In a gripping last-ball showdown, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK) matched the Mumbai Indians’ (MI) record of five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles as they emerged victorious against the defending champions, the Gujarat Titans (GT), by five wickets in a rain-interrupted final at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, the summit clash had to be rescheduled to the Reserved Day due to heavy rain that disrupted play on the initial date. The much-anticipated encounter finally took place on Monday at the Narendra Modi Cricket Stadium, where it was filled with thrilling moments.
After the Gujarat Titans set a daunting target of 214 for 4 in 20 overs, courtesy of Sai Sudharshan’s remarkable 96 off just 47 deliveries, the CSK openers took the field to begin the chase. However, rain made an unwelcome return, causing a brief interruption. Although the showers were short-lived, they had an impact on the practice pitches adjacent to the main wicket.
Eventually, the match resumed at 12:10 am after a significant delay caused by a wet outfield. With a revised target of 171 runs to chase in 15 overs, CSK took on the challenge. In a thrilling climax, they managed to achieve the target on the final ball of the match, sparking celebrations among the packed crowd at the Narendra Modi Stadium. This victory could potentially mark the final appearance in the T20 league for CSK’s veteran batter, Ambati Rayudu.
After clinching the IPL 2023 championship, the Chennai Super Kings, under the leadership of MS Dhoni, earned a substantial cash prize of Rs 20 crore. In contrast, the Gujarat Titans, led by Hardik Pandya, secured the runner-up position and received a prize money of Rs 12.5 crore. Shubman Gill, a prominent batsman from the Gujarat Titans, excelled by claiming four award titles and emerged as the highest-earning player in terms of prize money during this IPL season.