GT vs CSK

So, that is it from myself, Karthik Raj and my co-commentators, Bidipto and Pradeep as we wrap up the coverage of this IPL fixture. Do join us tomorrow once again for the clash between SRH and RCB which will finalize the Top 2 positions in the Points Table. Until next time, it is a warm good-bye from us.

Mohammed Siraj [Player of the Match]: It was very good. During the World Cup, I was on the bench for a long time. I was trying out a lot of things and working on my rhythm. First few games didn't go well but I looked at videos and worked out. I realised my rhythm and practised bowling yorkers. Red soil pitch, I always wanted to bowl full and force Sanju to drive. The match at Chepauk was also same where he played and missed. I just try to bowl consistent lengths. If I build pressure, Rabada also gets wickets. 

Shubman Gill [Gujarat Titans Captain]: Yeah very important going into the Play-offs. Very happy with the momentum. If I look at the games, even the first two ones, they were close. We knew that we were playing competitive cricket. It was about that extra 5-10%, glad that we got it in the DC game and we haven't looked back after that. It is about hitting the lengths which the batters are not comfortable with. Very happy with my batting. Obviously, you always think you could have scored more. At some moments, the emotions come out, it was one of those moments. Honestly, it is all about keeping up the good things that we have been doing. If we can continue, we are going to be good. Nothing. After the first 12 games, we were No.1 last season. Same this season as well. Last year, we faced the same opposition in the final game and they scored 230 while we were bowled out for 120 odd. So, there was some Deja Vu. Very grateful for the fans who turned up to support us. When you face franchises like RCB and CSK, it is expected that they will have a lot of support.

Kagiso Rabada [Gujarat Titans]: [On GT’s dominant batting performance]“Our top three were phenomenal today. Shubman Gill and the others scored the bulk of the runs and really set the game up beautifully for us. They gave us a total that the entire team genuinely believed we could defend.”[On carrying momentum into the business end of the season]“At this stage of the tournament, it’s all about turning up every game and competing hard, regardless of how you feel physically or mentally. Whether you’re tired or not at your best, the important thing is to stay competitive and give everything for the team. That’s the mindset we’ve tried to maintain throughout.”[On adapting to different bowling roles in T20 cricket]“I’ve bowled in every phase of a T20 innings over the years — with the new ball, through the middle overs, and at the death. For me, it’s simply about doing whatever the team and coaching staff need from me and trying to execute that role to the best of my ability.”[On the wait before the next big game]“There’s a bit of a break now, so it’s probably about putting the feet up, recovering properly, and switching off a little before getting back into preparation mode closer to the next game. But honestly, sometimes all the waiting can feel harder than just getting back out there and playing again.”

Ruturaj Gaikwad [Chennai Super Kings captain]: [On CSK’s approach to the massive chase]“We knew chasing 230 against a bowling attack like that was never going to be easy, but the idea was to give ourselves the best possible chance by playing positively and expressing ourselves. Credit to Gujarat Titans though — they simply outplayed us in all departments tonight.”[On the decision to bowl first]“I don’t really regret bowling first. Early on, the pitch felt a little spongy and we thought there might be something in it for the bowlers. But we didn’t execute well enough in the powerplay, especially against their openers, and once players like Gill and Sudharsan get going, it becomes very difficult to pull things back. There were still phases where we could have restricted them closer to 200, but we couldn’t capitalise.”[On CSK’s season and the challenges faced]“It was a tough season to begin with, especially after the first three losses, but once we found the right combinations and momentum, things started to click. Injuries again disrupted the balance of the side, particularly losing key all-round options, which forced us into playing slightly short in either batting or bowling during the last few games. A lot of people don’t fully realise that this is still a young side in transition, with several players having played fewer than 20 IPL matches.”[On the positives despite missing out on the playoffs]“Even with the setbacks, there were plenty of positives. Winning six games and pulling off some really strong performances showed the potential within the squad. There were a couple of matches where we were very close to getting over the line, but couldn’t finish the job. Still, I’m extremely proud of the group and the character they showed throughout the season.”[On the young core of the team]“Karthik Sharma, Urvil Patel, Dewald Brevis — these are players with huge potential for the future. Moving on from experienced names naturally takes time, but these youngsters gained invaluable exposure this season. There are areas for improvement, of course, but these experiences will help them grow stronger and better prepared going forward.”[On MS Dhoni’s future]“Honestly, we’ll probably know about next season only when next season comes around. There’s no doubt we missed someone like MS Dhoni massively. His presence alone changes the atmosphere of a game, especially in pressure situations towards the end of an innings. But for now, we’re happy with the experience the younger players gained this season, and hopefully we come back stronger next year.”

