The highly anticipated 2023 IPL final took place on May 29, 2023, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match was originally scheduled for May 28 but had to be postponed due to rain, making it the first time in IPL history that the final was delayed due to weather conditions.
Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won the toss and chose to field first, allowing the Gujarat Titans to bat. The Titans put up an impressive total of 214 runs for the loss of 4 wickets, setting a new record for the highest team total in an IPL final.
Sai Sudharshan, the left-handed batsman, played a stellar inning, scoring 96 runs off just 47 deliveries before being dismissed LBW by Matheesha Pathirana. Wriddhiman Saha also made a valuable contribution, scoring 54 runs off 39 deliveries.
However, rain interrupted the game, causing a delay of over an hour before CSK could begin their innings. As a result, the target for CSK was adjusted to 171 runs in 15 overs using the Duckworth–Lewis–Stern (DLS) method.
CSK started their chase aggressively, with openers Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad providing a flying start. They scored 52 runs in the powerplay and continued their onslaught, accumulating 72 runs in the first six overs.
However, Noor Ahmad of the Gujarat Titans managed to break the partnership by dismissing Gaikwad for 26 runs off 16 deliveries. In the same over, he also claimed the wicket of Conway, who had scored 47 runs off 25 deliveries.
Despite the loss of wickets, CSK remained in the game, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane’s valuable contribution of 27 runs off 13 balls. Shivam Dube initially struggled but found his form and hit consecutive sixes off Rashid Khan’s deliveries, boosting CSK’s confidence. Ambati Rayudu, playing his final IPL match, joined the run chase and hit two sixes and a boundary before falling victim to Mohit Sharma.
With the match hanging in the balance, CSK captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni walked in but was unable to contribute, getting out without scoring a run. The final over arrived with CSK needing 13 runs, and Mohit Sharma was entrusted with the crucial task of bowling. Sharma displayed exceptional skills, delivering two brilliant yorkers and a full delivery, keeping the Gujarat Titans’ hopes alive.
However, Ravindra Jadeja, known for his power hitting, smashed a crucial six off the fifth delivery, intensifying the excitement. CSK needed four runs off the final ball, and a wayward leg-side delivery from Sharma allowed Jadeja to guide the ball down the leg side for a boundary, securing a thrilling five-wicket victory for CSK.
Devon Conway, who played a crucial role in CSK’s chase with his explosive innings, was named the player of the match for his exceptional performance.
The victory marked CSK’s fifth IPL title, equaling the record set by the Mumbai Indians for the most number of tournament victories. It was a memorable finale to the 2023 IPL season, filled with twists and turns, and showcased the competitive spirit and skill of both teams.