CSK vs GT, IPL Final: Rain threat still looms on reserve day, Dhoni's Chennai, Hardik's Titans hope for best
CSK vs GT Live Score, IPL Final: Follow live score, latest updates Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans IPL 2023 final reserve day latest cricket scorecard.
With rain playing spoilsport on Sunday, the IPL 2023 final between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans got shifted to its reserve day (Monday), at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. It was totally chaotic on Sunday as the rain lasted for almost four hours and such was the situation that even the groundsmen couldn't prepare the pitch for even a five-over clash. In what will be a heavyweight clash for the title between CSK and GT, the weather forecast is positive for the match. According to Accuweather, it will remain sunny in the morning, with few clouds in the sky as the day proceeds. It could become more cloudy before the match (5-6 PM), but it will improve in the evening and by 7 PM, the clouds are expected to clear up. There is no rain expected during the match. GT finished on top of the league table with 20 points in 14 matches, and CSK were second with 17 in 14 fixtures. During the playoffs, both sides faced each other in Qualifier 1, where CSK romped to a 15-run win to enter the final. Then Gujarat got another shot, and defeated Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, to seal the second final berth. Both sides will be looking to clinch the trophy and hopefully rain doesn't create anymore issues.
CSK's road to the final
CSK had a slightly more bumpy road to the final compared to GT and they arguably had to jump past more obstacles related to injuries to their star players, but here they are. A little period towards the end of April and in the first week of may where they got just one point in three matches is what hurt them the most. But they then lost just one match for the rest of the league stage and qualified for the playoffs by thrashing Delhi Capitals by 77 runs.
GT's road to the final
Right, let's refresh our memories a bit, shall we? Gujarat Titans went about the league stage showing that last season was no fluke, they really are a force to be reckoned with. They won 10 and lost four, were the first team to confirm a place for themselves in the playoffs and did it all on a canter. However, they then met CSK, arguably the only team who were efficient as they were towards the end of the league stage and for once, Hardik Pandya's side was thoroughly outplayed. But then came that match against Mumbai Indians in the second Qualifier, and THAT innings from Shubman Gill and GT made it to the final with a comprehensive win over the five-time champions.
