MS Dhoni was his usual calm self as the Chennai Super Kings charged to their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 title with a five-wicket victory over the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad on Tuesday (May 30) morning. But when he saw Ravindra Jadeja coming running to the dugout having hit the winning four, the talismanic skipper could not hold back his emotions.
Jadeja was the hero during his unbeaten 15-run innings, where he went a six and a four on the last two balls of the season, and while the entire CSK dugout jumped with joy and rushed onto the field to embrace the man of the moment, he chose to go straight to his six.
Jadeja took a victory lap around the ground, celebrating in front of his home fans but minutes later, he was lifted by an emotional MS Dhoni and carried around, which showed how much this fifth trophy meant to the former India skipper,
After the victory, Dhoni displayed more emotions with a wide smile while celebrating the win. Dhoni even hugged former CSK opener Matthew Hayden, who was on broadcast duties.
This win would have been especially sweet for Dhoni, who was caught out at extra cover off a Full delivery from Mohit Sheam. Trying to loft the shot, he did not get the elevation he needed as the ball ended up in the safe hands of David Miller as he hard to return to the pavilion for a Golden Duck.
Chasing 215 for the win, the second innings saw a long rain interruption. The match restarted at 12:10 with a revised target of 171 in 15 overs. The side started on a roar with CSK openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway making the most of the conditions. They set up an opening wicket partnership of 74 runs before Gaikwad was caught by Rashid Khan off Noor Ahmad's bowling, scoring 26 runs in 16 balls.
Conway was the main aggressor and managed 47 off 25 balls before Noor struck again as the New Zealander holed the ball straight to Mohit Sharma.
Then coming to the party was Shivam Dube (32* off 21) and Ajinkya Rahane (27 off 13). The duo had a very important partnership of 39 runs from 23 balls which took CSK closer to the target.
After Rahane's wicket, Ambati Rayudu (19 off 8) took over as MS Dhoni was caught out for a Golden Duck. Many thought it was game over for CSK but Sir Ravindra Jadeja (15 off 6) had other plans. He hit a six and a four in the final two balls of the match to seal Chennai Super Kings' fifth IPL Trophy.
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