Chennai Super Kings became the first team to qualify for the IPL final by defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by 15 runs. CSK were able to subdue Titans with their precise bowling performance. Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and elected to bowl first. CSK scored 172 runs in their allotted 20 overs. Qualifier 1 of the IPL 2023 took place at Chennai's MA Chidambaram Stadium, pitting the four-time champion CSK against the reigning champion GT. Now, CSK's opponent in the final will be the winner of 2nd eliminator.
CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad got a big let off early on when he was caught at midwicket in the second over and the delivery was declared a no ball. He capitalised on that lifeline, scoring 60 off 44 deliveries. CSK's opening pair stayed unbeaten in the first 10 overs, but GT then clawed their way back. It was some lusty shows from Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali that pushed CSK to 172/7.
In response, GT hardly got any momentum at any stage of their chase. All their big guns fell without making much of a dent while the biggest of them all, Shubman Gill, was kept silent by the GT bowlers. He ended up falling for 42 off 38 balls. GT's run chase lost momentum when ace finisher Rahul Tewatia fell but Rashid Khan smashed 30 off 16 balls to give his side a glimmer of hope. But finally they fell short by 15 runs.
GT will get another chance to book their final berth but they will have to wait for the winner of Eliminator match between Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) and Mumbai Indians, to play in the Qualifier 2.
