'If I Had To Lose...': Hardik Pandya's Tribute To MS Dhoni After IPL 2023 Final Defeat

GT skipper Hardik Pandya hailed CSK skipper MS Dhoni after losing the IPL 2023 final.

Gujarat Titans batter Hardik Pandya plays a shot during the IPL 2023 cricket match between Gujarat Titans and Chennai Super Kings, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Monday, May 29, 2023.

Source : PTI

Gujarat Titans (GT) came close to a record-equalling second straight Indian Premier League (IPL) title but fell short after Chennai Super Kings (CSK) registered a thrilling last-ball win over them at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The rain-affected match which was originally slated to be held on Sunday got over way past 1'o clock in the morning on Tuesday (May 30) but those who were present at the venue got their money's worth as they were treated to a last-ball thriller in the summit clash and were witness to a game that will be remembered for ages.

After being invited to bat first, GT posted 214/4 in their 20 overs on the reserve day of the final on Monday (May 29) after rain had made no play possible on Sunday. Young Sai Sudharsan (96 off 47) and Wriddhiman Saha (54 off 39) were the stars with the architect of the GT innings as they ended up with the highest-total ever in an IPL final. In response, CSK were given a revised target of 171 in 15 overs after rain returned just a few deliveries into the Chennai innings. However, the Men in Yellow chased down their target in what was a last-ball finish to the game with Ravindra Jadeja finding a boundary with four needed off the last ball.

After the match, GT skipper Hardik Pandya despite the defeat gave a tribute to MS Dhoni saying that if had to lose it, he would rather lose it to the CSK captain than anyone else in the competition.

"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," Hardik said at the post-match presentation.

Other than Sudharsan and Saha, Noor Ahmad (2/17) and Mohit Sharma (3/36) were also impressive on the night but unfortunately GT came second best.