GT vs CSK: Key matchups ft. Hardik Pandya vs Ben Stokes, Kane Williamson vs Moeen Ali

Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) will lock horns with four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2023 season-opener on Friday at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The contest between Hardin Pandya and MS Dhoni has created a lot of buzz already.

Both the teams are studded with world-class cricketers and the anticipated contest between them will certainly light up the largest stadium in the world. The contest within the contest is set to give a rollicking start to the sixteenth edition of the IPL.

Without wasting any time, let's have a look at a few of the matchups on offer in Match 1 of IPL 2023 between Gujarat and Chennai.

Gujarat Titans (GT) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK) key matchups

Hardik Pandya vs Ben Stokes: Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya and Chennai Super Kings' (CSK) new acquisition Ben Stokes have come face to face thrice in the IPL. Of the eleven balls Hardik has face from the England all-rounder, he has managed to score only runs.

The hard-hitting batter has played three dots and managed to score only one boundary against the pacer. Stokes has also managed to get the wicket of the former MumbaiI Indians all-rounder once. The matchup between the two gun-allrounders will be riveting to watch.

MS Dhoni vs Mohammed Shami: The legendary CSK captain MS Dhoni will be in action after a one year and a mouth-watering contest between Gujarat pacer Mohammed Shami and him is on the cards. The two have faced each other in the IPL on five occasions.

Dhoni has scored 36 runs off 20 balls from Shami who has managed to bowl only four dots against his former India captain. Two fours and as many sixes have come off Dhoni's blade taking his strike rate against the pacer to 180.

However, Dhoni has got rusty over the years, especially after his retirement from international cricket. IPL is the only time he plays cricket and it would be interesting to see how the 41-year-old thwarts the threat from Shami who is in his prime.

Kane Williamson vs Moeen Ali: Former Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) captain Kane Williamson turning up for Hardik-led Gujarat will be an event to watch out for. One more thing to watch out for will be his contest against CSK's England all-rounder Moeen Ali. The left-arm spinner has been at the receiving end over the years.

The two star cricketers have clashed against each other four times in the IPL. The left-arm spinner has bowled a total of 21 deliveries to get hit for 33 runs by the New Zealand star. With two fours and two sixes, Williamson has a strike rate of 157.1 against Moeen.

Ruturaj Gaikwad vs Rashid Khan: It's a blockbuster contest between Gaikwad and Rashid when they lock horns against each other in the IPL 2023. The statistics will tell you why. The CSK opener has a strike rate of 151.4 and an average of 26.5 against the former SRH leg-spinner.

But, there is a twist to it. Gaikwad has faced 35 balls from Rashid to score 53 runs including six fours and a six. However, the Afghanistan star dismissed him twice and also managed to bowl seven dots against the right-hander. Another glorious chapter is expected to be added to this rivalry.