CSK vs GT IPL 2023, Qualifier 1: Chennai Super Kings spin out Gujarat Titans, march into 10th IPL final

Gaikwad, Jadeja lead charge as CSK outwit Titans on home turf
CHENNAI: When MS Dhoni failed to recreate his old magic with the bat, there was a wave of disappointment at the Chepauk. But by the end of the evening, it had all dissipated into thin air.

Just as Dhoni himself was beaming, taking Chennai Super Kings to their 10th IPL final in probably his last match at this ground, the thousands at the galleries knew that their party had just begun.

Gujarat Titans, chasing 173 for victory, just couldn't match the guile and quality of a team that seems to have an astute understanding of their home ground, resulting in CSK making the IPL final for the 10th time.

With no dew on offer, Dhoni knew that his bowlers had the wherewithal to defend 172, even if there was a certain Shubman Gill to contend with. Gill (42 off 38 balls) tried, but on a track where the ball was spinning, Ravindra Jadeja (2/18) becomes unplayable.

It was crucial that the Titans didn't take too many chances against the wily customer. But David Miller and Dasun Shanaka tried just that, giving their wickets away in the process and tilting the balance in CSK's favour.

Gill followed soon, mistiming a pull off Chahar, and it seemed all but over. Rashid Khan tried an almighty onslaught towards the end, with some unorthodox hitting, but Titans had lost too many wickets by then. And when Rashid finally got out after a brilliant 30 off 16 balls in the 19th over, the CSK fans knew it was time to celebrate.

While the CSK bowlers were brilliant, there was a stroke of luck early on when they were batting that proved crucial. Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad was on two when he lobbed one to Shubman Gill off medium-pacer Darshan Nalkande. It would have been a crucial blow but Nalkande had overstepped, and it gave Ruturaj a fresh lease of life.

The crowd erupted in joy, Ruturaj knew it could be his day, and the very next ball went for a six. The shots flowed from his bat in the Powerplay and Gujarat Titans were suddenly in a tight corner. Devon Conway gave Ruturaj good company, looking for the gaps, and CSK had comfortably gone past the 50-mark in the first six overs. They put up 87 off 10. 3 overs, which was huge on a pitch like this.

Veteran medium-pacer Mohit Sharma, who had spent his best days with CSK, used the sluggish nature of the pitch to force a false shot off Ruturaj (60 off 44 balls) to bring GT back in the game. For a while, CSK seemed to be caught in the headlights but the team has the depth in batting.

Even after Dhoni got out, again falling to Mohit's slower ball, Jadeja (22 off 16 balls) and Moeen Ali provided the final flourish that took CSK past the 170-mark. And by the end of the day, it proved more than enough for the yellow brigade.

Watch IPL: Chennai Super Kings enter 10th final with 15-run win over Gujarat Titans