Chennai players celebrate with the IPL trophy. (Express Photo by Nirmal Harindran)Chennai Super Kings vs Gujarat Titans, IPL 2023 Final Highlights: Ravindra Jadeja finished in MS Dhoni style as he hit a six and a four off the last 2 balls to take Chennai Super Kings to their 5th Indian Premier League title in a rain-curtailed match on Monday.
Earlier, a passing shower interrupted the match between the two teams and the second innings had to be reduced to 15 overs giving Chennai 171 to chase. In the first innings, Sai Sudharsan (96) narrowly missed out on his century as Gujarat Titans posted 214/4, the highest-ever score in an IPL final, against the Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Wriddhiman Saha gave him apt support with his own half century.
Gujarat Titans (Playing XI): Wriddhiman Saha(w), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Hardik Pandya(c), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami. Chennai Super Kings (Playing XI): Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni(w/c), Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana
Scroll down for CSK vs GT highlights.
Chennai Super Kings
171/5 (15.0)Gujarat Titans
214/4 (20.0)Chennai Super Kings beat Gujarat Titans by 5 wickets (D/L method)
MS Dhoni: Looking for an answer? Circumstantially, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love I have received all over. The easy thing would be to walk away from here, but the harder thing would be working hard for 9 months and try to play another IPL. It would be a gift from me, won't be easy on the body. You do get emotional, the first game at CSK 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. I think they love me for what I am, they love that I am so grounded, I don't try to portray something I'm not. Just keep it simple. Every trophy is special, but what is special about IPL is every crunch game you need to be ready. There were lapses today, the bowling department didn't work, but it was the batting department that took the pressure off them today. I do get frustrated, it is human but I try to step into their shoes, every individual deals with pressure differently. Ajinkya and a few others are experienced, so you don't worry. If anyone is confused, then can always ask. The special thing about Rayudu is he will always give his 100% when he is on his field. But with him in the team, I will never win the fairplay award. I've been playing with him for a long time, since the India A tours. He's a player who can play spin and pace equally well. It is something really special. I felt he would do something really special today, he's also like me - not someone who uses the phone often. I hope he enjoys the next phase of his life.
Hardik Pandya: I think we tick a lot of boxes as a team. We play with a lot of heart, really proud of the way we kept fighting. We have a motto - we win together, we lose together. I'm not going to make excuses, CSK played the better cricket. We batted really well, special mention to Sai (Sudarshan), not easy to play that well at this level. We have been backing the boys and trying to make sure we get the best out of them. But their success is their success. The way they have put their hand up and delivered - Mohit, Rashid, Shami everyone. (On MS Dhoni) I'm very happy for him, destiny had this written. If I had to lose, I'd rather lose to him. Good things happen to good people, and he's been one of the best people I know. God has been kind, God has been kind to me as well but today was his night.
- Shubman Gill: Player of the tournament
-Yashasvi Jaiswal: Emerging player of the season
- Glenn Maxwell: Super striker of the season
Here are all the honours from the IPL 2023 season.
Shubman Gill: Means a lot, my hard work is going in the right direction. We couldn't win the final, but it was one hell of a game. It is very important to start well and I started well, I was getting 40s and 50s and at the end of the tournament I converted them into big ones. (On his six hitting) I practiced a lot, changed my technique for the death, and I has been good. All the hundreds were quite different, the SRH one was about control and MI one was knowing which bowlers to go after. I picked the right bowlers, and controlled the situation well.
Devon Conway is Player of the match for his 47 off 25 deliveries: It was a long time to wait, very nervous but Rutu and I plotted how we'll go about it. Personally, is the greatest win in my career. IPL final, doesn't get bigger than that. Lot of credit to Mike Hussey, fellow left-handed player. Nice to be in his shoes.
Ravindra Jadeja would run off the ground with his CSK teammates playing catch up as soon as the southpaw flicked the ball down fine leg to wrap up the game for the Chennai Super Kings. But the India all-rounder would not take long to run towards his captain, who waited for him by the dugout and bear hugged him before lifting him up. His eyes squinted with the faintest of emotions visible on the face that has endured so many on field. Even the great captain cool couldn't keep the straight face on for those few seconds. Only for a few seconds, he submitted. But then quickly realised the task at hand as he gestured to his teammates to go back on field and shake hands with their counterparts.
