IPL 2024, CSK vs GT: Clinical Chennai Super Kings (CSK) execute perfect job, demolish Gujarat Titans. Rachin Ravindra and Shivam Dube shine with the bat. Top takeaways from CSK vs GT, game, Chennai.
In what was a repeat of the 2023 IPL final, the defending champions Chennai Super Kings took on the Shubman Gill-led Gujarat Titans in their second home game of the season. The visitors hold the edge when it comes to the head-to-head as GT has won thrice in five matches between them. However, CSK won the 2 most important matches of the 2023 season (Qualifier 1 and Final).
In the end, the home side made it three wins on the trot against GT winning the contest by 63 runs, thanks to a dominant all-round performance. Gill won the toss & opted to field. Thanks to the start from the new opening batting duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Rachin Ravindra, followed by a carnage-filled 51 from Shivam Dube, CSK posted a massive 206/6 on the board.
The target was always going to be difficult to chase and the loss of early wickets didn’t help Gujarat Titans’ cause either. A complete bowling performance from CSK gave them a resounding win.
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Brief Scores: CSK – 206/6 (Shivam Dube 51, Rachin Ravindra 46, Rashid Khan 2/49) beat GT 143/8 ( Sai Sudharsan 37, David Miller 21, Tushar Deshpande 2/21) by 63 runs.
Here are the key takeaways from the CSK vs GT match
Rachin Ravindra and Shivam Dube annihilate Gujarat’s bowling
If we take a look at CSK’s batting mantra since the 2023 season, it’s been quite simple. And that is to attack, regardless of the bowling attack they are up against. Their batting template followed the same suit in this game against Gujarat Titans, who two of the top three wicket-takers of the last season among their ranks.
Rachin Ravindra, CSK’s newest acquisition didn’t take much time to acclimatize to the team’s strategy as he went guns from the word go. He scored 46 of the home side’s first 62 runs in just 20 balls and was severe on both GT’s opening bowlers Azmatullah Omarzai & Umesh Yadav.
His blazing start which included 3 maximums gave the perfect launch pad for the middle-order batter Shivam Dube to capitalize on. The latter is having a dream run in the IPL after joining CSK in 2022. He scored his sixth half-century for the team. The attacking left-hander punished every bowler, smashing five sixes in his 23-ball 51. His knock coupled with useful contributions from the rest of the batters propelled the total past the 200-run mark. This is just the fourth 200+ score against GT in the IPL.
Shivam Dubey letting the league know that he is a superbly improved batter against many bowling types. Love to see guys like this who keep working on their game👍🏼👍🏼. Been brilliant last 12 months for him.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) March 26, 2024
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Clinical bowling display ensures 2nd successive win for CSK
Defending a huge total, CSK were always favourites post the first innings. They made it even tougher for the opposition with a dominant display of bowling right throughout their defense. It all started with Deepak Chahar’s twin strike to dismiss Titans’ openers within the powerplay and keep things tight in the middle overs. Ultimately, it led to opposition wickets falling like nine pins.
Ruturaj Gaikwad and CSK rotated their bowlers expertly. Daryll Mitchell, who didn’t bowl in the tournament opener, chipped in with a wicket. At the same time, Tushar Deshpande produced a great spell ending with 2/21. CSK’s attack looks a lot stronger with the inclusion of Matheesha Pathirana. The Sri Lanka pacer had a decent first outing. Overall, every bowler chipped in and these are good signs for CSK.
Another thing that stood out during CSK’s defense was their fielding. While historically, CSK had some of the best fielding units in the IPL, it was all on the show today at Chepauk. Known for his safekeeping skills, MS Dhoni took a blinder to dismiss Vijay Shankar. Ajinkya Rahane bettered it by taking a stunning catch diving forward in the outfield. Overall, it was a great outing as a skipper for Gaikwad, be it with bat or on the field, making all correct tactical calls.
Just got to love how @ChennaiIPL play their cricket. Selfless, constantly taking the game forward, no individual stars (other than the legacy king). You can only do this if the air in the team is positive.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 26, 2024
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