IPL 2023: It's MS Dhoni vs Hardik Pandya in Match 1, CSK vs GT Preview and Team News

It's that time of the year again when India's biggest cricket festival is around the corner.

4-time IPL champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) will face defending champions Gujarat Titans in the first match of IPL 2023 on Friday, in Ahmedabad.

Emotions will run high as it will be a clash between the legendary MS Dhoni and one of his biggest admirers Hardik Pandya.

The two may share a great bond off the field but on it, the battle will be fierce. While Dhoni would be eager to start what is likely to be his last season on a high, Hardik would be itching to prove that GT's dream run in the inaugural season wasn't a flash in the pan.

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Though Gujarat Giants won both their games against CSK last year, the Yellow Army can not be taken lightly.

WEATHER

It promises to be perfect weather for the IPL 2023 opener as the forecast shows no rain, with a moderate temperature between 28-30 degrees celsius.

Team News

Ben Stokes might not be fit to bowl but his inclusion in the playing XI as a pure batter is enough for Gujarat to be a little concerned about.

GT Possible Playing XI

Shubman Gill, Wriddhiman Saha(WK), Matthew Wade, Kane Williamson, Hardik Pandya(C), Rahul Tewatia, Rashid-Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Alzarri Joseph, Yash Dayal, Mohammed Shami

CSK Possible Playing XI

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway(WK), Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(WK)(C), Dwaine Pretorius, Deepak Chahar, Simarjeet- Singh, Tushar Deshpande