No no, not that. With the CSK name being engraved on the IPL trophy, MS Dhoni signs the broadcast camera with all his teammates around as the players and their families converge in the middle.
Stephen Fleming: It's a real caravan of cricket, and it comes down to the last two balls, and you're just sitting and watching. You age quickly when that happens. We were a little bit short in the bowling department to start, and Deshpande stepped up. Pathirana gave us a sting in the tail in the end overs.
Michael Hussey: Hats off to Gujarat as well, they've been amazing through the season, but thankfully Jaddu got us over the line.Dhoni is an amazing human being. A good example is, in the qualifier, he was telling Senapati to remain calm, and he got us a crucial run-out. Some of those shots from Rayudu, the slower balls that he hit over cover, not many people can do that.
Ravindra Jadeja: Feels amazing, winning my fifth title in front of my home crowd. I'm from Gujarat, and it's a special feeling. This crowd has been amazing. They were waiting for rain to stop till late night, I'd like to say a big congratulations to the CSK fans who came to support us. I'd like to dedicate this win to a special member of the CSK side, MS Dhoni. I was just thinking I need to swing hard, as much as I can. Where the ball will go, I was not thinking about that, just looking to swing hard. I was backing myself and looking to hit straight, because I know Mohit can bowl those slower balls.
Tushar Deshpande: As I said before the tournament started, I wanted to win the IPL title, and with DJ by my side, all my plans are clear.
Dwayne Bravo: It's a great journey, and I've got to give credit to our entire bowling unit and also coach Eric Simons. It's a great combination between Eric and myself, and we're proud to see this young bowling group go out and showcase their talent. I hope my best friend Kieron Pollard is watching. He has some catching up to do (That old most trophies in franchise cricket rivalry).
Devon Conway: I was just thinking positive intent, swing for the hills. It's been great batting alongside Rutu, such a clean hitter of the ball. Our partnership has worked really well, left-right combination, and we enjoy our time together. I think this environment is really good. We've got some top players, gives me the oportunity to speak to them about batting and learn so much.
Moeen Ali: You're always learning from MS, how to deal with players and situations. It's a massive part of IPL, and that's why we've done so well.
Ambati Rayudu: It's a fairytale finish. I couldn't have asked for more. I'm fortunate to have played in really great sides. I can smile for the rest of my life. All the hard work I've done in the last 30 years, I'm happy I got to finish on this note. I would really like to thank my family, my father. Without them this wouldn't have been possible.
Ruturaj Gaikwad: This one was special, because of how it went last year for us. To come back in style, win away games, win in Chepauk, and the finish was unbelievable. We would like to dedicate this win to Rayudu.
Ajinkya Rahane: Credit goes to CSK management for backing me. They said they would back me completely if I got an opportunity. The victory is really special. Great team man [on Rayudu]. The knock he played today was really special.
6 - Rohit Sharma
6* - Ambati Rayudu
5 - Hardik Pandya
5 - Kieron Pollard
5* - MS Dhoni
You could not have written this. No one could have! What a night! WHAT A FINAL!
Chennai Super Kings looked down and out! From 21 needed off the last two overs to 10 needed off the last two balls. Mohit Sharma had brought Gujarat back in the game. But RAVINDRA JADEJA had other plans. A six down the ground. A flick down fine leg for four and CSK are five time IPL champions. On par with the Mumbai Indians. More than any other. What a swansong for Ambati Rayudu, who played an incredible cameo, he's in tears. MS Dhoni was expressionless on the CSK bench ahead of the last ball, face down. He's all smiles. You have to think most of those who were watching are. Their Thala has another IPL title to his name. WHAT A NIGHT!
13 needed off the final over. Mohit Sharma has the ball for the last over. It's gone right down the wire. First ball and it's a dot! WOW! Pressure on CSK now. Just a single off the next one. Jadeja on strike and even he is unable to negotiate for more than a single. What a spell this has been from Mohit Sharma!
