‘Destiny Favoured Him’, Hardik Pandya Reflects On MS Dhoni's IPL 2023 Victory

Gujarat Titans (GT), the reigning champions of the IPL showcased their fearless cricket in the 2023 edition but were halted in their title defence by MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

In a rain-curtailed thriller at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, CSK emerged victorious, defeating Hardik Pandya's GT by five wickets (DLS method) in the final.

Ravindra Jadeja's heroic batting display, scoring a six and a four off the last two balls with 10 runs required, sealed the win for CSK and equaled their record of five IPL titles.

CSK Triumphs in Rain-Affected Final:
CSK displayed exceptional resilience as they chased down a revised target of 171 runs in 15 overs after rain interrupted play during GT's innings, who had posted a formidable total of 214/4. Despite the early setback, CSK maintained their composure and secured a memorable victory.

Destiny Favors Dhoni and CSK:
Following the match, Hardik Pandya acknowledged MS Dhoni's role as his mentor and expressed his happiness for Dhoni's title win. Pandya believed it was Dhoni's destiny to lift the trophy and had no qualms about losing to someone he respected. He praised Dhoni's character, emphasising that good things happen to good people.

Gujarat Titans Proud of Their Effort:
Despite the loss, Pandya highlighted the team's pride in their performance throughout the tournament. He mentioned that the Gujarat Titans had consistently demonstrated unity, determination, and resilience, never giving up until the end. Pandya emphasised that they had ticked many boxes and played with their hearts, standing together as a team. While acknowledging defeat, he refrained from making excuses, accepting that sometimes the game doesn't go as planned.

Hardik Pandya's gracious words about his mentor, MS Dhoni, and the Gujarat Titans' resilient performance throughout the tournament highlighted the team's unity and spirit. Although they fell short in the final, the Gujarat Titans left the field with their heads held high, proud of their collective effort over the past two months.