In a thrilling last-ball finish, the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), led by the legendary MS Dhoni, secured their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title by defeating the defending champions, the Gujarat Titans. The victory marked a historic achievement for CSK, equalling the record for the most IPL titles won. The final match held at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad was an emotional moment for fans worldwide, as it was perceived to be Dhoni’s last appearance in the tournament.
An emotional video shared by the IPL captured the heartwarming moments after the match. In the footage, Dhoni is seen lifting Ravindra Jadeja in celebration while also acknowledging the efforts of Gujarat Titans’ captain, Hardik Pandya. Dhoni’s daughter, Ziva, joined in the celebration and gave her father a warm hug to congratulate him on the title.
Following their victory, Ziva was spotted lifting the IPL trophy alongside CSK players, adding to the joyous atmosphere at the stadium. The video showcased the emotional scenes that unfolded after Ravindra Jadeja’s match-winning four. The moment resonated with fans, evoking emotions and leaving them teary-eyed.
In the final match, Jadeja’s heroics played a crucial role in CSK’s triumph. Chasing a revised target of 171 runs in 15 overs due to rain interruptions, New Zealand’s Devon Conway provided a strong start with his quick-fire 47 off 25 balls. Contributions from Ajinkya Rahane (27) and Shivam Dube (unbeaten 32) set the stage for Jadeja’s final-over fireworks.
With 13 runs needed off the last over, bowled by Mohit Sharma, Jadeja struck the winning runs off the final two balls, sealing the victory for CSK and sparking exuberant celebrations at the stadium. The match, which went past 1:30 am local time on the reserve day following a washout on the original match day, created an electrifying atmosphere at the world’s largest cricket stadium.
The win took CSK’s IPL title tally to five, placing them on par with the Mumbai Indians, another highly successful franchise. Throughout the season, Dhoni continued to attract massive crowds wherever CSK played. In the final, over 80,000 fans cheered for the veteran cricketer, who had recently stated that he would decide his future later in the year.
Ambati Rayudu, who had announced his retirement before the final, played a crucial role, contributing 19 runs off eight balls in his last match. Rain interrupted the match briefly when CSK was at four runs without loss after three background staffoundstaff worked diligently for over two hours to prepare the field for play, ensuring a thrilling conclusion to the tournament.
Earlier in the match, Sai Sudharsan’s explosive innings of 96 off 47 balls guided the Gujarat Titans, who had won the title in their debut season the previous year, to a formidable total of 214-4. Despite their impressive performance, CSK displayed their resilience and determination, ultimately emerging victorious in a contest that will be remembered for years to come.
