Gujarat Titans vs Chennai Super Kings, IPL, 2023 Full score card

OUT! TAKEN! Gujarat have been bowled out on the last ball! Pathirana bowls it slower and shorter as well, on off and middle, Mohammad Shami backs away and looks to go down the ground. Does not get a proper connection and skies this one high in the air towards mid on. Deepak Chahar from mid off backtracks and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through. Completes a well-judged catch and does start to limp after completing the catch. The Chennai fans go berserk as their side makes it to its 10th Indian T20 League final. Chennai win by 15 runs!

WIDE! Another wayward delivery by Matheesha Pathirana, bowls a low full toss way down leg, Mohammad Shami lets it go for a wide.

Keeps it short and on middle, Noor Ahmad pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and takes a single.

EDGED AND FOUR! Bowls it on a length, outside off, Noor Ahmad goes for a mighty heave across the line. Gets an outside edge that flies over short third man for four more runs.

Bowls it into the wicket and outside off, Mohammad Shami hangs back and slaps it down to long on for a single.

Full and straight, heaved away through mid-wicket for a run.

TWO WIDES! An attempted yorker, goes on to being a high full toss down the leg side. MS Dhoni does well to move to his left and get a hand on it. The batters scamper through as well.

Good length around off, Noor Ahmad hangs back and mistimes the lofted shot down to long on for one. Also, Chennai have an extra man inside the inner ring due to a slow over rate.

Bowls another cutter, outside off, Mohammad Shami swings yet again and fails to connect.

FOUR! Slower and on a length, around leg, Mohammad Shami swings and gets it wide of deep square leg for a boundary.

Fuller and outside off, Mohammad Shami tries to go over but connects with thin air.

Mohammad Shami is the last man in for Gujarat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Is that the game? Low full toss outside off, Rashid Khan moves across and tries to clear deep point. Does not get the elevation and slices it in the air towards deep point. Devon Conway there sprints forward and completes a good catch. Tushar Deshpande is delighted and so are the Chennai fans.

Goes near the tramline, on off, Rashid Khan shuffles and has a swing but misses.

FOUR! Carved away! Misses the yorker and bowls a low full toss, on off, Rashid Khan slices it wide of deep cover for a boundary.

Slower and on a length, around leg, Noor Ahmad helps this one towards backward square leg. Rashid Khan denies the single to stay on strike for the next over.

A loud shout for LBW but turned down! Searing yorker on leg, Rashid Khan clears his front leg to swat this one but gets beaten for pace. The ball catches him on the back leg and Chennai go up in unison. The ball rolls towards square leg for a leg bye. The umpire is unmoved and MS Dhoni goes for the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat but the impact is outside leg on Ball Tracking. The on-field decision will stand.

WIDE! Misses his line and bowls it full but down leg, Rashid Khan lets it go fo a wide.

Noor Ahmad is the new man in.

OUT! RUN OUT! Another great piece of fielding by a Chennai player and Gujarat lose two in two! Matheesha Pathirana bowls it full and honing in on the stumps, Darshan Nalkande bunts it down the ground towards mid off. He sets off for a quick single to bring Rashid Khan back on strike. He times this one too well and Subhranshu Senapati, the substitute fielder there picks the ball cleanly and hits at the non-striker's end to catch Darshan Nalkande short of his crease. Gujarat lose slip further now.

Darshan Nalkande is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Stunning catch by Ruturaj Gaikwad brings about the departure of Vijay Shankar! Pathirana lands it full around leg, Vijay Shankar clears his front leg and looks to hoick across the line. Does manage to get underneath the delivery but not enough to clear the deep mid-wicket fence. Skies this one towards cow corner where Ruturaj Gaikwad sprints forward and dives to take a good low catch. Just when Gujarat were starting to make a comeback into the game, they lose Vijay Shankar.

Low full toss this time, around off, Rashid Khan knocks it towards mid off where a fumble allows the batters to cross for a single.

Pace on and full, on off, Vijay Shankar moves across and drills it to mid off for a single.

A full toss again, outside off, Rashid Khan tries to paddle this one over short fine leg but fails to connect. A good over for Gujarat, 19 runs came off it.

FOUR! Sloppy by Maheesh Theekshana! Misses his length and bowls a full toss, outside off, Rashid Khan has a swipe across the line but gets a thickish outside edge. The ball lands in front of Theekshana who lets it through his legs for a boundary.

SIX! Another slower delivery and shorter as well, outside off, Rashid Khan waits for it and slaps it over long on for six more runs.

Cleverly rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on a good length, outside off, Rashid Khan swings across the line but misses.

WIDE! Tries to bowl it wide outside off, but spills it beyond the tramline, Rashid Khan leaves it alone for a wide.

Pulls his length back a touch, outside off, Vijay Shankar bunts it down to long off for a single.

SIX! THUMPED! Looks to go full serves it in the slot, outside off, Vijay Shankar shuffles and drills it back over the bowler's head for a maximum.

WIDE! Loses his radar and sprays this one way outside off, Vijay Shankar lets it go for a wide.

Strategic break! Right then, 58 needed off 24 balls and currently, Chennai have one foot in the final. The middle overs proved to be fruitful and at the expense of a couple of key bowlers bowling out, Chennai have been able to pick up wickets. Gujarat have not been at it so far with the bat but do have a couple of power hitters at the crease. It is a tough ask but with mostly the seam bowlers to operate in the death overs, Gujarat aren't out of it yet. Can the reigning champions pull off a heist here? Let's find out. With that said, Tushar Deshpande (2-0-16-0) is back on.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Matheesha Pathirana goes full and down leg, Rashid Khan neatly gets inside the line and helps it past short fine leg for four more runs.

Swing and a miss! On a length, slower and outside off, Rashid Khan has a mighty heave across the line but misses.

