Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Monday (May 29) clinched their fifth IPL title with a five-wicket victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
In a rain-marred affair, the Titans piled up a mammoth 214/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Sai Sudharsan was the top scorer with 47-ball 96 while Wriddhiman Saha (54 off 39), Shubman Gill (39 off 20) and Hardik Pandya (21* off 12) chipped in with handy contributions.
Chasing the target, CSK were 4/0 off 3 balls when rain interrupted the match for a considerable period. As a result, the revised target of 171 was set in 15 overs.
After the rain break, the duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad (26) and Devon Conway (47) added 70 more runs to their opening partnership. Both of them got out in quick succession but the likes of Ajinkya Rahane (27 off 13) and Ambati Rayudu (19 off 8) played handy cameos to keep the Super Kings in the hunt.
CSK Skipper MS Dhoni fell for a first-ball duck, leaving his team in a spot of bother at 149/5. However, Ravindra Jadeja joined Shivam Dube in the middle with 22 required off 13 balls and the pair held their nerves in pressure situations.
Needing 13 off the final over, Jadeja and Dube managed only three runs in first four balls but the former smashed GT pacer Mohit Sharma’s penultimate delivery for a six to release the pressure and hit the final delivery for a boundary to seal the deal for CSK.
After the game, CSK captain Dhoni said that it won’t be easy for him to play one more IPL season but he will try his best to give a gift to his fans.
“Looking for an answer? Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, the easy thing would be for me to say "Thank you very much", but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another 9 months and come back and play at least 1 more season of IPL. A lot depends on the body, I have 6-7 months to decide. It will be more like a gift from my side, it's not easy for me but that's a gift. The way they've shown their love and affection, I think that's something I need to do for them,” the 41-year-old said at the post-match presentation.
“You do get emotional simply because it's the last part of my career, it started over here and the first game when I walked down everyone was chanting my name. My eyes were full of water and I just stood there in the dugout for a while. I realised I want to enjoy this. It was the same thing in Chennai, it was my last game over there but it will be good to come back and play whatever I can. 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 read,” he added.
Dhoni wasn’t pleased with the bowling performance of his team but he lauded the batting department for lifting their game in the big final.
“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,” he remarked.
Dhoni also had special praise reserved for Rayudu, who retired from the Indian Premier League by winning another title with CSK.
“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,” he concluded.
