Although Gujarat Titans failed to defend their title in the IPL 2023 final against Chennai Super Kings, GT captain Hardik Pandya said he doesn’t mind losing the title to none other than to “good people” like MS Dhoni.
Ravindra Jadeja had his best IPL moment as he hit Mohit Sharma for a 6 and 4 when CSK needed 10 runs in 2 balls to clinch CSK’s 5th IPL title at the Narendra Modi stadium in Ahmedabad. With 5 IPL titles, CSK and Mahendra Singh Dhoni stand together with Mumbai Indians and Rohit Sharma despite playing 2 fewer seasons than MI.
Hardik Pandya reckoned it was in the destiny of the 42-year-old MS Dhoni to win the title.
The CSK captain also hinted later on that he could play next year as well if his body allows it.
“I’m very happy for him (MS Dhoni), destiny had this written. 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,” GT Skipper said at the time of the post-match presentation.
For GT, Shubman Gill won the Orange Cap and Mohammed Shami won the Purple Cap. Sai Sudharsan was the batting star for GT in the night of the final with his brilliant innings of 96 runs in 47 balls. However, a collective batting effort from CSK overcame Sudharsan’s heroics.
“I think we tick a lot of boxes as a team. 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. We batted really well, special mention to Sai (Sudarshan), not easy to play that well at this level. We have been backing the boys and trying to make sure we get the best out of them. But their success is their success. The way they have put their hand up and delivered – Mohit, Rashid, Shami everyone,” GT Skipper further added.
