In order to win their second straight IPL 2024 match, Chennai Super Kings outperformed Gujarat Titans with both the bat and the ball. Their bowlers matched the team’s relentless effort, putting on outstanding displays from the bat all through to guarantee that Gujarat could never claw their way back into the match and were ultimately defeated by 63 runs.
Above all, Ravindra gives the impetus.
CSK managed to find a player that could sustain them throughout the innings. Rachin Ravindra assumed this role through the powerplay, blitzing his way to 47 in a 62-run opening stand with Ruturaj Gaikwad. Taking advantage of Umesh Yadav’s mishandled lengths, Ravindra smashed him for a six and a four in back-to-back deliveries. He treated Azmatullah Omarzai in a similar manner in the next over. Even though Yadav chose to cut his lengths a little the next time, Ravindra still managed to score six and a four. The border flow continued when Omarzai made the same mistake the next time around and was swiftly sent away. Sadly, Ravindra’s blitzkrieg came to an end as the ball bounced off his body and landed within close range of wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha, stumping him.
Not a decrease in speed
Following up, Ajinkya Rahane was unable to match Ravindra’s tone as he was out for a run-a-ball twelve. However, Gaikwad had already established himself and maintained the pace with a barrage of boundaries. He quickly reached 46, but just when it seems like he may score more, Spencer Johnson gained an advantage with an angled delivery. However, the player with the greatest influence and the next in line for CSK was ready by this point.
Dube lets go
Shivam Dube performed his task admirably, hitting the first two balls he faced for sixes thanks to Sai Kishore’s left-arm spin. He continued to raise the stakes throughout the inning, which set him up nicely. Before Johnson was hammered for a four and a pulled six as the short ball plan went for a toss, Rashid Khan was also tonked for a six. He reached his fifty runs in just 22 balls and appeared to be in position for a big score as the final few overs approached.
varying results upon death
Gujarat was hoping to put the clamps on after Rashid Khan defeated Dube with a stunning early 19th over. But Sameer Rizvi, a rookie, had other plans. He slog-swept Rashid to hit his first ball in the IPL for a six. He then followed it up with a lofted six over long off to ensure that the over ended up being a 15-run over. However, CSK ended with a score of over 200, which ultimately proved to be more than enough. Mohit Sharma’s penultimate over went for just eight, and Rizvi holed out too long.
An aimless pursuit
Gujarat needed to start the powerplay strongly in order to present a threat in the pursuit. Though neither Shubman Gill nor Wriddhiman Saha were able to sustain it for very long, Gill even lofted his first ball for a six, indicating their intentions were apparent. With a skidding delivery, Deepak Chahar had Gill leg before wicket while Saha holed out to deep, giving Chahar his second wicket. Gujarat were already behind the times at 34/2.
CSK maintains authority
None of Gujarat’s middle-order batsmen could muster enough resistance after the tone was set. The fact that CSK clung to slim opportunities didn’t help. While Ajinkya Rahane and veteran MS Dhoni each held onto good opportunities, Rachin Ravindra dropped one but managed to hold onto three more, guaranteeing that the team maintained complete control till the very end.
What comes next?
Chennai travels to Vizag, the Delhi Caps’ temporary “home” this season, for their first “away” game of the year. On Sunday, March 31, Gujarat Titans will return home to play Sunrisers Hyderabad on the same day.
Brief Scores: Gujarat Titans 143/8 in 20 overs (Sai Sudharsan 37; Tushar Deshpande 2-21) were defeated by Chennai Super Kings 206/6 in 20 overs (Shivam Dube 51, Rachin Ravindra 46, Ruturaj Gaikwad 46) by 63 runs.
