The final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) between Gujarat Titans (GT) and Chennai Super Kings (CSK) was a highlight of how the whole season was. Rain yet again played a spoilsport but it had its own grace as the game got shortened and kept everyone involved in it on its toes.

Asked to bat first, the the defending champions posted a total of 215 for four in 20 overs. The target due to rain was reduced to 171 in 15 overs, which the MS Dhoni-led side chased to claim their fifth title.

Gujarat openers Shubman Gill (39: 20b, 7x4) and Wriddhiman Saha (54: 39b, 5x4, 1x6) stitched a great 67 runs for the opening partnership to lay a great platform for their side. But once Gill was back in the hut it was all about Sai Sudharsan. The left-hander played knock for the ages as he batted exceptionally well and scored a brilliant 97 runs off 47 balls with the help of eight boundaries and six sixes. Skipper Hardik Pandya complemented him. In the end as Pandya scored an unbeaten 21 runs in 12 balls along with two sixes to power their side to the gigantic total of 214 runs. For Chennai, Matheesha Pathirana was the pick of the bowlers with his figures of two for 44.

With just 15 overs to chase, Chennai openers Ruturaj Gaikwad (26: 16b, 3x4, 1x6) and Devon Conway (47: 25b, 4x4, 2x6) came out all guns blazing and smashed 74 runs for the opening partnership. But the momentum shifted drastically as Noor Ahmad removed both the players in the seventh over to tilt the game in its side's favour. Ajinkya Rahane played a brilliant cameo as he smashed 27 runs in his 13 balls with the help of two boundaries and two sixes to bring his side back in the game. After that Shivam Dube took charge along with Ambati Rayudu (19, 8b, 1x4, 2x) to bring their side close to the target. However, there was a twist in the tale as Mohit Sharma picked two back-to-back wickets including MS Dhoni to keep things tight. With 13 runs needed off the last over, the game went down the wire. Ravindra Jadeja smashed ten runs off the last two balls to win the game for his side.

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Two shots of excellence and composure!

Finishing in style, the Ravindra Jadeja way ??#TATAIPL | #Final | #CSKvGT pic.twitter.com/EbJPBGGGFu

— IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 29, 2023

Gujarat Titans: 214-4 (20)
Fall of wickets: 1-67 (Shubman Gill-6.6 ov), 2-131 (Wriddhiman Saha-13.6 ov), 3-212 (Sai Sudharsan-19.3 ov), 4-214 (Rashid Khan-19.6 ov) 

Chennai Super Kings: 171-5 (15)
Fall of wickets: 1-74 (Ruturaj Gaikwad-6.3-ov), 2-78 (Devon Conway-6.6 ov), 3-117 (Ajinkya Rahane-10.5 ov), 4-149 (Ambati Rayudu-12.4 ov), 5-149 (MS Dhoni-12.5 ov)

SCORECARD 

Playing XIs

Gujarat Titans: Wriddhiman Saha (wicket-keeper), Shubman Gill, Sai Sudharsan, Vijay Shankar, Hardik Pandya (captain), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Mohit Sharma, Noor Ahmad, Mohammed Shami; Subs: Joshua Little, Srikar Bharat, Shivam Mavi, Odean Smith

Impact player: Joshua Little for Sai Sudharsan (2nd innings, 0.0 ov)

Chennai Super Kings: Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (captain & wicket-keeper), Deepak Chahar, Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana; Subs: Shivam Dube, Mitchell Santner, Subhranshu Senapati

Impact player: Shivam Dube for Matheesha Pathirana (2nd innings, 6.3 ov)

Match Details
Toss: Chennai Super Kings, elected to bat
Venue: Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad
Start time: 1400 hrs GMT
Match officials: Nitin Menon, Rod Tucker (On-field Umpires); KN Ananthapadmanabhan (TV Umpire); Jayaraman Madanagopal (Reserve Umpire); Javagal Srinath (Match-referee)

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