CSK Clinch Fifth IPL Title
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Tuesday night, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in a rain-marred final in Ahmedabad.
Chasing a revised target of 171 in 15 overs, CSK was in trouble at 101 for 5 in the 13th over. But Ravindra Jadeja, who was batting at number 7, came up with an incredible batting display to help his team win the match.
Jadeja smashed 47 runs off 25 balls, including two sixes and four fours. He hit the winning runs off the last two balls of the match, hitting a six off Mohit Sharma and then a four off Yash Dayal.
Jadeja’s innings were the highlight of the match, but there were other notable performances as well. Devon Conway scored 47 runs off 25 balls, while Shivam Dube scored 32 not out off 18 balls.
For GT, Shubman Gill scored 62 runs off 49 balls, while Hardik Pandya scored 34 runs off 27 balls.
The match was reduced to 15 overs per side due to rain. CSK won the toss and elected to bowl first. GT got off to a good start, with Gill and Wriddhiman Saha putting on 62 runs for the first wicket.
But CSK’s bowlers fought back and restricted GT to 170 for 8. Dwayne Bravo was the pick of the bowlers, taking 3 for 24.
In reply, CSK was in trouble at 101 for 5 in the 13th over. But Jadeja’s heroics helped them win the match and clinch their fifth IPL title.
This is CSK’s first IPL title since 2021. They are now the joint most successful team in IPL history, along with Mumbai Indians.
Jadeja was named the player of the match for his incredible batting performance. He said that he was just trying to stay calm and hit the ball as hard as he could.
“I was just trying to stay calm and hit the ball as hard as I could,” Jadeja said. “I knew that we needed 10 runs off the last two balls, so I just had to hit the ball in the air and hope for the best.”
Dhoni, who is retiring from international cricket after the World Cup, said that he was proud of his team’s performance.
“I am very proud of the way the team has played throughout the tournament,” Dhoni said. “We have had some ups and downs, but we have always shown great character. I am also very happy for Jadeja, who has been brilliant throughout the tournament.”
The win is a huge boost for CSK, who have been struggling in recent years. They had not won an IPL title since 2021, and they had not even reached the final since 2019.
But this year, CSK have shown that they are still a force to be reckoned with. They have been the most consistent team in the tournament, and they have now won their fifth IPL title.
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https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/ipl-2023-chennai-super-kings-wins-by-five-wickets/article66908294.ece