Hardik Pandya, the captain of the Gujarat Titans, claimed he didn’t mind losing to MS Dhoni, whom he considers his mentor, after the reigning champions lost to Chennai Super Kings on the final ball of the IPL 2023 final in Ahmedabad.
When CSK needed ten runs from two balls in a rain-affected match, Ravindra Jadeja smashed Mohit Sharma for a six and a four to secure his team’s victory.
At the post-game presentation, Hardik said, “I’m very happy for him [Dhoni].” “Destiny wrote this specifically for him. I wouldn’t mind losing to him if I had to. I remarked last year that nice people experience good things. He ranks among the nicest persons I’ve ever met, in my opinion. Although God has been gracious to me, I believe God showed him a bit more today.
Titans scored 214 for 4 after being sent in, owing to 21-year-old Sai Sudharsan’s 47-ball 96. However, rain and subsequent damp weather made CSK’s work easier, requiring only 171 runs from 15 overs.
I’m not one of those individuals that makes excuses,” Hardik responded when asked if the weather hurt his team’s prospects. CSK outperformed us in cricket. We batted absolutely brilliantly. Sai deserves special notice as well. Someone that young would not have been able to play the kind of innings he did at this point. I just want to wish him luck and know that he will achieve great things.
Even though the Titans were unable to retain their championship, the season had several bright aspects. With 890 runs at the end of the competition, Shubman Gill has the second-most runs scored by a batsman in an IPL season. Mohit and Rashid Khan tied for second place with 27 each, followed by Mohammed Shami, who took the most wickets this year with 28.
He exclaimed, “I am genuinely thrilled for the guys. “We’ve always believed in supporting them and ensuring that they achieve their full potential. Their achievement has been their achievement. The manner in which they planned and accepted responsibility… Everyone — Mohit, Shami, Rashid — the way they raised their hand and assured them that they had you covered. I’m overjoyed for the lads.
“I believe we check off many boxes and play to our hearts. We’ve always worked as a cohesive unit, supporting one another. I’m quite proud of how they’ve performed throughout the season. Nobody quit. The fighting persisted. We win together and lose together is the team’s motto. Maybe it was just one of those days.
“A special mention should also go to the coaching staff. They have been excellent. Making ensuring the lads are in a good mood has kept them up at night. There is nothing else I can expect of them.
