Jadeja’s Last-Ball Heroics Help CSK Beat Gujarat Titans by 5 Wickets, Clinch Record-Equalling 5th IPL Title
Ahmadabad,May29: In a thrilling rain-affected rescheduled final of the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, Ravindra Jadeja’s stunning performance on the last ball propelled the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to a five-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans. The match, which utilized the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method, took place at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday night.
Star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja demonstrated nerves of steel as he smashed a six and a four off the last two deliveries to secure the win for CSK. His heroics, combined with vital contributions from other batsmen, led CSK to their record-equalling fifth IPL title. The MS Dhoni-led team now shares the distinction of holding the most IPL titles (five) with the Mumbai Indians.
With this victory, MS Dhoni became the joint-most successful captain in IPL history, having led CSK to titles in 2010, 2011, 2018, 2021, and now 2023. He shares this honor with Rohit Sharma, who led the Mumbai Indians to championships in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022.
Earlier in the match, Sai Sudharsan played a sensational knock, scoring a quick-fire fifty with 96 runs off just 41 balls. His brilliant innings, along with Wriddhiman Saha’s half-century (54 off 39), propelled the Gujarat Titans to a formidable total of 214/4 in 20 overs. Shubman Gill (39 off 20) and Hardik Pandya (21 off 12) also made important contributions with the bat.
In the chase, CSK had a challenging task ahead, needing to score 171 runs in 15 overs due to rain interruption. Openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway got off to a solid start, scoring four runs in the first three balls. However, Gaikwad (26 off 16) and Conway fell to the spin of Noor Ahmed, putting CSK on the back foot.
Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane then took charge and rebuilt the innings. Rahane played some exquisite strokes, while Dube struggled initially. The see-saw battle continued as Rahane (27 off 13) got dismissed, but Dube finished Rashid Khan’s over with two successive sixes.
With 38 runs required off the last 18 balls, CSK faced a tense situation. Ambati Rayudu hit a six, followed by a four and another six against Mohit Sharma, only to be dismissed on the next ball. MS Dhoni’s first-ball duck further increased the pressure.
In the penultimate over, Mohammed Shami bowled excellently, leaving Mohit Sharma with 13 runs to defend in the final over. Despite struggling to find boundaries, Dube and Jadeja managed to keep CSK in the game. Finally, on the last two deliveries, Jadeja unleashed his power, smashing a six and a four to secure a thrilling five-wicket victory and the fifth IPL title for CSK.
Earlier, after being asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha got off to a cautious start, taking advantage of some sloppy fielding. However, Ravindra Jadeja provided the breakthrough by removing Gill with an incredible piece of glovework from Dhoni.
Saha and Sai Sudharsan then anchored the innings, with Saha reaching his fifty off 36 balls