SIX! Cracking shot! Changes his length and goes short, outside off, Rashid Khan stands tall and flat bats it wide of long off for a maximum.

Executes another yorker, on middle and leg, Rashid Khan gets his bat down in time and jams it out on the off side.

Keeps it fuller, at 147.3 kph, on middle, Rashid Khan uses his bottom hand and whips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Nails the yorker, on middle, Vijay Shankar digs this one out towards cover for a single.

A slight delay in the proceedings as Matheesha Pathirana who is to be handed the ball now, was off the field for a bit. The umpires are discussing with MS Dhoni that Pathirana needs to be back on the field for the amount of time he was off the field before he can bowl again. Chennai simply wait out the time and Pathirana is eligible to bowl.

Nagging length around off, Vijay Shankar goes on the back foot and pushes it out through cover-point for a run.

A low full toss around off, pushed down to long off for one more.

Fuller one around off, Rashid Khan leans on and drives it through extra cover for a couple of runs.

Rashid Khan comes in at number 8.

OUT! CLEANED UP! Maheesh Theekshana bowls the carrom ball, bowls it flatter as well and around off. It is over 100 clicks and the ball comes in off the deck and sharply too. Rahul Tewatia is caught flat-footed deep inside the crease and is unable to tuck it away. The ball beats the bat and crashes into the stumps and now, Gujarat have lost their sixth wicket for just 100 runs.

A touch shorter over the stumps, Rahul Tewatia gets across and reverse sweeps it aerially toward deep backward point. Ajinkya Rahane runs around from deep point and manages to pull it back in. Two runs are taken.

Pushed through on middle and leg, Vijay Shankar shuffles a bit inside the crease before pushing it down to long on for one.

Ends with a slower ball that is banged in a bit and pushed outside the off stump. Rahul Tewatia looks to wait for it and tap it away but is beaten by the lack of pace.

On a hard length and close to the off stump, Vijay Shankar stays back and eases it through cover for a single.

Short of a length and around off, Vijay Shankar gets on the back foot and pulls it along the ground through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Another wide as Deepak Chahar floats this one down the leg side.

WIDE! Another slower one, dragged down the leg side and a wide is called.

Another slower one, bowled into the pitch and outside off. Rahul Tewatia drags it down in front of mid-wicket for a single.

WIDE! Attempted slower ball, pushed well outside the off stump and beyond the tramline for a wide.

Back of a length and around off, Rahul Tewatia mistimes the cut shot in front of mid off.

Rahul Tewatia walks out to bat.

OUT! TAKEN! Another bowling change that proves fruitful for MS Dhoni and Chennai. Deepak Chahar comes in and bowls a slower bumper over middle and leg. Shubman Gill stays back and waits for it before forcing the pull shot aerially toward deep backward square leg. Devon Conway moves to his right from deep square leg and takes a good catch just inside the ropes. Gill departs and Chahar is elated.

A touch full and on middle, Vijay Shankar strides forward and keeps it out on the off side.

Vijay Shankar is the new man in.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Straight through the gate, and David Miller is left dumbfounded. Ravindra Jadeja bowls it quicker and flatter on middle and leg and this is over 106 clicks. Miller looks to stay back and flick it away but the ball turns in a touch, flicks the front pad and goes on to hit the top of off stump. Jadeja picks up his second wicket and Gujarat are in a spot of bother here.

Quicker and a bit shorter, Shubman Gill steps out and slaps it through the cover region for just another single.

A bit fuller and around off, David Miller shapes up to go over extra cover but checks his shot and just eases it toward cover for a single.

Fired in on middle at 100.7 clicks, Shubman Gill stays back and pushes it out on the off side for one more.

Flatter delivery around off, David Miller stays put and dabs it behind point for a single.

Full and around off at 147.2 clicks, Shubman Gill drives it firmly but Deepak Chahar at mid off makes a good stop down to his right.

WIDE! Looks to go full and at the legs but spills it down leg. Gill misses the flick and yet another wide is called, the fourth one of the over.

Back of a length outside off, Shubman Gill hangs back and cuts it in front of cover-point. Gill calls for two right away and races back for it with ease.

WIDE! Another extra! Banged in short and pushed well outside the off stump for a wide.

Full and at the toes at almost 147 clicks, Shubman Gill manages to flick it away behind square leg for a couple of runs.

Short one, outside off and at 142.3 clicks. Shubman Gill slaps it away but straight on the bounce to Ravindra Jadeja at point.

Pitched up on off stump, David Miller pushes it out wide of mid off and picks up a run.

WIDE! Misses his mark and angles it well down the leg side. David Miller leaves it alone for a wide.

Slingy delivery, fuller and around off, punched away toward mid off for a single.

WIDE! Matheesha Pathirana begins his spell with a length ball that is pushed well outside the off stump. Wide called.

Darted in on off, on a full length, David Miller pushes it back to the bowler.

Fired in fuller and on off, Shubman Gill gets on the front foot and drives it to deep cover for one.

Shorter and turning in, on off, David Miller goes back and punches it towards long on to open his account with a single.

David Miller is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Ravindra Jadeja strikes and removes Dasun Shanaka! Ravindra Jadeja bowls it flatter and around off, Dasun Shanaka pulls out the reverse sweep but the execution is way off. Gets it from the splice of the bat and balloons it towards short third man where Maheesh Theekshana moves to his right and does the rest.  Ravindra Jadeja now has 150 wickets in his Indian T20 League career. The move to promote Dasun Shanaka does not pay off and Gujarat are now 3 wickets down.

Much quicker and short, outside off, Dasun Shanaka shapes to cut but gets beaten by the pace.

Bowls it flatter, on off, Dasun Shanaka cuts it off the back foot only to find backward point.

