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Chennai Super Kings defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 final.
Chasing a target of 171 runs in a rain-curtailed game, Chennai got over the finish line in the last ball.
Ravindra Jadeja emerged as CSK's saviour, scoring 10 runs in the last two deliveries.
After being asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans scored 214/4.
Sai Sudharsan was the Titans' leading run-scorer, accumulating 96 runs in 47 deliveries.
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If Sunday, May 28 was anti-climactic, with rain and thunderstorm playing the most flawless version of hide and seek there is, we have got some positive update for you.
Sun has shone brightly over Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday, 29 May, but come the end of the day, only one of the two participating teams will be shining.
Chennai Super Kings and Gujarat Titans will compete in the final of IPL 2023, albeit a day later than they were initially scheduled to.
Having finished second in the league phase, Chennai took the shorter route to the final by beating Gujarat in Qualifier 1. That being said, Gujarat have won the most number of matches this season, in what proves to be a testament to their consistency.
In a final, more so in the final of the Indian Premier League, past records hold very little significance. Yet, if head-to-head records are anything to go by, Gujarat Titans might have the edge.
These two teams have met on four occasions previously, wherein Hardik Pandya's men have won thrice. Importantly, though, Chennai's solitary win over Gujarat came in IPL 2023's Qualifier 1, just a few days ago.
CSK vs GT Previous Matches:
CSK 172/7, GT 157/10 (23 May, 2023)
CSK 178/7, GT 182/5 in 19.2 overs (31 March, 2023)
CSK 133/3, GT 137/3 in 19.1 overs (15 May, 2022)
CSK 169/5, GT 170/7 in 19.5 overs (17 April, 2022)
Chennai Super Kings will be crediting two of their overseas stars, who were available for cheap at the auction, for their progress to this stage. With the bat. New Zealand's Devon Conway has epitomised reliability, scoring 625 runs at an average of 52.08
As for their bowling, Matheesha Pathirana might not be CSK's leading wicket-taker, but playing the difficult role of a death overs specialist, he certainly has been the most influential. Sri Lanka's Malinga v2.0 has picked up 17 wickets.
Like Rajasthan Royals from IPL 2022, both the orange cap & purple cap belongs to Gujarat Titans players this season, albeit the title is still a step away from to be secured.
Shubman Gill has been, by far, the most impressive batter this season, having scored 851 runs. After Virat Kohli and Jos Buttler, he became the third player to score three or more centuries in a season.
Though they have Rashid Khan in the ranks, Mohammed Shami is currently Gujarat's leading wicket-taker. He has picked up 28 wickets at an economy rate of 7.95 runs per over.
News from the centre – Chennai Super Kings have won the toss and opted to bowl first.
"Pitch has been under cover for a long time, but throughout the tournament, it has behaved well over here. Quite happy that it will be a 20-over game. It serves justice to the tournament like this," said the skipper that won the flip of the coin, MS Dhoni.
"I would've bowled first as well, but my heart wanted to bat so I don't mind losing the toss," Hardik Pandya, the Gujarat Titans skipper said.
There is not much to report on in terms of team news, as both teams have rolled in unchanged playing XIs.
But, there is a slight alteration from CSK's perspective. Playing his last IPL match, Ambati Rayudu has been named on the team instead of the impact subs, despite Chennai fielding first. Shivam Dube has been named among the impact substitutes.
Gujarat Titans, on expected lines, have named Josh Little among the impact subs, with a specialist better expected to make room for him in the second innings.
Before the players get split into two camps, waiting for any fault from the opposition the other to capitalise on, they, alongside everyone in the stadium, are signing the national anthem.
Promising signs for the bowlers!
Deepak Chahar managed to generate considerable swing in the first overs, forcing Gujarat's openers to start on a cautious note. GT are 4/0 after the first over.
Oh no! Look away CSK fans.
Just like Qualifier 2, Shubman Gill has been handed a reprieve early on today as well. Trying to flick a Tushar Deshpande delivery, he ended up finding Deepak Chahar at backward square, but the pacer couldn't hold on to it.
Last time Gill's catch was dropped, the player went on to score a century. Look away, CSK fans.
