WATCH: Camera catches emotions of Sakshi and Ziva Dhoni along with fans as CSK qualified for IPL 2023 Final

Sakshi and Ziva Dhoni (Source: Twitter)

Chennai Super Kings (CSK) booked flight tickets to Ahmedabad on Tuesday (May 23) after beating Gujarat Titans (GT) by 15 runs in Qualifier 1 of Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. The four-time champions had a terrible outing last season, finishing second last in the points table. But, true to their captain's words, 'will come back stronger next year', they responded with a dominant campaign in the 2023 season, reaching their 10th final - the most by any team.

If rumours are to be believed, this might be MS Dhoni's last IPL season as a player, and for the same reason, the Chepauk stands were packed with the 'Yellow Army' as they have been throughout the season. Although CSK fans didn't get to see those towering sixes from Dhoni's bat, they did witness some captaincy brilliance that proved a 172-run target was plenty to defend against a team with a better record in the chase.

CSK's openers once again provide a solid start

Asked to bat first, the CSK openers got off to another good start, with Ruturaj Gaikwad (60 off 44) aggressive in scoring. The 87-run partnership was broken when Mohit Sharma got rid of the right-handed batter in the 11th over. They kept losing wickets after that but some handy contributions from Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu and Ravindra Jadeja took them to a respectable total.

In reply, CSK pacer Deepak Chahar removed Wriddhiman Saha early, but Shubman Gill looked promising at one end. However, wickets kept falling at the other end and Chahar once again provided a breakthrough by dismissing GT's backbone Gill (42 off 38 balls) in the 14th over. CSK smelled their victory from there but the dangerous Rashid Khan was still out there, hitting boundaries. However, a master plan by Dhoni ended his 30-run knock and ensured CSK's victory.

With 27 runs needed off the final over and one wicket in hand, Matheesha Pathirana bowled out GT for 157 by sending back Mohammed Shami in the final ball of the innings. The crowd went berserk, and the cameraman quickly turned the focus to the Chepauk stands, framing Dhoni's wife and daughter as well as fans. Emotions ran high as a sea of ​​'yellow' surged through the Chepauk stands.

Watch the video here: 

The emotions of Sakshi and Ziva with fans when CSK qualified for IPL 2023 Final.

Video of the day! pic.twitter.com/UUUVZpV1w0

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) May 24, 2023