IPL 2023 Final | Ravindra Jadeja proved fairy tales exist in sport, says Stephen Fleming
The Hindu
Stephen Fleming doesn’t believe in fairy tales in sport but Ravindra Jadeja’s near-improbable heist that took Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to its fifth IPL trophy might come closest to it
Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming has said that he doesn’t believe in fairy tales in cricket but that Ravindra Jadeja’s improbable final-over heist, which took Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to its fifth IPL trophy in the early hours of May 30, came might close.
With 13 needed to win in the final over against Gujarat Titans (GT), CSK managed only three runs off the first four balls before Jadeja smashed Mohit Sharma for a six and a four off the last two deliveries to literally snatch the Cup from under Gujarat’s nose.
“They say there are no fairy tales in the sport, but it was a pretty good one today. It has been a bit [of a] difficult 18 months where, as the captaincy was difficult, the injury was difficult, it took a bit of time from out of the game for him to come back into and be reintegrated into the Test side, and then re-integrate into CSK,“ Fleming told the media after Chennai defeated Gujarat Titans in the IPL final here.
In fact, Fleming had in his mind reconciled to defeat before the final two deliveries were bowled by Mohit and Jadeja turned it all around.
Also read | IPL 2023 Final | Chennai Super Kings beats Gujarat Titans by five wickets to win fifth title
"We have lost finals on the last ball which is an absolute heartache. I was gearing up myself for another heartache when Jaddu hit one for six and there could have been more heartache or more joy, I was not sure.
“But when I saw the ball go down, finally there was pure joy. This competition takes you to emotional levels that you cannot imagine,” the former New Zealand captain added.
Asian Games champion Avinash Sable opened his season in the 3000m steeple chase with a silver in the Portland Track Festival, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze event, in Oregon on Saturday. He clocked 8:21.85s. Asian champion Parul Chaudhary took the bronze in the women’s 3000m steeple chase in a season-best 9:31.38s. Former Asian bronze medallist Sanjivani Jadhav struck gold in the women’s 10,000m in 32:22.77s, a time which was a second off her personal best, while Seema was sixth in 32:55.91s.