After a rare dismal campaign last year, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) bounced back brilliantly to clinch the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 title on Monday (May 29).
CSK defeated table-toppers Gujarat Titans (GT) in the final by five wickets (DLS method) to bag their fifth IPL title at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja played a key role in CSK’s narrow victory in the summit clash. With 10 needed off last two balls, the southpaw smashed Mohit Sharma for a six and a boundary to seal the deal for CSK.
After the game, former India batter Suresh Raina hailed Ravindra Jadeja’s heroics in the final, saying that only the latter could have taken CSK over the line.
"I am very happy that Ravindra Jadeja got to hit the winning shot. The way he has been wanting to help the team to wins, hitting a six and a four after amazing dot balls from Mohit Sharma. I think this was sensational," Raina said on JioCinema.
"You could see MS Dhoni hugging Jadeja in the dressing room. This is a massive moment, all of India was cheering them on. JioCinema was covering them, even the ground was yellow. Ravindra Jadeja has done something only sir Ravi Jadeja would," he added.
Earlier, 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, 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 the first four balls but the former hit Mohit’s penultimate delivery for a six followed by a boundary to take CSK home.
