CSK vs GT, Qualifier 1 at Chennai, IPL, May 23 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

And on that note, it is time for us to also say goodbye. An evening to remember for the CSK faithful. The IPL is yellow tonight. Thank you for your company. Bye bye.

Time for the presentation. And here is MS Dhoni, with the crowd cheering for him. "I think IPL is too big to say it is just another final," Dhoni says. "It is no longer eight teams. Ten teams makes it all the more tougher. Hard work of two months. Lot of character showed by our players. Everyone has contributed. Yes, middle order hasn't got ample opportunity but they have chipped in. (You wanted to bowl first too today?) It was simple. GT are good chasers so we wanted to get them in. But it was a good toss to lose. The way it turned for 30 minutes.... and when Jaddu gets conditions like that, he is hard to hit. No forget the partnership between him and Moeen too. (Young fast bowlers...2008 onwards there is always an uncapped fast bowler) We try to create an enviroment. We reiterate what the fast bowler's strength is. We try to help them improve. And we try to help them explore their bowling. The support staff - Bravo, Eric - are also there, but when they are standing they are alone. (Bravo was celebrating, you were looking happy...) You see the wicket, you see conditions, and you keep adjusting the field. I can be an annoying captain because I change the field every time. It can be annoying but I believe in my gut feet. That's why I keep telling the fielders to keep an eye on me. (Fans in Chennai.... will they see you again over here?) I don't know, I have 8-9 months to decide. I have ample time to decide. The auction is in December. I will always come to CSK. I have been out of home from January, been practicing since March, so we will see."

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the POTM for his 60: The last 3-4 games in Chennai have been different. They've gotten slightly slower, slightly sticky. So I had to adapt my batsmanship. This was one of my days where I was going well. (Good partnership with Faf earlier, now with Conway) Both are obviously great international players. That helps me personally. Faf is someone who is aggressive from ball one while Devon has great batsmanship with gaps and rotating strike. He has been a great support especially in tough conditions."

According to ESPNcricinfo's Luck Index: the Gaikwad non-dismissal off the no-ball cost GT 14 runs. If he had been dismissed then, CSK would have ended on 158, according to Luck Index

A recap of the game: Gaikwad made the most of a no-ball reprieve. His innings masked Conway's struggle. Jadeja, Rahane and Rayudu scored 56 runs in 35 balls combined to give them a late impetus, and a score of 172 seemed just about par. Then in the chase, Saha and Hardik fell early, Gill wasn't as fluent, Jadeja bowled one of his best bowling spells, and the Titans crumbled through the middle overs. If it wasn't for Rashid's 16-ball 30, the margin of victory could've been way way more for CSK.

11.34pm Not a single fan has left the ground. They all want to hear from their God. Hope you're hanging around too. Reckon MS will have a fascinating conversation with the broadcaster. Fingers crossed this is not the last time he is playing at Chepauk. Fingers crossed he returns next year.

Deepak Chahar, CSK bowler, 2-29: (leg okay?) Everything okay. One more game to go. (Bowling plan) We bowled length. When you're getting support from the pitch, you can keep it basic. And when it comes to semi-finals, it always comes down to handling the pressure. Chasing 172 in a semi-final with the crowd against you is high pressure. (Impressed with Deshpande, Pathirana etc?) When we spoke in the meeting, I told them both that it is all about the pressure because this is their first franchise semi-final. Semi-final is all about confidence and holding the nerve, not about skill. People may drop catches off your bowling, it is about how you come back. (What is the confidence level of this team led by MS and this coaching staff?) We have the belief. We've done it so many times. That's the benefit of having a senior team. They know how to control their nerves. Crucial 10 runs or crucial one over matters in semi-finals. (What next? Ice bath?) Ice bath for four days!"

Hardik Pandya, losing captain: "(Bowling) We were quite spot on but we made some basic errors. I felt were were exactly 15 runs short [also the margin of defeat]. I think we did a lot of things right. But we bowled a couple of soft balls in between. We gave some runs in between, we must've conceded 16 runs or so due to our soft balls. Don't want to think too much about it, we have one more chance of going to the final. (Dhoni made 172 feel like 190?) That's the beauty about him as well. We gave 15 runs extra, lost wickets, and that's the reason we are talking to you right now. Two days later we will give it a crack again. (Will you be watching tomorrow?) Yes, my brother is playing. I hope I see him there [in Ahmedabad].

11.27pm Dhoni is known to have muted celebrations but on the whole he was very expressive today. CSK love playing at home and when they are home, they love to treat that as a festival. This city and this franchise share such a beautiful relationship. Titans live to fight another day, where they will face one of Mumbai Indians or Lucknow Super Giants in Ahmedabad later in the week.

11.24pm The fireworks are out in full force at the Chepauk. DJ Bravo is the first man to run out to the middle almost as if he is a player himself. This team is a family and their celebrations almost suggest it. Ninth last season, first to reach the finals this time.

Dhoni and Hardik share a smile as they shake hands. Deepak Chahar may have injured a hamstring while celebrating that catch. Worth keeping an eye out on that later on. For now, the tournament's best chasers have been vanquished, and CSK have won after batting first. It is also the first time Titans have been bowled out in their IPL history.

Rayudu and Fleming shake hands in the dug out. The CSK crowd comes alive. The camera pans to some key performers: Theekshana, Rayudu, Dhoni.... here's the last ball

Sri: "Dhoni got a little expressive on the field, isn't it? I love it though!"

Final over. Titans need 27. CSK just one over away from reaching their 10th IPL final in 14 seasons of the franchise.

Last 5 overs: 49/5

Jack: "CSK 2 over behind - does that mean they will need to field only 4 fielders outside 30 yard circle for 19th and 20th over ?" -- Correct.

CSK are roughly two overs behind on the over rate.