GT VS CSK MATCH-74 IPL23
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS WON BY 5 WICKETS (D/L METHOD) (WINNERS)
GUJARAT TITANS
214/4
CHENNAI SUPER KINGS
171/5
LOCATION – Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
A contest deserving of becoming the championship game of the most illustrious T20 League in the world. After being invited to bat first by MSD, the defending champions got off to a fast start. The foundation for posting a large total was laid by Shubman Gill’s 39 from 20 and Wriddhiman Saha’s 54 at a strike rate of 138. Sai Sudharsan provided the catalyst when he produced his finest T20 knock, scoring 96 runs at a strike rate of 204 in a crucial final. GT set a lofty 215-point goal, which was never going to be simple to reach, let alone in the final. Rain changed the goal from 15 overs to 171 after playing spoilsport for a time.
Once again setting the tone for the run chase, CSK’s opening combination of Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad got the squad off to a strong start. Conway scored 47 runs, including 2 sixes and 4 boundaries. The momentum shifted in favour of the home team when Noor Ahmed took two wickets in the seventh over, just when it appeared to be simple for CSK. However, Rayudu and Rahane made some crucial cameo appearances to help the pursuit get back on track as Shivam Dube was acting foolish from one end. Ravindra Jadeja take charges when 10 runs required on two balls. In order to end the game in style, the champion all-rounder maintained his composure and hit a six off the second-to-last delivery and a boundary off the last delivery. Mahendra Singh Dhoni leads CSK to their fifth IPL championship!
Player of the Game is Devon Conway.
Devon Conway said “It took a while, and I was really anxious, but Ruturaj and I planned how we would handle it. For me, this is the biggest victory of my career. That was the biggest IPL final ever. Mike Hussey, the other left-handed player, deserves a lot of praise. I like walking in his shoes“.