IPL 2023 Qualifier 1: Chennai Super Kings have secured a place in the final of the Indian Premier League 2023 after beating defending champions Gujarat Titans by 15 runs on Tuesday at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
They finished in ninth spot last year but won the ticket to the final for the 10th time in the tournament’s history. Gujarat has been brilliant throughout the season but couldn’t edge past Chennai Super Kings in the all-important clash.
On a slow track where the ball was holding on to the surface, Chennai Super Kings were asked to bat first. Devon Conway couldn’t get his timing right and struggled throughout his innings but it was Ruturaj Gaikwad, who played brilliantly in tough conditions and helped CSK get a steady start.
He played a sensational knock of 60 off 44 balls before getting out in the 11th over. Conway, on the other hand, played an uncharacteristic knock of 40 in 34 deliveries.
Shivam Dube was sent up the order to up the ante but he was cleaned up by Noor Ahmed to get his team back into the game. However, small cameos from Rahane (17 off 10) and Rayudu (17 off 9) ensured Chennai kept scoring runs at a good pace.
Ravindra Jadeja also chipped in with a handy knock of 22 runs in 16 balls as Chennai ended up posting a par score of 172 runs in the first innings. Shami and Mohit Sharma both picked two wickets each in their respective spells.
Chepauk Pitch got the better of Gujarat Batters
Deepak Chahar didn’t allow Saha and Gill get going in the powerplay. Tushar Deshpande also bowled good lengths as the Gujarat openers struggled to score runs in the powerplay.
Chahar got the wicket of Saha (12 off 11) in the 3rd over, while M Theekshana outfoxed Hardik Pandya to leave Gujarat in all sorts of trouble at 41 for 2. Shanaka struck a four and a six but in a bid to keep up with the required rate, he too fell at a crucial stage.
Gill, the man in form, was the biggest hope for Gujarat. He was trying to take the game deep and made 42 off 38 balls but Dhoni’s decision to bring Chahar back in the 14th over did the trick as Gill pulled one straight to Conway.
The like of Vijay Shankar (14), Miller (4), and Tewatia (14) failed to get going as well as Gujarat, in the end, were bundled out for 157 runs.
