Here’s What These Super Kings Has to Say After Their 5th Title Win
Chennai Super Kings beat Gujarat Titans in the IPL 2023 final by five wickets in a rain-hit match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Tuesday. Mumbai Indians with its fifth title in the IPL. Captain Dhoni, playing in his 11th final, also equalled Rohit Sharma for the most titles as captain.
Here’s what the players and coaching staff of the Chennai Super Kings has to say after their amazing comeback that led them to their 5th trophy:
Ruturaj Gaikwad: This one was more special because how last year went for us. To come back in style, to win games at Chepauk and to win away games. The way everyone contributed through the season. Jinks, Conway.. Rayudu wasn’t getting balls. Would like to dedicate the win to Rayudu. Even today we were talking about having a good start. With wickets in hand, we thought we’ll easily chase down 12-13 an over in the end.
Deepak Chahar: Every time we had a discussion, he (Rayudu) kept telling me that I am going to win the final. The belief that he has is unbelievable. When you are playing, you just want to contribute. It was a simple plan. We knew we have to perform, even if it was just one game. We have to contribute to the team to win the final.
Devon Conway: (On his strategy) I think just positive intent, swing for the hills. It has been great batting with Rutu, such a clean hitter of the ball. Our partnership has worked really well, left-right combination and we enjoy our game together. I think it has been great, the environment here is really great. Happy that we are heading in the right direction and great to be part of this group.
Dwayne Bravo: It has been good, very happy with the team and this journey. Got to give credit to this team. We are all happy and proud to see these young bowlers take on the pressure. (On Tushar Deshpande) Happy with his progress, enjoyed working with him and all the other guys. I hope my best friend Kieron Pollard is watching, he has some catching up to do.
Stephen Fleming: We have like 20-odd players and 15 coaching staff. It’s a caravan of people but at the end of the day, you’re all just sitting and watching helplessly. (On developing players) He’s (Pathirana) been massive. We have been a little bit short in the bowling department so Tushar fronted up. We have enough talent there with Chahar, Simarjeet and a few others. With Pathirana, the backend all of a sudden became a weapon for us.
Mike Hussey: Can’t take much credit for that, but what a phenomenal game. Credit to GT for the way they fought. Jaddu did enough in the end, thankfully. (On MS Dhoni) He’s an amazing human being, the biggest strength is taking the pressure off the young guys. You saw a good example of that in the qualifier with Senapati, he told him to calm down and he got us that big run-out. Tactically very smart, and he and Stephen complement each other very well. That’s the benefit of experience, they are so cool and calm.
Moeen Ali: Voice has gone already. Amazing feeling. To beat such a good side on a wicket like that was amazing. You’re always learning from MS, just about how you deal with players and different situations.
Ajinkya Rahane: Really enjoyed it. Credit goes to CSK management and Mahi bhai. They said they would back me completely if I got an opportunity, and told me what my role was before the season. They did not interfere at all and the freedom which CSK gives is massive. Really happy with the way I batted. This is really special. Great character to have, very intense, very hard-working, great team man I would say. The knock he played today was really really special. Very happy for him.
Ravindra Jadeja: Feeling amazing winning fifth title in front of my home crowd. They’ve come in big numbers to support CSK. This crowd has been amazing. They were waiting for rain to stop till late night. Want to say big congratulations to CSK fans. Want to dedicate this win to one of the special members of our team – MS Dhoni. I was just thinking that I need to swing hard no matter what. Yeah anything can happen.
Tushar Deshpande: I said this at the start of the tournament that I want to win the IPL and I am really happy with my performance. Will be working on the areas to improve and with DJ (Bravo), on my side, I have clear plans on how to go about my bowling.
Ambati Rayudu: It’s a fairytale finish and I couldn’t have asked for more. It’s unbelievable, really fortunate to have played in some great sides. This win is something I will remember for the rest of my life, for all the hardwork in the last 30 years, happy that it finished on this note. I would like to take this moment to thank my family and thank my father, without him I wouldn’t have been here today.
Devon Conway, Player of the Match: It was a long time to wait, very nervous but Rutu and I plotted how we’ll go about it. Personally, is the greatest win in my career. IPL final, doesn’t get bigger than that. Lot of credit to Mike Hussey, fellow left-handed player. Nice to be in his shoes.
Before moving on to the Dhoni’s word, we bring you what Hardik Pandya said after the match.
Hardik Pandya: We have been backing the boys and trying to make sure we get the best out of them. But their success is their success. The way they have put their hand up and delivered – Mohit, Rashid, Shami everyone. (On MS Dhoni) I’m very happy for him, destiny had this written. If I had to lose, I’d rather lose to him. Good things happen to good people, and he’s been one of the best people I know. God has been kind, God has been kind to me as well but today was his night.
MS Dhoni: Looking for an answer? Circumstantially if you see, this is the best time to announce my retirement. But the amount of love and affection I have been shown wherever I have been this year, the easy thing would be for me to say “Thank you very much”, but the tough thing for me is to work hard for another 9 months and come back and play at least 1 more season of IPL. A lot depends on the body, I have 6-7 months to decide.
It will be more like a gift from my side, it’s not easy for me but that’s a gift. The way they’ve shown their love and affection, I think that’s something I need to do for them. You do get emotional simply because it’s the last part of my career, it started over here and the first game when I walked down everyone was chanting my name.
My eyes were full of water and I just stood there in the dugout for a while. I realised I want to enjoy this. It was the same thing in Chennai, it was my last game over there but it will be good to come back and play whatever I can. They love me for what I am.
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