IPL 2023 Final: Ravindra Jadeja clinches CSK’s 5th IPL title
Chennai Super Kings clinched their fifth IPL title as they defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets in the IPL 2023 final on Tuesday, May 30 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After being put in to bat first, GT posted a massive total of 214/4 in the first innings. The mammoth score was stuck with the help of a scintillating knock from Sai Sudharsan (96 off 47). In reply, CSK managed to chase down the revised target of 171 in 15 overs and registered a thrilling win.
Earlier, after being put in to bat first, GT got off to a flying start. Openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha added 67 runs for the first wicket in 42 balls. Jadeja and Dhoni broke their partnership after stumping Gill in the seventh over. Following Gill’s dismissal, Saha carried the innings forward and brought up a splendid fifty scoring 54 off 39 balls.
However, it was Sai Sudharsan who stole the limelight with his breathtaking innings of 96 off 47 balls. The 21-year-old smacked eight fours and six sixes in his innings and registered the third-highest score in an IPL final. Courtesy of his innings, he also guided GT to the highest score in an IPL final i.e 214/4.
In reply, Chennai got off to a great start. Ruturaj Gaikwad (26 off 16) and Devon Conway (47 off 25) added 74 runs for the first wicket. After an incredible start for CSK, Noor Ahmad brought his side back into the game. He dismissed both the openers in the seventh over.
Ajinkya Rahane came out all guns blazing and played a breathtaking cameo of 27 off 13 balls, clobbering two fours and two sixes to turn the tide in CSK’s favour. His dismissal in the 11th over against Mohit Sharma threw the game wide open.
Ambati Rayudu’s assault (19 off 8) against Mohit Sharma in the 13th over threw the ball in CSK’s court. The seamer replied back by dismissing Rayudu and MS Dhoni (0 off 1) off consecutive deliveries. The equation further came down to 10 needed off the last two balls. Mohit Sharma then conceded just three runs in the first four balls of the over.
Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the hero for CSK as he first smacked a six on the penultimate ball. The southpaw followed it with a four down the leg side to seal the deal for CSK.
Top Performers of the Match
Sai Sudharsan: The 21-year-old registered the third-highest score in the history of the IPL final playing a magnificent knock of 96 off 47 balls with the help of eight fours and six sixes in his innings.
Noor Ahmad: On a day when all the bowlers from both teams were taken to the cleaners, the left-arm spinner bowled a magnificent spell of 2/17 in three overs. The Afghan brought GT back into the game by dismissing both CSK openers.
