Chennai Super Kings (CSK) won their fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title on Monday, defeating Gujarat Titans (GT) by five wickets in a thrilling final in Ahmedabad.
B Sai Sudharsan slammed 96 in 47 balls as GT posted 214 for four after being asked to bat first.
Set a revised target of 171 in 15 overs after rain interrupted play at the start of the second innings, CSK completed the task in the last ball, with Ravindra Jadeja hitting a six and a four off Mohit Sharma to win it.
The win was CSK's first since 2021 and equaled Mumbai Indians' record for most IPL titles.
Dhoni, who has hinted that this could be his last season in the IPL, was at his calm and collected best as he led CSK to victory. He also produced a stunning stumping to dismiss Shubman Gill, who was looking in good touch.
Ruturaj Gaikwad (26) and Devon Conway (47) gave CSK a good start, but they lost Ajinkya Rahane (27), Ambati Rayudu (19) and Dhoni (0) in quick succession to see their chances diminish.
But Jadeja turned the tables on GT's best death bowler, Mohit Sharma (3/36), smacking him for a six and a four on the last two balls to seal the deal for his side.
The win was a fitting end to a memorable IPL season for CSK, who finished second in the league table before winning all four of their playoff matches.
Dhoni was named the player of the match for his all-round performance, while Jadeja was named the player of the tournament.
The win was a huge boost for CSK, who have struggled in recent years. It will give them a lot of confidence going into next season.
It was also a great day for Indian cricket, as both CSK and GT are largely made up of Indian players. This shows that the IPL is a great platform for Indian players to showcase their talent and make a name for themselves.
The IPL is now over for another year, but it will be back in 2024. And with so many talented players in the competition, it is sure to be another exciting season.