MATCH OVER!

GT won by 89 runs!

GT 229/4 (20)
CSK 140/10 (13.4)

Shivam Dube 47 (17) | Matthew Short 24 (14)

Rashid Khan 2-0-18-3 | Mohammed Siraj 3-0-26-3

What a cracking performance from start to finish for GT as they complete a dominant 89-run win over CSK to wrap up their league stage campaign and also put them in prime position for a Top 2 spot. The day was so good for the hosts that they registered their biggest win in IPL while handing over the biggest loss for CSK in their history as well.

Chasing 230 for victory, CSK came up with a new opening pair of Sanju Samson and Matthew Short. However, Mohammed Siraj dealt a massive blow to CSK as he removed Sanju Samson for a golden duck. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Matthew Short still showed a lot of intent as the CSK fans got a glimmer of hope. The positive period was short-lived as Siraj removed Ruturaj and Urvil Patel in the space of 3 deliveries in the third over.

The runs continued to come at a decent rate for CSK but they lost another wicket in the form of Short as he became Kagiso Rabada's first victim of the night in the sixth over. Just outside the Powerplay, Shubman Gill showed that he was focused in the field as well with a run-out to remove Kartik Sharma. The visitors needed to break the collapse and Shivam Dube went berserk for a few overs until he was undone by Rashid Khan in the 11th over. Rashid added a couple more scalps in the form of Anshul Kamboj and Dewald Brevis in the 13th over. Eventually, Rabada sent back Noor Ahmad and Spencer Johnson off consecutive deliveries to bowl out CSK for a mere 140.

Earlier in the match, Shubman Gill and Sai Sudharsan relished batting at their home venue as usual to help GT put on 62/0 in the Powerplay. The prolific duo went onto stitch their 10th century partnership in the IPL with both of them reaching their respective fifties as well. It was only in the 13th over that CSK managed to break the 125-run stand with Spencer Johnson forcing a miscued shot from the GT skipper. Jos Buttler came out at No.3 and got going immediately while Sai Sudharsan also picked up his scoring rate after a slight dip in the previous overs.

Buttler and Sai stitched a 82-run partnership on their own before Anshul Kamboj dismissed the latter for 84. Rahul Tewatia was also run-out off the next delivery in the penultimate over but Buttler reached his fifty and ensured a fine finish. Washington Sundar also struck a six in his three-ball stay before getting out on the final ball of the innings with GT finishing on 229/4.

13.4 Kagiso Rabada to Spencer Johnson, OUT! BIG APPEALS FOR CAUGHT BEHIND, NOT GIVEN! Gill wants to review. Back of a length, starts on leg-stump and jags away. Johnson hangs back to defend, but that beats the outside edge to the keeper.

UltraEdge comes up, shows there's a spike and that is that. CSK are bowled out and are out of this season's IPL! GT seal a massive win in Ahmedabad, locking in a top-two finish, while CSK’s playoff hopes come crashing down in heartbreaking fashion.

13.3 Kagiso Rabada to Noor Ahmad, OUT! TOP EDGED AND TAKEN BY RABADA! It's all falling apart for CSK. Banged in short, gets big on Noor who hangs back to defend, but gets a big top edge. Rabada runs forward, takes a simple catch.