GT vs CSK Qualifier 1 Results

6:32 PM IST That is it from Qualifier 1 but there's still plenty of action left in the 2023 Indian T20 League. Next up is the Eliminator between Mumbai and Lucknow at this very stadium and that game will take place on Wednesday, the 24th of May. That game will begin at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT) with the winner facing Gujarat in Qualifier 2 and the loser getting knocked out of the competition. The build-up for that game though will begin a lot earlier. Do join us then, take care and goodbye!

6:31 PM IST Ruturaj Gaikwad is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his crucial knock of 60 runs in the first innings. Gaikwad says that the last 3-4 games in Chennai have been different from the earlier games where the pitch was more flat and he had to adapt and wait for the bad balls. Adds that both Devon Conway and Faf du Plessis are great players and having these international players at the other end helps him a lot and Conway keeps on scoring which takes the pressure off him. On whether the 60 runs he scored or the catch in took in the outfield was better, he says that the 60 he scored was better because it made a lot of difference and ends by saying that he knew their 'Baby Malinga', aka Matheesha Pathirana would do the job at the death.

6:29 PM IST MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai, says that Indian T20 League is too big to say it is just another final. Adds that with 10 teams now, it just is not another final. Mentions that it is a hard work of 2 months. Says that everyone has contributed and adds that the middle order has not got ample opportunity. Feels that Gujarat are a fantastic chasing team and wanted to put them into bat first. Reckons that it was a good toss to lose. Also says that Ravindra Jadeja is very difficult to hit when he gets conditions that help him. States that they try to create an environment and work out what is the strength of a fast bowler. Adds that they try to motivate them as much as possible. Shares that he can be a very annoying captain, asking fielders to move 2-3 feet. Mentions that he isn't sure if he will be back next year and says that he has 8-9 months to decide. Ends by saying that he will always be there for Chennai, whether he's playing or sitting something else and watching them play.

6:14 PM IST The Presentation ceremony...

6:14 PM IST Deepak Chahar is in for a chat. He starts by informing that everything is okay with him and adds that there is one more game to go. Mentions that they looked to bowl on a length as the ball was sticking in the surface. Shares that it was important not to experiment too much and stick to the basics. Feels that chasing 170 in a semi-final with the crowd against you is difficult. Says that they had spoken in the team meeting that it is all about handling the pressure. Reckons that they have the belief and feel that they have the benefit of having seniors in the team who have played in pressure games.

6:10 PM IST Hardik Pandya, the skipper of Gujarat, says that they were spot on with the ball and adds that basic errors cost them the game. Feels that they conceded 15 runs more. Mentions that they did execute their plans but gave away soft balls as well. Shares that they do not need to look much into it and adds that they have one more game to reach the final. Reckons that they need to focus on things that they have done right. On MS Dhoni, he says that they kept losing wickets and he kept changing the bowlers. Also says that it will be a good sight to meet MS Dhoni in the final. Ends by saying that he does not regret the decision to bowl first and adds that they expected the dew to come but it did not.