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, GT pacer 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.
After the game, Mohit spoke to The Indian Express and opened up about his plan for the final over.
“My mind was very clear in what I wanted to do. In the nets, I had practiced such situations and I have been in such scenarios before too. So I said let me bowl all balls yorkers and was backing my instinct,” Sharma said.
When the equation became 10 off last two balls, GT players formed a small huddle. Mohit recalled what was the conversation about.
“They wanted to know what will be my plan of action. I said I will again try to bowl yorker. People are now saying this and that but frankly it has no meaning. I knew what I wanted to do.”
After being hit for a six on the penultimate delivery, Mohit Sharma was trying to bowl another yorker but his execution wasn’t up to the mark.
“I ran and tried to bowl (yorker) again. I just wanted to be focussed and back myself. Whole IPL I have done that. The ball landed where it shouldn’t have and Jadeja got his bat. I tried, I tried my best,” he stated.
The 34-year-old confessed that he couldn’t sleep because of what happened in the last two deliveries.
“I couldn’t sleep. Sochta raha kya alag karta joh match jeet jaate. What if I could have bowled this ball or that ball? It’s not a nice feeling now. Somewhere something is missing but I’m trying to move on,” Mohit said.
Talking about his journey in the IPL 2023 season, Sharma said: “I was picked from nowhere. I remember speaking to Ani bhai (Anirudh Chaudhary, a veteran Haryana administrator) before the season what shall I do? Shall I continue or not. He had said I should try to play. I had come with no expectation and just have continued to work hard. My work ethic has remained the same. I don’t know what lies ahead, but I have enjoyed my journey.”
(The Indian Express Inputs)
