The defending Champions Gujarat Titans started Indian Premier League 2023 (IPL 2023) with a close-fought win over Chennai Super Kings played at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on 31 March 2023. However, in the very first game, Kane Williamson got injured his knee while taking a stunner.
Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya won the toss and decided to field first. It was an ideal start for GT as Mohammed Shami produced a beauty to dismiss Devon Conway. Ruturaj Gaikwad showed intent putting pressure on the GT bowlers keeping the pressure. Right before the field restrictions, Rashid Khan got rid of Moeen Ali with a good catch by Saha. Moeen Ali and Gaikwad added 36 runs for the 2nd wicket.
Kane Williamson injured his right knee but saved two runs by palming the ball onto the field before going out of the boundary board but Williamson was clutching his right knee. He fell awkwardly with the right foot thudding the ground with whole body weight onto it. Despite receiving treatment for a few minutes, he did not come back to the field.
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Ruturaj Gaikwad played a brilliant knock with 92 including 4 fours and 9 sixes. The other CSK batters struggled as Chennai Super Kings posted 178 for 7 in 20 overs.
Gujarat Titans chase down the target
Chasing 179 runs to win, Wriddhiman Saha showed intent right from word go putting pressure on Chennai Super Kings bowlers. Rajvardhan Hangekar got his maiden IPL wicket dismissing Saha with a good catch by Dube at third man. Saha and Gill added 37 runs laying a strong foundation for the win.
Shubman Gill looked in sublime touch putting pressure on CSK bowlers. At the end of the first six overs, GT made 65 for 1. After the field restrictions, Gill and impact player Sai Sudharsan kept the scoreboard ticking not allowing CSK bowlers to settle.
Hangekar got the much-needed breakthrough dismissing Sai Sudharsan caught by Dhoni. Gill and Sudarshan added 53 runs for the 2nd wicket. Gill looked in great touch completing his fifty off 30 deliveries.
CSK bowlers made a strong comeback as Ravindra Jadeja dismissed Hardik Pandya. Vijay Shankar provided some impetus with some lusty hits before Hangekar got rid of him with a lovely judged catch by Santer.
Rashid Khan showed his class with 1 six and 1 four off Deepak Chahar’s bowling to change the momentum in favour of Gujarat Titans. Rahul Tewaita finished the match hitting CSK impact player Tushar Deshpande to help GT win the match by 5 wickets with 4 balls to spare.
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