CSK vs GT: Will Gujarat Titans Pick Noor Ahmad Over Pace Bowling Option in Chennai?

Gujarat Titans (GT) will look to avenge last season's final loss when they face defending champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in match 7 of IPL 2024 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

GT led by Shubman Gill are fresh from a victory over Mumbai Indians in their campaign opener, while Ruturaj Gaikwad-led CSK also won their opening encounter against Royal Challengers Bengaluru.

The Titans pulled off a stunning win by defending 168 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where MI were well-placed at the one point, but the spin duo of GT, Rashid Khan and R Sai Kishore choked out the Mumbai Indians with tight overs.

Although they didn't directly contribute much to the wicket column, Sai Kishore (1 for 24 in 4 overs) and Rashid (0 for 23 in 4 overs) stemmed the run-flow to put pressure on the MI batters, who fell later to Mohit Sharma, Umesh Yadav and Spencer Johnson.

With spin doing more than a good job, GT may be tempted to play another tweaker in the form of Noor Ahmad in Chennai, where the wickets have favoured the slower bowlers in the past. But who among the overseas players can make way for the chinaman bowler?

Will Noor Ahmad play for GT vs CSK in Chennai?

A player of Noor Ahmad's ability will be a definite pick in most teams, but the Afghanistan spinner can only be taking up one of the four overseas slots, which was occupied by David Miller, Rashid Khan, Azmatullah Omarzai and Spencer Johnson in the GT line-up for the game against MI.

Noor Ahmad has a decent record whenever he has played, including the outings against CSK last season when the left-arm wrist-spinner produced figures of 1 for 29 in the qualifier at the Chepauk and followed that with a spell of 2 for 17 in 3 overs during the final.

However, the Afghan spinner can only play if GT decide to drop their big money signing, Australian pacer Spencer Johnson or in place of his compatriots Rashid or Omarzai as Miller will be untouchable in the playing 11.

Also, there is no way GT could afford to drop a match-winner like Rashid. So, the only way Noor can play in the 11 is by replacing Johnson or Omarzai. The latter has the ability to play spin well and also bowls, while the former may fall in the undroppable category due to his price tag.

With Mohammed Shami out for the season, GT may need Johnson's pace. But adding another spinner could be a tempting choice for the Titans if the Chennai wicket is a slower one.

Rashid and Sai Kishore have already done well working in tandem, and with Noor Ahmad added to the mix, GT will possess even more threat on the spin bowling front. So, CSK may use a wicket similar to the one used in the first match to evade the triple threat of spin from GT.