Chennai Super Kings Clinch Fifth IPL Title, Matching Mumbai’s Record

In a thrilling showdown against the Gujarat Titans, Ravindra Jadeja’s powerful hitting in the final moments secured victory for the Chennai Super Kings, granting them their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) championship—tying with the Mumbai Indians’ record.

With the match extended to a reserve day in Ahmedabad due to rain, Chennai successfully chased down their revised target of 171 runs in 15 overs, comfortably clinching the win with five wickets to spare. New Zealand’s Devon Conway led the charge with an impressive 47 off just 25 balls, supported by valuable contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (27) and Shivam Dube (unbeaten at 32). However, it was Jadeja’s heroics that ultimately stole the show.

Heading into the final over, Chennai needed 13 runs for victory. Mohit Sharma bowled four excellent deliveries, increasing the pressure. Nevertheless, Jadeja remained composed and unleashed a six and a four off the last two balls, sealing the triumph and igniting exuberant celebrations at the world’s largest cricket stadium.

This victory marked Chennai’s fifth IPL title, allowing them to equal Mumbai’s impressive record. Throughout the season, Chennai’s captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni continued to captivate large crowds in every match. In the final, over 80,000 fans rallied behind the veteran cricketer, who hinted that he would make a decision regarding his future later in the year.

Unfortunately, Dhoni’s personal performance in the final was short-lived, as he was dismissed for a first-ball duck, leaving the crowd stunned. However, in his tenth appearance in the IPL final as Chennai’s captain, he had the last laugh.

The match was briefly interrupted by rain when Chennai had just scored four runs without any loss after three balls. Following a 15-minute downpour, the ground staff worked tirelessly for over two hours to prepare the field for play, ensuring a thrilling conclusion.

Earlier in the match, Gujarat’s Sai Sudharsan played a scintillating innings, smashing 96 runs off 47 balls. Last year’s debut champions in the IPL, Gujarat had an exceptional season, topping the table. Shubman Gill, in top form after his third century of the season in the playoffs, contributed a quickfire 39 runs. However, he received a lucky break when Deepak Chahar dropped a straightforward catch off Tushar Deshpande’s delivery. Gill capitalized on the opportunity, hitting three consecutive boundaries in the next over, before eventually falling victim to Jadeja’s excellent glovework.

Wriddhiman Saha, Gujarat’s opening partner, also played a pivotal role, scoring 54 runs and forming a solid 64-run partnership with Sudharsan, who assumed responsibility after Saha’s departure.

CSK secures another championship title! In a rain-shortened match reduced to 15 overs, CSK’s opening duo of Ruturaj and Devon Conway provided a solid start once again. Conway displayed his aggression early on, taking on Shami and Hardik during the powerplay. The introduction of Noor Ahmad brought breakthroughs for the opposing team, as he dismissed both openers in the same over. The scoring rate seemed to slow down, but then Ajinkya Rahane took the stage and struck two magnificent sixes off Josh Little. He followed it up with two boundaries against Rashid, while his partner Dube struggled with his timing. However, Dube found his rhythm in the final over by Rashid Khan, hitting two crucial sixes and bringing CSK back into the contest. Rayudu emerged as the next hero for CSK, successfully reading Mohit Sharma’s slower deliveries and dispatching them over the boundary ropes. After Rayudu’s dismissal, Dhoni departed on the first ball he faced. In the ultimate over, Mohit Sharma executed almost perfect yorkers. But it was Sir Jadeja who had the last laugh, sealing the victory for CSK with a six and a four, forever etching his name in CSK folklore.

IPL 2023: Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans Final – A Look at the Highlights and Disappointments

The 16th edition of the Indian Premier League is reaching its conclusion as Chennai Super Kings aim to secure their record-equalling fifth title against defending champions Gujarat Titans.

Originally scheduled for Sunday, the final was postponed to the reserve day due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in Ahmedabad.

