CSK Vs GT, IPL 2024, Match 7: Chennai Super Kings Beat Gujarat Titans By 63 Runs At Chepauk - As It Happened

In match 7 of the IPL 2024, Chennai Super Kings defeated Gujarat Titans by 63 runs at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. In what is a repeat of last year's IPL final, GT opted to bowl first but the plan backfired as CSK batters led by Shivam Dube's blistering fifty took them to 206/6. In reply, Sai Sudharsan's 37 was the only respectable knock for GT as they could only muster 143/8. Here are the highlights of the CSK Vs GT, match no. 7 of the IPL 2024. (Scorecard | Streaming)

Chennai Super Kings Squad: Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sameer Rizvi, MS Dhoni(w), Deepak Chahar, Maheesh Theekshana, Mustafizur Rahman, Tushar Deshpande, Shardul Thakur, Shaik Rasheed, Moeen Ali, Nishant Sindhu, Mitchell Santner, Ajay Jadav Mandal, Prashant Solanki, Mukesh Choudhary, Simarjeet Singh, RS Hangargekar, Aravelly Avanish.

Gujarat Titans Squad: Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill(c), Sai Sudharsan, Azmatullah Omarzai, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Umesh Yadav, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Spencer Johnson, Mohit Sharma, Sharath BR, Abhinav Manohar, Noor Ahmad, Manav Suthar, Matthew Wade, Kane Williamson, Shahrukh Khan, Joshua Little, Darshan Nalkande, Kartik Tyagi, Sushant Mishra, Sandeep Warrier, Jayant Yadav.

"It's still very early in the competition, there's still combinations being worked out, still cohesion within the team that you're working on, so it is nice to win the early game. But there's a lot going on in regards to settling in and getting into the competition." - Stephen Fleming, CSK Coach.

"The way the boys held their nerves with dew coming in, it was outstanding. The way our spinners bowled made sure we are always in the game. It's all about holding your nerves." - Shubman Gill, GT Skipper.

"It's a different pitch tonight. Looks a really good wicket, there was bounce and carry in the first game. There's a lot of grass on the surface, unsual for a Chepauk pitch. There are a few patches where there's an uneven covering of grass. The spinners will come into play in the middle overs. It's a bat-first wicket." - Matthew Hayden says on-air.

"Playing any format for 17 years continuously is definitely tough, but I have always tried to stay fit. That has been my simple logic. I work on my fitness during the off-time. Also recovery is important. With age catching up, just trying to follow a similar routine. Playing IPL to IPL is not that easy, it's high intensity. So I try to play every format in domestic cricket, also try to play club games. I like the atmosphere here, it's outstanding."

GT skipper Shubman Gill has won the toss and opted to bowl first against CSK in Chepauk.

"We were looking to bowl first, wicket is hard and looks similar to the first game. It was a rusty start (against RCB) but we came back well. Everyone showed good intent throughout the innings. Pathirana comes in for Theekshana."

"We will bowl first. That (match against MI) match was physical and mentally exhausting. Everyone is well rested and well settled with 10 teams playing. We get enough rest time between matches. It shows the character of the team, the way our bowlers bounced back against Mumbai. Playing with the same team."

Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill(c), Azmatullah Omarzai, David Miller, Vijay Shankar, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore, Umesh Yadav, Mohit Sharma, Spencer Johnson.

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad(c), Rachin Ravindra, Ajinkya Rahane, Daryl Mitchell, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, Sameer Rizvi, MS Dhoni(w), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Mustafizur Rahman.

Chennai Super Kings Subs: Matheesha Pathirana, Shardul Thakur, Shaik Rasheed, Nishant Sindhu, Mitchell Santner.

Gujarat Titans Subs: Sai Sudharsan, Sharath BR, Abhinav Manohar, Noor Ahmad, Manav Suthar.

CSK captain Ruturaj Gaikwad was given a lifeline by GT when Sai Kishore dropped the former in slips off Omarzai's bowling. Will this haunt Shubman Gill and co. in the coming overs? Time will tell.

Chennai Super Kings are off to a flier thanks to Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad. The Kiwi mostly has dominated proceedings with some huge sixes and some fours off GT bowlers. Ruturaj was dropped in the 1st over by Sai Kishore and it hasn't helped things for the last year's runners-up.

CSK - 58/0 (5 overs)

Chennai Super Kings are 104/1 in 10 overs thanks to some blistering batting by Rachin Ravindra (46) and Ruturaj Gaikwad (42 not out). The latter is making the most of the placid conditions at Chepauk with some fine shots. With big-hitters in their line-up, Chennai fans could expect some fireworks tonight!