BUT HANG ON, RAVINDRA JADEJA HAS SMACKED MOHIT SHARMA STRAIGHT DOWN THE GROUND FOR SIX! OH MY GOD! FOUR NEEDED OFF THE LAST BALL. OH MY MY! IN COMES MOHIT SHARMA FOR THE LAST ONE. AND JADEJA HAS FLICKED IT BEHIND FOR FOUR. CHENNAI WIN IPL 2023!
Mohammed Shami to bowl his last over. The penultimate over. Shivam Dube top edges one over fine leg but it lands safe. Good work in the deep though. Mohit Sharma saves two runs in the deep while bumping into the CSK dugout. Brilliant over that. Only six off the first five balls. Jadeja miscues the last one but Noor Ahmad runs in from deep square leg and is unable to latch onto a forward diving catch. 158/5 after 14. 13 needed off the last six balls.
What an over this! 6,4,6,W,W,1. Ravindra Jadeja is the new batter in. Closes the over with a single and retains the strike. 150/5, CSK after 13. 21 needed off the last two overs.
OH DEAR! Who's on the script? MS Dhoni. First ball. IPL Final. Chase. Bats it straight to David Miller at mid off and there's a deafening silence around Motera. 149/5, and Mohit Sharma is on a hattrick!
With 38 needed off the last 18 balls, Mohit Sharma entrusted with the 13th. But AMBATI RAYUDU INSIDE OUTS HIM FIRST BALL FOR SIX! Over wide long off. Follows it with a muscled drive through covers for four. Sharma takes the pace off but Rayudu has picked it and PUMPED OVER WIDE LONG OFF FOR ANOTHER SIX!
The former CSK man gets his revenge though as Rayudu's caught and bowled off another slower one. Chennai lose a fourth but guess who's taken the field. The crowd goes wild as the CSK number seven walks into the middle. 149/4 after 12.4 overs. 22 needed off 14.
Ambati Rayudu is the new batter in. Not Moeen Ali. Not Ravindra Jadeja. Most likely to avoid the two left handers in the middle. Pressure building on Shivam Dube as Rashid Khan comes in for his last over. Is unable to time his first ball of this over as well. Just the three singles off the first four balls. Off the fifth, Dube finally finds the connection to smack one down the ground for six. The next one is even bigger! Takes Rashid to the cleaners over long on. 15 come off the over. 133/3 after 12 overs.
Mohit Sharma introduced for the first time this evening. The former CSK man has the chance to spoil the yellow army's party. Shivam Dube goes for a heave off the first ball but is unable to time out. Hasn't looked at his comfortable best out there and a prime reason has been the sharp bowling from the GT spinners. Dube likes to take on the slower bowlers but hasn't been able to do so. Meanwhile, the pacers have tricked him with the slower ones, the surface aiding them.
The wicket however features the other CSK batter. Sharma gets Rahane caught at backward point by Vijay Shankar! Back of the hand slower one. Rahane goes for 27 off 13. CSK, 118/3 after 11 overs.
Rashid Khan into his second over. 100 up for the Chennai Super Kings. Good start to the over but Ajinkya Rahane changes gears to close it with back to back boundaries. Two googlies down leg, batted down fine leg for fours. After 10 overs, CSK are 112/2.
Noor Ahmad brought in for a final over. The Afghan spinner notched two wickets in his previous over. Almost gets another in his last as Shivam Dube survives a close stumping call by bringing in a part of his back shoe inside. A brilliant over nonetheless. 99/2 after nine.
Ajinkya Rahane has joined Shivam Dube in the middle and finds the sweet spot to nail Josh Little over deep midwicket, the longer boundary, for six. But hang on, an even better shot comes later in the day. A straight drive, just the most nimble of bat movements for a SIX! Two maximums off the over. 16 runs come off the over. 94/2 after eight overs.
Venkata Krishna B: In the later stages of the IPL with the pitches getting slower, Devon Conway has been struggling a bit with his timing. An otherwise fluent batsman, he hasn't been able to pace his innings the way he liked. On Monday, all eyes were on the Kiwi as to how he will start chasing a big target. But this being a flat deck and the ball coming on nicely, Conway didn't waste any time to get off the block as he brought out his shots on either side to good effect.
