'What a champion Jadeja, special mention to Dhoni' - Virat Kohli in congratulatory message for CSK on their fifth IPL title

Mahendra Singh-Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) outplayed Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets via DLS method in the rain-curtailed 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL) final at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Monday, May 29.

Gujarat were invited to bat first and posted a mammoth 214 runs in 20 overs, the highest-ever score in an IPL final, thanks to Sai Sudharshan's 47-ball 96 runs. Apart from Sudharsan, Wriddhiman Saha also played a crucial knock, scoring 54 off 39 deliveries. Matheesha Pathirana picked two wickets while Deepak Chahar and Ravindra Jadeja made one scalp each.

Later, weather stopped play, forcing the second innings to be cut short to 15 overs, leaving Chennai with 171 to chase.

Chennai got off to an explosive start during the chase, thanks to openers Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, and Impact Player Shivam Dube also provided worthwhile contributions for the MS Dhoni-led side. When CSK required 10 runs in the final two balls, Jadeja smacked Mohit Sharma for a six and flicked the final ball behind for a boundary to hand CSK their fifth title in the lucrative league.

Many, including Virat Kohli, lavished praise on CSK’s star all-rounder for his last-over heroics in the summit clash. Away from the action in London for the World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia, India and the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) batter took to his official Instagram handle to praise 'champion' Jadeja and also had a ‘special mention' for CSK captain Dhoni.

"What a champion @ravindra, Jadeja. Well done CSK and special mention to @mahi7781," Kohli wrote on his Instagram story.

Following the game, Dhoni indicated that, while this is the ideal time to announce his retirement, he will try to play for one more season as a 'gift' to his fans for the amount of love he has received this season. He went on to say that the way they've expressed their love and emotion and it is something he needs to do for them.