This was going to be a close one. Or, so we thought. In the end, it turned out to be an antitheses of sorts. Gujarat Titans did not have a chance against Chennai Super Kings. The match was actually over in the first half.
Ravindra steals it
Rachin Ravindra (46 off 20) had shown his T20 potentials in the first match. Today, he was in full bloom. Those pick-up hits off the pads and the heaves over the off with deft touches, the New Zealand international showed a wide range of shots. He timed them beautifully. There was no violence. He creamed those and pulled them off with some aesthetic quality. It was brisk scoring sans nuisance.
Costly catch drop
Small things matter a lot in T20 games. GT had their moment very early in the match. It could have turned things around completely. But then, Sai Kishore dropped the easiest of dollies standing at first slip. It was Ruturaj Gaikwad (46 off 36) who offered the chance and got away with it to play a part in a match-winning total. It was a very costly miss, for it would have set the momentum in a different way. GT should rue this. It was their chance and they failed to grab it.
Dube the game-changer
Don’t forget Shivam Dube (51 off 23). The left-handed batter from Mumbai has found a fresh lease of life playing for CSK. He was on 12 off two balls! Those massive hits were a testament to his latent talent. Dube is a destructive player and he has found his trappings with this franchise. He can be a game-changer and that is exactly what he was tonight. Those blows were telling and decisive.
GT not in the chase
GT were never really in the chase. They fought, battled and were definitely a few notches short. It is difficult when you are chasing 200-plus. More than 10 per over has been chased in the IPL. But ask the teams which did it. You need a solid start to do a lot more. GT had none of it and they lost it right there. The starts made by the two teams were a clear difference-maker.
Chennai formidable mind you
This CSK side has a new captain in Gaikwad instead of MS Dhoni. They are a fearsome side mind you. They trust their horses and back them. It’s not about records but about potential to deliver. That’s exactly what they have done over the years and are still doing. This is going to be one team to beat.
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