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Fri, 31 March 2023
IPL Updates: Gujarat Titans outclass CSK by 5 wickets

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23:38   Gujarat Titans outclass CSK by 5 wickets

Gujarat 182-5 (19.2 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Deshpande to bowl the final over. He starts with a wide before Tewatia finally gets one off the middle, launching a full delivery over long-off for a six to level scores.

He hammers the next ball straight down the ground for a four to take defending champions Gujarat Titans to a five-wicket victory with four balls to spare.
23:35   Gujarat need 8 from last over for win

Gujarat 171-5 (19 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Chahar to bowl the 19th over. He starts with a dot ball to Tewatia, who has a big swing but fails to connect.

The next ball is a yorker down the leg side as the ball goes past a diving Dhoni for four leg byes.

Dhoni seems to have hurt his knee while diving for the ball but he is fit to continue after some treatment.

Tewatia pulls the short ball to the fielder at deep midwicket for just a single.

Rashid Khan wastes no time to get going. He swings the first ball he faces from Chahar over midwicket for a six to get off the mark in smashing fashion.

The next ball is short and wide of the stumps as Rashid stays back to late cut it over short thirdman for a four.

Rashid comes down the track and has a big swing but misses as Gujarat manage to get 15 runs from the 19th over.

Gujarat need 8 from the last over.
23:30   Gujarat need 23 from 2 overs for victory

Gujarat 156-5 (18 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

The young Hangargekar to bowl the 18th over. He starts with a dot ball, slanting the length ball across left-hander Tewatia, who swings but misses.

He slaps the next to the fielder at mid-off for another dot ball and then scampers a quick single to the same fielder off the next.

This is incredible bowling under pressure from Hangargekar, giving away just a single from the first three balls.

Gujarat now need a few boundaries to bring the run chase under control.

Shankar revives Gujarat's hopes as he swings the fourth ball wide of long-on for a six.

Shankar misses a full toss away from the stumps but umpire Nitin Menon doesn't rule it a wide.

Shankar has a chat with his partner before he decides to use the review to check on the wide.

The TV umpire sticks with the original decision as Gujarat lose their second and final review.

Hangargekar ends his spell with a key strike, as he dismisses the well-set Shankar for 27 from 21 balls.

He mistimed the lofted shot as Santner ran back from mid-off and completed a superb catch.

Gujarat need 23 from 12 balls.

Rangargekar, 20, finishes with impressive figures of 3/36 in four overs in his debut IPL match.
23:21   Gujarat need 30 from 3 overs for victory

Gujarat 149-4 (17 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Pacer Chahar comes back into the attack. Shankar clips the first ball on the leg side for a single and Tewatia takes one to long-on.

Shankar hits the next on the bounce back to the bowler as the asking rate creeps up.

He makes room and lofts the fourth ball inside out but only for a single to sweeper cover.

Tewatia punches the fifth ball to the fielder at mid-off for another dot ball and then swats the slower ball to sweeper cover for a single.

Superb bowling from Chahar as he concedes just four runs from the 17th over to leave Gujarat to get 30 from three overs.
23:13   Gujarat need 34 from 4 overs for victory

Gujarat 145-4 (16 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

CSK's impact player Deshpande, who conceded 29 runs from two overs, is back into the attack.

Shankar and Gill pick a single each off the first two balls before the former mistimes the lofted shot but clears the fielder at mid-off for two runs.

Change of pace from the seamer but Shankar adjusts well to guide the ball past point for a single.

Gill plays a cracking whip off a slower ball from Deshpande as Gaikwad at deep midwicket leaps high but only manages to parry it over the fence for a six.

But Deshpande gets revenge off the last ball as Gill miscues the pull shot and this time Gaikwad completes an easy catch.

Gill walks back after a superb innings of 63 from 36 balls with Gujarat reduced to 138/4 in 15 overs. They are still in control of the chase with 41 needed from five overs for victory.

Santner comes back into the attack. Shankar and Rahul Tewatia pick a single each from the first two balls before the former slaps a short wide delivery through the covers for a four.

A single to Shankar through the off-side but Tewatia is unable to get a run off the last two balls.

Gujarat need 34 from 4 overs for victory!
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23:04   Hardik out for 8; Gujarat lose 3rd wkt

Gujarat 127-3 (14 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Hardik revives CSK's hopes the key wicket of Gujarat captain Hardik, who misses the sweep and is bowled for 8.