Let’s take a closer look at the standout moments and disappointments from the 2023 season in the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament.

Gill Shines Bright

Shubman Gill, previously criticized for his slow approach in T20 cricket, has transformed himself across formats. In this IPL, he emerged as the top scorer with 851 runs and counting, as he is set to play in the final. Gill’s three centuries, including a match-winning 129 off 60 balls against Mumbai, have garnered praise from former Indian captain Kapil Dev. However, Dev suggests giving Gill another season before making grand comparisons to legends like Sunil Gavaskar, Sachin Tendulkar, and Virat Kohli.

Baby Malinga’s Impact

Sri Lanka’s Matheesha Pathirana excelled during the tournament, taking 17 wickets for Chennai Super Kings. With a slinging action reminiscent of his hero Lasith Malinga, he showcased a knack for bowling yorkers. Pathirana, dubbed “Baby Malinga,” made his mark as a key player in Chennai’s death bowling. Captain M.S. Dhoni hailed the 20-year-old as “special.”

Rinku Singh, the Chase-master

Kolkata Knight Riders batsman Rinku Singh became an overnight sensation with his match-winning display, hitting five sixes off the final five balls in an incredible chase against Gujarat. His unbeaten 21-ball 48 was no fluke, as he registered four half-centuries and mastered the art of finishing games. Despite his impressive performances, Kolkata failed to qualify for the playoffs.

Curran’s Underwhelming Season

England’s World Cup-winning all-rounder Sam Curran failed to live up to expectations after Punjab Kings splurged $2.23 million on him, making him the most expensive buy in IPL history. With 276 runs and 10 wickets, Curran’s performances were lackluster, contributing to Punjab’s disappointing eighth-place finish. Former Indian opener Virender Sehwag criticized the investment, questioning Curran’s impact on the team.

Unimpressive Shaw

Delhi Capitals opener Prithvi Shaw, once compared to Sachin Tendulkar, endured a forgettable season with only 106 runs in eight matches. Struggling against quality seam bowling, Shaw lost his place in the XI midway through the tournament. Coach Ricky Ponting acknowledged the 23-year-old’s failure to live up to expectations, mirroring Delhi’s disappointing campaign, which saw them finish ninth in the table.

Brook’s Mixed Performance

England’s Harry Brook, despite scoring the first century of the season, failed to make a significant impact. Signed by Sunrisers Hyderabad for $1.6 million, Brook managed only 90 runs in 10 matches, excluding his unbeaten century against Kolkata. Hyderabad dropped the 24-year-old for three matches, but their overall performance left them with the wooden spoon in the 10-team table. Brook’s post-century comments on social media were met with backlash from Indian trolls.

IPL Final Rescheduled to Reserve Day as Rain Disrupts Clash Between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings. Unforeseen heavy rain and thunderstorms in Ahmedabad on Sunday have compelled the Indian Premier League final between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings to be moved to a reserve day, marking the first time such a shift has occurred in the history of the tournament.

The downpour started 35 minutes before the toss and continued for over two hours and 40 minutes, raising hopes that the game could commence at the grandest cricket stadium in the world.

However, a second wave of rainfall thwarted any chances of play, leading to disappointment among the thousands of fans seeking shelter in the covered sections of the colossal 132,000-seater stadium.

As officials called off the day’s play, the waterlogged ground presented a disheartening sight, and a message displayed on the giant screen urged fans to “please keep your physical tickets safe!”

The IPL final will now take place on Monday, marking the tournament’s first-ever utilization of a reserve day in its 16-year history.

The weather department in Ahmedabad has forecasted a slim (10 percent) chance of evening rain on Monday as well.

This match holds significant meaning as it is widely believed to be the last for Chennai’s captain, M. S. Dhoni, who has garnered immense admiration throughout his illustrious career. Fans arrived in large numbers wearing the yellow jersey, synonymous with the legendary cricketer.

