Vijay Raman
- May 30, 2023
- 4 min read

IPL 2023, GT vs CSK, Final: Jadeja's last-ball strike fetches fifth IPL title for CSK in nail-biter

IPL 2023 Final, Gujarat Titans (GT) vs Chennai Super Kings (CSK), Top Performances: Sai Sudharsan’s 96, Mohit Sharma-Noor Ahmed's 5-wickets, and Ruturaj Gaikwad-Devon Conway's 74-run stand are the top performances. CSK beat GT by 5 wickets (DLS method) to win their 5th IPL title.

IPL 2023, GT vs CSK, Final, Top Performances: Ravindra Jadeja's 6-ball 15 seal the deal for CSK in final; CSL lift 5th IPL Trophy | Walking wicket (Images_ ©IPL_Twitter)

Jadeja's 6-ball 15 seals the deal for CSK in final (Images: ©IPL/Twitter)

Brief Scores: GT 214/4 (Sudharsan 96, Saha 54, Pathirana 2/44) lost to CSK 171/5 (Conway 47, Jaiswal 50, Noor 2/17) by 5 wickets (DLS method).

Player Of the Match: Devon Conway (47 off 25)

We have reached the grand finale of the IPL 2023 where the defending champions Gujarat Titans take on the Chennai Super Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

While the CSK side led by MS Dhoni chase their record-tying 5th IPL title, Gujarat are on a bid to become only the 3rd side after CSK and MI to defend their title successfully. In the end, it was the Chennai Super Kings who lift their record 5th IPL title after winning the rain-affected game by 5 wickets.

On Sunday, the game was moved to a reserve day due to persistent heavy rain at the Narendra Modi Stadium. Chennai Super Kings skipper MS Dhoni won the toss, and he opted that CSK would field first on the night of the final. Both GT and CSK remained unchanged from their respective last game.

CSK’s Splendid Innings Leads Them To Win Against Gujrat & Be 5th-Time Champions

Inserted into batting first, Gujarat Titans openers got them off to a great start with Shubman Gill & Wriddhiman Saha scoring 62 runs in the powerplays with each of the batters getting a reprieve in the form of a dropped catch. Gill continued his good touch by scoring 3 consecutive fours twice before getting out for 20-ball 39. Saha reached his 2nd IPL final half-century off just 36 deliveries.

After the departure of Saha, it was the Sai Sudharsan’s show at Ahmedabad as he made a mockery of CSK bowling thrashing them to all parts of the ground. Sudhasan (96 off 47), though missing out on a well-deserved century, in the company of Hardik Pandya made a whopping 81 runs in the last 6 overs as GT made 214/4 in their allotted overs.

Rain delayed the proceedings as the game as CSK’s inning got truncated to 15 overs and the new target was adjusted to 171. As a result, the powerplay was reduced to 4 overs and in that CSK openers managed to score 52 runs. The pair added 20 runs off the next 2 overs but the 2-wicket over from Noor Ahmed removed both Conway and Gaikwad. Rahane played a useful cameo of 14-ball 27 to keep CSK in the hunt while Shivam Dube, Ambati Rayudu, and Ravindra Jadeja made sure CSK go over the line in spite of a splendid display of death bowling by Mohit Sharma.

Talking Points: Gujarat’s Team Selection

Gujrat’s splendid team selection has to be the talking point. The batters and the bowlers were chosen strategically by Hardik Pandya. The choice of Sai Sudharshan and the fine allocation of overs for Mohit Sharma was a win-win situation. It was just the luck that went in favor of Chennai, but the overall selection must be appreciated.

Let us scan the key performances of the IPL 2023 game between CSK & GT

IPL 2023, GT vs CSK, Final, Top Performances_ Sai Sudharsan scored 96 against CSK in final; CSK won 5th IPL title _ Walking wicket (Images_ ©IPL_Twitter)

Sudharsan scored 96 against CSK in final (Images: ©IPL/Twitter)

Sai Sudharsan produces a stellar knock on the night of the final

Sai Sudharsan, the 21-year-old from Chennai could not have chosen a better match to show his true prowess. After missing quite a few games due to an injury, Sai showed the world why is rated highly by smashing 96 runs off only 47 balls. Sudharsan scored his half-century off 33 balls and in the next 14 balls, he amassed 45 runs. In a knock that included 6 sixes and 8 fours, the left-hander played delightfully to propel GT to a mammoth 214/4.

He became the 2nd youngest to score an IPL fifty, and his 96 is the 3rd highest score in an IPL final & 2nd highest by an uncapped Indian player in an IPL playoff behind 112* by Rajat Patidar last year.

IPL 2023, GT vs CSK, Final, Top Performances_ Mohit Sharma's 3-36 goes in vain as CSK beat GT and lift IPL 2023 title _ Walking wicket (Images_ ©IPL_Twitter)

Sharma's 3-36 goes in vain as CSK beat GT & lift IPL 2023 trophy (Images: ©IPL/Twitter)

Noor Ahmed and Mohit Sharma bring back GT into the contest

CSK openers were off to a flyer and were cruising at one stage making 72 runs in the first 6 overs and it looked like the men in yellow will go away with the game. Noor Ahmed bowled a quiet first over in the context of the game and then in his 2nd over, dismissed both CSK opening batsmen Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad. He eventually with standout figures of 2/17 in his 3 overs.

The same goes for Mohit Sharma who continued his wicket-taking knack. After dismissing the dangerous-looking Rahane in his first over and then came back strongly in his 2nd after going for 16 runs in the 1st 3 balls by getting rid of both Rayudu and Dhoni. Despite his best efforts, GT couldn’t defend 12 of the last over.

IPL 2023, GT vs CSK, Final, Top Performances_ Devon Conway, Ruturaj Gaikwad added 74-run for opening stand; CSK won 5th IPL title _ Walking wicket (Images_ ©IPL_Twitter)

Gaikwad and Conway make a superlative start to the CSK innings

Chasing 171 in 15 overs was always going to be tough and especially in a high-profile run-chase such as this. The pair reached the 50-run mark only in the 5th over and in the first 6 overs, they brought the required rate to achievable 11 in the last 9 overs. Ruturaj Gaikwad fell for a well-made 27 off 16 while Devon Conway played a stunning cameo of 47 to give CSK the start they were looking for.

What's Next

CSK won their record-equalling 5th IPL title and become the joint most successful IPL team ever along with their rivals Mumbai Indians.

This brings an end to an exciting edition of IPL and now we move to the WTC Final where India takes on Australia at the Oval on June 7th.