CSK - 104/1 (10 overs)

CSK lost their skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad for a well-made 46 after he was dismissed by Spencer Johnson. Despite the wicket, CSK are well on course for a 200-plus score with the likes of Shivam Dube and Daryl Mitchell at the crease.

CSK - 155/3 (15 overs)

A blistering innings from Shivam Dube 51 (23 balls) saw Chennai Super Kings post a total of 206 for the loss of six wickets in the 20 overs. Earlier, Rachin Ravindra and Ruturaj Gaikwad gave them a fast start as they reached 100-run in 10 overs. Dube's innings of 51 included two fours and five maximums.

CSK - 206/6 (20 overs)

Gujarat Titans were rocked back early in the run-chase of 206 with the departures of Shubman Gill (8) and Wriddhiman Saha (21). Gill was adjudged leg before and Saha was caught out as Deepak Chahar sent back the GT openers early.

CSK - 206/6 (20 overs)

GT - 35/2 (5 overs)

After losing openers early on, GT then lost the wicket of Vijay Shankar in the eight over as the visitors looked to chase down the target of 207. The home team are very well on top but with David Miller and Sai Sudharsan at the crease, anything is possible.

CSK - 206/6 (20 overs)

GT - 80/3 (10 overs)

GT are in deep, deep trouble against the reigning champions after losing wickets at regular intervals. Shubman Gill-led side never looked comfortable in the run-chase and CSK bowlers have tightened the screws.

CSK - 206/6 (20 overs)

GT - 114/5 (15 overs)

CSK win by 63 runs! After their batters putting up a fantastic show early on, Chennai bowlers piled the pressure on Gujarat Titans batters as the visitors made hasty decisions and lost wickets in the run-chase. Only Sai Sudharsan made a valuable 37 but apart from him, none of the GT batters troubled the scoreboard. For CSK, the pacers picked up two each to take them to a fabulous win.

CSK - 206/6 (20 overs)

GT - 143/8 (20 overs)

• 63 runs vs CSK Chennai 2024

• 27 runs vs MI Mumbai WS 2023

• 15 runs vs CSK Chennai 2023

Generally when I play, I bowl three powerplay overs. It is a difficult task but its the role team has given and I try to do it. (Two bouncers per over) Obviously it helps. If you previously bowled a bouncer early, then the batter is ready for the full ball. But now the batter has to stay on his toes and has to expect the second bouncer. (More bounce on this pitch?) There is always bounce but it is usually slower. We didn't see much dew either. (Chatting with Gaikwad instead of MS these days) Now I see both sides now [laughs], I get confused where to see. Ruturaj is leading well."

"They outplayed us when we were batting, their execution was spot on. We backed ourselves to get a decent score in the powerplay and once we didn’t, we were always playing catch-up. It was unfortunate for us. In T20 you can always talk about 10-15 runs here or there, end of the day it’s about how much they got. On this wicket, we were expecting to chase 190-200. I think it’s a great learning for the bowlers. I think it’s better to have this kind of game early on in the tournament rather than in the middle or late. We always expected to chase 190-200, it was a really good wicket. Felt like we let ourselves down while batting. (On captaincy) Lot of new learnings, new experiences and different things. It’s exciting to captain a team like Gujarat Titans, we’ve made it to the finals in the last couple of years so very exciting."

Today's game was near to perfect game, in the sense of batting-bowling-fielding, all three departments. Against a team like Gujarat, we had to produce this kind of performance. (100+ runs in first ten overs) In Chennai when you are not sure how the wicket will be, you must bat well irrespective of when you're batting. Having wickets in the last ten really helps here. Personally, thought Rachin batted and put us against in the game. Jinx and Shivam played good roles. Not to forget our youngster Rizvi as well. (Assessment of Dube) Just confidence. When he came here the management worked with him personally, Mahi bhai worked with him personally. He knows what role he is playing and which bowler to take on. A big plus for us. (Fielding today) I think pretty much same, I am impressed as well. Maybe we have got 1-2 extra youngsters in the team. Great effort from Jinx even in the last game and this game."

"This franchise is something different from all others. They are giving me the freedom. They want me to do better and I also want to win some matches. (Whacking short balls) I have worked in that way. It is helping me. I know they will bowl me some short balls and I'm ready for that. (Role - flexible?) They want me to do the same thing I did today. They want me to score with a higher strike-rate and that is what I'm doing."

Another home win for CSK. Their juggernaut keeps on rolling whereas for GT, a lot of questions to be answered but still early days in the tournament. Good night!