The high-profile IPL 2023 Qualifier 1 between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans could have been witness to a cheeky run out on Tuesday. After CSK had set GT a 173-run target, the defending champions lost quite a few wickets before Vijay Shankar came in to bat. On the second ball of the 14th over, CSK pacer Chahar attempted a run out at the non-striker's end with Shankar being the target. However, Shankar wasn't backing up. Though Chahar hit the bails, it resulted in nothing and even Dhoni could be seen smiling. Chahar also looked at Shankar and smiled.
Chennai Super Kings tamed a tenacious Gujarat Giants by 15 runs on a sticky surface to enter their 10th IPL final in Chennai on Tuesday and extend their remarkable consistency in the tournament. CSK did well to reach 172 for 7 on a slow pitch in Qualifier 1 after Hardik Pandya opted to bowl. Considering the conditions, it turned out to be much more than a competitive total as Gujarat Titans had a rare off day to end with 157 all out in 20 overs. Rashid Khan made the CSK fans nervous with a 16-ball 30 towards the end but it was not enough for the Titans.
However, the defending champions will got another shot to make a second successive final in Qualifier 2 on Friday.
CSK's master tactician M S Dhoni made the best use of home advantage to take the four time champions to a 10th final in 14 editions. CSK did not take part in 2016 and 2017 editions.
With PTI inputs