The defending champions of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 tournament, Gujarat Titans, made a winning start to the campaign this year by recording a thrilling victory of five wickets against Chennai Super Kings in the first match at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad.
After visiting Chennai Super Kings to a moderate total of 178/7 despite young batsman Ruturaj Gaikwad scoring 92 from 50 balls, Gujarat Titans responded well with their young opening batsman Shubman Gill scoring 63 from 36 balls to anchor the chase. Gujarat Titans eventually finished at 182/5 and 19.4 overs and won the game by five wickets and two balls to spare.
At one stage it looked like Chennai Super Kings would be able to record a win over Gujarat Titans but all-rounder Rashid Khan came out with aggressive intent to hit a six and a four and won the game for the defending champions in front of a packed house in Ahmedabad.
After Gujarat Titans Captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to field, Chennai Super Kings opener Ruturaj Gaikwad produced yet another stunning knock at the top. The right-handed opening batsman hit four boundaries and nine sixes to make 92 from just 50 balls, missing his century by just eight runs when Alzarri Joseph had him caught by Shubman Gill in the later stage of the game.
While Ruturaj Gaikwad was able to hit peak form in the first game itself, Moeen Ali also gave a good example by hitting four boundaries and a 6 to 923 from 17 balls. However, the rest of the Chennai Super Kings batsmen disappointed with Ben Stokes seven, Ambati Rayudu 12, Shivam Dubey 19 and Ravindra Jadeja one not being able to make a strong mark.
Towards the end, Chennai Super Kings legendary captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni smacked one six and a four to entertain the crowd and make 14 not out from seven balls to finish with a high, but the momentum was soon taken away from his side by young batsman Shubman Gill.
After Wriddhiman Saha was dismissed following a 16 ball 25 with two boundaries and two sixes, Shubman Gill took charge of the scoring for Gujarat Titans as he smacked three sixes and six fours to make 63 from 36 balls, providing them with a lot of firepower at the top.
B Sai Sudharsan was the impact player for Gujarat Titans as Chennai Super Kings also used the rule to bring in another bowler in the form of Tushar Deshpande, who was smart all over the park by the Gujarat Titans batsmen.
The impact player for Gujarat Titans be Sai Sudharsan did well to score 22 from 17 balls with three fours whereas Vijay Shankar played a handy knock of 27 from 21 balls with two fours and a six that took his side closer to victory. However, Gujarat Titans struggled towards the end and status to finish the match and it was only by the pair of Rahul Tewatia (15 not out) and Rashid Khan (10 not out) that they were able to go past the challenge.
Chennai Super Kings will now look to bounce back in their next clash against Lucknow Super Giant on April 3 in their home ground MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, whereas Gujarat Titans will take on a formidable Delhi Capitals under the captaincy of David Warner on April 4 in the backyard of their opponents.