Chennai Super Kings (CSK) cruised into the final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 with a 15-run win over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Qualifier 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.
Ruturaj Gaikwad starred with the bat for CSK, scoring 60 runs off 44 balls. Ambati Rayudu (17 off 9) and Ravindra Jadeja (22 off 16) also made valuable contributions, as CSK posted a competitive 172 for 7 in their 20 overs. In reply, GT got off to a slow start, losing Wriddhiman Saha (11) and Hardik Pandya (11) inside the Powerplay. Shubman Gill (42) and David Miller (26) tried to rebuild the innings, but they could not get the big shots away and GT was eventually bowled out for 157 in 19.4 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja was the pick of the bowlers for CSK, taking 2 for 18 in his four overs. Mahesh Theekshana and Deepak Chahar also picked up two wickets each.
CSK’s win over GT was a clinical performance from start to finish. They batted well to post a competitive total and then they bowled superbly to restrict GT to a below-par score. Jadeja was the star of the show with the bat and the ball, but he was well-supported by the rest of the team. CSK will now be looking to win their fourth IPL title when they take on the winner of the Eliminator in the final on May 29.
Ruturaj Gaikwad is back in form: Gaikwad has been one of the most consistent batsmen in the IPL over the past few years, but he had struggled for form in the early stages of this season. However, he showed his class in Qualifier 1, scoring 60 runs off 44 balls. His knock was full of timing and power, and it gave CSK a solid platform to build on.