IPL 2023 | CSK celebrates their homecoming by defeating LSG by 12 runs.

Then Moeen Ali came back with 4 for 26 from his overs to help CSK restrict LSG to 205 for seven. Late hitting by Nicholas Pooran (32 off 18 balls, 2x4s, 3x6s) and a ferocious opening assault by fellow West Indian Kyle Mayers (53 off 22 balls, 8x4s, 2x6s) failed to help LSG.
Back on home soil, CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni made judicious use of the slow bowlers to secure the team’s first win in this year’s IPL. To derail LSG’s chase, veteran Moeen Ali took the wickets of Mayers, LSG skipper K L Rahul, Krunal Pandya, and Marcus Stoinis (21).
Deepak Chahar (4-0-55-0) and Tushar Deshpande (4-0-45-2), who replaced Ambati Rayudu as Impact Player, bowled three wides and two no-balls in their first over, conceding 18 runs.
In the fourth over, the flamboyant Mayers and Rahul took the team to 50. Poor bowling from Chahar, Deshpande, and Ben Stokes (1-0-18-0) didn’t help CSK’s cause as they leaked runs in the powerplay as LSG batters responded strongly in pursuit of 218.
Mayers hit his second fifty in a row to give LSG a flying start, despite Rahul playing second fiddle. Mayers fell against the run of play after reaching 79 in just 5.2 overs, attempting a big hit off Moeen Ali only to be caught in the deep by Conway.
Deepak Hooda (2) and Rahul (20), both going for big shots, helped LSG slip to 82 for 3 as Ali and Mitchell Santner got involved. Earlier, Dhoni hit an 89-metre six and another to delight the adoring Chepauk crowd.
A delirious crowd got their first glimpse of ‘Thala’ (Dhoni) as he carted two big sixes before being bowled for 12 off 3 balls by Mark Wood. During his brief appearance, the legendary CSK captain scored 5,000 runs in the IPL.
Following the initial blitz by Gaikwad (57 off 37 balls, 3x4s, 4x6s) and Conway (47 off 29 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s), Shivam Dube (27 off 16 balls, 1×4, 3x6s) and Ali (19). Ambati Rayudu hit two sixes and an equal number of fours in his 14-ball 27, which went unnoticed due to Dhoni’s fireworks.
Wood, who took five wickets in LSG’s thrashing of Delhi Capitals on Sunday, was less effective, finishing with 3 for 49 from four overs. LSG were able to slow down the free-scoring CSK batters thanks to a superb spell from leg-spinner Ravi Bishnoi (3 for 28 in 4 overs) in the middle overs.
Gaikwad and Conway scored 79 runs in the first six overs, taking advantage of the fielding restrictions.
source: editorojiThe stylish Gaikwad continued his form from the season opener, when he smashed 92, and brought up the team’s 100 in the eighth over in the company of the New Zealand left-hander.
Gaikwad made batting look so easy, lofting three sixes in Krishnappa Gowtham’s opening over (5th of the innings). He continued to pile on the runs, including a six-off flick. Wood emphasised his exceptional form.
The CSK openers were on a roll, reaching 100 in the eighth over as the LSG bowlers looked befuddled.