Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans: Match Report

The defending champions kickstarted their season against the 5-time champions, Chennai Super Kings. The Narendra Modi Stadium hosted its first-ever group stage game but there was no surprise that the Yellow Army was out in full force as MS Dhoni embarked on potentially his final IPL season. Both captains wanted to bowl first but Hardik Pandya won the toss and did not hesitate to field.

Same Old Gaikwad

There were some concerns over Gaikwads form as he had not played a match in a few months. However, he timed the ball to perfection, with only 8% of the deliveries he faced being misplayed. He made 30 of his 92 runs through the square leg region as he played some pull shots that Ricky Ponting would be jealous of. Interestingly he slowed down a lot towards the end of his innings as it looked certain he would get to 3 figures, however, a full toss from Alzarri Joseph and he held out to long-on.

His opening partner, Devon Conway, who had a sensational past year, looked like a statue at the crease as he missed a straight one. His footwork was worrying as he looked like a deer in headlights against Shami.

Dad’s Army No Longer

Rajvardhan Hangargekar is CSK’s newest find, as he took 3/36 and bowled like it was his 100th IPL game, not his 1st (apart from the no balls). He took the 3 much-needed wickets of Saha, Sudharsan, and Shankar. He iced the 18th over, going for only 7 runs and taking a wicket off the last ball to claw CSK into the game.

Only 3 things are certain in life: Death, Taxes, and MS Dhoni hitting boundaries at the death. Despite the arrival of the young gun, Hangargekar, MS Dhoni showed that age is just a number with his 14 off 7, including a monster six, that gave CSK a fighting total to defend.

Gill Too Good

Arguably the best Indian batsman over the past 12 months, Gill continues to build his case as the best young player in the world. After the blistering display of batting from Gaikwad, Gill came out with something to prove and batted with the perfect mix of class and aggression. He cruised to 63 (36) before mistiming one to deep midwicket.

Saha got GT off to a flying start with 25 off 16 as he tries to keep his spot over KS Bharat. Along with Shankar’s composed 27, the Titans cruised the run chase at every stage of the innings.

That Man Tewatia, Again

He’s inevitable. Tewatia was 5 off 12 heading into the last over. He hadn't had a sniff of the boundary, but it didn't matter as he hammered the first two (legal) balls for four and six to clinch victory for Gujarat. He and Rashid are going to be a nightmare for death bowlers around the league. Their partnership consisted of 26 runs off just 8 balls.

What Next For Chennai?

It was shown that Theekshana will be missed for the next two games as CSK still doesn't have an out-and-out wicket-taker. Whilst he is gone, I would look towards their only other overseas player, Dwaine Pretorius. Their biggest problem with the ball is at the death. Chahar has never been a good death bowler and Deshpande is too inexperienced to bowl at the death. This would be my XI for at least the next two games:

1. Gaikwad
2. Stokes
3. Ali
4. Rayudu
5. Dhoni
6. Jadeja
7. Dube/Mandal
8. Santner
9. Pretorius
10. Chahar
11. Hangargekar

Chepauk is famous for its turn so CSK may opt to use their Impact Player to play a 3rd spinner, as Moeen has taken a step back from bowling recently. This may mean they use Ajay Mandal. However, I would not mind seeing Mandal start over Dube as he batted horribly against Gujarat. His innings was as thrilling as the half time light show. He has become too easy to bowl to as the short ball is his Kryptonite. 76% of the balls he faced in his innings were short as he stumbled to 19 before being bounced out. Just like last season, I do not want Conway to be dropped after one bad performance, but the batting is deep enough to compensate until Theekshana returns at least.

Player Ratings:

CSK

1. Gaikwad 9/10-should have converted to 3 figures but otherwise flawless innings.
2. Conway 2/10-looked shaky at the crease but superb in the field.
3. Ali 5/10-promising with the bat but soft dismissal.
4. Stokes 3/10-lackluster debut.
5. Rayudu 2/10-slowed down the tempo.
6. Dube 1/10-killed the innings but an excellent catch to remove Saha.
7. Jadeja 7/10-was thrown in the deep end with the bat but keep them in the game with the ball.
8. MS Dhoni 6/10-good flourish to end the innings but keeping was not as good as usual.
9. Santner 5/10-bowled a bit short but his economy rate was decent.
10. Chahar 7/10-one bad over ruined his day. Should have batted instead of Santner.
11. Hangargekar 8/10-bowled excellently apart from his consistency.
12. Deshpande 2/10-way too expensive but took the wicket of Gill.

GT

1. Saha 7/10-two great catches to dismiss Stokes and Ali. Set the tone with the bat.
2. Gill 9/10–India’s best batter right now.
3. Sudharsan 6/10-mature innings considering he was not expecting to play. Played the anchor role well, just needs more time at the crease.
4. Pandya 4/10-not his best all-around game but picked up where he left off captaincy-wise.
5. Shankar 6/10-sensible innings that took the Titans home and prevented a collapse.
6. Tewatia 7/10-as clutch as ever.
7. Khan 9/10-showed why he's the best T20 player in the world.
8. Shami 7/10-excellent opening spell and took his 100th IPL wicket.
9. Little 5/10-Dhoni and Gaikwad took a liking to him but otherwise promising signs. Bowled quick.
10. Dayal 2/10-lazy in the field and got smacked for 14 in his one over.
11. Joseph 7/10-only 15 runs off his last 18 balls. Made sure CSK didn’t reach 200.