Good running! Shorter this time and on off, Shubman Gill cuts it wide of deep point and collects a couple of runs.

Low full toss on middle, Dasun Shanaka drives it to long off for a single.

Bowls it slightly shorter, on middle, Dasun Shanaka stays back and pushes it back to the bowler.

SIX! Dasun Shanaka goes straight now! Keeps it fuller and on middle, Dasun Shanaka frees his arms and thumps it over long off for a maximum.

FOUR! Dasun Shanaka finally gets one away! Floated, full on middle and leg, Dasun Shanaka clears his front leg and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket. Does not get a proper connection but gets it wide of the deep mid-wicket fielder for a boundary.

Slower and shorter, on off, Dasun Shanaka tucks this one on the leg side and wants a single but Shubman Gill says no.

Strategic break! Chennai seem to have the upper hand at the moment and have done well to pick up a couple of wickets. There seems to be now dew and the ball is certainly gripping, allowing the Chennai spinners to weave their magic. Gujarat do have an in-form Shubman Gill at the crease and will be hoping that he plays yet another big knock but he will need support from the other end as well.

FOUR! Finds the fence! Tossed up around off, Shubman Gill gets down on one knee and swats it away in front of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Flighted delivery around off, Shubman Gill taps it onto the off side.

Around middle, this is knocked away through mid on for a run.

Beaten! Short and quick around off, this one grips and bounces a bit extra as well. Dasun Shanaka looks to play it off the back foot but is beaten on the outside edge.

A touch shorter and around middle, Shubman Gill stays back and nudges it in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Nagging length on off stump, Dasun Shanaka backs away and pushes it out toward cover for a single.

Short and turning away, outside off, Dasun Shanaka goes on the back foot and punches it to long on. Retains the strike with a single.

Goes full and on off, Dasun Shanaka drives but straight to cover for a dot.

Shorter on middle, Shubman Gill tucks it off the back foot towards backward square leg for a single.

Googly this time, on middle, Dasun Shanaka knocks it down to long off for a single.

Bowls the carrom ball, full on middle, Dasun Shanaka places this one in front of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

Fuller and on middle, Shubman Gill drives it down to long on for one more run.

Around leg, on a shortish length, Shubman Gill works it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single.

Flatter this time and shorter, on off, Shubman Gill cuts late but finds short third man.

Sharp turn! Shortens his length and bowls it on off, Shubman Gill goes back in his crease and shapes to pull. The ball spins sharply past him and beats him all ends up.

Tossed up, full around off, Shubman Gill leans and pushes it to extra cover.

Much straighter this time, on middle and leg, Shubman Gill tucks it to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Ravindra Jadeja is welcomed with a boundary! Starts with a loosener, bowls it short and outside off, Shubman Gill hangs back and cuts it late. Gets it wide of backward point for a boundary.

Ravindra Jadeja comes on to bowl now.

Slightly fuller and turning away, outside off, Dasun Shanaka goes back to defend and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Dasun Shanaka walks in at number 4.

OUT! CAUGHT! The pressure of dots gets to Hardik Pandya! Maheesh Theekshana persists with the short length and bowls it outside off, Hardik Pandya moves to the leg side and looks to carve this one over backward point. Does not get the elevation and hits it flat and straight to Ravindra Jadeja there who makes no mistake. MS Dhoni's move to bring Maheesh Theekshana in the Powerplay has paid off big time.

At the stumps on a short length, Hardik Pandya makes room and punches it straight to extra cover.

Brilliant stop! Keeps it short and on middle, Shubman Gill backs away and slaps it wide of mid off. Shaik Rasheed there puts in a full length dive to his left and keeps it to one.

Darted in on middle, on a short length, Shubman Gill gets behind the line and defends it down the wicket.

Comes into the attack and starts with a tossed up delivery, full on leg, Hardik Pandya knocks it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Muscled away! Short of a length over middle, Shubman Gill hangs back and clobbers it over wide mid on for a boundary.

Sees the batter coming and bangs it in. Shubman Gill tries to force it down the ground but Deepak Chahar sticks out a right hand and stops it.

Slower one bowled into the deck, Shubman Gill shapes up for the pull but checks his shot and just short-arm jabs it toward mid-wicket.

On the bounce! Banged in over middle, Hardik Pandya takes it on and pulls it flat toward deep square leg. Ruturaj Gaikwad there looks to come in but decides to grab it on the bounce as the batters pick up a single.

Floats this one up full and outside off, Shubman Gill drives it to the left of mid off and picks up a run.

Short of a length and around the hips, Hardik Pandya pulls it firmly and down to deep backward square leg for one.

Length ball around off and touching 143 clicks, Shubman Gill just blocks it out.

FOUR! Quality shot! A touch fuller around middle and over 142 clicks. Shubman Gill just leans in a bit and flicks it brilliantly in front of mid-wicket for a boundary.

Hard length around off, Hardik Pandya pushes it to the left of mid off and gets across quickly for a single.

FOUR! Hardik Pandya is off the mark in fine fashion! Good length around off, Pandya stays put and crunches it through covers for a boundary.

Bowls the off-cutter now, over the stumps and this is forced toward mid on for a single.

Well fielded! Length ball around off, Shubman Gill nails the cover drive off the front foot but Ajinkya Rahane makes a brilliant stop down to his right at extra cover.

Gujarat's skipper Hardik Pandya walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Picks the man out perfectly! Another short ball from Deepak Chahar, over middle and begging to be hit. Wriddhiman Saha pulls it away but doesn't get any elevation and the ball travels toward deep square leg where Matheesha Pathirana doesn't have to move an inch and takes a simple catch. Chahar does get the breakthrough after conceding a couple of boundaries.

