IPL 2023 Qualifier 1: Gaikwad's 60, Jadeja's tidy spell pave way for CSK's maiden win against GT

It certainly appears as if the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and IPL finals, and titles to an extent, are made for each other. CSK, after all, qualified for the summit clash in the world’s biggest T20 league for a record-extending 10th time with a 15-run victory over defending champions Gujarat Titans at MA Chidambaram Stadium on Tuesday.

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Chennai may not have the most number of trophies in their cabinet yet with the Mumbai Indians still holding bragging rights in that aspect with five titles in six final appearances.

While MI are the most successful side purely on trophy count, there’s no denying that the MS Dhoni-led side are the most consistent when it comes to finishing in the top four at the end of the league stage and progressing to the grand finale. There’s also no denying about the kind of impact that the CSK has on individuals, both young and old, and how they become better players during their time in the Chennai locker room, something that sets this franchise apart from the rest.

Coming to the first playoff fixture of the 16th season, CSK’s performance against GT, whose team culture as well as consistency over the last two seasons appears to have been inspired by CSK, showed just why this team is so special and firm favourites to lift the trophy at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Sunday.

Gaikwad makes the most of a costly no-ball

After Gujarat captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and chose to stick to his team’s strength of chasing down targets, seamer Darshan Nalkande, replacing Yash Dayal in the only change across the two sides, appeared to have given the table toppers the ideal start after striking in what was only his third delivery of the season.

Opener Ruturaj Gaikwad, among the form batters this season with 564 runs, chipped towards Shubman Gill at midwicket to perish for 2 off just six balls. Or so GT thought. Moments later, the no-ball hooter went off at Chepauk, much to the boisterous, yellow-clad CSK fan army’s delight. The 26-year-old then gave an indication of what was to come by smashing Nalkande for a six and a four on the next two deliveries, breaking the shackles in the process.

Gaikwad: From