Gujarat Titans’ fabulous five-match winning run may have come to an end with its 29-run loss against Kolkata Knight Riders. But Shubman Gill & Co. can take heart from the fact that they are playing their final IPL 2026 league fixture — after having already qualified for the playoffs — against Chennai Super Kings, the very same team they dismantled to kick off the hot streak.
The landscape has shifted considerably since GT and CSK last met in Chennai on April 26, when both teams had six points after seven games each.
While GT (13 games, 16 points) has given itself a legitimate chance of making the cut for Qualifier 1, the five-time champion’s hit-and-miss campaign (13 matches, 12 points) has resulted in it needing an NRR-boosting victory and many other results going its way to sneak into the knockouts.
Armed with a lethal pace battery and a three-game winning streak at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Titans will hold the edge over Super Kings when they meet here on Thursday.
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No other team’s fast bowlers have taken more wickets at any venue this season than GT’s seamers in Ahmedabad. With 42 scalps at an average of 17.69 and economy of 8.12, Titans’ speed merchants should be given due credit for their bullish run.
CSK batting coach Michael Hussey is aware of the challenge and wants his pacers to trust their individuality.
“There’s no point in trying to bowl like Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj or Jason Holder. They might be a different type of bowler. The most important thing is to bowl to your strengths. The pitch here has provided good pace and bounce, and GT has played it well. Our bowlers, too, will enjoy bowling here. However, it’s important that we don’t try to be like them,” Hussey said on Wednesday.
The ball is in the players’ court now.
Published on May 20, 2026
