Watch: The Chennai Super Kings-Gujarat Titans IPL 2023 final reached a nervy conclusion soon after MS Dhoni was dismissed for a first-ball duck in his 250th game.

Rescheduled to the reserve day after incessant rain wiped out any action on May 28, the IPL final was delayed further on Monday (May 29) for close to two-and-a-half hours after a rain shower followed the innings break.

CSK were set a formidable 171 in 15 overs for their fifth IPL title and got going with a 74-run opening stand in 6.3 overs. Gujarat bounced back with three quick wickets, but some quick cameos from Ambati Rayudu and Ajinkya Rahane saw CSK get back in the game. Rayudu’s dismissal in the 13th over, with 22 runs needed in the last 14 balls brought Dhoni to the crease, as the Narendra Modi Stadium went up in a loud cheer.

However, the CSK supporters were silenced on the very next ball as Mohit Sharma sent down a fuller delivery on the off stump, which the batter drove straight into the hands of the fielder at extra cover. It was the first time since 2015 that Dhoni was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the IPL, and only the third time in his IPL career overall.

CSK eventually won their fifth title, with Ravindra Jadeja taking the team home with 10 runs to win in two balls.

Dhoni has remained tight-lipped about his future in the IPL, but reports suggest that the 41-year-old might not return as a player in 2024.

Watch Dhoni’s first-ball duck here:

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