FOUR! Fraction short and put away! This is bowled over the off stump, Saha rocks back and pulls it away crisply in front of mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good length around off, Shubman Gill waits for the ball and punches it out in front of cover for one more.

Back of a length and around off, Wriddhiman Saha stays back and dabs it down in front of short third man for a quick single.

Leg bye! Shorter and angled into the body, Shubman Gill looks to pull but misses. The ball goes off the thigh pads toward square leg and they pick up a leg bye.

SIX! All the way! Deepak Chahar drags it down the leg side, Shubman Gill picks it up and flicks it over the backward square leg fence for a maximum.

FOUR! Up and over! Pitched up on the stumps, Wriddhiman Saha with a short backlift just thumps it over a leaping Deepak Chahar at mid on for the first boundary of the chase.

Gets a hand to it! Full and straight, Shubman Gill uses his wrists and flicks it a bit uppishly wide of mid on. Deepak Chahar dives full stretch to his right and manages to get a hand on it. A really tough chance goes down and the batters get a single.

Hits the deck hard at 143.5 clicks and bowls it over off, Shubman Gill punches it sweetly toward mid off.

In the air...safe! Hard length again from Tushar Deshpande and outside off. Wriddhiman Saha looks to loft it away but the ball sticks in the deck and Saha ends up chipping it in between mid off and extra cover. They pick up a single.

Hard length, angled into the body, Wriddhiman Saha gets hurried on a bit but tucks it toward mid-wicket.

Excellent start! Tushar Deshpande begins with a length delivery in the channel around off and gets the ball to shape away nicely. Wriddhiman Saha looks to play the expansive drive but is beaten past the outside edge.

It will be Tushar Deshpande to steam in from the other end.

A tidy start from Deepak Chahar, just 3 runs off it. Back of a length and around off, Saha stays on the back foot and guides it down to third man for a run.

On a good length and over off stump, Wriddhiman Saha stays back and bunts it out in front of cover. Saha looks for one but his partner sends him back.

A touch fuller and outside off, shaping away, Wriddhiman Saha leans on and eases it behind point.

On a shortish length over middle and leg, Shubman Gill nudges it away off his hips toward mid-wicket and gets off the mark with a single.

Nagging length around off, just a hint of movement away from the right-hander. Shubman Gill [ushes it out toward cover and looks for one but retracts back quickly.

Off the mark straightaway! Deepak Chahar starts with a floater on the pads, Wriddhiman Saha tucks it away neatly through mid-wicket and picks up a single. Gujarat are underway!

OUT! TIMBER! Mohammad Shami ends the over with a bang but still 15 runs come off it. Stays from around the wicket and bowls it on a fullish length around off, angling it in. Ravindra Jadeja hangs deep and winds up for the big heave across the line but misses the ball completely. The ball goes on to crash into the stumps and Chennai finish with a solid total of 172/7 on the board.

Very full again and angled into the leg pole, Moeen Ali gets the front leg out of the way and heaves it through mid-wicket for one more.

Well bowled! Full and angled at the stumps, Ravindra Jadeja heaves it down to long on for just a single.

NO BALL! A beamer from Mohammad Shami! Looks to go full but the ball slips out of the hand and Shami ends up bowling a high full toss around off. Wriddhiman Saha does well to get behind it and Ravindra Jadeja is sprinting to the batter's end for a bye. Saha gets the direct hit in but Jadeja manages to slide his bat inside the crease in time. Free Hit coming up...

SIX! BOOM! Length ball, angling in from around off, Moeen Ali stands tall and keeps his shape before smoking it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Good length around off, hit away down to long off for a single.

FOUR! In the gap! Bowled from around the wicket and this is a low full toss on the stumps. Ravindra Jadeja manages to flick it away in front of mid-wicket and the ball runs away into the fence.

Mohammad Shami will bowl the final over. Gujarat are one over behind the allotted time which means that they are allowed only four fielders outside the 30-yard circle for the last over.

Good running! Full and straight, Moeen Ali gets the front leg out of the way and drills it down the ground for a couple of runs.

Moeen Ali is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Defeaning silence inside the ground as MS Dhoni walks back to the hut. Mohit Sharma bowls a back of the hand slower ball and bowls it on a hard length outside off. Dhoni reaches out and looks to loft it over cover but the ball sticks in the pitch and Dhoni ends up just chipping it. The ball goes to extra cover where Hardik Pandya takes an easy catch around his head and Sharma picks up his second wicket.

Bangs this one into the deck and angles it across the left-hander as well. Ravindra Jadeja manages to pull it down to wide long on for a run. The umpire has just had a word with Jadeja for running onto the pitch.

FOUR! Up and over! Slower one, pitched up outside off, Ravindra Jadeja picks the pace early and backs away before lofting it over the cover region for a boundary.

Full and wide, pace on this time, MS Dhoni reaches out and eases it past the point fielder for a single. The 150 is now up for Chennai.

Slower and abnged into the pitch, Ravindra Jadeja advances and muscles it down to long on for a run.

MS Dhoni walks out to bat to a huge roar from the Chennai crowd.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rashid Khan has the last laugh here as he finishes his spell off with a wicket. Gives this one a lot more air and floats it full on middle and leg. Ambati Rayudu goes for the slog-sweep but mistimes it badly in front of square on the leg side. Dasun Shanaka comes in from the mid-wicket fence and takes a safe catch to his left. Rayudu goes after a quick start and Chennai have now lost their fifth wicket.

SIX! BANG! Rashid Khan drags this one down around middle, Ambati Rayudu uses the depth of the crease and pulls it a long way over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Drops it short and bowls it around off, Ravindra Jadeja nudges it toward short third man and gets across quickly for a single.

Quicker and flatter, this is eased away to the right of the bowler for one more.

Shorter one, this is worked away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Flatter delivery outside off, Ravindra Jadeja stays back and cuts it toward backward point for one.