After two quiet overs, Wriddhiman Saha has decided to switch gears. The GT wicketkeeper-batter takes the attack to Deepak Chahar in the third over, scoring 16 runs.
GT are 24/0 after three overs.
After Wriddhiman Saha, Shubman Gill now gets into the act. Tushar Deshpande concedes 14 runs in his second over, 13 of which came from the youngster's willow.
GT are 38/0 after four overs.
Got to feel for Deepak Chahar here!
He has dropped another chance, this time of Wriddhiman Saha's, and that too, off his own bowling. Certainly, not the standard of fielding CSK would have expected to set in this final.
GT are 49/0 after five overs.
How costly will be the dropped catch be?
The introduction of spin, in the form of Maheesh Theekshana, did not pay dividends as Gill struck three consecutive boundaries in the Sri Lankan's first over.
GT are 62/0 after powerplay.
Electrifying. Exemplary. Exceptional.
Vintage MS Dhoni behind the stumps, as his quick glovework catches Shubman Gill narrowly out of his crease. Reaction time of just 0.12 seconds. Ravindra Jadeja does the trick in only his first over. Huge, huge wicket.
GT are 67/1 after 7 overs.
Now then, the momentum is swinging! After a poor start, Maheesh Theekshana has made a good comeback by conceding only five runs in his second over. Meanwhile, Sai Sudharsan is the new batter in.
GT are 72/1 after 8 overs.
Ravindra Jadeja concedes 8 runs in his second over, four of which came from a Wriddhiman Saha late cut. It is now time for the strategic time-out – first of the four!
Two consecutive impressive overs from Maheesh Theekshana. Only six runs come from his second over, as Sai Sudharsan is certainly struggling to get a move on.
GT are 86/1 after 10 overs.
Following Shubman Gill's dismissal, Wriddhiman Saha has taken the onus on himself to go for the big shots, with Sai taking his time to find rhythm. Courtesy of a boundary, ten runs come from Ravindra Jadeja's third over.
GT are 96/1.
Chennai's death-overs specialist, Matheesha Pathirana has not got the start he would have hoped for. The Sri Lankan youngster concedes 13 runs in his first over.
GT are 109/1 after 12 overs.
FIFTY!
When the chips were down, with Shubman Gill departing at a stage not many would have expected, Wriddhiman Saha has come up trumps for Gujarat Titans. The experienced campaigner, who also has a century in an IPL final, took only 36 deliveries to bring up his half-century.
GT are 124/1 after 13 overs.
WICKET!
MS Dhoni's bowling change has done the trick for Chennai Super Kings. Deepak Chahar is brought back to bowl the 14th over, and after having dropped two catches earlier, the pacer has somewhat redeemed himself by dismissing Wriddhiman Saha.
GT are 131/2 after 14 overs.
Maheesh Theekshana is taken to the cleaners! After conceding only 24 runs in his first three overs, the Sri Lankan spinner gets hit for two big sixes, as Sai Sudharsan is now nearing a half-century.
GT are 143/2 after 15 overs.
CLUTCH!
That's the word you're looking for, to describe this innings by Sai Sudharsan. Coming in to bat after Shubman Gill's departure, the youngster has hardly put a foot wrong. With two boundaries off Matheesha Pathirana's second over, Sudharsan brings up his half-century.
GFT are 153/2 after 16 overs.
Swashbuckling-ly sublime from Sai Sudharsan!
This is exactly the over that Gujarat Titans needed, as Sudharsan took the attack to Tushar Deshpande, striking three boundaries and a maximum. 20 runs come from the over, and now, GT are placed handsomely to breach the 200-run mark.
Score 173/2 after 17 overs.
Target - 215! Steep, steep climb for CSK awaits.
An eventful last over sees Sai Sudharsan striking two sixes off the first two deliveries. That being said, Matheesha Pathirana did make a commendable comeback, picking two wickets and conceding as many runs in the last four deliverues.
Sai Sudharsan narrowly missed out on being only the third batter to score a century in an IPL final, but his 47-ball 96 could, just could, seal the second consecutive title for Gujarat Titans.
