Chennai Super Kings (CSK) got off to a losing start to their 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) campaign as Gujarat Titans (GT) defeated them by five wickets in Ahmedabad on Friday, March 31.
After winning the toss and electing to field, GT restricted CSK to 178/7, a score that was at least 15 runs below par. Rashid Khan was the pick of the Gujarat bowlers with two wickets before Shubman Gill helped them chase down the total with a brilliant fifty.
Here are CSK’s Player Ratings from Match 1 of IPL 2023 vs GT.
IPL 2023, GT vs CSK: Hangargekar, Gaikwad impress in tournament opener
Ruturaj Gaikwad: 9.5/10
Gaikwad kept the CSK innings afloat, with the next highest score of 23. The classy opener hit nine scintillating sixes in an incredible batting display. He could have perhaps done a bit better with the ball he was given, which was a high throw as well as a tough chance on the boundary.
Devon Conway: 2/10
Conway looked out to sea as Mohammad Shami tormented him before dismissing him. The Kiwi opener was throwing himself around the pitch.
Moeen Ali: 6/10
Moeen tried to inject some momentum into CSK’s powerplay in a welcome return in 2021. He ended up losing out during a tantalizing battle with Rashid Khan when he should have played it more and looked to exploit the other bowlers.
Ambati Rayudu: 4/10
Rayudu was understandably rusty in the middle and looked upset right from the start of his innings. The veteran batsman hit one six but was cleaned up by Josh Little before being replaced.
Ben Stokes: 2/10
Stokes could not make an impression on his debut for CSK as Rashid once again dismissed the Englishman in the IPL. The southpaw, who batted at number 4, will want to show what he’s made of in the next game.
Shivam Dube: 4/10
Dube’s painstaking deliveries sucked the momentum of the deadly overs and the Super Kings managed to score just 57 in the last seven overs. His issues with difficult lengths aimed at his body surfaced for what seemed like the millionth time, although he somewhat redeemed himself with an excellent catch in the deep.
Ravindra Jadeja: 7/10
Jadeja couldn’t contribute much with the bat but bowled a stingy spell that yielded just 28 runs. He was the most economical bowler in the exhibition and also bowled Hardik Pandya.
MS Dhoni: 7/10
Dhoni probably should have come in to bat much earlier. The CSK captain hit a six and a four in the final to make the crowd go crazy. It seems that he is not completely ready, and it would not be an exaggeration to claim that he made a mistake in choosing the team.
Mitchell Santner: 5/10
Santner was not the best with the ball. The left-arm spinner’s four overs went for 32 runs without a wicket, with him unable to replicate the holding role expected of him. He made some nice stops down the field.
Deepak Chahar: 5/10
Chahar’s first two overs were devoid of much wicket-taking threat, and although his third was decent under pressure, he lost his plot in the final over. The pacer sent a length delivery that was blasted for six before following it up with a short and wide.
Rajvardhan Hangargekar: 8/10
Hangargekar finally made his IPL debut and lived up to the hype. He showed excellent nerve under pressure and finished with three wickets. The 20-year-old is still definitely raw and has made some silly mistakes, but he could have a breakout season this year.
Tushar Deshpande [impact]: 1/10
CSK’s opening batsman was their worst bowler. Deshpande posted 51 runs in just 3.2 overs as he mistimed his lines and lengths. He just seems like a hitable bowler and his wicket off Shubman Gill was scant consolation.
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