IPL 2023: Top Five Game-Changing Moments in The Tournament

CSK won the IPL 2023 | Image source - AP Photo

After witnessing numerous cliffhangers, we finally got Chennai Super Kings (CSK) as the winner of the sixteenth Indian Premier League season. The showpiece event, which enthralled everyone with its dramatic twists and turns for over two months, saw several exceptional individual performances grabbing a billion eyeballs. However, there were also some key moments which will be remembered for a long time.

As the IPL 2023 has marked its conclusion, here we list the top five game-changing moments of the tournament. 

5) Sandeep Sharma's no-ball proves costly for RR

Rajasthan Royals had a dream start to the IPL 2023, winning four of their first five group-stage fixtures. However, it didn't take much time for the Sanju Samson-led team to move downhill and lose four of their subsequent five matches. 

In a must-win game against Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Royals posted a mammoth total of 214 runs before an ice-cool Abdul Samad seized the day for SRH with a last-ball six. However, the credit for the Royals' gut-wrenching defeat went to Sandeep Sharma, who bowled a no-ball in the final delivery of the game, allowing SRH to bounce back and seal a thrilling victory. 

The no-ball eventually proved costly for the Royals, leading to their group-stage exit from the tournament. 

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4) Tim David drops Shubman Gill in qualifier 2

Shubman Gill hammered a hundred against MI [Source: AP]

Shubman Gill had a prolific outing in the IPL 2023, amassing 890 runs at a superb average of 59.33. With the kind of form he was in, no team could afford to give him a lifeline throughout the tournament. However, unfortunately for Mumbai Indians, Tim David turned out to be the culprit in the all-important Qualifier 2, dropping Gill on 30. And as they say, the rest is history. 

The young batter from Punjab oozed his class as he hammered a belligerent 60-ball 129, including seven fours and ten humongous sixes. His glorious knock propelled Gujarat Titans to a massive 233, which they defended successfully later, progressing to the final. 

3) Yashasvi Jaiswal hits the fastest 50 in IPL

Yashasvi Jaiswal in action [Source: AP]

After having three topsy-turvy seasons, young Mumbai batter Yashasvi Jaiswal finally translated his red-hot domestic form into the IPL, garnering 625 runs at a fabulous average of 48.08 and a stupendous strike rate of 163.61. Besides amusing the spectators with his nonchalant stroke play, the stylish opener etched his name in history by setting the record for the fastest-ever half-century in the IPL. 

Jaiswal achieved the feat by completing his fifty in just 13 balls against KKR, helping RR chase a modest total of 150 runs with 6.5 overs and nine wickets to spare. His 98*-run knock, glittered with twelve fours and five sixes, earned the youngster massive praise from all corners of the world. 

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2) Rinku Singh shell-shocks Yash Dayal with five sixes

The IPL 2023 belonged to numerous emerging domestic talents who lit up the stage with their incredible skillset. While Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill made their mark, it was Rinku Singh who took all the limelight despite his franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, blowing hot and cold in the tournament. 

From making it into the memes on social media to occupying the front page of every newspaper, Rinku's stature skyrocketed during the course of the tournament. His biggest moment of glory came in a group-stage encounter against Gujarat Titans, as he stunned Yash Dayal with five consecutive sixes, ensuring a miraculous win for KKR.

1) Sir Jadeja's twin hits lead CSK to title

Ravindra Jadeja hit the winning runs for CSK [Source: AP]

Veteran Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja justified his 'MVP' tag to perfection, as his breezy cameo led Chennai Super Kings to the silverware on the night of the final. 

Batting first, Gujarat Titans posted a mammoth total of 214 runs, thanks to a gorgeous 96-run knock from B Sai Sudharsan. Considering the kind of bowling GT had, chasing 215 was always going to be a daunting task for the MS Dhoni-led outfit. 

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Chasing the revised target, CSK were on the verge of defeat, needing ten runs in the final two deliveries. However, Jadeja emerged as the saviour for his side, as he smashed a six and a four to pull off a heist.