Can Chennai Super Kings script history by chasing this target? Second innings await.
Uh, oh! Not the uninvited intruded again.
Rain has delayed the start of the second innings. Don't be too afraid, though. It only seems to be a drizzle that could end very soon.
As predicted, this has been only a short delay. Game on! Big chase ahead for CSK.
Dear me!
Don't blame us for jinxing, but unfortunately, rain has arrived again, and this is heavier than a drizzle. Three deliveries were played, wherein Chennai scored four runs.
It is currently still raining in Ahmedabad, but the broadcasters have delivered a positive update. We still have two hours before we start losing overs.
Hopes, prayers, crossing of fingers, chanting of words in a sequence – whatever works for you, do that.
Okay, we don't want to jinx it, but rain has certainly stopped again in Ahmedabad. Fans are getting back to their seats again, although the covers are still in place.
Covers are coming off! Players are out on the field, and the stage seems set for a resumption.
But, wait! Remember that albeit for only a few minutes, it did rain heavily, and there are a few wet patches on the ground. Super-soppers are out, but it could still take half-an-hour to get the ground completely ready.
News from the officials – there will be a pitch inspection at 10:45pm. Rain has completely stopped, but there seems to be a problem with wet patches on a non-playing pitch. On red soil, it could be tricky to dry the water at a rapid pace.
Right then, umpires are out for inspection. The outfield does look dry, and there seems to be no issue barring one – that wet practice pitch. The water has been drained using sponges (yes, you read that right), whereas the soil has been dried with a layer of saw dust applied over it. Yet, it still looks patchy.
Discussions are happening on multiple areas on the ground. Umpire Nitin Memon is having a lengthy conversation with match referee Javagal Srinath. Gujarat's captain, Hardik Pandya is involved in a chat with Ambati Rayudu.
We should have an update soon.
Okay, we finally have an update – next inspection is at 11:30pm!
The wet practice pitch has certainly not dried up enough to get a game rolling soon, and with the ICC World Test Championship final coming up, players' safety is rightfully prioritised.
The umpires will be out on the field again at 11:30pm. Now, we are getting into the corridoor of losing overs. Saving grace? There is absolutely no sign of rain anymore.
What a final this has been! A Test-T20, perhaps?
Umpires Nitin Menon and Rod Tucker have made their way to the middle again, alongside match referee, Javagal Srinath. The practice pitch is certainly not looking wet now, but at the same time, it must be said that it is not totally dry. Damp could be the correct word to describe it.
Meanwhile, the GT trio of Ashish Nehra, Hardik Pandya and Aashish Kapoor are having a big discussion.
WE WILL HAVE A MATCH!
Ashish Nehra and Hardik Pandya do not look happy, but the Chennai camp could be delighted. We will have a match, with action resuming at 12:10am.
It will be a 15-over game. Revised target and playing conditions coming soon.
The revised target has been delivered – 171 runs in 15 overs. Duckworth, Lewis and Stern have been asked for their service, and they have decided 44 runs for the five curtailed overs.
In terms of bowling conditions, each bowler will now be allowed a maximum of three overs. Powerplay will last for four overs.
We started on 28 May. We are now on 30 May. But, finally, after a thousand impediments, we should have a winner soon. Let's play.
Six runs came from the three remaining deliveries of Mohammed Shami's first over. Equation – 161 runs in 14 overs.
This is looking promising for Chennai Super Kings. Devon Conway has had a good start, as GT skipper Hardik Pandya conceded 14 runs in his first over.
CSK are 24/0 in 2 overs.
Will we see another match-winning knock from an overseas CSK opener? Devon Conway has looked in sublime touch so far, scoring 22 runs in 9 deliveries. Mohammed Shami concedes 11 runs in his second over.
CSK are 35/0 in 3 overs.
Gujarat's trump card, Rashid Khan has not had the effect his team would have hoped for. 17 runs come from his first over, as Chennai Super Kings score 52 runs from the powerplay.
Advantage CSK, surely!
Noor Ahmad has done for Gujarat what his Afghan senior could not. He has effectively halted, be it temporarily, the onslaught from Conway. Only six runs from his first over.
