India registered a dominating win over South Africa in the first T20I match and they are leading the three-match T20I series by 1-0. While batting first in the first game, South Africa managed to put 106 runs on the board which the men in blue managed to successfully chase it down with more than 3 overs to spare and grabbed a crucial win. Arshdeep Singh was adjudged the player of the match for his dominating performance with the ball (4-0-32-3). In the second match in Guwahati, South Africa will look to make a comeback and win the game to stay alive in this series while India will look to seal the series. If the Indian team manages to win the game in Guwahati, then would win 8 of the 9 bilateral T20I series they’ve contested since last year’s T20 World Cup. In the 21 meetings between the two sides, India is leading the charts 11-8 against the Proteas in the head-to-head battles. India is ahead in the last 5 meetings with a 3-2 margin. Another electrifying contest is anticipated here at Guwahati on Sunday between these two sides. The hosts have added Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Siraj to the squad should they need to bolster their bowling with experience. But they are unlikely to do so. However, India won’t be looking to make changes to the winning XI.
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Countdown Begins: IPL 2023 Set to Kick Off with Exciting Opener Between GT And CSK
Countdown Begins: IPL 2023 Set to Kick Off with Exciting Opener Between GT And CSK
Cricket enthusiasts are eagerly anticipating the start of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, which commences on March 31st. The opening match will witness Gujarat Titans (GT), led by Hardik Pandya, the defending champions, facing off against Chennai Super Kings (CSK), captained by MS Dhoni, at the historic Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad. With this possibly being Dhoni’s last IPL season, all eyes will be on him. Following their disappointing ninth-place finish in the IPL 2022 points table, CSK will be eager to turn the tables this time around.
Raina’s Choice: Dhoni’s Successor
As the IPL season opener approaches, Suresh Raina, a former star player of Chennai Super Kings (CSK), has expressed his opinion on who he thinks should succeed MS Dhoni as captain. While many believe that Ben Stokes, who was acquired by CSK in the last auction, is the likely candidate, Raina has named Ruturaj Gaikwad as his choice.
In a recent interaction with Jio Cinema, Raina said, "Right now, Mahi bhai is there, but I really want Ruturaj Gaikwad to learn from him. Mahi bhai has a good cricketing brain and is always available for the team. So, I would say that hopefully, Ruturaj Gaikwad would be the one to take over from him. He has performed really well this season, and I wish him all the best for his captaincy at CSK and also for the country. Good luck to you, Rutu!"
Gaikwad, who has been a part of CSK since IPL 2020, has scored 1,207 runs with one century and 11 half-centuries at a strike rate of 130.35.
During the Legends League Cricket (LLC) 2023, Suresh Raina shared his thoughts on MS Dhoni’s IPL future. While Raina hopes that Dhoni will participate in the LLC, he believes that Dhoni could also play in the IPL 2024 edition, depending on his commitments.
Raina also spoke about the challenges that Chennai Super Kings (CSK) may face, given that Dhoni and Ambati Rayudu haven’t played in the IPL for a year. However, he expressed confidence in the team’s strength, particularly with the emergence of young players such as Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ravindra Jadeja, Ben Stokes, Deepak Chahar, and other dynamic players. Raina added that he is eager to see how they perform in the upcoming season.
What’s more!
A remarkable incident took place at Chennai’s MA Chidambaram stadium on Monday. Fans of MS Dhoni flocked to the venue, as expected, cheering ‘Dhoni Dhoni’ during CSK’s practice session. They crowded outside a glass-panelled gymnasium room, urging on their ‘thala’ as he lifted weights on a power rack. However, it was the cheers for a potential successor that caught attention. After 25 minutes of chanting for their beloved Dhoni from three galleries, the fans began to rally for ‘Ben Stokes’. The chant grew louder, spreading across the stadium like an aural wave – a ringing endorsement from the Yellow faithful about CSK’s future direction.
CSK is at a crossroads and for the first time, they attempted to look beyond Dhoni as captain, but the experiment with Jadeja failed. Now, they are turning to Ben Stokes, who matches Dhoni’s stature as a captain and a star player. Like Dhoni, Stokes prefers playing to his team’s strengths and keeps it simple. He is also a crowd-puller and a maverick who can hit the ball long and hard and contribute in multiple ways. The CSK captain-coach duo is impressed and feels that Stokes could be their seamless successor to Dhoni.
Insiders suggest that this year is an opportune time for Stokes to familiarize himself with the CSK team, management, fans, and brand. The franchise recently posted an Instagram video of Stokes set to the tune of Rajnikanth’s 1992 blockbuster Annamalai, introducing the English cricketer to the Chennai fanbase. While Stokes may be England’s greatest star, he will soon discover the adoration and love that comes with being a part of CSK.
