After his team’s stunning five wicket victory in the final, Chennai Super Kings captain MS Dhoni invited Ambati Rayudu to accept the IPL 2023 trophy. As the trophy was presented to CSK, all rounder Ravindra Jadeja was also there.
On Monday, May 29, Chennai defeated Gujarat Titans by five wickets (DLS method) in the IPL 2023 final at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. GT scored 214/4 after being sent to bat after losing the toss. Sai Sudharsan top scored with a 47 ball 96.
After a lengthy weather delay, CSK were given a revised target of 171 in 15 overs. Rayudu, who announced his retirement from the IPL, had a key cameo of 19 from 8. Jadeja hit the final two balls of the match for a six and a four, lifting Chennai to a memorable victory.
MS Dhoni requested Rayudu and Jadeja to follow him as he went up to accept the winner’s trophy from BCCI President and BCCI Secretary Jay Shah at the post match presentation ceremony.
While a beaming Rayudu collected the trophy, Jadeja also placed a hand on it. The unassuming Dhoni was happy to watch the action from the side. Subsequently, other members of the CSK contingent also joined in the celebrations.
MS Dhoni on his return for IPL 2024
One of the major questions surrounding IPL 2023 is whether MS Dhoni has the stamina to compete in another season of IPL. Everyone is debating for the past month and half. MS Dhoni has finally spoken up. He stated that it all depends upon how his body prepares for the task.
“If you see circumstantially this is the best time for me to announce retirement. But the amount of love and affection I’ve been shown wherever I’ve been this year, the easy thing for me would be to say, ‘Thank you very much’. But the tough thing for me is to work hard for another nine months and come back and play at least one more season of IPL.”
“A lot depends on the body, I have six-seven months to decide and it will be more like a gift from my side [to the fans]. It’s not easy for me but the way they’ve shown their love and affection, that’s something I need to do for them.”
Dhoni stepped down from international cricket in 2020, but he has continued to captain CSK in the IPL, leading them to victories in 2021 and 2023.