‘Boring-est match this season’: Chennai surrender to Gujarat as Hardik Pandya-led team confirm top two finish

Chennai faced Gujarat in the 62nd match of the Indian T20 League 2022. The venue for the match was the iconic Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

Chennai won the toss and opted to bat first. Mohammed Shami rocked Chennai early by dismissing the in-form Devon Conway (5 of 9) in the third over. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Moeen Ali stitched a 57 runs partnership after this. The partnership was broken in the ninth over by Sai Kishore with the wicket of Moeen Ali (21 of 17). Ruturaj Gaikwad looked steady at the opposite end and was taking the Men in Yellow towards a respectable score. However, his stay was cut short by Rashid Khan in the 16th over. But Gaikwad walked back to the pavilion not before he scored a resilient 53 runs from 49 balls. He also formed a partnership of 48 runs with N Jagadeesan.

Jagadeesan also played an important role in taking Chennai to 133 runs for the loss of five wickets in their 20 overs. He scored 39 runs off 33 balls and stayed unbeaten till the end. Mohammed Shami was the pick of the bowlers for Gujarat with two wickets for 19 runs from his four overs.

In pursuit of a below-par total Gujarat looked comfortable at the beginning. Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha got them off to a brilliant start. Gujarat scored 53 runs in the powerplays without losing a wicket. It was debutant Matheesha Pathirana who picked up the first wicket for Chennai. Shubman Gill was trapped LBW in the 8th over of the innings when the team’s score was 59 runs. Gill scored 18 runs from 17 balls hitting three fours. Matthew Wade replaced Gill and formed another important partnership with Wriddhiman Saha. The duo stitched a partnership of 31 runs and put their team on course for a comfortable victory. Wade (20 of 15) was dismissed in the 12th over the innings when Gujarat’s score was 90 runs. Wriddhiman Saha was looking in great touch as he brought up his half-century from 42 balls.

Gujarat lost one more wicket in the for of skipper Hardik Pandya (7 of 6). But the remaining equation still looked comfortable with seven wickets in hand. Saha and Miller progresses with cool heads and prevented any goof ups in the chase. By the end of the 16th over Gujarat was 117 for 3 needing only 17 runs of 4 overs. The task remaining looked like a formality as the result of the match was already evident. Wriddhiman Saha (67 of 57) and David Miller (15 of 20) remained unbeaten till the end and took their team to a comfortable victory by seven wickets. It was Gujarat’s 10th win 13 matches while Chennai lost their 9th match in 13 outings.

Here is how Twitter reacted to the match. 

https://twitter.com/ChennaiIPL/status/1525807328704212993?s=20&t=gbHzJnPRkFvFHxxqo0_O1w

It is a dead game and nothing to lose but still in the 17th and 18th over Dhoni is looking to defend and play out Rashid/Joseph rather than trying to hit from ball 1. From overs 16-18 they have scored 11 runs. These are games where one can try something different right? #CSKvGT

— Gaurav Sundararaman (@gaurav_sundar) May 15, 2022

https://twitter.com/Gujarat_titans1/status/1525816399301554177?s=20&t=gbHzJnPRkFvFHxxqo0_O1w

https://twitter.com/SushantNMehta/status/1525806723793289216?s=20&t=gbHzJnPRkFvFHxxqo0_O1w

https://twitter.com/thefield_in/status/1525827617793839105?s=20&t=gbHzJnPRkFvFHxxqo0_O1w

https://twitter.com/asllnl/status/1525824438268092416?s=20&t=gbHzJnPRkFvFHxxqo0_O1w

Boring-est IPL match this season?#CSKvGT

— Aditya Chobe (@AdityaMusing) May 15, 2022

We do miss @ninety9sl and it’s heartening to see Matheesha who’s bowled on the mark and also got two out of three wickets CSK have managed. Exciting 19 year old. #GTvsCSK #IPL2022

— Reema Malhotra (@ReemaMalhotra8) May 15, 2022

Gujarat Titans confirms top 2 spot in IPL 2022.

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) May 15, 2022

GT Beat Csk by 7 wicket.
Chase 133 run get the target in 19.1 Overs.

Saha not out on 67*(57).#CSKvGT#IPL2022

— Surinder (@navsurani) May 15, 2022

Pathetic game…i was yawning all the time…csk is hsit #CSKvGT

— Hakeem (@Hakeem17239745) May 15, 2022

https://twitter.com/Sportskeeda/status/1525834403238203392?s=20&t=tvHGuLcw1glUYpzrPoR1Mg

Another good win for @gujarat_titans! Top bowling as a unit and @Wriddhipops made sure the win was never out of reach! #GTvCSK #IPL2022

— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) May 15, 2022

https://twitter.com/WisdenIndia/status/1525833469976190977?s=20&t=tvHGuLcw1glUYpzrPoR1Mg