Jadeja puts new batter Vijay Shankar under some pressure with three dot balls in a row before the right-hander clips the fifth ball through square leg for two runs to get off the mark and then takes a single.

Three runs and a wicket from the final over as Jadeja finishes with good figures of 1/28 in four overs.

Hangargekar comes back into the attack. He starts with a wide down the leg side to Shankar, who punches the next ball into the covers where Santner makes a superb tumbling stop to save some runs.

Hangargekar keeps it short and this time Shankar pulls it behind square for a four to release some pressure.

Shankar taps the next ball on the leg side for one and Gill pulls the fourth ball to deep midwicket for another run.

Hangargekar bowls a high bouncer which is ruled a wide for height before Shankar pulls the fifth ball for a single.

The last ball is again short as Gill top edges the pull shot for a four behind wicketkeeper Dhoni.

Gujarat have taken the review to check if the bouncer was above the shoulder level, which will give them a no-ball as the second bouncer, but the ball is clearly below shoulder height and is ruled a legal delivery.

Gujarat need 52 from six overs for victory.
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22:53   Gill slams fifty; Gujarat in control

Gujarat 111-2 (12 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Jadeja to bowl his third over. Singles from the first three balls before Gill sweeps the fourth ball fine on the leg side for a four to take Gujarat past 100, in the 11th over.

Gill looking completely in control. He uses his feet to play a cracking inside out shot over the covers to end the over in some style with a six.

13 runs from the 11th over as Gujarat look well-placed in the run chase.

Spinner Santner comes back into the attack. Hardik pulls the first ball for a single and Gill punches the next for another run to race to his fifty from 30 balls.

Three more singles from the rest of the over as Santner concedes five runs in his third over.

Gujarat are 111/2 in 12 overs, needing another 68 from eight overs for victory.
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22:47   Sudharsan out for 22; Gujarat 2 down

Gujarat 93-2 (10 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Jadeja continues as Gill and Sudharsan pick a single each off the first two balls before the former comes down and lofts the fourth ball over the off-side for two runs.

A single to Gill raise the 50-run stand for the second wicket and Sudharsan pulls the last ball to deep square leg for two runs, to get seven from the over.

Pacer Hangargekar comes back into the attack. He strikes another crucial blow with the wicket of the well-set Sudharsan, who looks to cut the short wide delivery but gets the underedge and is caught by Dhoni for 22.

Hardik Pandya gets off the mark with two runs as he pulls the pacer in the gap through midwicket and pulls the last ball to long-on for one.

At the halfway stage, Gujarat are 93/2 in 10 overs, needing another 86 from the remaining 10 overs for victory.

Gill is looking good on 38 from 26 balls as he continues his good recent run with the bat.
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22:34   Gill rallies Gujarat after early wicket

Gujarat 82-1 (8 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack. Sudharsan hits the first ball to long-on for a single and Gill nudges the next ball with soft hands on the leg side for two runs.

A single to Gill to midwicket before Sudharsan picks two runs off the last ball courtesy of a misfield by the fielder charging in at point.

In the next over, Gill uses his feet to Santner but gets the inside edge for a single before Sudharsan pulls the short ball over square leg for a four followed by a single to long-off.

Some width from Santner as Gill comes down to hit a delightful inside out shot over the covers for a four and takes a single from the last ball.

Gujarat doing well to keep their run rate above 10, to race to 82/1 in eight overs.
22:28   Gill rallies Gujarat after early wicket

Gujarat 65-1 (6 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Impact player Deshpande comes back into the attack. The first ball is slightly wide as Gill slaps it through the covers for a four and then takes a single.

Left-hander Sudharsan guides the next ball to thirdman for one as the pacer also oversteps to concede another free hit.

Gill makes most of the free hit, whipping the full ball off his pads over midwicket for a six, to take Gujarat past the 50-run mark in the fifth over.

Spin introduced as Mitchell Santner comes into the attack. He puts some pressure on the young Sudharsan with three dots in a row before the left-hander smashes the fourth over the covers for a four to break the shackles.

He flicks the fifth ball through midwicket for a single and Gill rocks back to cut the spinner in the gap past point for a four.

Despite the wicket of Saha, Gujarat are off to a good start as they race to 65/1 in six overs.