This is slower too, but very full and around off, Ravindra Jadeja jams it out back to the bowler. Mohit Sharma throws the ball back toward the stumps and it deflects off Jadeja. The batters scamper through for one.

Slower again but pushed well outside off, Ambati Rayudu waits on the back foot and slaps it away toward deep cover for just another single. With that, Rayudu brings up 6000 runs in T20 matches, a big achievement.

Keeps taking pace off the ball and bowls it on a length around off. Ravindra Jadeja waits for it and taps it toward backward point for a run.

Nicely bowled! Another slower one, this time it's pitched up and bowled around off. Ravindra Jadeja doesn't pick it and is beaten all ends up.

Slower one, bowled into the pitch and around off. Ravindra Jadeja pulls this one in front of mid-wicket and a fumble in the deep allows him to get back for the second run with ease.

Hits the length hard and bowls it around middle and leg, Ambati Rayudu punches it toward mid on and picks up a single.

Good fielding! Full and around off, Ambati Rayudu backs away and drives it firmly to the right of extra cover. Hardik Pandya there dives in and makes an excellent stop as the batters get across for a run.

Bangs it in from around the wicket and angles it into the body. Ravindra Jadeja manages t pull it away past square leg and picks up a run.

Good length, angling it into middle, Ambati Rayudu plays it off the front foot and down to long on for a single.

Hits the length hard and bowls it over middle, Ravindra Jadeja stands tall and punches it through mid on for one.

Full and at the stumps, Ravindra Jadeja hammers the drive straight down the ground. David Miller runs to his right from long on and slides in to save a couple of runs.

Ravindra Jadeja walks out to bat next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Shami comes back on and picks up a wicket right away. This is a length ball around middle and off, Devon Conway stays back and goes after it. Conway tries to whip it over the mid-wicket fence but doesn't get much timing on it. Rashid Khan at cow corner stays put and takes a simple catch. End of a sluggish knock from Conway and Chennai now lose their fourth wicket.

FOUR! Ambati Rayudu is up and running! Goes full does Darshan Nalkande and outside off, Ambati Rayudu comes down the track straightaway and lofts it over extra cover. Getts off the mark with a boundary.

Ambati Rayudu is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Darshan Nalkande has the last laugh! Six and Out for Ajinkya Rahane! Rolls his fingers the ball now and bowls it on a good length, just outside off, Ajinkya Rahane looks to carve this one past backward point. Ends up hitting it straight to Shubman Gill there who takes a good catch in front of his face. Gujarat are clawing their way back into the game here.

SIX! Wristy! Full and drifting onto the pads, Ajinkya Rahane picks the length early and swats it over deep square leg for a maximum.

Goes into the wicket, around leg, slower as well, Devon Conway pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.

FOUR! Streaky but Devon Conway will take it! On a length and angling across, outside off, Devon Conway goes for the drive away from the body. Gets a thickish outside edge that flies past Wriddhiman Saha for a boundary.

Starts with a slower delivery, on the stumps, Ajinkya Rahane dances down the track and goes inside out. Goes wide of mid off and collects three runs.

Googly this time, short and on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane turns this one to deep square leg and takes a single.

Bowls it fuller on middle, Ajinkya Rahane shimmies down the track and lofts it back over the bowler's head for a couple of runs more.

Was that a chance? Yes, it was but a very tough one! Short and turning in, on off, Devon Conway opens the bat face to guide it past short third man. Gets an outside edge that comes off Saha's gloves and rolls to third man for a single.

In the air but safe! Tossed up, full on leg, Devon Conway gets down to sweep but gets a top edge that flies over short fine leg for a couple of runs.

Fuller this time, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane brings his wrists into play and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Bowls a leg break, short and around middle, Devon Conway backs away to punch this one but gets an inside edge that rolls to short fine leg for a single. 100 comes up for Chennai.

Strategic break! Chennai have the platform to go big but have lost a couple of quick wickets that has pegged them back just a bit. They do have a long batting lineup and with Devon Conway well-set, they will look to up the ante a bit. Gujarat have done really well to pull things back and would try to sneak in a few quick overs without conceding many runs. They would still be hoping to pick up wickets though in order to keep Chennai to a par score. Let's see how the final phase of the first innings pans out. Also, Rashid Khan (2-0-18-0) is back on...

Continues to go change of pace and bowls it on the stumps, Devon Conway whips it to deep mid-wicket and retains the strike with a single. A tidy over by Darshan Nalkande, only 5 runs came off it.

Another cutter, outside off, Devon Conway looks to drive it on the up but mishits it to extra cover.

Bowls it slower this time and on a good length, on off, Ajinkya Rahane dabs it to backward point and calls for a single. Shivam Mavi there picks the ball cleanly and has a shy at the striker's end. He misses which allows Devon Conway to reach his ground.

Length delivery again, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane punches it wide of deep point and collects a couple of runs more.

A slight halt in the play as the Gujarat physio is on the field. Probably, to check on Darshan Nalkande. Everything seems fine and we are good to go again.

Keeps it on a length and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane punches it crisply but straight to extra cover.

Leg bye! Returns to the attack and starts on a good length, outside off, Devon Conway shuffles across to scoop but fails to connect. Wears it on the back pad and the ball rolls to short third man for a single.

Floated up, full on the stumps, Devon Conway reverse sweeps it to deep point for a run.

Tossed up, full and outside off, Devon Conway puts the dancing shoes on and goes for the drive. Gets an inside edge that rolls in front of deep square leg. Two runs taken.

Another googly, short and turning away, outside off, Ajinkya Rahane goes on the back foot and punches it to deep point. Opens his account with a single.

