Hardik Pandya expressed his love and admiration for MS Dhoni after the IPL 2023 final (Photo: Sportzpix)
Hardik Pandya had a smile on his face at the post-match presentation as he said that if he had to lose, he would lose to MS Dhoni rather than anyone else.
Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya admitted that Chennai Super Kings played better cricket than his team after losing in the final of the Indian Premier League 2023. It was a nail-biting thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium and Ravindra Jadeja hit a six and a four off the last two balls to seal the victory for Chennai Super Kings.
It was a clash of MS Dhoni’s mentor vs Hardik Pandya and the former managed to emerge victorious as Chennai Super Kings lifted their fifth IPL title. After the heartbreaking defeat, Hardik had a smile on his face at the post-match presentation as he said that if he had to lose, he would lose to Dhoni rather than anyone else.
CSK vs GT IPL 2023 Final Highlights
I am very happy for him, that is what destiny had written. If I had to lose, I didn’t mind losing to him. Good things happen to good people and he is one of the nicest people I know. God has been kind, God has been kind to me too but today was his night,” Hardik Pandya said at the post-match presentation.
Talking about the match, Hardik said that he is proud of the way his team fought hard till the very last ball of the match.
“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 – together we win, We lose together,” he said.
He lauded Chennai Super Kings for their title win and also hailed the efforts of Sai Sudarshan, who scored a brilliant 96 to help Titans post 214 on the scoreboard.
“I am not going to make excuses, CSK have played better cricket. We batted really well, special mention to Sai, it’s not easy to play so well at this level.”
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Talking about the performance of his bowlers throughout the season, Hardik said that Mohit Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Rashid Khan have done well for the team on several occasions.
“Really happy for the guys. We have been backing them and their success has been their success. Mohit, Shami, Rashid all…the way they put their hands up. Special mention to the coaching staff too. I appreciate them Couldn’t ask for anything more,” he said.
