IPL 2023 Qualifier 1: CSK beat Gujarat Titans to qualify directly for the finals.
Chennai
Super Kings made it into 2023 IPL finals with a comphrensive win over Gujarat
Titans in the first qualifier played at M Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on 23
May.
Gujarat
Titans captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to field first. It could
have been an ideal start for GT as Darshan Nalkande dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad,
but it was called no-ball due to overstepping. Gaikwad took advantage of chance
putting pressure on GT bowlers. Rashid Khan was brought into the attack early,
but Gaikwad showed his class with some brilliant shots. On other hand, Devon Conway
struggled with his timing. At the end of the first six overs, CSK scored 49 for
0. With that, the first timeout was called.
After the
field restrictions, Gaikwad and Conway kept the scoreboard ticking, taking
singles and boundaries not allowing GT bowlers to settle. Gaikwad completed his
fifty off 36 balls while Conway struggled on a slow pitch. Mohit Sharma got the
breakthrough for GT by dismissing dangerous Gaikwad with simple catch to
Miller. Gaikwad and Conway put on 87 runs laying a strong foundation for a
decent total.
Noor Ahmed
dismissed Shivam Dube cheaply to bring back Gujarat Titans into the game.
Ajiyanka Rahane showed intent with some lovely shots while Conway continued to
struggle. At the end of the second time-out, CSK made 99 for 2. Nalkande
eventually struck to dismiss Rahane with simple catch to Gill at backward
point. Conway and Rahane added 31 runs for the 3rd wicket.
Ambati
Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja scored valuable runs as Chennai Super Kings posted 172
for 7 in 20 overs. For GT, Mohammed Shami and Mohit Sharma took 2 wickets each
while Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmed and Nalkande grabbed 1 wicket each.
Chasing 173
runs to win, Saha and Gill began the innings with some lovely shots before
Deepak Chahar got the breakthrough dismissing Saha providing easy catch to Pathirana
at deep backward leg. Gill looked in ominous touch keeping the scoreboard
ticking. Theekshana got the breakthrough dismissing GT captain Hardik Pandya
with an easy catch to Jadeja at backward point. At the end of first six overs,
GT ended at 41 for 2.
Dasun
Shanaka was promoted at number 4 and struggled disciplined CSK spin bowling of
Jadeja and Theekshana. At the end of first timeout, GT reached 59 for 2.
After the
timeout, Shanaka showed some intent on taking on Theekshana. Ravindra Jadeja
made the breakthrough dismissing Shanaka with easy catch to Theekshana. Gill
and Shanaka added 31 runs for the 3rd wicket. Ravindra Jadeja
produced a beauty getting rid of Miller to leave GT in trouble. Deepak Chahar
was brought into attack and dismissed well-set Gill providing easy catch to Conway.
Theekshana
produced a peach to get rid of Rahul Tewaita leaving GT in deep trouble.
Shankar and Rashid Khan showed some intent to take on Deshpande. At the end of the
second timeout, GT scored 115 for 6.
Pathirana
dismissed Vijay Shankar with a stunning diving catch by Gaikwad. Shankar and Rashid
Khan added 41 runs for the 7th wicket. Senapati hit direct throw to
dismiss Nalkande. Khan showed some fighting spirit, but it was not enough as
CSK bowled out GT for 157. For CSK, Deepak Chahar, Theekshana, Jadeja and
Pathirana grabbed 2 wickets each while Desphande took 1 wicket.
CSK 172 for
7 in 20 overs ( Gaikwad 60, Conway 40, Shami 2/28) beat GT 157 in 20 overs (
Gill 42, Ravindra Jadeja 2/18) by 15 runs.
For his 60
off 44 deliveries, Ruturaj Gaikwad was named the player of the match. CSK qualified
for the finals directly on 28 May at Ahmedabad.
Mumbai
Indians will face Lucknow Super Giants in the eliminator tomorrow at Chennai.
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