IPL 2023: Gujarat Titans begin IPL title defence with win over Chennai Super Kings

Ruturaj Gaikwad was all class in his 92 off 50 balls before Titans pulled things back in the middle overs to limit Chennai Super Kings to 178 for seven after opting to bowl first in front of a near capacity crowd at the world's largest cricket stadium here.

Written by Sports Desk

Updated: April 1, 2023 10:38 IST

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Ahmedabad: Actress Rashmika Mandanna performs during the IPL 2023 opening ceremony, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 31, 2023. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

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Ahmedabad: Bollywood actress Tamannaah Bhatia performs during the IPL 2023 opening ceremony, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 31, 2023. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

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Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya and Chennai Super Kings captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni before the start of the IPL 2023 cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 31, 2023. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

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Shubman Gill eclipsed Ruturaj Gaikwad's high-quality knock with a dazzling half-century as Gujarat Titans began their title defence with a convincing five-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL opener here on Friday. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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Chennai Super Kings' Ben Stokes bats during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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Ahmedabad: Chennai Super Kings batter Mahendra Singh Dhoni plays a shot during the IPL 2023 cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad. Apart from Gaikwad, the only other batter who put the Titans under pressure was Moeen Ali who came up with a 17-ball 23. Ali's flat six off Mohammad Shami on a free-hit ball was the highlight of his cameo.

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Chennai Super Kings' Ruturaj Gaikwad bats during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings 2023 in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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Fans cheer for their teams during the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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In the form of his life over the past three months, Gill played some jaw-dropping strokes in his 63 off 36 balls to set up a fine win for the home team. Titans got home in 19.2 overs. Gill's opening partner Wriddhiman Saha showed he has still got it as he smashed a couple of sixes and as many fours in his 16-ball 25 that got the Titans going in the run chase.

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Gujarat Titan's Wriddhiman Saha play a shot during the IPL 2023 cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 31, 2023. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

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Gujarat Titans bowler Mohammed Shami celebrates the wicket of Chennai Super Kings batter Devon Conway during the IPL 2023 cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 31, 2023. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

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Ahmedabad: Gujarat Titans' Kane Williamson being taken off the field after he got injured during the IPL 2023 cricket match between Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans, at Narendra Modi Stadium, in Ahmedabad, Friday, March 31, 2023. (PTI Photo/Kunal Patil)

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Gujarat Titans' captain Hardik Pandya leaves the field during the Indian Premier League (IPL) match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)

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Teammates congratulate Gujarat Titan's Rashid Khan, right, for the dismissal of Chennai Super Kings' Chennai Super Kings' Moeen Ali during their Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Ahmedabad, India, Friday, March 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)