoffs after being handed a favour from the Sunrisers Hyderabad, who coincidentally beat the Super
Kings. They will still be looking to get the two points in order to attempt to seal a top-two spot.
Here is GT's strongest predicted XI vs CSK for Match 66, IPL 2026:
Top order: Shubman Gill (capt), B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk)
Sai Sudharsan and skipper Shubman Gill are just separated by two runs in the run tally for the 2026 season. Sudharsan has scored 554 runs at a strike rate of 157.83, while Gill is just behind with 552 runs at 160.46. The pair have once more been the backbone for the Titans with the bat. They have scored 577 runs as a partnership in 2026 at a strike rate of 171.22, which includes two half-century stands and two century stands.
Jos Buttler has been resurgent with the bat, coming off a dismal 2026 T20 World Cup prior to the start of the season. He has looked at his belligerent best for the Titans, scoring 412 runs at a strike rate of 149.81. He has three half-centuries and, along with the openers, has been part of a top three which has once again done the majority of the heavy lifting with the bat.
Middle order: Nishant Sindhu, Washington Sundar, Rahul Tewatia (Impact), Jason Holder
Nishant Sindhu has a reputed name in the domestic circuit, playing for Haryana. The all-rounder, though, has yet to make a mark in the 2026 season of the IPL, after making his debut against the Punjab Kings in Ahmedabad. Washington Sundar has found a new lease of life with the bat, scoring vital back-end runs at number 5. He has scored 296 runs at a strike rate of 152.57, including two half-centuries, but has not been called upon with the ball. Rahul Tewatia has been a reliable finisher in the IPL over the years and has stepped up with crucial cameos in the back end of the innings.
A key reason for the Titans' dominant resurgence has been Jason Holder. The West Indies all-rounder has been a key presence with the ball, bowling in the middle and death overs. He has picked up 13 wickets in seven games at a brilliant economy of 6.87. His prowess with the bat is well-known, but he has not had to contribute significantly with the bat, resorting to cameos in the back end.
Lower order/bowlers: Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
Rashid Khan has looked at his dazzling best, as part of a Titans bowling attack which has blown even the most dominant batting units apart. The Afghan leg-spinner is GT's second-highest wicket-taker with 16 scalps in 13 games at an economy of 8.70. He was at his best when he picked up figures of 4/33 against the Rajasthan Royals in Jaipur, ripping through their batting lineup with utmost accuracy, control, and guile. Arshad Khan has reliably filled in when called upon, picking up five wickets in the four innings he has bowled in.
The sight of watching Kagiso Rabada at full tilt is one to behold. The Protea speedster has been the Titans' leading wicket-taker with 21 scalps in 13 matches. He has been a powerplay maverick, regularly bowling at over 150kmph as the main strike-bowler. He has been backed up ably by Mohammed Siraj, who has shared the new ball and picked up 14 wickets. Prasidh Krishna has been in and out of the team this season, but has picked up 14 wickets in the eight games he has played, continuing on the form from his Purple Cap run in 2025.
Predicted GT XI for Match 66 vs CSK:
Shubman Gill (capt), B Sai Sudharsan, Jos Buttler (wk), Jason Holder, Washington Sundar, Nishant Sindhu, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Prasidh Krishna, Mohammed Siraj
Impact Player: Rahul Tewatia
