Sunil Gavaskar questions Hardik Pandya’s “strange” gestures in last over against CSK in IPL 2023 Final

Sharma also said that the chat with Pandya was only about everyone knowing what he was going to do next. 

Sunil Gavaskar questions Hardik Pandya’s “strange” gestures in last over against CSK in IPL 2023 Final

Sunil Gavaskar Hardik Pandya's gestures during IPL 2023 Final.

The IPL 2023 Final took place on 29 May and ended with Chennai Super Kings (CSK) winning their fifth title. The game was evenly poised despite halts due to rain. While Gujarat scored 214/3 in their 20 overs, CSK got a revised target (171). As expected, the game came down to the last over with 13 required off 6 balls. 

GT chose experienced Mohit Sharma to finish the job and the veteran pacer did not disappoint, giving away only 1 run in the first three balls. However, it was then Hardik Pandya came to Sharma for a chat and the pacer was also sent a drink to have a sip. Sharma did decently on the fourth ball but erred big time in the last two deliveries, giving away 12 runs and the game.

Sunil Gavaskar left unimpressed

While everyone praised Ravindra Jadeja for keeping his calm and perfectly executing his shots, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has raised questions about GT captain Hardik Pandya’s strange actions in that last over. Gavaskar felt that Padnya’s chat with Mohit was unnecessary as it hampered his rhythm. 

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“He had bowled the first 3-4 delivery absolutely brilliantly. Then, for some strange reason, some water was sent to him. In the middle of the over, some drink was sent to him. Then Hardik Pandya came and spoke with him. You know when a bowler is in that rhythm and he is mentally also there, nobody should have said anything to him. Maybe from a distance, they could have just said ‘well bowled’,” Gavaskar told Star Sports.

“Going to them, talking to him – I do not think that was the right thing to do because suddenly, he was looking here and there. Till then, he was focused and I do not think what they did was the right idea. Because after that, he went for runs,” he added.

Mohit Sharma says the chat had no meaning as such

mohit sharma gt

While it was jubilation for Ravindra Jadeja who hit the winning runs for CSK in the IPL 2023 Final, it was agony for Mohit Sharma who was on the receiving end. The veteran pacer said he could not fathom what happened and kept thinking about where he went wrong. Sharma also said that the chat with Pandya was only about everyone knowing what he was going to do next. 

 “They wanted to know what will be my plan of action. I said I will again try to bowl a yorker. People are now saying this and that but frankly it has no meaning. I knew what I wanted to do,” said Sharma to The Indian Express.

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