Chennai match into tenth IPL final with 15-run win over Gujarat

The Chennai Super Kings marched into their tenth IPL final in 2023 with a convincing win on their home turf against the Gujarat Titans in Qualifier 1. The Men in Yellow trumped Hardik Pandya’s side in familiar sluggish conditions in Chennai, as Ruturaj Gaikwad’s half-century powered the Super Kings to an above-par score of 172 batting first before spinners – Jadeja and Theekshana – spun a web around GT in the chase to complete an emphatic win for MS Dhoni’s men.

The Titans sprung a surprise at the toss with the inclusion of Darshan Nalkande to the XI for the first time this season. The pacer was at the centre of all the action in the powerplay as he dismissed Ruturaj Gaikwad off a no-ball, handing the opener a reprieve in the second over. Gaikwad carted the resulting free-hit for a six and made the most of his good fortune, giving CSK some much-needed momentum against the Titans’ fearsome bowling attack.

Gaikwad helped CSK add 49 runs in the powerplay and raced away to his fourth half-century of the season, giving the home team another strong start on a challenging batting surface. Mohit Sharma removed Gaikwad for 60 in the 11th over, but the Chennai middle order capitalised on the opener’s strong platform to take the Men in Yellow to a commanding total.

While Conway anchored himself to 40 off 34 balls, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, and Ravindra Jadeja added invaluable cameos throughout the back half of the innings, helping CSK add 41 off the last four overs to post 172.

The Titans have been one of the strongest chasing sides in the tournament over the last two seasons, but Gujarat struggled to get going in Qualifier 1 on a wicket that offered plenty of turn through the middle overs. Wriddhiman Saha managed just 12 off ten deliveries before falling to Deepak Chahar, while Maheesh Theekshana removed the skipper Hardik Pandya in the final over of the powerplay.

After adding just 41 runs in the first six, the Titans were suffocated through the middle by the brilliance of Jadeja and Theekshana. The pair spun the ball big on a pitch offering turn and conceded just 33 runs in overs 7 to 11 to go along with the wicket of Dasun Shanaka.

The pressure created by the spinners also led to the demise of Shubman Gill, with the opener holing out to fine leg against Chahar in an attempt to break the shackles. David Miller and Rahul Tewatia also fell to the CSK finger-spinners, leaving GT reeling at 98 for 6. Rashid Khan provided a brief renaissance by taking apart Pathirana and Tushar Deshpande, but the all-rounder sliced one to deep point to end the Titans’ hopes and send CSK into another IPL final.