Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya lavished praise on his teammates after his side thrashed Mumbai Indians by 62 runs in the second qualifier to book their place in the final of IPL 2023.
Asked to bat first, Gujarat Titans finished their innings on a mammoth 233 for 3 thanks to Shubman Gill’s monumental 60-ball 129-run knock. Gill and Wriddhiman Saha added 54 runs for the first wicket before the latter departed for 18. It was followed by a huge 138-run stand between Gill and Sai Sudharsan.
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Gill was the architect of the Titans’ huge score. While he led the charge with the bat, Sudharsan played the role of the second fiddle. Gill’s innings came to an end in the 17th over. Towards the end, Hardik Pandya also played a useful cameo of 28 runs from 13 balls to help his side breach the 230-run mark.
The writing was very much on the wall for Mumbai Indians after the Titans finished their innings and they did little with the bat to challenge the huge target. In the end, the 5-time IPL champions were bowled out for just 171 to bow out of IPL 2023.
IPL 2023 | India National Cricket Team | Chennai Super Kings (CSK) | Delhi Capitals (DC) | Gujarat Titans (GT) | Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) | Lucknow Supergiants (LSG) | Mumbai Indians (MI) | Punjab Kings (PBKS) | Rajasthan Royals (RR) | Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) | SunRisers Hyderabad (SRH)
Only Suryakumar Yadav (61) and Tilak Varma (43) managed to cross the 40-run mark during the innings. For Titans, Mohit Sharma starred with the ball, taking 5 for just 10 runs in 2.2 overs.
I think the clarity and confidence he is carrying is amazing -Hardik Pandya on the win
Speaking after the game, Hardik Pandya was asked about leading the team. In reply, the skipper explained how easy it has been for him to lead such a talented team.
“I think a lot of hard work goes behind the guys doing well. They keep practicing, that reflects,” said Hardik Pandya.
He was further asked about Gill and said: “I think the clarity and confidence he is carrying is amazing. Today’s innings was one of the finest, he never looked rushed. It felt like someone was throwing balls and he was hitting. He will be a superstar is International and franchise cricket.
“I do have conversations with him, I try that people feed off my energy. Everyone takes responsibility for themselves. We have to play good cricket, put in our 100%. Knockouts could go either way, but very excited for the final,” added the allrounder.
Gujarat Titans will now lock horns against Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 final, scheduled to be played in Ahmedabad on Sunday (May 26).
Virat Kohli | Rohit Sharma | Rishabh Pant | KL Rahul | Suryakumar Yadav | Sanju Samson | Shreyas Iyer | Yuzvendra Chahal | Jasprit Bumrah
Also Read: GT vs MI: WATCH – Tilak Varma Smokes Mohammed Shami For 24 Runs In An Over In IPL 2023 Qualifier 2
