GT vs CSK IPL 2023 Toss Update: Gujarat Titans To Bowl First After Winning Toss

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GT vs CSK IPL 2023 Toss Update: Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya opted to bat first after winning the toss against MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings in the first match of the Indian Premier League 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

After winning the toss, Pandya said he hasn't decided on the combination for the playing 11 for the match as the new rule of impact players have allowed captains to decide their line-up after the toss for the first time. This also historically becomes the first IPL match to allow playing 11 after the toss.

"We'll bowl first. It's always good to play here. New start, new season, quite exciting. Almost everyone in the country has got motivation from him (Dhoni). Been a fan and admirer of him. Want boys to enjoy it. Result will take care of itself. It's different - I've left it in the coach. Ashu pa works all night on what needs to be done. I don't know (combination for today)," Pandya said.

Meanwhile, MS Dhoni said they also wanted to bowl first on the surface but he expects it to remain the same for the entire match. MS Dhoni further added that impact of all-rounders will become less significant due to the introduction of impact players.

"Were also looking to bowl. Looks a good wicket and I don't think it will change. Don't know if there will be dew because it rained last night. You want to play in front of people. This stadium is twice the capacity of other stadiums. Fantastic atmohsphere. Preparation was good. We assembled quite early. It's a luxury to have (impact player). It becomes slightly easy to take the decision because you can use it at any time. Influence of allrounder has become slightly less because of the rule," Dhoni said.

GT vs CSK playing 11

GT Playing 11: Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya(c), Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph

CSK Playing 11: Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w/c), Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar

The decision makes sense as a good amount of runs is required to be put on the board with bounce and pace offer on the pitch with grass covering it, reckoned expert Simon Doull.

"Looks like a belter of a wicket, there's a bit of grass covering on it, the surface is nice and hard," said Doull. "It has some good pace and bounce in it. The new ball might nip around a bit, so the opening batters will have a little bit of work cut out."