Gill has smashed his way to 25 from 14 balls, while Sudharsan has made 11. They need another 114 runs from 14 overs for victory at an asking rate of eight.
22:17   Saha out for 25; Gujarat lose 1st wicket

Gujarat 41-1 (4 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Chahar continues as four runs come from the first four balls before Saha rocks back and pulls the pacer over square leg for a six and again pulls the next for another run.

Young medium pacer Rajvardhan Hangargekar comes into the attack in place of Deshpande.

He starts with a good yorker which hits Saha on the boots but the leg before shout is turned down.

The youngster has overstepped to concede a no-ball and gift Saha a free hit delivery.

He bowls a wide down the leg side before Saha then swings the free hit delivery over midwicket for a four and then takes one to mid-on and Gill picks one off the next.

Hangargekar strikes in his first over as he claims the wicket of Saha, who slices a wide delivery square on the off-side but Dube at thirdman rushes to his right and takes a good low catch.

Saha is dismissed for a quickfire 25 from 16 balls as Gujarat lose their first wicket.

Impact Player! Sai Sudharsan replaces the injured Williamson, who hurt his knee while attempting to take a difficult catch on the midwicket boundary.

Sudharsan makes an immediate impact as he flicks the first ball he faces, for a four.
22:03   Dhoni powers CSK to 178 vs Gujarat

Gujarat 18-0 (2 ovs) vs CSK 178-7 | Scorecard

Wriddhiman Saha and Shubman Gill are the two openers for Gujarat Titans, who will be aiming for a quickfire start.

Fit-again Deepak Chahar opens the bowling for CSK. 

We have the first ever Impact Player in IPL history as seamer Tushar Deshpande replaces Ambati Rayudu.

Saha defends the first ball on the off-side before he leaves the next as Chahar bowls it away from the stumps.

The third ball jags back in sharply and strikes Saha high on the pads before he miscues the intended lofted shot off the next to get a single.

Gill drives the next through the covers for two runs but is beaten last ball as he takes a couple of steps down the track and pokes.

Impact Player Tushar Deshpande immediately into the action. The first ball is down the leg side as Saha top edges the pull shot but the ball flies high and clears Dube at thirdman for a six.

The next ball is again short and this time Saha pulls it off the middle of the bat for a four and then takes a single.

Slightly short from Deshpande as Gill swats it through midwicket for a boundary.

15 runs from Deshpande's first over as Gujarat race to 18 for no loss in two overs.
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21:33   Dhoni powers CSK to 178 vs Gujarat

CSK 178-7 (20 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Gujarat's pacers continue to target Dube with the short stuff. This time he top edges the pull shot off Shami in the 19th over. Wicketkeeper Saha runs back and dives full length to his right but can't get to the catch!

Dube finally gets one off the middle as he pulls Shami high over midwicket for a six.

But Shami continues with the short ball tactics. This time the bouncer is a bit quicker as Dube miscues the pull shot and Rashid comfortably takes the catch running in from square leg.

Dube walks back after a struggling innings of 18 from 19 balls.

Mitchell Santner gets off the mark with a single to long-on and Dhoni swivels and pulls powerfully but only for one to deep midwicket.

10 runs from the over as Shami finishes with 2/29 in his four overs.

Left-arm pacer Little to bowl the final over. The first ball is full as Dhoni slaps it to sweeper cover for a single and Santner is beaten the yorker and struck on the pads for a leg bye.

The third ball is short and Dhoni despatches it in his trademark style, pulling it over square leg for a six to send the crowd into a frenzy!

Little goes full but drifts on the pads as Dhoni whips it over square leg for a four.

Dhoni throws his bat at a full wide delivery but is beaten by the change of pace and hits the last ball to deep square leg for one.

Dhoni finishes unbeaten on 14 from seven balls as CSK finish on 178/7 in their 20 overs.

A vital cameo at the end from the CSK captain to give his team some momentum going into the break.
21:19   Joseph's double strike cripples CSK

CSK 155-6 (18 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Rashid comes back into the attack, to bowl his fourth and final over. The first ball is a half-tracker as Gaikwad quickly latches on to it, pulling it over midwicket for a six. He clips the next ball into the gap through midwicket for two runs to race to 90 from 46 balls, followed by a single.

Dube continues to struggle as he looks to heave Rashid over the leg side but is beaten. He has managed just nine from 12 balls so far.

Gaikwad keeps strike with a risky single from the last ball of the over.

