EXCLUSIVE: Sunil Gavaskar slams Hardik Pandya for 'strange' conversation with Mohit Sharma in IPL 2023 final, says 'not the right thing to do'

SportsTak

In a match that will go down as one of the greatest finals ever played in the history of cricket, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) clinched a nerve-jangling five-wicket win (DLS method) against Gujarat Titans on May 29 (Monday) at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The Men in Yellow tied Mumbai Indians' (MI) record of winning five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles after lifting the prestigious trophy on Monday. Just when it looked like Hardik Pandya's men would defend their crown, 'rockstar' Ravindra Jadeja rocked GT's hopes by delivering a sensational performance under immense pressure.

The Titans had to defend 13 runs off the final with one of their best bowlers of the season Mohit Sharma tasked to do the job under pressure. For a brief period of time, it appeared that the right-arm pacer would do an impeccable job and roll out a win for his franchise but Jadeja had other plans. After nailing four consecutive yorkers and conceding just three runs in the first four balls, Mohit was dispatched for a six and a four in the final two deliveries of the over. 

GT captain Hardik had walked up to Mohit just before the bowler was about to bowl the penultimate delivery. Hardik had a chat with Mohit before the latter was taken to the cleaners by Jadeja.

In an exclusive chat with Sports Tak, former India captain and legendary batter, Sunil Gavaskar lashed out at Hardik for indulging in an unnecessary chat with Mohit. Gavaskar reckons that it was a strange decision by Hardik and wasn't the right thing to do.

"He bowled that first 3-4 deliveries absolutely brilliantly. Then for some strange reason, some water was sent to him, in the middle of an over. Then Hardik came and spoke to him. When the bowler is in that rhythm and he is mentally also there, nobody should have said anything to him. Nothing at all. From a distance just say well bowled. Going to him, talking to him, that wasn't the right thing to do. Suddenly Mohit was looking here and there," Gavaskar said.

 

MORE ON SPORTS TAK: 

ENG vs IRE: Bowler who dismissed Steve Smith set to make his England debut as Three Lions announce playing XI for Ireland Test
Watch: A two-and-a-half minute video that captures MS Dhoni's reaction, celebration and tears after Chennai Super Kings win IPL 2023