The four times champion Chennai Super Kings has entered the finals of the IPL for the tenth time after defeating Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in the first match of the playoffs. The match was played yesterday at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, and after winning the toss, GT skipper Hardik Pandya decided to bowl first.
CSK got a steady start as openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (60 runs, 44 balls, 7 fours & 1 six) and Devon Conway (40 runs, 34 balls, 4 fours) produced a partnership of 87 runs for the first wicket. While Devon Conway was a little rough, Ruturaj Gaikwad was absolutely smooth in playing his shots. However, GT made a comeback by dismissing them and the batters who came after them played cameos but were not able to make big scores. Ajinkya Rahane and Ambati Rayudu scored 17-17 runs each in almost same number of balls, Ravindra Jadeja played a useful innings of 22 runs (16 balls, 2 fours) and helped his team in posting a competitive total of 172/7 in the stipulated 20 overs.
GT lost Wriddhiman Saha (12 runs, 11 balls, 2 fours) quite early but the other opener and in-form cricketer Shubman Gill once again tried to play a big innings; nevertheless, he got out at the score of 42 runs (38 balls, 4 fours & 1 six) and after that, things got difficult for GT as they lost batters at regular intervals and the whole team could manage only 157 runs in 20 overs.
This was the first time that GT was bowled out by any team in the history of the IPL and with this win, CSK has become the first finalist of the tournament. While Ruturaj Gaikwad was adjudged as the Player of the Match, Ravindra Jadeja who is one of the finest all-rounders of the country was declared as the “Upstox Most Valuable Asset of the match” as he not only scored important 22 runs but also took 2 wickets in his 4 overs and conceded only 18 runs.
Ravindra Jadeja has been quite active on social media nowadays and he has been posting cryptic messages but after winning the match against GT. Jadeja posted a photo of himself in which he is seen taking the award and wrote, “Upstox knows but..some fans don’t” with two laughing emojis.
Upstox knows but..some fans don’t 🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/6vKVBri8IH
— Ravindrasinh jadeja (@imjadeja) May 23, 2023
With this tweet, Jadeja took a jibe at CSK and MS Dhoni fans who want to see him get out as they want to see MS Dhoni bat.
Earlier also Ravindra Jadeja has spoken about how fans want to see him get out soon so that they can see MSD bat and while talking about his bowling, Jadeja says that it really feels great as a spinner if the ball stops and turns. Jadeja further says that as they practice on this ground, they are pretty aware about the length and pace at which they should bowl as this is the home advantage for them.
CSK fans want to see MS Dhoni bat as much as possible because there are speculations that this may be the last season of Mahi as a player.