Despite 11 runs coming from the over, Rashid finishes with excellent figures of 2/26 in four overs.

Joseph comes back into the attack. The first ball is a high full toss as Gaikwad mistimes it trying to loft it down the ground and is caught at long-on.

The umpires are unsure as they check with the TV umpire on the height of the no-ball.

But the full toss is not above the waist level which means Gaikwad is given out caught at long-on after a cracking innings of 92 from 50 balls, having hit nine sixes and four fours.

Gujarat continue their good recovery with the ball as they chip away at the wickets to keep CSK's total in check.

Ravindra Jadeja walks in at No 6 ahead of captain Dhoni. He gets off the mark with a single before Dube mistimes the pull but it falls short of deep midwicket to get him another run.

Joseph strikes again in his final over. Jadeja flicks the pacer uppishly but holes out straight to Vijay Shankar at deep midwicket to fall for 1.

Two wickets in the over for Joseph as CSK slip to 153/6 in the 18th over.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni gets off the mark with a single to deep midwicket and Dube digs out the yorker for another run off the last ball.

Joseph, who was hit for three sixes in his first over, has made a superb comeback, taking 2/15 in his next three overs.
21:07   Rayudu out for 12; CSK lose 4th wicket

CSK 140-4 (16 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Hardik comes back into the attack. Dube nudges the first ball on the leg side for a single and Gaikwad hits the next across the line for another run.

Hardik bowls a short ball down the leg side as Dube misses the glance but the ball goes fine off his pads for four leg byes and takes one off the next.

Gaikwad hits the last ball down to long-off for another run. He has slowed down quite a lot. He was on 75 from 36 balls, but has scored just five runs from the next six balls.

Gujarat have managed to pull back things with 19 coming from the last three overs.

CSK are 133/4 in 15 overs, they will look towards Gaikwad to provide the flourish at the end and take them somewhere close to 180-190.

Joseph from the other end. The first ball is slower as Gaikwad drives it down to long-on for one before Dubey is beaten as he attempts to pull the quick bouncer.

He slaps the third ball down to long-on for another run. Gaikwad looks to loft the pacer down the ground but gets it off the bottom of the bat for a single to long-off.

Seven runs from the over as Gujarat continue to build some pressure by drying up the runs.
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20:55   Rayudu out for 12; CSK lose 4th wicket

CSK 124-4 (14 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Pacer Little continues. Gaikwad swings the third ball over midwicket and the ball looks set to go for six but Kane Williamson leaps high and flicks the ball but is unable to get up as he seems to have injured his knee when he landed.

The ball rolls back on to the ropes for a four to raise the 50-run stand for the fourth wicket from just 29 balls.

Williamson looks in some trouble. Since Gujarat have fielded four overseas players, they can't bring in one of their substitutes to replace Williamson if needed.

Little checks CSK's charge with the wicket of Rayudu, who comes down and has a big swing, but misses and is bowled for 12.

Pace bowler Joseph, who was hit for three sixes in his first over by Gaikwad, comes back into the attack.

Three singles from the first three balls before Shivam Dube looks to slash the fourth ball over the off-side but is beaten by some extra bounce.

Joseph bowls a quick bouncer as Dube sways out of the way before he takes a single from the last ball, as just four runs come from the 14th over.
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20:42   Gaikwad's attack boosts CSK

CSK 114-3 (12 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Left-arm pacer Little comes back into the attack. Rayudu defends the first ball before he is beaten next ball as he pushes away from his body.

The third ball is short but down the leg side as Rayudu misses the pull shot. Rayudu asks the umpire on why he didn't rule it a wide but decide against the review.

Rayudu mistimes the pull shot for a single before Gaikwaid continues his attack, pulling Little for a huge six, to bring up CSK's 100, in the 11th over.

Left-arm pacer Yash Dayal comes into the attack. Rayudu comes down and makes room as he miscues the inside out lofted shot. Captain Hardik making a good effort as he runs back and dives full length to his left but fails to get to the ball.

It's raining sixes at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Gaikwad picks the slower ball early as he lofts it over long-off for his eighth six from 32 balls faced so far.

Gaikwad takes a single on the leg side before Rayudu makes most the slower ball, pulling it over midwicket for the second six of the over.
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20:30   Gaikwad slams 23-ball fifty to rally CSK

CSK 93-3 (10 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Fast bowler Alzarri Joseph comes into the attack. The first ball is full but down the leg side as Gaikwad picks it off his pads, hitting it over fine leg for a six.

