Gujarat Titans-Chennai Super Kings faceoff in IPL 2023 opener today

Having lifted the coveted trophy in the debut season, in what was their first and only match at home in IPL 2022, Gujarat Titans will be looking to kick off the season with a bang against a team which has one of the best fan sides in the history of the league.

While Hardik Pandya will be banking on the home support and the unbeaten record against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL, CSK – under their talismanic skipper MS Dhoni – will be looking to set the records straight in the new season.

In the two games played between these sides, Hardik Pandya secured clinical wins on both occasions and got the better of the Yellow Brigade, which had a forgettable IPL 2022.

The Titans functioned like well-oiled machinery in their debut season and coach Ashish Nehra will want his boys to begin their campaign on an emphatic note against his former franchise.

However, getting past CSK isn't going to be easy for the hosts this time around, especially with MSD back at the helm from the start of the season.

The Chennai-based franchise's decision to hand over the team's reigns to senior pro Ravindra Jadeja two days prior to the start of the previous season didn't yield the desired result, forcing the team management to go back to their trusted general, Dhoni, halfway through the tournament. Under the leadership of the legendary India captain, Super Kings – who were the IPL 2021 champions – will be raring to prove their mettle.

With the burden of captaincy taken away from his shoulders, Jadeja – Dhoni's most trusted lieutenant – will be looking to give his best in the season. Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh – who lifted the IPL 2018 title with CSK – has high hopes from the Saurashtra all-rounder.

The match will begin at 7:30 pm.