IPL 2023: “If I had to lose, I'd rather lose to Dhoni,” says Hardik Pandya after GT’s defeat against CSK in IPL 16 final

Gujarat Titans lost a last-ball thriller against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 final.

Gujarat Titans (GT) suffered a narrow five-wicket defeat at the hands of Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in IPL 2023 final at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Monday (May 29).

In a rain-marred affair, the Titans piled up a mammoth 214/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Sai Sudharsan was the top scorer with 47-ball 96 while Wriddhiman Saha (54 off 39), Shubman Gill (39 off 20) and Hardik Pandya (21* off 12) chipped in with handy contributions.

Chasing the revised target of 171 in 15 overs, CSK got over the line on the final delivery. Ruturaj Gaikwad (26) and Devon Conway (47) led the foundation with a 74-run opening stand while Ajinkya Rahane (27 off 13) and Ambati Rayudu (19 off 8) played vital cameos to keep the Super Kings in the hunt.

With 13 needed off the final over, Mohit Sharma bowled four consecutive yorkers to Shivam Dube (32* off 21) and Ravindra Jadeja and conceded only three runs. However, Jadeja (15* off 6) smashed the penultimate delivery for a six and the final delivery for a boundary to seal the deal for CSK.

Speaking after the loss, GT skipper Hardik Pandya said: “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 (Sudharsan), 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,” he added.

Hardik also gave a special mention to CSK skipper MS Dhoni in his speech at the post-match presentation ceremony.

It was CSK’s fifth IPL title under Dhoni’s captaincy, equalling Mumbai Indians’ record of winning the IPL title most times.

“(On MS Dhoni) I'm very happy for him, 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,” Hardik concluded.