He hits the next through the covers but Rahul Tewatia comes up with a stunning stop to save some runs.

Gaikwad continues his rampaging start as he pulls Joseph high over square leg for the second six of the over, to race to his fifty in grand style, from just 23 balls -- his fastest fifty in IPL.

Gaikwad dealing in singles at the moment! The last ball is pulled over fine leg for the third six of the over, as Gaikwad gives away 18 in his first.

Rashid, who picked a wicket each in his previous two overs, is watchfully played out by the CSK duo, who manage just three singles from the over.

At the halfway stage, CSK are well-placed on 93/3 in 10 overs, with Gaikwad on 57 and Rayudu on three.
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20:23   Rashid strikes again; Stokes out for 7

CSK 72-3 (8 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Hardik comes back into the attack. Stokes taps the second ball to point for a single before Gaikwad smashes the next, inside out over the covers for a six. The umpires check whether the ball has touched the SpiderCam cables but eventually they rule it a six.

The next ball is again full and wide as Gaikwad smashes it over long-off for back to back sixes, to race to 36 from 15 balls.

Gaikwad gets a lifeline next ball. He taps the last ball to the covers and sets for a quick single but Stokes is unmoved. Gaikwad has to turn back halfway down and is struggling to make his crease but Shubman Gill, despite having plenty of time in hand, misses the direct hit.

Gaikwad had given up and was happy to see Gill miss the stumps as CSK enjoy a huge slice of luck.

Stokes hammers the third ball straight down the ground for a four to long-off before Rashid strikes another big blow in his second over.

Stokes gets a thick outside edge and wicketkeeper Saha takes another superb catch.

Stokes walks back for seven as CSK are reduced to 70/3 in the eighth over.

Ambati Rayudu gets off the mark with a single on the leg side and Gaikwad keeps strike with one from the last ball.
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20:05   Moeen out for 23; CSK lose 2nd wicket

CSK 51-2 (6 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Shami to bowl his third over with the new ball. Gaikwad takes a single off the second ball before Moeen smashes the third through the covers for a four.

Shami bowls a high full toss which is ruled a no-ball immediately and Moeen makes most of the free hit delivery, smashing the full ball wide of long-off for a six.

Shami follows it up with a short ball which Moeen pulls through midwicket for a four and he keeps strike with one from the last ball as 17 come from the over.

Spin introduced in the Powerplay as Rashid Khan comes in to bowl the sixth over.

He strikes with the third ball of his first over as Moeen is given out leg before wicket after he misses the sweep.

Moeen takes the review. And he survives as the ball has pitched outside the line of the leg stump and the decision is overturned.

Moeen uses his feet to smash the next ball straight back past the bowler for a four to bring up CSK's 50, in the fifth over.

Rashid gets revenge off the fifth ball. Moeen looks to hit the leg-spinner over the off-side but gets a thin edge and wicketkeeper Saha takes a sharp catch.

Ben Stokes gets off the mark with a quick single from the last ball.

CSK are 51/2 in six overs, with Gaikwad on 24 from 13 balls.
19:53   Shami strikes; CSK lose early wicket

CSK 29-1 (4 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Shami continues with the ball as Gaikwad guides the first ball to thirdman for a single.

Shami strikes the early blow for Gujarat as he bowls Conway with a superb delivery.

That is the 100th wicket for Shami in IPL!

Conway played all over a full delivery which swung in, going through the big gap between bat and pad to crash into the stumps.

Moeen Ali at No 3 as he defends the first ball but is beaten off the next, as he pokes at one going away.

He inside edges the last ball but it goes to the fielder at short fine leg.

Just a single and a wicket for Shami in the over, who has excellent figures of 1/2 in two overs.

Debutant Joshua Little from the other end. The left-arm pacer's first ball is short but down the leg side as Gaikwad pulls it over fine leg for a six.

The next ball is full and wide as Gaikwad flays it through the off-side for a four followed by a solid drive straight to mid-off where Hardik misfields to concede a single.

Moeen also goes after the pacer, smashing a wide delivery uppishly through the covers for a four to get off the mark.
19:42   CSK off to a good start vs Gujarat

CSK 13-0 (2 ovs) vs Gujarat | Scorecard

Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad are the two openers for CSK, while Mohammed Shami opens the bowling for Gujarat.

