IPL 2023 Final: Three reasons why MS Dhoni's CSK won the big game

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IPL 2023 Final saw Chennai Super Kings emerge victorious for the fifth time as the MS Dhoni-led franchise got better off the defending champions Gujarat Titans in a nail-biting final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday (May 29).

The match saw plenty of actions, twists, and turns with 21-year-old Sai Sudharsan setting the final alight early on with a knock of 96 runs to take Gujarat Titans to 214/4 after being put to bat first.

CSK's chase was truncated to 15 overs following a rain and wet outfield interruption as the revised target was set at 170. MyKhel brings to you the three reasons why CSK won the IPL 2023 final.

Shubman Gill's lightning-quick dismissal by MS Dhoni

Shubman Gill came into the final as the man in form with three centuries in the last four games. The GT opener was in the form of his life throughout the 2023 season and converted the same in IPL 2023 with close to 900 runs to win the Orange Cap. Gill was also gifted a life early on after Deepak Chahar dropped a dolly at the backward square.

The batter made most of the opportunity by slamming 39 runs in the 19 balls and looked set for another big knock before MS Dhoni cut his stay short with a lightning-quick stumping after Ravindra Jadeja deceived him with a sharp turn. Gill committed himself to a drive and was caught short of his ground by MSD, who took 0.12 seconds to take off the bails upon collection of the ball.

Devon Conway onslaught in chase

The pressure of the asking rate of close to 12 runs an over could have gotten to CSK in the final if not for the blistering start provided by opener Devon Conway, who scored a 25-ball 47 while adding 74 runs for the first wicket with Ruturaj Gaikwad (26). The duo scored a brisk pace in the first six overs (four overs for powerplay) to set the tone for the chase.

The New Zealand opener, who ended the season with 672 runs in the season, was also awarded the man of the match. His efforts subdued the impact of Purple Cap winner Mohammad Shami, who took the bulk of his wickets in the powerplay this season.

Ravindra Jadeja and Shivam Dube's finishing

Despite the good start provided by the openers, the tide of the match turned in GT's favour with Mohit Sharma taking three wickets late in the CSK innings. The seam bowler silent the crowd by dismissing MS Dhoni for a duck after dismissing Ambati Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane earlier to finish the season with 27 wickets.

However, Ravindra Jadeja (15* off 6) and Shivam Dube (32* off 21) held on to their nerves in the big game by keeping the scoreboard ticking under pressure with Jadeja calmly slotting a six and a four when 10 runs were needed off the last two deliveries. Notably, Rayudu scored a quick 8-ball 19 to reduce the required rate.