IPL 2023 : After a dull night with the Bat, MS Dhoni expects more from CSK Batting line-up!

The 16th season of the Indian Premier League got off to a cracking start as reigning champions Gujarat Titans picked up from where they left and defeated MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings by 5 wickets. After winning the toss at the Narendra Modi Stadium, GT Captain Hardik Pandya asked CSK to Bat first.

Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad opened the innings for CSK but the Kiwi departed for just 1 runs before Gaikwad took the game by a storm. The Right-handed Batter looked like his vintage self from IPL 2021 and he gave CSK the right start they needed.

A successful final-over chase at the Narendra Modi Stadium to kick off #TATAIPL 2023 🔥🔥

The @rashidkhan_19–@rahultewatia02 duo at it again as @gujarat_titans secure a win against #CSK💪

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/61QLtsnj3J#GTvCSK pic.twitter.com/uKS9xJgIbw

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2023

Ruturaj played out a fantastic knock full of conventional and text book cricketing shots. He smacked an outstanding 92 off 50 deliveries which included Nine 6s and Four 4s. Reaching a total of 190+ looked possible at that point but lack of support from the remaining middle-order saw CSK post just 178 runs.

Fabulous fielding effort in Devon Conway style!

Full points for that footwork 😎

Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/61QLtsnj3J#TATAIPL | #GTvCSK | @ChennaiIPL pic.twitter.com/vHIpVmr7Ng

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2023

It was only because of Shivam Dubey and MS Dhoni’s quickfire runs that they reached the total but it did not prove to be enough. After the loss, Dhoni said they could have done more with the Bat and they did fall 15-20 runs short. He also mentioned that Ruturaj looked very good and praised the youngster for his classic game play.

DO NOT MISS!

Last over in play. @msdhoni on strike.

You know the rest 😉 #TATAIPL | #GTvCSK | @ChennaiIPL

WATCH 🎥🔽 https://t.co/xDNm0IqRIM

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) March 31, 2023

“We all knew there will be dew. We could have done a bit more with the batsman-ship. Ruturaj (Gaikwad) was brilliant, he times the ball well and he’s a pleasure to watch. The way he picks his option, it is pleasing watch. I think its important for the youngsters to step in.”

When GT came to chase, Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha gave a good start and Rahul Tewatia alongside Rashid Khan finished off an incredible opening game of the season.