Noor Ahmad provides Gujarat with the first breakthrough! Gaikwad miscues one straight to Rashid Khan at backward point. Gets one to dart away and the CSK opener misjudges the pace as well.
It's a big over for Gujarat! Conway, looking for a boundary off the last ball, is unable to loft over long off. Caught by Mohit Sharma at the boundary. 78/2 after seven overs.
Another change with the ball for GT. Joshua Little replaces Rashid Khan. Left armer from over the wicket. The Irish international has been pivotal in Gujarat's campaign. Varies his pace nicely, adding variety to their pace attack. In his first over of the eve, manages to keep Conway and Gaikwad at bay. For most of it. Just the eight runs come off the first five balls. Conway finds the sweet spot off the last ball to slot one over deep mid wicket for six. Good finish to the over. 72/0 after six overs.
Noor Ahmad is the new bowler in. Replaces Mohammed Shami. Good over that from the left armer. First instance of an over without a boundary for CSK in this chase. Just the six runs from that fifth over. 58/0, CSK.
Right then, this should be interesting. Rashid Khan replaces Pandya from the other end. The quicker googly to start his spell but Conway has picked it and squeezes it between backward point and cover for four. Gave himself room on the leg stump to manouvre that stroke. Gaikwad then, opens his arms. A floated delivery outside off is hit inside out over long on for SIX! Finishes the over with another boundary. 50 up for CSK at the end of the powerplay. 52/0 after four overs.
Shami continues from the other end and the southpaw slaps it over mid wicket for four. Next one is angled on the leg and Conway flicks it behind for the same result. Back to back boundaries. Against Gaikwad, the leading wicket taker this season gets one to rise more than usual and seam away. 11 off the over. 35/0 after three.
Hardik Pandya on from the other end. A dot ball to start but Devon Conway dances down the track and slices it over extra cover for six. Incredible shot that. Flicks another one later in the over, down fine leg for four. 14 runs come off the over. 28/0 after two.
0,0,4 was how the first over from Mohammed Shami had begun. The boundary coming from Ruturaj Gaikwad just before rain interrupted the play. He takes the strike. Shami has the ball. Off we go, again!
And the first ball takes a leading edge but falls safe, close to Rashid Khan at deep backward point. Two runs. The wicket has slowed up further, reckons Graeme Swann on-air. Gaikwad wraps up the first over with a pull shot for four behind square on the on side. 10/0 after the first over.
Right then, after a tiresome but necessary halt to the game, we're back. It's been a three-day IPL final this as we move into Tuesday. Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway warming up, padded and out in the middle for the resumption of the chase with a revised target. It's 4/0 after 0.3 overs. 167 needed off 87 deliveries. Remember 171 is the target. It's a 15 over game now. Gujarat Titans look like the team to be at the moment. Is there an unlikely twist in the tale? Let's find out as the players make their way to the field.
-Powerplay: 1-4 overs
-One bowler can bowl maximum of 3 overs
171 needed off 15 overs. Not going to be a walk in the park that for CSK, given the bowling depth boasted by Gujarat Titans. Also the fact that the restart is at 12:10 AM local time and continue till around 1:30 AM isn't the most comfortable of propect for either set of players.
The Chennai Super Kings require 171 runs in 15 overs to win IPL 2023.
The latest news coming in from Ahmedabad now is that the game has been cut short to a 15 overs contest and we begin at 12:10 AM.
Express photo: Devendra Pandey
On-air visuals show Gujarat Titans coach Ashish Nehra shaking his head at the state of the side wicket that still looks wet and has plenty of marks. The heavy rollers still at work. So are the groundsmen adding more dry mud over the practice pitch.
Devendra Pandey, from Motera: The groundstaff had to use hair dryer, sponge, dry mud and roller to ensure the practice pitches get dry early. Meanwhile, the crowd hasn't moved till now, they all have seated and waiting for action to start. Heavy rollers are being used at both the side pitches.
We have until 11:45 PM till we start losing overs. 10 minutes until the next scheduled inspection from the officials i.e. 11:30 PM.
"Ground staff has managed to dry one of the side practice pitches which was badly affected. They left that place while other group of groundsmen are rolling other side pitch," updates Devendra Pandey.
