When PBKS seemed like they were losing hope, it was two lesser-known Indian players, Ashutosh Sharma (scoring 31 runs off 17 balls) and Shashank Singh (making 61 runs off 29 balls), who turned things around and led their team to victory.

Ashutosh Sharma, who wasn’t a big name before, showed an amazing performance for PBKS in this game.

The match, held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, had the Kings chasing a big target of 200 runs. There was a time when winning looked almost impossible, but Sharma and Shashank changed the course of the game.

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Who is Ashutosh Sharma?

Born in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, Ashutosh had his fair share of challenges along the way to where he is now.

Leaving his family behind at just ten years old to chase his cricket dream in Indore was tough. He faced setbacks that would have discouraged many, but he kept going. His early sacrifices laid the foundation for a story of resilience that would inspire many.

Ashutosh started making waves in professional cricket when he joined the state U16 team in 2012. Later on, he represented Madhya Pradesh in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy.

Despite playing an impressive innings of 84 runs against Pondicherry, he faced a setback in 2020 when he was unexpectedly dropped from the team. However, he didn’t give up. In 2023, he started anew with Railways and made headlines by scoring the fastest T20 fifty by an Indian. This caught the attention of selectors and fans alike.

Now, starting his IPL journey with a bang, Ashutosh proved his worth with a crucial knock of 31 runs off just 17 balls against GT. His innings, which included three fours and a six, not only brought his team back into the game but also set the stage for an exciting finish. In the end, PBKS clinched a memorable victory by three wickets.

Shami’s absence from the IPL is part of his recovery process, with plans for his return during the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Unfortunately, this also means he’ll miss the T20 World Cup scheduled for June, jointly hosted by the West Indies and the USA.

Mohit Sharma, who formerly played for CSK and has been with the Titans since 2022, expressed understanding about the challenges of integrating new players like Spencer Johnson and Azmatullah Omarzai into the team. He stressed the importance of patience and not being overly fixated on immediate results.

Reflecting on the match, Mohit Sharma highlighted CSK’s strong batting performance, particularly during the powerplay overs, which set the stage for their imposing total of 206 runs. He admitted that the Titans struggled to execute their bowling plans effectively, allowing CSK’s batsmen to score freely.

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Despite the loss,Mohit Sharma credited CSK’s bowlers for their skillful performance in restricting the Titans to 143/8. He emphasized the importance of bowlers possessing a variety of strategies and executing them effectively.

While acknowledging the pressure of chasing a target like 206, Sharma also noted the Titans’ early losses of wickets, which disrupted their momentum and prevented them from building partnerships. Ultimately, he praised CSK’s bowlers for their precision and acknowledged that the Titans fell short in their run chase due to a combination of factors, including CSK’s strong bowling and the Titans’ inability to accelerate the run rate.

In conclusion, Sharma emphasized the need for the Titans to learn from their mistakes, regroup, and approach future matches with renewed focus and determination.

Facing a tough challenge against Rashid Khan in the final overs, Rizvi showed his talent by hitting two big sixes off three deliveries. Even Dhoni, who was geared up to bat, seemed pleased, earning cheers from the crowd.

Sameer Rizvi, who was bought for a hefty sum of 8.4 crores in the auction, had attracted attention from both CSK and GT due to his strong performance in the UPT20 league, where he scored 455 runs in nine innings, including two centuries.

In the quarter-finals of the CK Nayudu Trophy, representing Uttar Pradesh, Rizvi showcased his ability by scoring 312 runs off just 266 balls, with an impressive tally of boundaries and sixes.

Watch here Sameer Rizvi hitting two sixes against Rashid Khan :

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Although, Rizvi’s contribution proved crucial as it helped propel the home side past the 200-run mark, with Shivam Dube also making a significant impact with his half-century, supported by solid performances from the opening duo of Rachin Ravindra and skipper Ruturaj Gaikwad, who both notched up 46 runs apiece.

The Chennai Super Kings management will undoubtedly be delighted with the power-hitting prowess displayed by the young prodigy. As they look to groom a successor to the pivotal role of finisher, currently occupied by the illustrious MS Dhoni, who may be nearing the twilight of his illustrious career, Rizvi’s promising start bodes well for the franchise’s future prospects.

CSK, after winning the toss, chose to bat. Players like Rachin Ravindra, Ruturaj Gaikwad, and Shivam Dube contributed to CSK’s total of 206/6. GT needed to chase 207 runs in their innings.

In this season’s match between CSK and GT, there have been changes since last year. Hardik Pandya, who led GT previously, has moved to Mumbai Indians. Meanwhile, MS Dhoni, the legendary captain of CSK, has stepped down from captaincy.

The match between CSK vs GT is happening at the MA Chidambaram stadium in Chennai. It will be broadcasted on Star Sports and available for streaming on Jio Cinema from 7:30 PM IST onwards.

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Both CSK and GT have won their first matches this season. CSK, being in their home ground, has an advantage. They have also beaten GT twice at this venue last year.

CSK recently defeated Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the tournament opener. Although no player scored a 50, they successfully chased RCB’s score of 173.

GT also won their first match against Mumbai Indians. They showcased strong bowling performances from players like Sai Kishore and Rashid Khan, along with good batting from Azmatullah Omarzai.

In their previous encounters, GT has won three out of five matches against CSK. However, CSK has a strong record at the Chepauk stadium, winning 46 out of 65 matches played there.

The match CSK vs GT starts at 7:30 PM IST.

Chennai Super Kings are kicking off a new chapter with Ruturaj Gaikwad taking over as captain, succeeding MS Dhoni. It was quite a surprise when Dhoni handed over the reins to the young player for the Indian Premier League 2024 season. Their first match went well as they triumphed over Royal Challengers Bengaluru, showcasing the prowess of the five-time champions.

Daryl Mitchell, a recent addition to the team through the auction, expressed his satisfaction with Gaikwad’s leadership. He praised Gaikwad for his exceptional batting skills and his ability to lead by example. Mitchell compared Gaikwad’s captaincy style to that of MS Dhoni, highlighting his cool-headedness and his knack for keeping the team composed under pressure.

Gaikwad isn’t a stranger to leadership roles, having captained Maharashtra in domestic cricket. Dhoni’s choice of Gaikwad as his successor comes after an unsuccessful stint with all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja as CSK’s skipper in 2022.

“CSK fans are passionate and love their franchise”: Daryl Mitchell 

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The cricketer from New Zealand hasn’t experienced supportive fans like those in Chennai before. He felt glad to see how the crowd cheered for the team in Chennai. “The fans here are amazing. They support us no matter what’s happening on the field. I feel lucky to play in Chennai. It feels good to do well here,” he said.

CSK are looking for a second win in IPL 2024

The team that won last year is playing their second game against Gujarat Titans. They really want to keep their winning streak going in this 17th season. Chennai has been really strong when they play at home, especially because the pitches here support their spin bowlers. So, beating them isn’t going to be a walk in the park for anyone.