Hardik Pandya: ‘If I needed to lose, I do not thoughts dropping to MS Dhoni’
After defending champions Gujarat Titans misplaced to Chennai Super Kings on the final ball of the IPL 2023 final in Ahmedabad, their captain Hardik Pandya mentioned he did not thoughts dropping to MS Dhoni, whom he considers his mentor.
In a rain-affected recreation, it got here right down to CSK needing ten from two balls, and Ravindra Jadeja hit Mohit Sharma for a six and 4 to seal the win for his facet.
“I’m very happy for him [Dhoni],” Hardik mentioned on the post-match presentation. “Destiny had this written for him. If I had to lose, I don’t mind losing to him. I said last year that good things happen to good people. I think he is one of the nicest people I have met. God has been kind to me, but I think God gave him a little more today.”
After being put in, Titans posted 214 for 4, due to 21-year-old Sai Sudharsan‘s 47-ball 96. But rain, after which moist situations, decreased CSK’s activity to 171 required from 15 overs.
When requested if rain hampered his facet’s probabilities, Hardik mentioned: “I’m not one of those guys who make excuses. CSK played better cricket than us. The way we batted was definitely amazing. Special mention to Sai as well. Someone that young coming and playing at this stage the kind of innings he played. I just wish him well and he is going to do wonders in his life.”
While Titans could not defend their title, there have been many positives all through the season. Shubman Gill completed the event with 890 runs, the second-most for a batter in an IPL season. Mohammed Shami, with 28 wickets, was the main wicket-taker this 12 months, and Mohit Sharma and Rashid Khan had been the joint-second with 27 every.
“I am really happy for the guys,” he mentioned. “We’ve always been about backing them, and making sure they get the best out of them. Their success has been their success. The way they have prepared, the way they have taken the responsibility… Mohit, Shami, Rashid, everyone… the way they put their hand up and said, ‘Don’t worry, we got you.’ So very happy for the boys.
“I feel we tick loads of packing containers, and we play with our coronary heart. We’ve all the time been a group that has stood collectively and backed one another. Really pleased with the way in which they’ve performed the entire season. No one gave up. They saved combating. In our group, there is a motto: we win collectively and we lose collectively. Maybe it was a kind of days immediately.
“A special mention for the coaching staff as well. They have been fantastic. They have had sleepless nights making sure the boys are in a good frame of mind. I can’t ask anything more from them.”