In a breathtaking final showdown at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Ravindra Jadeja emerged as the hero, smashing a six and a four off the last two balls to secure Chennai Super Kings' fifth IPL title. In a rain-affected match, CSK defeated defending champions Gujarat Titans by five wickets (DLS Method) in a thrilling encounter that left the crowd on the edge of their seats.
Earlier in the day, Sai Sudharsan showcased his brilliance with a scintillating knock of 96 off just 47 deliveries. Supported by Wriddhiman Saha's 54 off 39 balls and Shubman Gill's 39 off 20, the Gujarat Titans set an imposing total of 214/4 before rain interrupted play, resulting in a revised target of 171 runs in 15 overs for CSK.
As the chase began, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway provided CSK with a blazing start. Gaikwad opened the innings with a stylish square drive for four, displaying his intent from the get-go. However, rain interrupted the match, and upon resumption, CSK had to chase down the revised target of 171 runs in 15 overs.
Gaikwad continued his attacking approach, hitting another boundary in the unfinished first over. Conway, too, wasted no time, launching Hardik Pandya for a six over extra cover and finding the boundary with an elegant shot to fine leg. The duo took on the opposition bowlers, accumulating 52 runs without loss at the end of the four-over powerplay.
CSK continued their assault as Rashid Khan was introduced into the attack, only to be taken on by Gaikwad and Conway. They hammered a couple of fours and a six, maintaining CSK's momentum. Noor Ahmad finally provided the breakthrough for Gujarat Titans, dismissing Gaikwad for 26 off 16 balls. In the same over, Noor struck again, removing Conway for a well-made 47 off 25 deliveries.
Ajinkya Rahane took charge of the situation and immediately unleashed his stroke-play with two exquisite sixes off Josh Little, adding 16 runs to the scoreboard. Noor Ahmad, however, restored balance with another brilliant over, conceding just five runs and finishing with remarkable figures of 3-0-17-2.
Rahane continued his assault, hitting a couple of boundaries off Rashid Khan, reducing the equation to 60 runs needed off 30 balls. In the 11th over, Mohit Sharma struck a crucial blow, dismissing Rahane for 27 off 13 balls, caught at deep point off a slower delivery. Mohit followed it up with a magnificent over, conceding only six runs and bringing the equation to 53 needed off 24 balls.
Rashid Khan tightened the screws with four tight deliveries in the 12th over, giving away only three runs. However, Shivam Dube finally found his rhythm and unleashed two consecutive sixes to collect 15 runs from the over. Ambati Rayudu, playing his last IPL match, joined the party by smashing a six and a four in the 13th over. But Mohit Sharma fought back strongly, claiming the wickets of Rayudu and MS Dhoni on successive deliveries, swinging the match once again. The roller-coaster ride saw 17 runs and two wickets, with the equation coming down to 21 runs needed off 12 balls.
Mohammad Shami bowled an excellent penultimate over, conceding just eight runs and adding more pressure on CSK. With 13 runs required off the final over, the experienced Mohit Sharma bowled four yorkers upfront, restricting CSK to just three runs. However, on the penultimate delivery, Jadeja smashed a massive six over long on, bringing the equation down to four runs needed off the final ball. Mohit missed his mark and delivered a low full toss down the leg side, which Jadeja cleverly guided to fine leg for a boundary, sealing the victory for CSK and triggering wild celebrations.
Earlier in the day, Chennai Super Kings won the toss and elected to bowl. They made one change to the lineup, with Matheesha Pathirana replacing Shivam Dube. Gujarat Titans named an unchanged playing XI. CSK started well, displaying disciplined and accurate bowling, and even had the openers in trouble early on. However, a dropped catch by Deepak Chahar allowed Shubman Gill to continue his innings. Wriddhiman Saha capitalized on the opportunity and unleashed an onslaught, scoring a six, a four, and lofting one over cover in the second over. Gill joined the party, punishing CSK for the dropped chance with three exquisite fours.
CSK captain MS Dhoni introduced spin through Maheesh Theekshana, and Ravindra Jadeja's brilliance behind the stumps resulted in Gill's dismissal via stumping. Jadeja's tight bowling, conceding only 24 runs in four overs, helped CSK regain control. At the halfway mark, GT reached 86/1.
Sai Sudharsan provided some relief for Gujarat Titans, hitting two well-placed boundaries off Matheesha Pathirana. Sudharsan and Saha continued their onslaught, with Sudharsan reaching his fifty off 36 balls. He displayed his attacking prowess, hitting a flurry of boundaries and sixes to amass a valuable knock. Sudharsan's aggression was balanced out by Pathirana, who bowled a decent 18th over, conceding only nine runs.
In the penultimate over, Pandya and Sudharsan unleashed their power, accumulating 18 runs off Deshpande's bowling and taking Gujarat Titans past the 200-run mark. Sudharsan started the final over with two superb sixes but fell agonizingly short of a century as Pathirana trapped him LBW. Pathirana claimed another wicket off the last ball, dismissing Rashid Khan, as Gujarat Titans set a challenging target of 214/4.
With a revised target, Chennai Super Kings embarked on a thrilling chase, culminating in a dramatic finish. Ravindra Jadeja's heroics ensured that CSK clinched their fifth IPL title, leaving the crowd in awe and jubilation.