CSK Squad for IPL 2023
|
Player |
Role |
|
MS Dhoni (c) |
Wicketkeeper-batsman |
|
Ravindra Jadeja |
All-rounder |
|
Devon Conway |
Wicketkeeper-batsman |
|
Ruturaj Gaikwad |
Batsman |
|
Ambati Rayudu |
Batsman |
|
Subhranshu Senapati |
Batsman |
|
Moeen Ali |
All-rounder |
|
Shivam Dube |
All-rounder |
|
Rajvardhan Hangargekar |
Batsman |
|
Dwaine Pretorius |
All-rounder |
|
Mitchell Santner |
All-rounder |
|
Deepak Chahar |
Bowler |
|
Tushar Deshpande |
Bowler |
|
Mukesh Choudhary |
Bowler |
|
Matheesha Pathirana |
Bowler |
|
Simarjeet Singh |
Bowler |
|
Prashant Solanki |
Bowler |
|
Maheesh Theekshana |
Bowler |
|
Ajinkya Rahane |
Batsman |
|
Ben Stokes |
All-rounder |
|
Shaik Rasheed |
Bowler |
|
Nishant Sindhu |
All-rounder |
|
Kyle Jamieson |
Bowler |
|
Ajay Mandal |
All-rounder |
|
Bhagath Varma |
All-rounder |
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Chennai Super Kings franchise is at a crossroads, having tried to move on from MS Dhoni’s captaincy and failing with Ravindra Jadeja. With Ben Stokes’ arrival, there is a new hope that he can fill the void left by Dhoni’s departure as captain. Stokes’ leadership style and playing abilities are similar to Dhoni’s, making him a suitable candidate for the captaincy role. The CSK insiders believe that this year is the perfect opportunity for Stokes to familiarize himself with the team’s ecosystem and the fans’ adoration, as demonstrated by the viral Instagram video of him set to Rajnikanth’s iconic film music. All eyes will be on Ben Stokes as he takes on the challenge of leading one of the most successful franchises in the IPL.
From The Worlds Largest Stadium to The Worlds Most Passionate Fans: CSKs Jadeja Calls on Gujarat to Show Their Support!
From The World’s Largest Stadium to The World’s Most Passionate Fans: CSK’s Jadeja Calls on Gujarat to Show Their Support!
As the Chennai Super Kings prepare to take on Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans in the opening match of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad, all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has a special message for the fans in Gujarat. In a video posted on CSK’s social media handle, Jadeja called on fans to come out and support the team. With the match being held in Gujarat, he emphasized the importance of having a strong home crowd and urged fans to fill the stadium with their energy and enthusiasm.
Jadeja’s message is sure to resonate with CSK fans in Gujarat and around the world, as the team prepares for what promises to be an exciting season of IPL action. With a strong roster of talented players and a loyal fanbase, the Super Kings will be looking to make their mark on the tournament once again, and with the support of their fans behind them, they will no doubt be ready to give it their all on the field.
Ravindra Jadeja’s Message
Chennai Super Kings all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has called on fans in Gujarat to come and support the team ahead of their IPL 2023 opener against the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium in Ahmedabad.
Expressing his delight at the prospect of playing in front of a fully-packed stadium for the first time since the pandemic, the 34-year-old cricketer said, "Post Covid, this is the first season where we are getting an opportunity to play in front of a fully packed stadium. And that’s a great feeling."
Jadeja further recalled the recent Test match played against Australia at the same venue and praised the passionate and supportive nature of the fans in Ahmedabad, saying, "Especially, when they come out to support us, they completely change the atmosphere inside the stadium. And it feels good to have a stadium where so many fans come and support their home team."
The star all-rounder also expressed his pride in the world’s largest stadium being located in Ahmedabad and urged Gujarati fans to come and support CSK. "It’s a matter of pride that we have the world’s largest stadium here in Ahmedabad. So, I would like to request all Gujarati fans to come and support CSK," he said.
Jadeja has been a crucial part of the CSK franchise since 2012 and played a pivotal role in their title wins in 2018 and 2021. He will be looking to replicate his success in the upcoming IPL season.
Chennai Super Kings, who had a poor run in the previous season, will be hoping to start the 16th season of the IPL on a positive note. With skipper MS Dhoni expected to make his final IPL appearance this season, CSK will be determined to lift the prestigious trophy for the sixth time in 2023.
On the other hand, Gujarat Titans, who made their debut in IPL 2022, clinched the title in their first appearance by defeating Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in the summit clash. With a strong squad led by Hardik Pandya, the Titans will be looking to defend their title and start their campaign with a win against CSK.
With the support of their passionate fans in Ahmedabad, both teams will be looking to make a strong start in the IPL 2023 season. Despite CSK’s hopes, Gujarat Titans claimed victory in the opening match by five wickets, with the impressive performance of their captain, Hardik Pandya, leading the way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ravindra Jadeja’s message to the fans in Gujarat highlights the importance of a supportive crowd in sports. With the return of full capacity crowds in the IPL after the pandemic, players like Jadeja can experience the thrill of performing in front of a passionate audience once again. Jadeja’s call for support also reflects the crucial role that fans play in building the atmosphere inside the stadium and creating a home advantage for their team.
As the 16th edition of the IPL commences, Chennai Super Kings will be looking to redeem themselves after their poor performance last season, with the added motivation of bidding farewell to their legendary captain, MS Dhoni. On the other hand, Gujarat Titans will be eager to defend their title and continue their winning streak in the IPL. Despite the injuries and setbacks faced by both teams, the inaugural match was highly anticipated and did not disappoint, with Gujarat Titans emerging victorious by five wickets. As the tournament progresses, it remains to be seen which team will ultimately triumph, but one thing is for sure – the IPL has once again captured the attention and excitement of cricket fans around the world.