Gujarat Titans began their title defence with a 5-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the opening match of the IPL 2023 played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 31 March.
Ruturaj Gaikwad produced a brilliant knock for Chennai Super Kings scoring 92 runs with 4 fours and 9 sixes putting the Gujarat Titans’ bowlers under pressure. The rest of the CSK batters failed to contribute as CSK posted 178 for 7 in 20 overs.
Chasing down 179 runs to win, Shubman Gill played a brilliant knock before CSK made a strong comeback. Rashid Khan looked impressive with six and four to change the momentum in favour of the Gujarat Titans. Gujarat Titans won the match by 5 wickets with 3 balls to spare.
Here we look at the 3 records broken in the opening match of IPL 2023 between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad smashes second fastest fifty by CSK opener
Ruturaj Gaikwad looked in sublime touch during the opening encounter against Gujarat Titans. After being asked to bat first, Gaikwad showed his intent to keep the scoreboard ticking putting pressure on opponent bowlers.
Gaikwad completed his fifty off just 23 deliveries not allowing any GT bowler to settle. He became the second Chennai Super Kings opener in IPL history to score the fastest half-centuries. Matthew Hayden and Dwayne Smith scored the fifties off just 22 deliveries.
The CSK opener eventually was dismissed for 92 with 4 fours and 9 sixes helping Chennai Super Kings post 178 for 7.
- MS Dhoni oldest wicketkeeper to play in IPL
Mahendra Singh Dhoni went past Adam Gilchrist to become the oldest wicketkeeper to play in Indian Premier League history. Dhoni was 41 days and 267 days when he entered the field against Gujarat Titans on Friday.
Adam Gilchrist played his last IPL game at the age of 41 years and 185 years. Wriddhiman Saha became the third oldest wicketkeeper at the age of 38 years and 158 years.
MS Dhoni scored a quickfire 14 off 7 helping CSK to post 178 for 7 while taking a catch to dismiss Sai Sudharsan.
- MS Dhoni became the first CSK player to smash 200 sixes
The crowd went berserk when MS Dhoni entered the field. He smashed a boundary and six off Joshua Little’s bowling in the last over to help CSK post 178 for 7. Dhoni became the first CSK batter to hit 200 sixes.
Chris Gayle, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villers smashed 200 sixes for a single IPL team. Gayle, Virat Kohli, and AB de Villers hit 200 sixes for RCB while Rohit Sharma did it for Mumbai Indians.
Dhoni gave some entertainment to the capacity crowd at Narendra Modi Stadium and promises to do the same in upcoming matches.
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