CSK vs LSG IPL 2023 -Match 6

CSK vs LSG IPL 2023 Highlights: A high-scoring thriller ended in the home side’s favour as CSK marked their return to the Chepauk with a 12-run win over LSG

CSK vs LSG IPL 2023 Highlights: Lucknow Super Giants were off to a flier thanks to a 21-ball half century from Kyle Mayers in the powerplay while chasing a massive target of 218. However, three wickets in quick succession have brought the home side right back in it. LSG’s chase picked up pace once again with Nicholas Pooran but CSK kept chipping away and now stand at the cusp of victory despite the plethora of wide and no balls their bowlers ended up sending in. Earlier, CSK slowed down after the 10th over and yet they smashed a massive 217/7 in their 20 overs. MS Dhoni came out and bashed two back to back sixes much to the delight of the CSK fans in what was their first match at the Chepauk since 2019. KL Rahul had won the toss and chosen to bowl first after which the visitors were off to a sloppy start with the ball. CSK took full advantage of it with Ruturaj Gaikwad leading the way. The 26-year-old and opening partner Devon Conway smashed 79 runs in the powerplay, which is the most for CSK at the Chepauk in the history of the IPL. He eventually fell for 57 off 31 balls while Conway was on 47 off 29 when the Kiwi lost his wicket. CSK went through a bit of a downturn in their scoring rate after that with Shivam Mavi and Moeen Ali struggling to get going. But the pair ended up nailing their attempted big shots before being dismissed. The rest of the players played similar cameos with Rayudu smashing an unbeaten 27 off 14 most notably before Dhoni smacked two sixes off two of the three balls he faced to cross 5000 IPL runs.

Chennai’s four-year-long wait for its Thala MS Dhoni and CSK finally ended with a sensational win against Lucknow Super Giants on Monday. Chennai Super Kings batters, including special cameo by Dhoni, made the most of the batting that came to them first after Lucknow Super Giants chose to bowl first after winning the toss. During the after-match ceremony, LSG skipper KL Rahul did admit that the team made certain mistakes.

Initially, LSG looked very much in commanding position. They even bettered the power play numbers against Chennai Super Kings. But as soon as Dhoni decided to bring in Moeen Ali, it was a downhill for LSG from there on. Along with Mitch Santner, Ali demolished the batting lineup of Super Giants. He took major wickets including LSG captain KL Rahul, Marcus Stoinis and very in-form Kyle Mayers.

Later, Tushar Deshpande, Dhoni’s choice as impact player, made a comeback after a devastatingly expensive over.

For the records, no team has ever chased more than 206 as target at Chepauk. Dhoni’s explosive cameo showed why is one and only Thala! Of the three Mark Wood deliveries that he faced; Dhoni scored two back-to-back sixes. On part of LSG, it was Ravi Bishnoi who broke the first wicket partnership by CSK openers. 4-28-3 – that’s what Bishnoi’s chart read.

Earlier in the evening, Chennai Super Kings openers did a superb job. Both Gaikwad and Conway – the CSK openers – smashed fours and sixes all over the Chennai Stadium. The powerplay score of 79 by Gaikwad-Conway partnership was the third highest that the CSK have made in the history of the IPL. Just when they were looking extremely dangerous, LSG’s Ravi Bishnoi struck as Gaikwad fell. Soon, Conway was gone after LSG’s Krunal Pandya took the superb catch. With some nifty boundaries and huge sixes, the CSK openers made sure that they build the good total. For the records, Chennai Super Kings have the winning stat of 71 per cent on their home ground in Chennai. It’s a sea of yellow with Dhoni, Dhoni chants reverberating Chepauk!

This was the first time that Dhoni-led CSK squad was playing at the iconic Chepauk without legendary Suresh Raina. The team has behind their defeat in the IPL opener against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad.  

Lucknow Super Giants, on the other hand, didn’t manage to keep their winning streak intact after their thrilling victory in their home ground against Delhi Capitals.