CSK VS GT FINAL

Well then, what a crazy, crazy Indian T20 League season we have had! Two teams that faced each other in the very first game of the tournament also went head-to-head in the grand finale as well that too at the same venue. On the opening day, it was Gujarat who cruised to a win but it is Chennai who had the final say with the biggest win of them all. With that, we bid farewell for the time being and hope you've enjoyed our company. There's plenty of more cricketing action around the corner as the World Test Championship Final is only a few days away. Until then, take care and goodbye!

One last thing left to do and MS Dhoni is on stage to collect the coveted trophy but in a heart-warming sight, he calls upon Ravindra Jadeja and Ambati Rayudu, who is playing his final game to lift the trophy with him. The Chennai players then pose for a team photograph and we can see them all filled with joy and pride.

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai says circumstantially it is great time to announce his retirement but the tough part for him will be to train 9 months and come play one more season. Adds that the way the crowd followed him to different grounds and showed their affection, he feel they deserve for him to come back and play another season. Mentions that the simple fact is that it is the last part of the career and when he walked out, he heard the crowd chanting his name and had tears in his eye. Claims that they want to see him to come back which is what he will do and play however he can. Reckons that the fans love me him who he is and being grounded is what they like in him. Goes on to say that the kind of cricket he plays, anyone can play as there is nothing orthodox which is what they connect to. Informs that he wants to stay true to himself and that is what they love. Tells that every trophy you win whether it is a bilateral series or a tournament, it is a team game and they need to play together. Adds that in crunch situations individuals need to be ready. Admits that there have been lapses and even in this game they did not start the right way as the bowling department didn’t do their job but the batting department took the responsibility for them. He says that he does get frustrated as he is human as well but he tries to step into their shoe as to what happened. He understands that different individuals handle pressure differently and they want to groom them to handle situations. Ends by saying that the special thing about Ambati Rayudu is that when he off the pitch he gives his 100% and when he is on the field they will never win the fairplay award. Adds that they played India A together and he felt he would do something special in this game which he will not forget ever.

Chennai head coach, Stephen Fleming comes on stage to collect the winners' award on behalf of his side. After that, the skipper of Chennai, MS Dhoni comes on stage and picks up the winner's cheque as well.

Hardik Pandya, the captain of Gujarat then comes up and collects the runners-up cheque and shield. Pandya is down for a chat and begins by saying that they tick a lot of boxes and play with a lot of heart and is very proud of the way the boys have played throughout the season. Adds that he is not one of the guys who would make excuses and says that Chennai played better cricket. Says that they scored enough runs and then applauds Sai Sudharsan for the way he played and reckons he will rise up to better heights. Goes on to applaud all the players and takes a few names who put their hands up and also gives credit to the coaching staff. On MS Dhoni, he says that he is very happy for him and destiny was on his side and he doesn't mind losing to him. Ends by saying that MS Dhoni is a nice person and he believes that good things happen to good people.

The match officials for the final now come on stage and collect their mementos. After this, the players and staff members receive their runner-up medals and mementos which are collected by their head coach Ashish Nehra.

Mohammad Shami wins the award for the leading wicket-taker of the season. Shami picked up 28 wickets in 17 innings and at an average of 18.61.

Shubman Gill is adjudged the MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT for his sensational season. Gill also wins the leading run-scorer of the tournament as he scored 890 runs in 17 innings that included 3 centuries as well and he did all that at an average of 59.33 and a strike-rate of 157.80. Gill now joins in for a chat and says it obviously has been a lot of hard work going and they were going in the right direction but unfortunately, they could not end on the winning side. Mentions that it is important to start well and earlier he was getting starts but was getting out in the 40s and 50s. Adds that towards the business end, he started to convert those starts into big ones. Claims that he practised a lot before coming into the tournament and changed his technique a bit so it has been good. Ends by saying all his 100s were different from one another and he was able to pick the right bowlers by assessing the conditions.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is awarded the EMERGING PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT for scoring 625 runs in 14 innings at an average of 48.08 and a strike rate of 163.61.

