Tata IPL 2023 Qualifier 1: MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings take on Hardik Pandya’s Gujarat Titans

Hardik Pandya has won the toss and said that the Gujarat Titans (GT) will bowl first at the Chepauk Stadium.

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) opener Ruturaj Gaikwad ended up getting a big let off when he was caught at midwicket in the second over but the delivery was declared a no ball.

He has since managed to not put a foot wrong and lady luck also seemed to favour him as inside edges rocketed towards the boundary instead of his off-stump, blistering his way to 60 off 44 balls, before being caught in the deep as Mohit Sharma provided Gujarat Titans with their first breakthrough.

Gaikwad smashed it hard for a six but failed to time it properly as David Miller took an easy catch at the long-on.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway maintained their dominance over Gujarat Titans in the powerplay, as the Titans’ leaked runs which included a boundaries from Gaikwad and a scratchy support from Conway. Chennai Super Kings eye a huge total from here. 

CSK have maintained their opening pair through the powerplay against the Titans’ enviable bowling record in the opening overs.

MS Dhoni has his task cut out for tonight with CSK welcoming defending champions GT for the first time at the iconic Chepauk Stadium in Chennai.

The winner of this table-toppers’ encounter in Qualifier 1 will become the first finalist of Tata IPL 2023.

While CSK are set to bank on Ajinkya Rahane’s sublime touch and the all-round brilliance of Moeen Ali, as they miss Ben Stokes, GT side is expected to cash in on the Impact Player Rule in the blockbuster encounter.

Noor Ahmad then provided the Titans with their second breakthrough as he dismissed Shivam Dube. Dube got outfoxed and saw his defense rattled as Noor castled him for 1.

CSK are 94/2 (12 overs).

With Dhoni’s CSK in way of the Titans’ second IPL crown, can Pandya and co. pull a double against Chennai in Thala’s den?