Ajinkya Rahane is the new man in.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Noor Ahmad gets into the act now! Shivam Dube departs and Chennai lose two wickets in quick succession! Bowls the googly and gives the ball air nicely, on middle, Shivam Dube looks to go through the line and has a wild swing at it. The ball sneaks past his inside edge and he ends up connecting with thin air. The ball crashes back into the stumps to bring an end to his innings. Noor Ahmad is delighted and so are the support staff of Gujarat in the dugout.

Keeps it fuller and outside off, Devon Conway steps out to drive and mishits it to long on for a single.

Tossed up, full around leg, Devon Conway gets down on one knee and goes for the sweep but misses. The ball catches him on the front pad but it was sliding down leg.

Good bumper! Mohit Sharma bends his back and bangs it in short, directs this one at the batter, Shivam Dube ducks and lets the ball go. Dube thinks its a wide for height and has a look towards the square leg umpire but the umpire does not think so.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it short, outside off, Devon Conway pulls without any timing to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Bowls it slightly fuller and outside off, Shivam Dube drives this one without much foot movement towards deep point and gets off the mark with a single.

Shivam Dube walks in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Mohit Sharma strikes gold for Gujarat after an expensive first over! Keeps it on a hard length and outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets hurried as he looks to pull this one and gets cramped for room as well. The ball comes off the splice of the bat and skies in the air towards long on. David Miller stationed there takes a few steps forward and completes the catch. End of a fine knock by Gaikwad and Gujarat will be relieved to see the back of him.

Goes slower and into the wicket, on off Devon Conway gets into his pull shot way early and mistimes it to deep square leg for another single.

On a length, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad plants his foot forward and bunts it down to long on for a single.

Nicely tossed up, full and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad makes a bit of room and drives it along the ground to long off for a single.

Nagging length, close to the off stump and just bouncing a bit extra. Devon Conway stays back and manages to dab it down toward short third man for one more.

Fuller in length and around the legs, this is flicked away behind square leg for a run.

Around off, Devon Conway smashes this one down to long on and collects a single.

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up full and outside off, Devon Conway looks to lift it over covers but ends up slicing it a bit. The ball goes over backward point and runs away into the boundary.

Floats this one up and bowls it full and wide, Ruturaj Gaikwad reaches out and eases it through cover-point for a single.

Good length around the top of off, nudged away late down to third man for one.

FOUR! Streaky! Banged into the pitch a bit and bowled around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to cut but chops the ball past the stumps and over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Back of a length again and angled across the left-hander. Devon Conway tentatively plays it off the outer half of the bat and a bit uppishly through backward point for a run.

Back of a length and around off, punched away on the up and toward sweeper cover for a run.

FOUR! FIFTY for Ruturaj Gaikwad and he has been a completely different player since being let off the hook early on. This is short and wide, Gaikwad goes after it and slaps it away wide of the man at deep backward point for a boundary.

Mohit Sharma comes into the attack now and starts with a shortish delivery outside off. Devon Conway taps this one through the cover region for a single.

Tossed up around middle, Devon Conway steps out and drills it down to long on for just another single.

Floated again, full and on leg stump, this is punched off the front foot by Ruturaj Gaikwad and down to long on for one more.

Tossed up full and around off, Devon Conway looks for the slog but mistimes it toward mid-wicket for a run.

On a nagging length and outside off, Devon Conway waits on the back foot and dabs it straight toward backward point.

Floated up around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad leans on and eases it down to long off for a single.

Full on middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad uses his wrists and flicks it away in front of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. Good running!

On the shorter side and this is pulled away off the back foot down to long on for an easy single.

Fraction shorter and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to cut but gets an under edge back on the deck.

FOUR! Nicely done! Quicker and flatter around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad waits for it and opens the face of the bat late to guide it fine and into the third man fence.

Nagging length on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes on the back foot and keeps it out.

A direct-hit but Devon Conway is safe! A tad shorter on middle and leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad stays back and works it away toward wide long on. David Miller there runs around and fires in a flat throw that hits the wickets at the bowler's end but the batters do get two runs.

Tossed up outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes after it and hits it uppishly through a vacant point region for a couple of runs. The 50 also comes up for Chennai.

Strategic break! After being put into bat by Hardik Pandya, this is a solid start by Chennai. Devon Conway hasn't faced many balls but Ruturaj Gaikwad is looking in great nick and is at his usual best. These two will look to set a solid launchpad for the rest of the batting unit. On the other hand, Gujarat bowlers have been put under the pump in the Powerplay and Gaikwad's wicket off a no ball has made matters worse for them. Hardik Pandya would want to regroup and assess the team's plans during this break.

Nicely tossed up outside off, Devon Conway throws his hands at it and looks to thump it over extra cover but mistimes it badly. At the end of the Powerplay, Chennai are 49/0!

Flighted up a bit on the stumps, Devon Conway blocks it out.

FOUR! Uppish but safe! This is bowled quicker and flatter outside off, Devon Conway backs away and tries to cut it hard. The ball though is sliced to the right of a Dasun Shanaka and runs away to the fence for four more runs.

Keeps it a bit full and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad leans on and pushes it through mid off for a single.

Pushes this one through a bit fuller and around leg stump, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to flick but the ball skids on and hits the pads. A stifled appeal for LBW and nothing more.

FOUR! Put away with ease! Noor Ahmad starts off with a loosener as he bowls this short and around middle. Ruturaj Gaikwad rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Spin from both ends now as Noor Ahmad comes into the attack.

Goes short and on the pads, Ruturaj Gaikwad tucks it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike with a single.

FOUR! Floated, full on the stumps, Ruturaj Gaikwad picks the length early and gets on the front foot in a flash. Lofts it over extra cover for four more runs.

Bowls a googly, shorter around leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad steps out and places it in front of mid-wicket for a brace.