Devon Conway is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his quick-fire knock of 47 runs off 25 balls that set the platform for Chennai's victory. Conway says that it was certainly a long time to wait and they were a bit nervous and he and Ruturaj Gaikwad just tried to come out and focus. Adds that it is the biggest win of his career and being a part of this team is amazing and the fans are amazing as well. Mentions that most of the credit for his performances must go to Michael Hussey and it was a special tournament for him.

The Presentation ceremony...

Lastly, the man who hit the title-clinching runs for Chennai, Ravindra Jadeja is down for a chat. Jadeja says it is an amazing feeling winning his fifth title in front of his home crowd and this was really special. Mentions that the crowd has been amazing and they waited till late at night to watch them win. Credits the Chennai fans for coming out and supporting them in large numbers. He dedicates this win to MS Dhoni. Claims that his plan was to swing hard no matter what. Explains that anything can happen but he backed himself and looked to hit straight. Ends by congratulating each and every fan of Chennai and says that as long as they are there, they will keep fighting and winning the trophies.

Tushar Deshpande, the leading wicket-taker for Chennai says that he had mentioned before the tournament started that he wanted to help his side win the title. Adds that having Dwayne Bravo by his side is great as he helps with the planning and that is what he executes.

Chennai's start batter of the season, Devon Conway is down for a quick chat now. He says that his plan was to swing from the word go and was looking to be positive. Mentions that it has been great batting alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad who is a clean hitter and the left-right combination does well for them. Claims that the atmosphere in the dressing room is great and it is wonderful to be a part of this side as there is so much to learn.

Moenn Ali is the next one in for a chat and he says that beating a good side like Gujarat was amazing. Mentions that they are always learning from MS Dhoni who takes out time to talk to everyone and is approachable which helps them to grow. Adds that he is a massive part of the team and that is why they have been so successful.

Ambati Rayudu now has the microphone in hand and says that it was a lovely finish and it was tense out there but he is really happy. Mentions that he has played in great sides before Deepak Chahar intervenes and says that Rayudu kept saying he will win the title for them and that is what he did. Rayudu adds that it is great to see that all his hard work for the last 30 years ended in this way so he is happy about that. Deepak claims that he knew he can contribute in the Powerplay and when they play they want to win the title. Ambati Rayudu takes a moment to thank his father and says without him it would not have been possible.

Ruturaj Gaikwad is the next man in for a quick chat. He says this is really special, especially after their last season and it was great to win the way they did on the last two deliveries. Mentions that Devon Conway was amazing all through the season with Ajinkya Rahane playing really well but Ambati Rayudu didn’t get many balls to face and yet he played an important inning when it mattered. Explains that they wanted to get a good start in the first few overs and they knew they had the batting to achieve the target. Ends by saying that they played well through the season and did well to perform like this in the last game.

Ajinkya Rahane says that he really enjoyed it and gives credit to the management and MS Dhoni who told him what his role was before the tournament when he gets his opportunity. Claims that they didn't interfere which is really big and that is how Chennai is as the back their players. Adds that it is a really special moment for him. About Ambati Rayudu, he mentions that he is very intense and a great team man but it was not easy for him to wait. Ends by saying that it was an important inning from Ambati so he is happy for him.

Let's now head for a few interviews...

Earlier in the game, MS Dhoni won the toss and put Gujarat into bat as he felt there would be rain later in the game. This turned out to be very true and that decision paid dividends of the highest order. Gujarat made a good start with the bat and the two openers looked in solid touch but couldn't convert the starts. It was Sai Sudharsan who played a special knock and turned a sluggish start into a game-changing knock. He fell just short of a sensational ton but his antics allowed Gujarat to get to 214. The bowling from Chennai was decent overall with no one really standing out as they all bowled well in patches and got hit as well. Coming to the chase, there was drama and one could feel the tension inside the ground. In the end of a topsy-turvy game though, it was Ravindra Jadeja who was the match-winner and took Chennai to their fifth Indian T20 League title, level with Mumbai.