HIGHLIGHTS | IPL 2023, CSK vs LSG: Chennai beat Lucknow in high-scorer

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CSK bowlers restrict LSG for 205 for 7. After a blazing start by the LSG openers, it was looking like Chennai will lose another game. However, Moeen Ali (4 for 26) stood tall to bring his side back into the contest before Tushar Deshpande, who bowled an 11-ball over earlier, also chipped in with regular scalps -- despite still going for some runs -- to take CSK to a 12-run win in a high-scorer at Chepauk.

For LSG, Kyle Mayers' 53 and contributions from Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Ayush Badoni, Mark Wood and Krishnappa Gowtham took them to 205 for 7 but fell short by 12 runs. CSK get two vital points but still have plenty to work at in their bowling.

Goodnight folks! Join us back for more interesting games from the ongoing IPL 2023 edition.

After Moeen's 4-fer, Jadeja came into the attack very late in the run-chase whereas Tushar Deshpande removed danger man Nicholas Pooran. However, another poor over from Deepak Chahar has kept the match alive as Lucknow need 44 off 18 balls. 

CSK's pacers and some fielding efforts have not been good, to say the least. The equation is very much gettable. Will LSG pull off a heist after losing big guns Stoinis, Pooran, etc?

Moeen Ali has used the pace of the ball judiciously and inviting the batters to go for the big hits towards the longer side of the boundary. As a result, LSG lose Krunal Pandya as well to be tottering at 105 for 4 after 10 overs. 

LSG need 113 off 60 balls with LSG's hopes pinned on Marcus Stoinis and Nicholas Pooran. 

Chennai are on the mat with some dismal bowling from Deepak Chahar and Impact Player Tushar Deshpande. Tushar bowled an 11-ball over, conceding 18 runs, and Chahar has already gone for 37 in his first three overs. 

Only CSK spinners can bring them back into the contest as the required rate is already under ten for KL Rahul & Co. LSG 73 for no loss in 4 overs.

In pursuit of 218, LSG openers KL Rahul and Kyle Mayers are off to a solid start. They are 38 for no loss after three overs and have taken charge against Deepak Chahar and Ben Stokes. CSK's bowling isn't their strong point and LSG have enough batters who can make a match out of this.

The game isn't over by any means. What does mastermind MS Dhoni have in mind after LSG's blazing start?

After the platform was set by Ruturaj Gaikwad (57) and Devon Conway (47), CSK kept going hard with some big hits from Shivam Dube, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu whereas skipper MS Dhoni also joined in to smash two big sixes and take the Yellow Army to 217 for 7.

An excellent batting display from the home side. Can they defend the total and get their first points for the season?

CSK have crossed the 200-run mark with an over to spare. Ambati Rayudu -- after fireworks from Shivam Dube and Moeen Ali -- has taken CSK past the 200-run mark. Only Stokes, one of the costliest buys of IPL 2023, failed once again but Chennai are going well and will aim to near the 220-run mark in the last six balls.

After a bright start, CSK have slowed down a bit courtesy of LSG's Ravi Bishnoi. Dube, who failed to get going in the season opener, has now started to free his arms after another poor start. Meanwhile, Moeen has been outfoxed by Bishnoi but still remains in the middle as CSK eye a big score.

LSG leggie takes out Ruturaj Gaikwad on his very first ball and breaks the 110-run opening stand. CSK, however, are well ahead with 114 on board and 9 wickets in hands at half-way mark.

Ruturaj Gaikwad hits second consecutive fifty, this time in 25 balls as Chennai go past 100 in just 8 overs.

Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway on song as CSK notch up 79 in powerplay. 

Avesh Khan's over goes for 17 runs as CSK make merry of his wayward lines and get on with scoring rate.

Kyle Mayers took the new ball for LSG as Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway play the first over with respect.

1 Devon Conway, 2 Ruturaj Gaikwad, 3 Moeen Ali, 4 Ben Stokes, 5 Ambati Rayudu, 6 Shivam Dube, 7 Ravindra Jadeja, 8 MS Dhoni (capt/wk), 9 Mitchell Santner, 10 Deepak Chahar, 11 Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

1 KL Rahul (capt.), 2 Kyle Mayers, 3 Deepak Hooda, 4 Krunal Pandya, 5 Marcus Stoinis, 6 Nicholas Pooran (wk), 7 Ayush Badoni, 8 Avesh Khan, 9 Ravi Bishnoi, 10 Yash Thakur, 11 Mark Wood.

Dhoni & Co. will be on an emotional high as they return to Chepauk after a long gap of four years. They have a win percentage of 79.17 but have a herculean task to stop a rampant and well-oiled LSG franchise on Monday evening as they look for their first points of the season.

Who will triumph? Only time will tell...