Pulls his length back and bowls it on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad keeps this one out on the off side.

Tossed up, touch fuller, on off and middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad defends this one with soft hands. Gets and outside edge that goes past first slip for a couple of runs.

Starts with a quicker delivery, short and flat, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad shapes to cut but is beaten for pace.

Rashid Khan comes into the attack now.

FOUR! Nicely played! Bowls this one just outside off, on a shortish length, Devon Conway rides on top of the bounce and punches it towards backward point. Beats Dasun Shanaka to his right and collects four more runs.

Keeps it on a hard length and angling across, outside off, Devon Conway walks across in the crease and tries to scoop this one over short fine leg. Fails to get any bat on it and wears it on the back leg. The ball trickles towards the stumps but Conway is aware and keeps the ball out.

Goes shorter this time, around leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on his toes and flicks it a bit uppishly. Gets it to the right of Shubman Gill at mid-wicket for a single.

Strays on the pads, on a hard length, Ruturaj Gaikwad tucks it straight to mid-wicket.

Sloppy by Noor Ahmad! Bowls it on the stumps, on a length, Devon Conway dances down the track and pushes it to mid off for a run. Noor Ahmad slides to his left and does not manage to get behind the ball. The ball sneaks past him and the batters run a couple of extra runs.

Angled across on a hard length, Devon Conway hangs back and punches it towards extra cover.

Darshan Nalkande (1-0-14-0) to continue...

Serves it on a good length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on the front foot and defends it towards cover.

Length delivery again, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad tries to run this one down on the off side but gets an under edge. The ball rolls behind the wicket for a dot.

FOUR! Glorious! Shami misses his line and sprays this one wide outside off, on a length, Ruturaj Gaikwad frees his arms and drives it through extra cover for four more runs.

Keeps it on a hard length and shaping in on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad pushes this one to point for a dot.

Angled in around off, on a good length, Devon Conway uses his feet and pushes it wide of mid off for a run.

Lands it on a good length, Devon Conway keeps this one out on the off side.

Back of a length this time and just outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad punches it off the back foot to point for a dot.

Shortens his length and bowls it outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad stays back and guides it wide of third man and comes back for the second run with ease.

FOUR! Sublime by Ruturaj Gaikwad! On a good length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on the front foot and times the drive through covers for a boundary. This is turning from bad to worse for Nalkande.

SIX! SHOT! Nalkande keeps it short and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets into a good position and the ball sits up nicely for him. Flat bats this one well over long on for a maximum.

Well, the previous delivery was a front-foot no ball so, instead of an early wicket for Darshan Nalkande, it will be a Free Hit for Ruturaj Gaikwad.

NO BALL! Ruturaj Gaikwad gets caught at mid-wicket but guess what, Darshan Nalkande has overstepped! Bowls it on a good length, on off and middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to clip this one but plays his shot way too early. Lobs the simplest of catches to Shubman Gill at mid-wicket who makes no mistake. Darshan Nalkande is pumped and Ruturaj Gaikwad starts to trudge off. The no ball siren goes off to signal that Nalkande has overstepped and Gaikwad returns to bat. Free Hit coming up...

Sharp delivery! Bends his back and goes into the wicket, around off, a hint of away movement, Ruturaj Gaikwad hops to punch this one but misses.

Begins his spell on a length, outside off, Devon Conway opens the bat face and steers it down to third man for a single.

Darshan Nalkande to operate from the other end.

Devon Conway is off the mark as well! Shami serves it on a hard length, on off, Devon Conway uses the pace of the delivery and runs it down to third man. Opens his account with a single.

Leg bye! Mohammad Shami bowls the inswinger now, on a shortish length, around leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad misses the tuck and gets it off his thigh pad. The ball rolls in front of square leg for a leg bye.

Beauty! Continues to bowl it in the channel outside off, on a good length, Ruturaj Gaikwad pokes at the away going delivery and is lucky to not edge this one behind.

Ruturaj Gaikwad and Chennai are underway! Bowls on a back of a length, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad plants his foot forward and opens the bat face. Guides it to the right of Noor Ahmad at third man for a couple of runs.

On a length now, on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets on the front foot and times it to cover-point.

Starts on a good length, at 136.4 kph, shaping away, outside off, Ruturaj Gaikwad shoulders arms and lets it go. The ball continues to move away after passing the batter and drops just short of the diving Wriddhiman Saha.

We are all set for Qualifier 1 to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle as the players of Gujarat are seen in a huddle before striding out to the middle as well. Out come the openers for Chennai - Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. Mohammad Shami has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. The crowd is absolutely buzzing, so, let's play...

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai, says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that Gujarat have chased well and he wanted to put them into bat first. Mentions that his team has shown maturity and have shown that they can read the game well. Reckons that it is important to back one's strengths and that confidence should be high. Adds that they have been able to do that which is why they are in the playoffs. Shares that the pitch will slow down and a lot will depend on the dew and it might even get easier to bat. Ends by informing that they are going with the same team as the last game.

Hardik Pandya, the captain of Gujarat says that they will bowl first because there might be dew and they would know how much they need to win. Adds that being in the top two has a different pressure as well and the thing to keep in mind is to play good cricket. Says that the kind of players they have, they play smartly and try to get the best out of the wicket whether it be the batters or the bowlers. Ends by informing that they have one change with Darshan Nalkande coming in for Yash Dayal.

Impact Players nominated by Chennai - Matheesha Pathirana, Mitchell Santner, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed and Akash Singh.

Chennai (Unchanged Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.

Impact Players nominated by Gujarat - Vijay Shankar, KS Bharat, Jayant Yadav, Sai Sudharsan and Shivam Mavi.

Gujarat (Playing XI) - Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Dasun Shanaka, Rahul Tewatia, Darshan Nalkande (In for Yash Dayal), Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma.

