Sri Lankan pace-spin combination of Matheesha Pathirana and Maheesh Theekshana shared four wickets between them as Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Gujarat Titans by 15 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL) Qualifier-1 match played at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chepauk, Chennai on Tuesday.

Mystery spinner Theekshana captured two wickets for 28 and slinger Pathirana picked up two wickets for 37 as Gujarat were bowled out for 157, for the first time in the IPL history, in the last ball of the innings after they were set a challenging target of 173 runs.

CSK’s success had a great amount of significance as they were able to reach a record-extending 10th IPL final having last reached the final in the 2021 season, where they lifted their fourth title after beating Kolkata Knight Riders in the final played in Dubai, UAE.

Off-spinner Theekshana was introduced into the attack as early as in the sixth over of the innings and the 22-year-old struck with his fifth delivery to remove the Gujarat Captain Hardick Pandya for eight runs. Pandya was forced to go over the infield because it was so packed, but the 29-year-old right-hander miscued the cut and Ravindra Jadeja took a good catch fielding at point.

Dasun Shanaka was promoted in the batting order by Gujarat to target his fellow countryman Theekshana, which he did to a certain extent by hoisting the bowler for a maximum in the 10th over.

However, Theekshana had the last laugh when he caught his Sri Lankan Skipper at short third-man in the next over, trying to reverse sweep Jadeja after having played out two dot balls earlier.

Theekshana was in the limelight once again as he cleaned up Rahul Tewatia with a 103kph delivery to leave Gujarat struggling at 98 for six in the 15th over.

Rashid Khan joined Vijay Shankar and the pair set about repairing the damage with a determined seventh wicket stand before Pathirana brought an end to this threatening partnership with a full-length delivery. Pathirana then added the finishing touches by sending back last man Mohammed Shami to bring his wicket-tally to 17 this IPL season at an economy rate of 7.72.

Earlier, Player of the Match Ruturaj Gaikwad starred with the bat as he hit a flamboyant 60 from 44 balls inclusive of one six and seven boundaries to lay the platform for CSK after they were put into bat.

Ambati Rayudu (17) and Ravindra Jadeja (22) then played brisk knocks to provide crucial late flourish and take CSK to a competitive 172 for seven from their 20 overs.

Chief scores

Chennai Super Kings: 172/7 in 20 overs (Ruturaj Gaikwad 60, Devon Conway 40, Ravindra Jadeja 22, Mohammed Shami 2/28, Mohit Sharma 2/31)

Gujarat Titans: 157 in 20 overs (Shubman Gill 42, Rashid Khan 30, Deepak Chahar 2/29, Maheesh Theekshana 2/28, Ravindra Jadeja 2/18, Matheesha Pathirana 2/37). C.D.