The final of IPL 2023 witnessed an exhilarating clash between Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and Gujarat Titans (GT). In a rain-interrupted encounter, CSK emerged victorious by 5 wickets, chasing down a challenging target set by Gujarat. This historic final saw Chennai lift its fifth IPL title and witnessed several records being shattered. Let’s delve into the thrilling details of this epic showdown.
Scheduled for Sunday, May 28, the IPL 2023 final encountered rain disruptions, resulting in the match being carried over to a reserve day. Even on the second day, the contest faced a brief halt due to rain, ultimately leading to the implementation of the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method to adjust the target. The match was prolonged, making it the longest IPL final in the tournament’s history.
Batting first, the Gujarat Titans put on a formidable display, amassing a challenging total of 212 runs. Their batters showcased remarkable skills, with powerful strokes and well-executed partnerships throughout the innings. The Gujarat squad set an imposing target for Chennai, leaving the defending champions with a mountain to climb.
In response to Gujarat’s formidable total, Chennai Super Kings approached their chase with determination and resilience. The match ebbed and flowed, with both teams fighting tooth and nail for the coveted title. Chennai’s batters exhibited exceptional skill and composure, managing the required run rate while simultaneously dealing with the pressure of the grand finale.
As the final moments unfolded, the match hung in the balance, captivating the audience with sheer unpredictability. With the contest coming down to the wire, Chennai Super Kings clinched a nerve-wracking victory on the last ball, securing the much-desired IPL title. The pulsating climax of the match will forever be etched in the memories of cricket enthusiasts.
Apart from the riveting nature of the final, IPL 2023 also witnessed significant records being shattered. Chennai Super Kings joined the elite league of teams to win the IPL title five times, matching the achievements of the Mumbai Indians. The competition between these two powerhouses has intensified as they vie for the record of the most successful team in IPL history.
Let’s have a look at the records made in the finals of this season: –
Oldest cricketer to win IPL Title:-
- 41y 327d – MS Dhoni* in 2023
- 40y 100d – MS Dhoni in 2021
- 38y 262d – Shane Warne in 2008
- 38y 178d – Matthew Hayden In 2010
- 38y 8d – Muttiah Muralitharan in 2010
- 38y 8d – Dwayne Bravo in 2021
- 37 years 248 days – Ambati Rayudu 2023
There was not a single half-century from the team that won the final:-
- Mumbai Indians in 2017
- Mumbai Indians in 2019
- Gujarat Titans in 2022
- Chennai Super Kings in 2023
Foreign opening batters who won the Player of the Match award in the IPL final:-
- Shane Watson (for CSK) in 2018
- Faf du Plessis (for CSK) in 2021
- Devon Conway (for CSK) in 2023
Most wicket-taker spinner in IPL final:-
- 4* – Ravindra Jadeja
- 4 – Ravichandran Ashwin
- 4 – Anil Kumble
- 4 – Harbhajan Singh
- 4 – Shadab Jakati
- 4 – Pragyan Ojha
- 4 – Karanveer Singh
Best bowling strike rate (min 20 overs) in an IPL season:-
- 9.8 – Mohit Sharma in 2023
- 9.9 – Andre Russell in 2022
- 10.0 – Mitchell Marsh in 2023
- 10.5 – Andrew Tye in 2017
- 10.5 – Harshal Patel in 2021
This is the first time that an Indian has won the Purple Cap three times in a row:-
- 2021 – Harshal Patel (RCB)
- 2022 – Yuzvendra Chahal (RR)
- 2023 – Mohammed Shami (GT)
Status of IPL finals in last 8 years:-
- 2009 – The team batting first won
- 2011 – The team batting first won
- 2013 – The team batting first won
- 2015 – The team batting first won
- 2017 – The team batting first won
- 2019 – The team batting first won
- 2021 – The team batting first wins
- 2023 – The chasing team won (last ball)