'Darshan Nalkande's no-ball' - Aakash Chopra points out game changing moment of GT vs CSK Qualifier 1

Chennai Super Kings entered the final of IPL 2023 as they beat Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 on Tuesday, May 23 at MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai. After being put in to bat first, CSK posted 172/7 riding on Ruturaj Gaikwad’s splendid fifty (60 off 44). In reply, GT were bundled out for 157 in their allotted 20 overs as all of CSK’s bowlers were amongst the wickets.

During the first innings, Gaikwad got a reprieve as he got out against Darshan Nalkande in the second over but much to his good fortune, the right-arm seamer overstepped. Talking about the incident, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra said that the moment hurt the defending champions big time.

"When CSK lost the toss and got to bat first, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad shone once again. No ball hurt you. It was Darshan Nalkande's ball and Shubman Gill took a very easy catch but it was a no-ball. Then a six and a four and then you say that you are getting hurt by your fortune. What are you doing?,” said Chopra on his Youtube Channel.

Chopra further said that the CSK opener batted well against spin on a tough pitch while Devon Conway struggled at the other end.

"Then Ruturaj hit and scored 60 runs. A tough pitch at the time and he batted very well against spin. I think it's his fourth fifty against this team. Devon Conway was struggling, it was apparent that he wasn't able to bat well, but he managed. He just hangs in there,” he added.

CSK entered record tenth IPL final

Coming back to the match, after a good opening partnership of 87 off 63 balls between Conway (40 off 34) and Gaikwad (60 off 44), cameos from Ajinkya Rahane (17 off 10), Ambati Rayudu (17 off 9), Ravindra Jadeja (22 off 16), and Moeen Ali (9* off 4) took CSK past 170. Mohammed Shami (2/28) and Mohit Sharma (2/31) were the pick of the bowlers for GT.

In reply, GT lost Wriddhiman Saha early in the third over and kept on losing wickets at regular intervals. Shubman Gill tried to hold the innings together with his knock of 42 off 38 but got dismissed in the 13^th over while trying to up the ante. Rashid Khan (30 off 16) tried his best to take his team home with his cameo but his dismissal in the 19^th over drew curtains for Gujarat. As a result, CSK won by 15 runs and entered the IPL final for a record tenth time.