Devendra Pandey, from Motera: Groundstaff are still rolling both the pitches while the Super Sopper continues to dry the outfield. Both the team's players are awaiting for game to resume. Their support staff are inside the ground with the BCCI officials. Fourth umpire is going to check the practice pitches, the next inspection will be held at 11:30 pm.
Just as we wait for the game to resume, this is what Yuvraj Singh had to say on the leading run scorer this season, Shubman Gill. As told to The Indian Express: "I am very happy to witness Shubman's outstanding performance in the IPL. He has showcased exceptional talent and potential all through the tournament and his consistent run-scoring ability and maturity beyond his years have been remarkable. His performances in the IPL have been a testament to his hard work and dedication on the park. I have no doubt that with his skills and determination, Gill will continue to make significant contributions to Indian cricket and bring glory to our nation."
Following the dry mud being sprayed, the practice strip is now being rolled over as we move close to the next inspection. Looks better that, doesn't it?
Express photo: Devendra Pandey
Devendra Pandey, from Motera: Dry mud being sprayed on the wet practice pitch for the game to resume as soon as possible at Narendra Modi Stadium.
As the groundsmen continue to work on drying the practice strip, the update from the Narendra Modi Stadium is that the next inspection by the officials shall take place at 10:45pm.
Devendra Pandey: Main pitch is completely fine but the real challenge for groundsmen is to make the side pitch dry. It covers square area within 30 meters of circle. The ground staff is trying hard to make it dry so the game can be resumed as early as possible.
Good news, the covers have now been taken off. All of them, reports Devendra Pandey from the venue.
"Curators are using artificial grass with help of towel to remove the water from the practice pitch which is few meters away from the main pitch," he adds.
The rain has stopped but covers are yet to be taken off, the practice wicket is wet. Few Chennai Super Kings players have gathered around it with the officials as we wait for the game to restart.
Express photo: Devendra Pandey
Devendra Pandey: Good news, rain has stopped but covers are still there. The Narendra Modi Stadium has good drainage facility, so if it doesn't rain more we can see game starting soon here. Meanwhile, the DJ at the venue has began to play dandiya songs to keep the Ahmedabad crowd grooving.
Heavy winds have accompanied heavy showers, just as they did the other night. The ground staff weren't able to cover the side strip in time, with the players in the middle when it started raining, and the practice wicket looks completely wet. Looks like a passing shower, its still drizzling though.
Express photo: Devendra Pandey
Sriram Veera: It was his version of Shahrukh Khan’s “sattar minute” speech. Hardik Pandya was extremely animated as he jabbered away in the huddle at the start of the chase. Eyes widened, mouth moved rapidly, and he seemed to have his team in a trance as they heard him out rapt in attention. As he broke away, a black head band struggling hard to hold the unruly hair in its place, he went to the umpires for his next chat. The pitch was still being readied; the roller was on. He then moved to Shubman Gill for one more round of feverish talk. Hardik has the habit of crouching a touch with a slight tilt forward when he speaks, and his head was bobbing out of the neck like a busy bird. This time, Gill listened. Then after three balls into the chase, the clouds opened up to drench the ground. Will Hardik give another rousing speech on resumption?
First runs on the board as Ruturaj Gaikwad opens the face of his bat to squeeze the ball between the fielder at covers and backward point for four but shucks.....it's started pouring and the players are off. Covers on. This one is heavy.
Express photo: Devendra Pandey
The Gujarat Titans players huddle around their skipper. A long, passionate speech from Hardik Pandya (we can't lip read much but there are a lot of hand gestures involved). The Chennai Super Kings openers, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway have a job at their hands. Can they get the men in yellow off to a flier, as they have on multiple occasions this season? Mohammed Shami has the new ball. Gaikwad has taken guard at the striker's end. Time for the final innings of IPL 2023.
214/4, that's the most any team has been able to score in an Indian Premier League final. It'll take a meaty, historic chase for Chennai Super Kings to lift the trophy at the end of the eve (rain not withstanding).
Well, that didn't last long, did it? Covers are being taken off now that the drizzle has halted. Gujarat Titans players have assembled to do their warm up session, reports Devendra Pandey from the venue.