Written by Vaibhav Tripathi
Hardik Pandya, the Gujarat Titans (GT) captain, graciously accepted defeat in the IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) and expressed his happiness at MS Dhoni and his team winning a record-equalling fifth title in the Indian Premier League. CSK’s last-ball victory denied Gujarat back-to-back titles.
After winning the toss, the Titans put up a huge total of 214-4, led by Sai Sudharsan’s explosive knock of 96 from 47 deliveries. However, due to heavy showers, the second innings was delayed, resulting in a revised target of 171 runs in 15 overs for CSK. It went to the last ball of the match, with Ravindra Jadeja tucking a full toss down to the fine-leg boundary.
“I think we tick a lot of boxes as a team,” said Pandya at the post-match presentation. “We play with a lot of heart, really proud of the way we kept fighting. We have a motto – we win together, we lose together. I’m not going to make excuses, CSK played the better cricket.”
As for Dhoni, his captain when he made his India debut, Pandya couldn’t have been more effusive in his praise. “I’m very happy for him, destiny had this written,” he said. “If I had to lose, I’d rather lose to him. Good things happen to good people, and he’s been one of the best people I know. God has been kind. God has been kind to me as well, but today was his night.”