IPL 2023 Champions: Chennai Super Kings
Chennai Super Kings clinched their 5th IPL title in a last ball finish at Narendra Modi Stadium. The high octane final had runs written all over it with 385 runs coming from the bat in 35 overs. The IPL 2023 finals was shifted to be played on the reserve day and it was also hindered by rain in the second innings.
Chennai Super Kings were set a target of 171 runs to win in 15 overs as per DLS equation. Earlier Gujarat Titans blasted 214-4 in 20 overs – thanks to a valiant 96 off 47 deliveries by Bhardwaj Sai Sudharsan. He started off slow with a 6 off 9 deliveries but accelerated quick in the later part of his innings. He scored 20 runs in his first 17 balls while he recorded 76 runs off the last 30 balls he faced.
Chennai’s chase was powered by a solid opening stand with Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway putting on a 74-run stand in just 6.2 overs. Noor Ahmad was the best of Titans bowlers picking the crunch wickets of CSK openers. Mohit Sharma picked 3 wickets in the back end and put Titans in front. CSK needed 13 runs off the final over and Mohit conceded just 3 runs off the first 4 balls of the over, leaving 10 runs to win off the final 2 balls of the match. Ravindra Jadeja hit the penultimate ball for a six over long-on and followed it with a four towards fine leg to record a famous win for his team. Fans erupted in joy as Chennai Super Kings equaled Mumbai Indians in the title race with 5 IPL titles to their name.
Devon Conway was adjudged the Player of the Match while Shubman Gill was announced the Most Valuable Player of the Tournament.
Match Summary: GT vs CSK IPL 2023 Finals
Gujarat Titans 214-4 in 20 overs
Wriddhiman Saha 54 (39) – 5 fours & 1 six
Shubman Gill 39 (20) – 7 fours
Sai Sudharsan 96 (47) – 8 fours & 6 sixes
Hardik Pandya 21*(12) – 2 sixes
Matheesha Pathirana 4-0-44-2
Chennai Super Kings 171-5 in 15 overs – Target: 171 (15 overs)
Ruturaj Gaikwad 26 (16) – 3 fours & 1 six
Devon Conway 47 (25) – 4 fours & 2 sixes
Shivam Dube 32*(21) – 2 sixes
Ajinkya Rahane 27 (13) – 2 fours & 2 sixes
MS Dhoni 0 (1)
Ravindra Jadeja 15*(6) – 1 four & 1 six
Mohit Sharma 3-0-36-3
Noor Ahmad 3-0-17-2
Player of the Match: Devon Conway
Player of the Tournament: Shubman Gill