TOSS - The coin toss lands in the favour of Hardik Pandya and Gujarat have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Matthew Hayden is near the deck. He starts by informing that the straight boundaries are slightly longer than the square boundaries. Reckons that spinners would be licking their lips looking at this wicket. Adds that the surface is dry and will offer a good turn. Mentions that there are patches which would help the spinners of both sides. Feels that the pitch will get slower as the game progresses and says that 170 can be a match-winning total. Ends by saying that if he was the captain, he would opt to bat first and put runs on the board in this high-pressure game.

After a disappointing last season, Chennai turned their fortunes around this season and became the second team to qualify for the playoffs. The four-time winners now face a tough opponent in Qualifier 1, but a home fixture has given them a slight advantage. Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad have been consistent at the top and will be crucial to their team’s chances. Their Powerplay bowling has been a cause for concern, but the likes of Ravindra Jadeja and Matheesha Pathirana have done well to compensate. Can MS Dhoni and Co. make it to their 10th Indian T20 League final, or will Hardik Pandya’s men feature in yet another home final? We will have our answers soon. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Having secured 10 wins out of the 14 league games, Gujarat finished the league stage atop the standings and come into the playoffs riding high on confidence. The defending champions are aiming for their second successive final in their quest to defend the title. For the Hardik Pandya-led side, Shubman Gill has done the bulk of the scoring, with the rest of the batting unit batting around him. Mohammad Shami has been sensational in the Powerplay as has Rashid Khan in the middle overs.

At the end of 70 games across 52 days between ten top teams, we are now down to the final four teams in the 2023 Indian T20 League. Hello and a warm welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to our coverage of Qualifier 1 of the 2023 Indian T20 League, between Gujarat and Chennai at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai.

... MATCH DAY …

After a long and exciting passage through the group stages in the 16th edition of the Indian T20 League, we are left with four teams who are in contention to lift the coveted trophy. Before we dwell further into the playoffs, let us take a moment to appreciate how good this season has already been so far. With the Impact Player rule allowing teams to use an extra batter, we have seen multiple scores over 200 with the previous record overcome in 38 games itself and it has also resulted in negating the return of the home-away format. We also have had the most number of sixes hit in one edition of the competition along with the most centuries scored and we still have four games to go. There have been several last-over finishes that have left pundits and fans on the edge of their seats and we eagerly anticipate what the final phase has in store for us. The road map to the finals is set and the two teams in action in this game will battle it out in Qualifier 1. The winner progresses straight to the finals and the loser will have another opportunity to make it to the finale when they take on the winner of the Eliminator between Lucknow and Mumbai in Qualifier 2. Gujarat and Chennai stood first and second in the group respectively which gives them this added privilege and the Yellow Army has the cherry on top as well with the tie taking place at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. What a juggernaut of a side Chennai has proven to be over the years and the four-time champions make yet another appearance in the qualifiers. In the 14 games they have played, they managed to win 8 encounters while losing five, and one of their games was washed out. They overcame several injury setbacks that threatened to derail their season to find consistency and are now one win away from playing yet another final. Their batting unit has been in outstanding form with their openers Devon Conway (585 runs) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (504 runs) repeatedly getting them off to good starts. They have shuffled around with their middle order but whoever has been called upon, has been up to the task with players like Shivam Dube (385 runs) and Ajinkya Rahane (282 runs) allowing this kind of flexibility. They have a long batting order with Ambati Rayudu, Moeen Ali, Ravindra Jadeja, and MS Dhoni to follow and it is highly unlikely that an opponent can initiate a batting collapse. They have missed their record signing Ben Stokes for most of the season and injuries to some key fast bowlers left them short in the pace bowling department. At a time like this, it was Tushar Deshpande who came to the forefront to lead the bowling attack and has 20 wickets to show for his efforts. The return of Deepak Chahar (10 wickets) has been a boost to them and Matheesha Pathirana (15 wickets) has been a revelation in the death overs. Ravindra Jadeja (17 wickets) is their main spin bowling threat with Maheesh Theekshana and Moeen Ali sharing the responsibilities but neither has taken the competition by storm. Despite having good individual players, what stands out the most is the way the team has gelled together and fought for one another. However, they will be coming up against one of the most well-balanced sides over the last two seasons and Gujarat have shown why they are favourites to win back-to-back titles. They won 10 of the 14 games they played ending with 20 points and with a three-point lead over the second-placed team in one of the tightest editions of the Indian T20 League. The bowling has been so formidable that they have two players fighting for the Purple Cap with Mohammad Shami and Rashid Khan both leading the charts with 24 wickets in their kitty. Mohit Sharma was a net bowler for their squad but his performance in the training ground got him his opportunity to debut for the reigning champions and he has repaid their faith with 17 wickets in 11 games. Noor Ahmad (13 wickets) has come of age this season and is walking in the footsteps of his Afghani teammate who has already acquired legendary status in the shortest format of the game. India's next superstar Shubman Gill (680 runs) is second on the Orange Cap leaderboard behind Faf du Plessis who will play no further part in the competition after Banglaore was eliminated which leaves the Prince of Indian cricket a free path to the top of the standings. Wriddhiman Saha's recent form has been a slight worry for them but he provides solidity behind the wicket and has scored 287 runs so far. Hardik Pandya (289 runs), Vijay Shankar (287 runs), and David Miller (255) provide support through the middle order and we anticipate a mouth-watering clash between two strong sides. The two teams faced each other in the first game of the season at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad and it was the reigning champions who claimed a 5-wicket win to get their campaign off to a good start. Will Chennai be able to punish them in front of a sea of yellow baying for blood and take their spot in the final? Or will Gujarat continue to prove why they are the best team in the league at the moment? We will find out soon!