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Coming into the tournament after a dismal outing in the 2022 edition, MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings equaled Mumbai Indians record of five IPL titles under their name. The side clinched their record fifth title after beating defending champions Gujarat Titans by five wickets through DLS method.
All eyes were on MS Dhoni and his side as they took the field for the much-awaited clash for several different reasons, one of them definitely being if this was CSK skipper’s last. However, he finally put an end to the rumours which stood since the start of the season.
Although it wasn’t not the last for MS Dhoni, it was definitely for CSK batter Ambati Rayudu. The 37-year-old just hours ahead of the IPL Final, originally scheduled to take place on May 28, Sunday called on his career and said that the final between CSK & GT will be his last and this time it won’t be a U-turn.
Talking during the post-match presentation, CSK skipper heaped praise of the star player. While praising Rayudu, Dhoni also asserted that with Rayudu in the ranks for a team in IPL, a team can never win Fair Play Award. “With Ambati Rayudu in team, you can never win IPL Fair Play award,” MS Dhoni said at the post-match presentation ceremony. David Warner-led Delhi Capitals claimed the Fair Play away in the 2023 edition of the cash-rich league.
It is to be noted that Rayudu ends his IPL career with six titles under his belt. While he was part of MI, winning three titles with them. He thereafter clinched the titles with CSK after he was roped in 2018. In this edition, Rayudu featured in 15 matches, aggregating 139 runs.