After Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clinched their record fifth Indian Premier League (IPL) title, former Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain and LSG mentor, Gautam Gambhir, joined the cricketing fraternity in praising the Yellow Army. Gambhir’s congratulatory message also included an indirect dig at the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), who have yet to win a single IPL championship.
CSK’s victory came in a thrilling encounter against the defending champions, Gujarat Titans, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on May 29, 2023 (Monday).
Chennai Super Kings put up a stellar performance in the final, chasing a challenging target of 215 runs. However, due to rain, their required total was reduced to 171 runs in 15 overs. The CSK openers, Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad provided a solid start, laying a strong foundation for their team. Eventually, it was the heroics of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja with the bat that sealed the victory for CSK.
While the Titans managed to break the partnership between Gaikwad and Conway, the CSK middle order, comprising Ajinkya Rahane, Shivam Dube, and Ambati Rayudu, played crucial cameos to keep their team in the game. With 10 runs required off the last 2 balls, Jadeja unleashed his power-hitting abilities, smashing two consecutive boundaries to secure the fifth IPL trophy for CSK.
Gautam Gambhir, known for his straight talk, took to Twitter to congratulate CSK on their historic achievement. He acknowledged the difficulty of winning even a single IPL title and emphasized the unbelievable feat of winning five championships. In his tweet, Gambhir indirectly referred to the Royal Challengers Bangalore, a team that has never won an IPL title, contrasting their lack of success with CSK’s remarkable accomplishment.
In the aftermath of the victory, CSK captain MS Dhoni was asked about his retirement plans. Dhoni responded by suggesting that it is a better time to ask the question first and then provide an answer. He acknowledged that retiring is easier than making a comeback, hinting at the challenges associated with making decisions regarding his future in cricket.
Congratulations CSK! Winning 1 title is difficult, winning 5 is unbelievable! #IPL2023
— Gautam Gambhir (@GautamGambhir) May 30, 2023
As CSK celebrated their record fifth IPL title, Gautam Gambhir joined the chorus of praise for the team’s incredible achievement. His congratulatory message not only commended CSK but also subtly highlighted the contrasting fortunes of the Royal Challengers Bangalore, who are yet to win an IPL championship. The victory also raised questions about MS Dhoni’s retirement plans, with the captain indicating that it is a decision that requires careful consideration.