Why is Prasidh Krishna not playing today? And why is Ashok Sharma not playing today? Gujarat Titans have dropped both pacers from their playing XI for the CSK vs GT clash at the MA Chidambaram Stadium on Sunday — a decision that has blindsided most observers given that GT had fielded the same four-seamer combination of Siraj, Rabada, Prasidh and Ashok in every single match this season.
Neither Gujarat Titans nor head coach Ashish Nehra have offered an explanation. Prasidh is not even in the impact sub bench — a detail that raises questions about whether this is a tactical call or an injury-related absence. Ashok Sharma is also absent from the bench. Arshad Khan and Manav Suthar come into the XI, with GT appearing to have opted for an extra spinner on a Chepauk surface that captain Ruturaj Gaikwad described as “a bit on the drier side” at the toss.
ALSO READ: Why Was Angkrish Raghuvanshi Out Obstructing The Field
What Makes This So Surprising
GT’s pace quartet of Siraj, Rabada, Prasidh and Ashok had been the best-performing fast bowling unit in IPL 2026. Their combined pace-bowling average of 24.89 was the lowest in the tournament. More puzzling is the opposition. CSK’s batting has a well-documented vulnerability against the short ball — exactly the weapon both Prasidh and Ashok specialise in. Leaving both out against a lineup that struggles with pace and bounce is a gamble that GT can ill afford at 3-4 and seventh on the points table.
Why Is Prasidh Krishna Not Playing Today?
Gujarat Titans have not confirmed why Prasidh Krishna is not playing today. The 30-year-old is not in the XI and, crucially, not even in the impact sub bench — a detail that points more towards a niggle or injury than a tactical omission. Prasidh had 12 wickets in 7 matches this season — including 11 in his first five games — and won the Purple Cap last season with 25 wickets. He has taken 24 wickets with short and short-of-a-length deliveries since the start of IPL 2025, more than any other fast bowler in the league. His absence, if extended, would be a significant blow to GT’s playoff push.
Why Is Ashok Sharma Not Playing Today?
Similarly, there has been no official word on why Ashok Sharma is not playing today. The 23-year-old Rajasthan pacer, bought for ₹90 lakh at the IPL 2026 auction, had impressed with his 140kph-plus pace and 2 wickets in 2 matches, earning praise from both Shubman Gill and assistant coach Parthiv Patel. Gill said after Ashok’s debut that he would become “very valuable” with more experience, while Patel highlighted his character for coming back to bowl a tight 18th over on debut. His omission from the bench as well suggests GT may be managing his workload — or that a minor injury is being treated with caution.
Who Is Arshad Khan?
Arshad Khan, the left-arm pacer who replaces one of the two, is no unknown quantity. The 28-year-old Madhya Pradesh seamer holds the best bowling figures in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy history — 6/9 off four overs (including a maiden) against Chandigarh in December 2025, a performance that saw him named Player of the Match. He picked up 6 wickets in 9 matches for GT in IPL 2025 and offers a different angle as a left-armer who can also contribute with the bat — his unbeaten 58 off 33 balls for LSG against DC in IPL 2024 demonstrated genuine lower-order power.
CSK vs GT: Playing XIs And Impact Subs
Chennai Super Kings XI: Sanju Samson (wk), Ruturaj Gaikwad (c), Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis, Shivam Dube, Kartik Sharma, Jamie Overton, Akeal Hosein, Noor Ahmad, Anshul Kamboj, Gurjapneet Singh
CSK impact sub options: Sarfaraz Khan, Mukesh Choudhary, Prashant Veer, Ramakrishna Ghosh, Matt Short
Gujarat Titans XI: Sai Sudharsan, Shubman Gill (c), Jos Buttler (wk), Shahrukh Khan, Washington Sundar, Jason Holder, Rashid Khan, Arshad Khan, Kagiso Rabada, Mohammed Siraj, Manav Suthar
GT impact sub options: Glenn Phillips, Anuj Rawat, Kulwant Khejroliya, Nishant Sindhu, Rahul Tewatia
GT won the toss and chose to bowl first. The match begins at 3:30 PM IST.
Follow all latest cricket news and updates here on The Dakia.
