Ruturaj Gaikwad scored a fluent 60 as Chennai Super Kings booked their spot in the final by defeating Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in the Qualifier 1 at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Tuesday.
After being asked to bat first, Gaikwad and Devon Conway got Chennai off to a steady start. The duo added 87 runs for the opening stand. The former got a reprieve as he caught off a no ball by Shubman Gill off Darshan Nalkande in the second over.
Ruturaj capitalized on it by bringing up yet another fifty by smashing Mohit Sharma for a four behind point. His fine knock ended when he top-edged a pull off Sharma to David Miller at long-on.
Noor Ahmad then got into the act by cleaning up Shivam Dube for 1. Ajinkya Rahane (17) after smashing Nalkande for a maximum, chipped a catch to Gill at backward point.
Conway (40) fell soon after miscuing a delivery from Shami to Rashid Khan at midwicket. In the end Ravindra Jadeja provided a late flourish by scoring 16 ball-22 to take Chennai to 172/7 in their 20 overs.
Chasing 173, Deepak Chahar drew first blood by dismissing Wriddhiman Saha (12), caught at deep backward square leg by Conway.
Skipper Hardik Pandya who walked in at No 3, perished to Mahesh Theekshana caught at point by Ravi Jadeja for 8.
The pair of Gill and Dasun Shanaka added 31 runs for the third wicket stand before the latter perished while attempting a reverse sweep off Jadeja.
The left arm spinner also cleaned up David Miller with a skidder for 4.
Chahar then struck a body blow by dismissing the in form Shubman Gill, caught by Conway while mistiming a pull for a fine 42 leaving their side in a spot of bother at 88/5.
All-rounder Rashid Khan scored a breezy 16 ball-30, but it wasn’t enough as Gujarat were bowled out for 157 in 20 overs, giving Chennai a 15 run win.
Chennai Super Kings 172 for 7 (Gaikwad 60, Conway 40, Shami 2-28) beat Gujarat Titans 157 (Gill 42, Jadeja 2-18) by 15 runs