GT are 58/0 after 5 overs.
Devon Conway are taking the game away from Gujarat Titans at a rate of knots. 44 runs in 22 deliveries for the Kiwi, as Josh Little concedes 14 runs in his first over.
CSK are 72/0 after six overs. Time for a strategic timeout, and Gujarat certainly need one.
WHAT. AN. OVER.
Take a bow, Noor Ahmad, you have brought Gujarat back into the game when the experienced bowlers couldn't. After a good first over, the young Afghan spinner has produced a magical second over, dismissing both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway.
CSK are 78/2 after 7 overs.
Wow! What a match this is turning out to be.
Just when it seemed the title is for GT to lose, Ajinkya Rahane has tipped the scales in CSK's favour again, by hitting two sublime sixes off Josh Little's bowling.
CSK are 94/2 after 8 overs.
Majestic from Noor Ahmad!
Boundaries are coming a dime a dozen in this match, but the Afghan spinner has leaked all but 17 runs in his three-over spell. Just five runs come from his last over.
CSK are 99/2 after 9 overs.
Not many would have expected Ajinkya Rahane to be a match-winner in the final before the season commenced, but the veteran batter could just prove to be exactly that for Chennai Super Kings. Courtesy of his two boundaries, 13 runs come from Rashid Khan's second over.
CSK are 112/2 after 10 overs.
WICKET!
Another twist in the tale. Ajinkya Rahane, who has looking in sublime touch, has been forced to take the long walk back to the pavilion. Mohit Sharma has struck gold in only his first over.
GT are 118/3 in 11 overs.
Oh dear! Is this the same Rashid Khan we have seen all along? The Afghan wonder has been taken to the cleaners by Shivam Dube, conceding two sixes in his last two deliveries. Advantage CSK once again.
Score – 133/3 in 12 overs. Equation – 38 runs in 3 overs.
Mohammed Shami could not have done a better job in the all-important penultimate over. Only eight runs, and could have been six had Noor Ahmad taken Ravindra Jadeja's catch in the last ball.
13 runs. 6 balls.
First ball – Dot. 13 runs in 5 balls.
Second ball – Single. 12 runs in 4 balls.
Third ball – Single. 11 runs in 3 balls.
Fourth ball – Single. 10 runs in 2 balls.
Fifth ball – SIX! 4 runs in 1 ball.
Nerves. Nerves. Tamil Nadu's Sai Sudharsan was Gujarat's star. Now, a Gujarati in Ravindra Jadeja can be Chennai's hero.
Last ball – FOUR! Jadeja the hero.
STOP THE PRESS! MS DHONI IS A FIVE-TIME IPL-WINNING SKIPPER!
Ravindra Jadeja is Chennai's hero. Fans in the stadium and across the world, those who have waited for over 30 hours, could not have asked for a better end to the tournament.
10 runs needed from 2 balls, and Jadeja came up trumps with a six and a four. Spare a thought for Mohit Sharma though, for bar those two deliveries, he did not put a foot wrong this season.
2010. 2011. 2018. 2021. 2023.
Five years, five titles, one team and one skipper. Gujarat has been painted in yellow, or perhaps, the entire country has been. MS Dhoni's team has now won five titles, and this one could be the most special of the lot, given how they overcame innumerable difficulties.
What an extraordinary tournament this has been!
The moment everyone has been waiting for – MS Dhoni's speech. Is this it? Will we see him on the 22 yards as a player, ever again? We might find out very shortly.
We have an answer from the man himself! Well, somewhat of an answer, at least.
"This is the best time to announce my retirement. But considering the amount of love I have received all over, the easy thing would be to walk away from here, and the harder thing would be working hard for nine months and try to play another IPL. It will not be easy on the body, but it will be my gift (to the fans). The first game, everyone was chanting my name. My eyes were full of water, I needed to take some time off in the dugout. I realised I need to enjoy this," Dhoni said.
And, folks, that's it. Another season of Dhoni, and no retirement for now. Calling the curtains now, thanks for being with us for over 32 hours now.