Chennai Super Kings reached the IPL final for a record 10th time (Photo: Sportzpics)
MS Dhoni’s CSK outclassed the defending champions in all three departments to reach the IPL final for a record 10th time.
Chennai Super Kings stormed into the final of the Indian Premier League 2023 with a 15-run win over Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. MS Dhoni’s CSK outclassed the defending champions in all three departments to reach the final for the 10th time. Gujarat, who have a formidable record in the chase, failed to score 173 as CSK bowlers bundled them out for 157.
Ravindra Jadeja (2/18) was the standout bowler for CSK, while Mahesh Tikshana (2/28), Deepak Chahar (2/29) and Mathisha Pathirana (2/37) also picked up two wickets each.
IPL 2023 Qualifier 1: GT vs CSK Highlights
Chasing a tough target of 173, Gujarat Titans lost the crucial wicket of opener Wriddhiman Saha for 12 runs. In this crucial clash, Hardik Pandya promoted himself up the order, but the ploy didn’t work well as he got out for just one run. 8. After losing two early wickets in the powerplay, Gujarat Titans’ momentum slowed as Shubman Gill and Dasun Shanaka started the chase, but Ravindra Jadeja broke the 31-run stand.
Titans kept losing wickets at regular intervals as they failed to counter CSK bowlers’ plan on the difficult surface. Designated finishers David Miller (4) and Rahul Tewatia (3) were trapped by the CSK spinners while Gill (42) was dismissed by Deepak Chahar to bring the Titans to the mat.
While Rashid Khan took the game a little closer as the Afghan all-rounder once again showcased his batting prowess, Gujarat Titans kept losing wickets at regular intervals.
Shankar, who was dropped down the batting order after scoring a half-century against RCB at No.3, was dismissed for 17, putting the game completely out of reach for the Titans.
Earlier, Ruturaj Gaikwad hit a crucial half-century for Chennai Super Kings on a difficult surface to help his team post a challenging 172 for 7 in Qualifier 1. It was a difficult wicket to bat on for the CSK batsmen other than Gaikwad. to get going.
After winning the toss, Gujarat Titans went wicketless in the first half of the innings but made a good comeback in the second half to pick up wickets at regular intervals. For the home team, Gaikwad scored a crucial 44-ball 60 while others could not contribute enough. Gaikwad’s in-form opening partner Devon Conway was not his usual fluency and struggled with his timing during his innings and was eventually dismissed for 40.
The middle order failed on the big occasion for CSK as Shivam Dube (1) and Ajinkya Rahane (17) failed to live up to the expectations. MS Dhoni, who came out to bat in the last over with the responsibility of giving the finishing touch to CSK’s innings, also failed on a big occasion. It was Mohit Sharma, who has flourished under Dhoni in the past, taking crucial wickets for the Titans. Dhoni lasted only 2 balls for his 1 run, much to the dismay of the Chepauk crowd of fans.
In the end, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali made cameos to put 172/7 on the board.
Pacer Mohammed Shami (2/28 in 4 overs) was the preferred bowler for the Titans while Mohit Sharma (2/31) also picked up two wickets.
