IPL 2023: CSK players receive rousing reception at team hotel after securing final berth

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) are having another great season under MS Dhoni’s leadership as they have entered their record tenth final in IPL history by beating Gujarat Titans (GT) by 15 runs in Qualifier 1. After being put into bat first, CSK posted 172/7 in their allotted 20 overs courtesy of a brilliant knock of 60 off 44 by Ruturaj Gaikwad. In reply, GT were bundled out for 157 in their allotted 20 overs as CSK’s bowlers came to the party.

Following their clinical win, the entire CSK team got a rousing reception from their fans on their way to the team hotel. In a video shared by CSK via Twitter, Chennai players can be seen in a jolly good mood as they arrive from the team bus being cheered on by their fans. Their bowling coach Dwayne Bravo can also be seen in a party mood singing his famous ‘Champion’ song.

Watch the video here:

Chennai Super Kings@ChennaiIPL

We can’t get enough of it! 🥹🥰 #IPL2023 #WhistlePodu #Yellove 🦁💛

10:52 AM · May 24, 2023

4.4K740

Coming back to the match, CSK opener Ruturaj Gaikwad got a reprieve early in his innings as he got dismissed off a no-ball in the second over of the game by Darshan Nalkande. After getting a life, Gaikwad took the attack to GT and brought up his second consecutive half-century of the season scoring 60 off 44. 

Devon Conway (40 off 34) also held one end with his gritty innings while cameos from Ajinkya Rahane (17 off 10), Ambati Rayudu (17 off 9), Ravindra Jadeja (22 off 16) and Moeen Ali (9* off 4) took CSK to 172/7 in the first innings. Mohammed Shami (2/28) and Mohit Sharma (2/31) picked up two wickets each for GT.

CSK eye fifth IPL title

In reply, GT lost their opener Wriddhiman Saha early in the third over itself and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals as CSK’s spinners spun a web around them. Shubman Gill once again tried to take the game away with his knock of 42 off 38 but got dismissed in the 14th over while trying to keep up with the required run rate.

Rashid Khan (30 off 16) tried his best to take his team over the line with his cameo but his dismissal in the 19th over drew curtains for Gujarat. As a result, CSK won by 15 runs and entered the IPL final for a record tenth time. Notably, they are also on the second spot in the IPL Winners' list with four titles to their name.