The first ball is on the stumps as left-hander Conway defends before he comes down the track and looks to swing it over the leg side but misses as he takes the leg bye.

The third ball is full as Gaikwad blocks before he taps the next to mid-on and rushes for a quick single to get off the mark.

Conway keeps out the fifth ball before he is beaten last ball as he pokes away from his body to end a good first over from Shami.

Captain Hardik Pandya from the other end. The first ball comes into Gaikwad, who manages to clip it in the gap through midwicket with some amazing timing for the first boundary of IPL 2023.

Another ball on the shorter side and this time Gaikwad punches it through the covers for the second four of the over and then steals a quick single despite hitting straight to the fielder at mid-on.

Singles from the last two balls as CSK get 11 from the second over.
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19:31   CSK include Conway, Moeen, Stokes, Santner

England's Test captain and premier all-rounder Ben Stokes makes his debut for his new team Chennai Super Kings, who have gone in with four overseas players in Devon Conway, Moeen Ali and Mitchell Santner.

Meanwhile, Kane Williamson makes his debut for Gujarat Titans, who have also included Joshua Little, making him the first Ireland to play in the IPL.

Check out the playing XIs of the two teams:

Gujarat Titans: Hardik Pandya (captain), Wriddhiman Saha (w/k), Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Shami, Joshua Little, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph.

Substitutes: B Sai Sudharsan, Jayant Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Abhinav Manohar, Srikar Bharat.

Chennai Super Kings: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain, w/k), Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Moeen Ali, Ben Stokes, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Mitchell Santner, Deepak Chahar, Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

Substitutes: B Sai Sudharsan, Jayant Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Abhinav Manohar, Srikar Bharat.
19:13   Gujarat Titans win toss; elect to bowl vs CSK

Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya has won the toss and elected to bowl against Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of IPL 2023.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who only plays in the IPL, returns to action after a long wait of 315 days.

For the first time in IPL history, the teams will be announced after the toss. The teams will name the squad of 15 players, with 11 in the starting XI, while among the four substitutes will be used as the 'Impact Player'.
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18:51   Dhoni will play against Gujarat Titans

Chennai Super Kings skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni's left knee injury has raised doubts over his participation in the IPL opener against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Friday, but the team CEO ruled out such a possibility.

The 41-year-old former India skipper has apparently sustained a niggle on his left knee during a training session in Chennai and didn't bat at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera during CSK's nets on Thursday.

When CSK CEO Kasi Viswanthan told PTI: "As far as I am concerned, the skipper is 100 per cent playing. I don't know about any other development."

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18:25   Dhoni vs Hardik as Gujarat take on CSK

Welcome to the coverage of the opening match of IPL 2023 between champions Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Friday.

Hardik Pandya's youthful leadership template will meet its match in Mahendra Singh Dhoni's time-tested improvisations as defending champions Gujarat Titans take on eternal title contenders Chennai Super Kings.

With Shubman Gill in the form of his life, Rashid Khan not losing one bit of his consistency and Pandya himself having his worth weight in gold, Gujarat are once again the team to beat.

David Miller's absence from the opener due to national duty will reduce some middle-order muscle but Rahul Tewatia, who has improved by leaps and bounds in recent years, could compensate for the temporary miss.

Pandya has never shied away from admitting that he has learnt the ropes of leadership from Dhoni, who has always been his 'Mentor'.

But at 42, playing from IPL to IPL, Dhoni knows the template of IPL success only too well. There have been blips here and there, like last time when they failed to qualify for the play-offs but even with shut eyes, one can vouch that there was no fault in planning but the execution wasn't on expected lines.

On Friday, as the 16th edition starts, it will be very different from earlier ones as 12 players per side will take part in the pitched battle with the 'Impact Player' rule coming into play for the first time.

Dhoni, who manoeuvres his resources having put in a lot of thought into his actions, might well make himself the 'Impact Player' if need be during chases.

For CSK, the presence of Ben Stokes is sure to make the opposition wary but to Gujarat Titans' delight, the England Test captain perhaps won't bowl at least in the initial phase of the tournament.

Devon Conway, Stokes and Moeen Ali at this point look the non-negotiable three starters in the playing eleven.

A lot will depend on how well Ravindra Jadeja, Ambati Rayudu and Dhoni himself perform with willow as the Indian pace bowling unit of Deepak Chahar and Simarjeet Singh will have their task cut out.

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