A commanding display with the ball helped Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to beat Gujarat Titans (GT) by 15 runs in qualifier 1 on Tuesday. CSK became the first team to qualify for the IPL final with a comprehensive win over the defending champions. GT batters failed to build good partnerships as CSK bowlers produced a disciplined and brilliant performance to pick up regular wickets. CSK bundled out GT for 157 runs chasing a target of 173. CSK, the most successful team in IPL history, will play its 10th final on Sunday.

Earlier, Darshan Nalkande stunned and silenced the Yellow Army by dismissing Ruturaj Gaikwad for a duck in the second over. But the home crowd roared back when the umpire confirmed that it was a no-ball. Gaikwad, who top-scored a brilliant 60, then started his innings by hitting a six and a classy four. Gaikwad and Devon Conway added 87 runs for the first wicket before Mohit Sharma removed the former.

Notable contributions from Conway (40), Ambati Rayudu (17), and Ravindra Jadeja (22) kept the scoreboard ticking for CSK. The whole stadium was once again silenced when MS Dhoni walked back after scoring just 1. Moeen Ali finished with a fine six, helping CSK to reach a challenging total of 172/7 in 20 overs.

In response though, GT hardly got any momentum at any stage of their chase. All their big guns fell without making much of a dent. Shubman Gill, who is in red-hot form, was kept silent by the CSK bowlers. He ended up falling for 42 off 38 balls. CSK bowlers kept taking wickets at crucial moments. But Rashid Khan came in and smashed 30 off 16 balls to give his side a glimmer of hope. However, CSK bowlers held their nerves to clinch a victory.