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Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, Qualifier 1
In the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the Chennai Super Kings were the first to book the final ticket. This is the 10th time that CSK have made it to the IPL final, winning the title four times and finishing as runners-up six times. CSK, under the captaincy of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, defeated Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in the first qualifier and secured a place in the final. After the match was over, Dhoni’s daughter Ziva came to the ground and went and hugged her father fast. Ziva and Dhoni’s wife Sakshi were present at Chepauk’s MA Chidambaram Stadium during this match. Gujarat Titans, captained by Hardik Pandya, will now have to win the second qualifier match at any cost to book a ticket to the final.
In this match, Hardik Pandya took Dhoni’s catch, but did not celebrate it. Not only this, the entire stadium felt that the snake had smelled it and everyone became calm. Gujarat Titans won the toss and elected to bowl first against CSK. CSK scored 172 runs for seven wickets in 20 overs.
For CSK, opener Rituraj Gaikwad scored an inning of 60 runs off 44 balls and was adjudged man of the match. At the same time, Devon Conway scored 40 runs in 34 balls. Ravindra Jadeja hit 22 runs off 16 balls. Whereas Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu contributed 17-17 runs. At one time it seemed difficult that CSK would be able to score 170 runs, but in the end the team scored 172 runs.
In 18.5 overs, Dhoni was caught by Hardik off the bowling of Mohid Sharma, but he did not think it right to celebrate this catch. Gujarat Titans had a target of 173 runs to win, but the team got all out after scoring 157 runs in 20 overs. Shubman Gill scored an innings of 42 runs off 38 balls and was the highest scorer for Gujarat Titans. At the same time, Rashid Khan played an inning of 30 runs in 16 balls.
MS Dhoni praised Ravindra Jadeja in the post match presentation and said that his bowling changed the game. Dhoni said, “IPL is so big now that it can’t be called just another final. Earlier there used to be 8 top teams, now there are 10. I wouldn’t say it’s just another final. 2 months of hard work. Everyone contributed. Yes, the middle order didn’t get enough chances. GT are a great team and they chased very well, but it was good to lose the toss.” He further added, “If Jaddu (Ravindra Jadeja) gets conditions that help him then he is very difficult to hit against. His bowling changed the game. His partnership with Moeen should not be forgotten. We try to build them and find out what is the strength of a fast bowler. We try to give them confidence and tell them ‘please try to explore your bowling’. We try to motivate them as much as possible. Let’s try.
Who will lift the glittering trophy of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this year will be decided on May 28.
