Hardik Pandya said he would not mind losing to MS Dhoni after Chennai Super Kings defeated his team in the IPL 2023 final. He said that Dhoni was meant to win the Cup this year.
CSK defeated GT in the IPL 2023 final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad by five wickets (DLS method). The game began on Monday evening and concluded well after midnight owing to a significant rain delay. With a revised goal of 171 in 15 overs, Ravindra Jadeja guided CSK to victory. He smacked the final two balls off Mohit Sharma for six and four, respectively.
Hardik Pandya was overflowing in his gratitude for his mentor and opponent MS Dhoni, during the post-match ceremony.
“I’m very happy for him [Dhoni]. 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.”
Gujarat had to bat first as they lost the toss and posted a remarkable score of 214/4. This was led by Sai Sudharsan’s 96 off 47 balls. CSK needed to chase 171 in 15 overs because of the weather.
“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.”
Hardik Pandya
Sudharsan smashed 8 fours and 6 sixes in a brilliant display of pure hitting before being dismissed in last over of Gujarat’s innings.
Hardik Pandya praises teammates
Despite the heartbreaking loss in the IPL 2023 final, Hardik Pandya was all praises for his teammates. He stated that everyone kept fighting till the very end and he couldn’t have asked for me.
“I am really happy for the guys. 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’.”
“I think we tick a lot of boxes, and we play with our heart. We’ve always been a team that has stood together and backed each other. Really proud of the way they have played the whole season. No one gave up. They kept fighting. In our team, there’s a motto: we win together and we lose together. Maybe it was one of those days today.”
Hardik Pandya
While Gujarat finished second in the IPL 2023, Shubman Gill (890 runs) received the Orange Cap and spinner Mohammed Shami (28 wickets) received the Purple Cap. Mohit and Rashid Khan were the joint second top wicket takers in the tournament.