The IPL 2023 final between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) couldn’t take place on Sunday (May 28) due to relentless rain at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
The rain started half an hour before the toss. While it stopped almost two and a half hours later and the covers were removed with a couple of super soppers already in service, a strong rainstorm returned, forcing the ground staff to cover the surface all over again.
After the second spell of rain, there were some significant puddles on the covers. As a result, the match was called off and moved to the reserve day.
Ahead of the summit clash on Monday (May 29), CSK skipper MS Dhoni sympathised with the fans, lauding them for the patience they showed to stay back and return for the IPL 2023 final.
The loyal and passionate fans of both teams braved the rain under the stands to watch the final on Sunday and after the game was called off, they walked through waterlogged street in Ahmedabad.
“I think it is the same with both teams as both were in the dressing room the whole evening yesterday and as a cricketer you want to play. The fans have suffered more than us and credit to them for the way they are supporting us and we need to produce an entertaining brand of cricket for them," Dhoni said at the toss on Monday.
"It was wet seats yesterday and they were waiting for at least a five-over game. Yes, the pitch has been under covers for a long time but throughout the tournament, it was played well. Quite happy that we have a full 20-over game tonight and it does serve the justice for a tournament like this," he added.
Talking about the IPL 2023 final, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bowl first. Both the teams fielded unchanged XIs.
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
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, Mohammad Shami
