CSK vs LSG: MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings secure maiden win of IPL 2023, beat Lucknow by 12 runs

Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, and Moeen Ali starred for Chennai Super Kings to help team post a 12-run win over Luckw Super Giants at ir fortress -- M A Chidambaram stadium -- in ir opening home match of ongoing IPL here on Monday.

Gaikwad slammed his second successive fifty and shared 110 runs for opening wicket with Conway (47 off 29) as CSK posted a commanding 217 for 7 after being sent into bat.

Gaikwad, after his 92 in opening game, smashed 57 off 31 with three fours and four sixes. Conway, who hit five boundaries and two hits over fence, gave him good support.

And n Moeen Ali returned with fine figures of 4 for 26 from his overs to help CSK restict LSG to 205 for seven.

Late hitting by Nicholas Pooran (32 off 18 balls, 2x4s, 3x6s) and a furious opening assault by his fellow West Indian Kyle Mayers (53 off 22 balls, 8x4s, 2x6s) went in vain for LSG.

CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni, back on home turf, made judicious use of slow bowlers to ensure team's first win in this year's IPL.

Veteran Moeen Ali accounted for wickets of Mayers, LSG skipper K L Rahul, Krunal Pandya and Marcus Stoinis (21) to derail LSG's chase.

Pace bowlers Deepak Chahar (4-0-55-0) and Tushar Deshpande (4-0-45-2), who came in for Ambati Rayudu as Impact Player, bowled three wides and two -balls in his opening over, in which he conceded 18 runs, disappointed.

flamboyant Mayers and Rahul raised team 50 in fourth over.

Poor bowling by Chahar, Deshpande and Ben Stokes (1-0-18-0) didn't help CSK's cause as y leaked runs in powerplay as LSG batters posted a strong riposte in pursuit of 218.

Mayers hit a second consecutive fifty to provide LSG a flying start even as Rahul played second fiddle. Having reached 79 in just 5.2 overs, Mayers fell against run of play, attempting a big hit off Moeen Ali only to be caught in deep by Conway.

LSG lost Deepak Hooda (2) and Rahul (20), both going for big shots, quickly to slip to 82 for 3 as Ali and Mitchell Santner got into act.

Earlier, Dhoni smacked a 89-metre six and ar to send adoring Chepauk crowd into raptures.

A delirious crowd had ir glimpse of 'Thala' (Dhoni) as he carted two big sixes before being dismissed going for a third off Mark Wood's bowling for 12 off 3 balls. iconic CSK captain completed 5,000 runs in IPL during his brief kck.

After initial blitz by Gaikwad (57 off 37 balls, 3x4s, 4x6s) and Conway (47 off 29 balls, 5x4s, 2x6s), re were valuable contributions from Shivam Dube (27 off 16 balls, 1x4, 3x6s) and Ali (19).

Ambati Rayudu hit two sixes and an equal number of fours in his 14-ball 27 which slipped under radar due to Dhoni's pyrotechnics.

Wood, who picked up five wickets in LSG's demolition of Delhi Capitals on Sunday, was t as effective and finished with 3 for 49 from his 4 overs.

LSG mand to put brakes on free-scoring CSK batters, thanks to a splendid spell by leg-spinner Ravi Bishi (3 for 28 in 4 overs) in middle overs.

Sent in to bat, Gaikwad and Conway creamed 79 runs in first six overs taking full advant of fielding restrictions.

stylish Gaikwad continued his form from season opener where he hammered 92 and in New Zealand left-hander's company brought up team's 100 in eighth over.

Gaikwad made batting look so easy as he effortlessly lofted three sixes in Krishnappa Gowtham's opening over (5th of innings). He continued to pile on runs and a flick for a six off Wood underlined supreme form he is in.

CSK openers were on a roll and brought up 100 in eighth over as LSG bowlers appeared clueless. 

Im: BCCI