Chennai Super Kings will be vying for a record-equalling fifth title, aiming to match the accomplishments of IPL powerhouse Mumbai Indians, led by the versatile Indian captain Rohit Sharma.

Dhoni has successfully led his team to their 10th IPL final, boasting four championship victories and five runner-up finishes.

Gujarat Titans, under the captaincy of Hardik Pandya, have continued their remarkable journey, which began with a title triumph in their debut season at the same venue last year.

Since its inception in 2008, the T20 competition has evolved into the world’s most lucrative cricket tournament, generating substantial revenue for the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The IPL 2023 season is set to conclude with a thrilling showdown that mirrors its opening match. The grand finale will take place at the prestigious Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and the Gujarat Titans (GT) will once again face off. Despite being Gujarat’s home ground, it will be fascinating to observe the level of support each team receives from the passionate crowd.

Based on past observations, the stadium is expected to be dominated by a sea of yellow, symbolizing the ardent CSK fans. A victory for CSK tonight would secure their fifth IPL title, while Gujarat will be determined to clinch their second title after their triumph in the previous edition.

The four teams that successfully reached the playoffs in the IPL were Chennai Super Kings, Gujarat Titans, Mumbai Indians, and Lucknow Super Giants.

In the playoffs, Chennai Super Kings triumphed over Gujarat Titans to secure a place in the finals.

Subsequently, Mumbai Indians defeated Lucknow Super Giants, setting up a clash with Gujarat Titans for the final spot.

Gujarat Titans showcased an exceptional batting performance, led by the in-form Shubman Gill who scored a magnificent century. Their impressive batting display resulted in a massive total of 233/3 on the scoreboard, ultimately leading them to a convincing victory by 62 runs.

Injury Concerns for Gujarat Titans Ahead of Crucial MI Clash. Ahead of their crucial clash against the Mumbai Indians on Friday (May 26), the Gujarat Titans are grappling with injury concerns. The two teams are set to face off in Qualifier 2 of IPL 2023 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

While the Gujarat Titans suffered a defeat by 15 runs against the Chennai Super Kings in the first qualifier, the Mumbai Indians stunned the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) with an 81-run victory. With a spot in the final at stake, both teams would ideally want all their players to be available and injury-free. However, the defending champions find themselves facing a setback as one of their pacers, Darshan Nalkande, appeared to be hobbling after his bowling spell against CSK.

Nalkande made his first appearance in IPL 2023 during the first qualifier, where he conceded 44 runs but managed to take the wicket of Ajinkya Rahane. His day could have been better had he not overstepped in his very first over, resulting in the dismissal of Ruturaj Gaikwad being nullified. Unfortunately, things did not improve for Nalkande throughout the rest of the match, with CSK batsmen attacking him.

As Nalkande seemed to be limping after completing his spell in the previous game, the Gujarat Titans are now concerned about his fitness. There is currently no update on his condition, and it remains to be seen whether the Titans will be forced to make a change to their playing XI.

If necessary, Yash Dayal could be considered as a replacement, or even Josh Little could make a comeback. However, such a change might require Dasun Shanaka to be dropped in order to maintain the limit of four overseas players in the lineup.

Gujarat Titans Squad:

1. Wriddhiman Saha (Wicketkeeper)
2. Shubman Gill
3. Hardik Pandya (Captain)
4. Vijay Shankar
5. David Miller
6. Dasun Shanaka
7. Rahul Tewatia
8. Rashid Khan
9. Darshan Nalkande
10. Noor Ahmad
11. Mohammed Shami
12. Mohit Sharma
13. Sai Sudharsan
14. Srikar Bharat
15. Jayant Yadav
16. Shivam Mavi
17. Joshua Little
18. Pradeep Sangwan
19. Matthew Wade
20. Abhinav Manohar
21. Odean Smith
22. Alzarri Joseph
23. Ravisrinivasan Sai Kishore
24. Urvil Patel
25. Yash Dayal