Chennai stand between Gujarat and IPL history

MUMBAI Revenge will fuel Gujarat Titans' title defence when they clash with four-time winners Chennai Super Kings in Sunday's Indian Premier League (IPL) nal in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat, who won the title in their debut season last year, topped the group stage this season but went down to Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai in the rst quali er on Tuesday.

Hardik Pandya's men bounced back from that defeat to thrash the league's most successful team, Mumbai Indians, in Friday's second quali

er to set up a rematch with Chennai at Gujarat's home ground in Ahmedabad.

Gujarat also have the personnel to become the rst IPL franchise to win the league in their rst two attempts.

Opener Shubman Gill, the season's leading scorer, is in sublime form having smashed three hundreds in his last four innings.

"He is a superstar and is going to do big things for franchise cricket and Indian cricket," Pandya said of his India teammate Gill.

The top three bowlers this season – Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan and Mohit Sharma – are also from Gujarat.

While seamer Shami has been particularly impressive in the powerplay overs, Rashid has spearheaded Gujarat's spin attack claiming crucial wickets at important junctures.

"When things are not going the way I like, he is someone who comes and changes momentum and makes sure we keep getting wickets," Pandya said of the Afghan spinner. We have spoken enough about Rashid but sometimes I am short of words for what he does."

Chennai will have an opportunity to match Mumbai's ve IPL titles in what could be their talismanic leader Dhoni's nal season. Like in his time as India captain, Dhoni has brought out the best in his teammates with his inspiring leadership.

While Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been their leading scorers, Shivam Dube has transformed into Chennai's six-hitting machine. In the bowling department, Matheesha Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande have emerged as death-overs specialists. Supersport