IPL 2023, GT vs CSK Stats and Records Preview: Dhoni, Pandya, Shami close in on milestones

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Ahmedabad, March 30: Defending champions Gujarat Titans (GT) will host four-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in match 1 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday (March 31).

Hardik Pandya will lead the holders Gujarat Titans, who made their IPL debut only last season, while legendary skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead the second most successful side in the history of the IPL, Chennai Super Kings.

This will be the third meeting between the two sides in IPL. GT did the double over CSK last season, beating the four-time winners, first under the leadership of Ravindra Jadeja and then under the captaincy of MS Dhoni in the reverse fixture.

GT also had two different captains for the two fixtures as Rashid Khan led the GT team in the first fixture, standing in for Pandya, who was back at the helm for the reverse fixture. Both matches ended in favour of the chasing side last season.

However, both teams will have some new faces from those fixtures with GT set to be without the star from their first outing against CSK in the form of South Africa batter David Miller, who took the team across the line in both the matches.

GT will also be without Irish pacer Joshua Little for the opener. CSK, meanwhile, will be without the services of uncapped Indian pacer Mukesh Choudhary, who is injured and Sri Lanka spinner Maheesh Theekshana, who is on international duty.

Now, we take a look at the stats and records preview, the two teams head-to-head record, the two teams record at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, and players chasing milestones ahead of GT vs CSK in IPL 2023:

GT vs CSK Head-to-Head

In the two meetings between the sides in IPL, GT have beaten CSK in twice. In IPL 2022, David Miller's unbeaten 94 powered GT to 3-wicket win in the first fixture, while all-round bowling effort and Wriddhiman Saha's 67 helped GT to 7-wicket win in the reverse fixture.

The two sides have also played earlier at the Narendra Modi Stadium, where they will meet on Friday (March 31). Gujarat Titans, who will use the venue as their home, have played once, while CSK has played in the Ahmedabad venue twice in earlier seasons.

CSK and GT record in Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad

Gujarat Titans played the IPL 2022 final at the venue, where CSK played Rajasthan Royals at the venue in earlier seasons when the Royals used the stadium for their home matches.

Also during the match, many players are closing in on milestones. The likes of Dhoni, Pandya, Jadeja, Ben Stokes, Mooen Ali, Shubman Gill and Mohammed Shami are very close to personal milestones heading into the match.

Upcoming Milestones in GT vs CSK 2023

▶ Mahendra Singh Dhoni (CSK) is just 22 runs away from becoming the seventh player to complete 5000 runs in the Indian Premier League. He is also 4 fours away from 350 fours in IPL.

▶ Hardik Pandya (Gujarat Titans) is 37 runs away from completing 2000 runs in IPL, and 4 fours away from 150 fours in the cash-rich league. The GT skipper is also 5 wickets away from 150 wickets in T20 cricket (overall).

▶ Shubman Gill (Gujarat Titans) is 100 runs shy of completing 2000 runs in IPL, and 3 maximums away from 50 sixes in the league. The Indian opener, who is in great form, can get closer or might even reach the milestone in the match.

▶ Mohammed Shami (Gujarat Titans) is just 1 wicket away from taking his 100th wicket in IPL. The Indian pace spearhead, who has been bowling with good rhythm lately, is very likely to cross the milestone.

▶ Ben Stokes (Chennai Super Kings) is 80 runs away from completing 1000 runs in IPL, while his compatriot Moeen Ali is 90 runs away from the same milestone. The duo may need more than one match to reach this milestone.

▶ Ravindra Jadeja (Chennai Super Kings) is 6 wickets away from completing 200 wickets in T20 Cricket (overall). The Indian all-rounder will need at least two or three matches to surpass the milestone.