However, a moment of brilliance from Ravindra Jadeja and an untimely intervention from Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya turned the tide in CSK’s favor. Batting greats Sunil Gavaskar and Virender Sehwag expressed their displeasure with Pandya’s decision, attributing the team’s loss to his interference.
Mohit Sharma’s Impressive Start
With 13 runs required off the last over in Chennai’s chase of 171 in 15 overs, Mohit Sharma was entrusted by Hardik Pandya to defend the total. Mohit had been the standout performer for Gujarat, having taken two crucial wickets in his previous over to help the team regain control.
In the final over, he displayed remarkable execution by delivering four consecutive yorkers against Jadeja and Shivam Dube, conceding only three runs. His confidence and clarity in approach appeared evident as he seemed poised to guide Gujarat to victory.
The Turning Point
However, the complexion of the game changed dramatically in the last two deliveries of Mohit’s over. Ravindra Jadeja, known for his ability to produce match-winning performances, smashed a six over long-on and a boundary past short fine leg, leading CSK to a remarkable victory.
Sunil Gavaskar expressed his frustration with Hardik Pandya’s involvement in the last two balls of the over. Gavaskar pointed out the incident where water was sent to Mohit just before the penultimate ball, followed by Pandya’s discussion with the bowler.
The former cricketer believed that such interference was unnecessary when Mohit was executing his plans effectively. When Sharma was doing good, there was no need to disturb his mojo which was unnecessarily done by captain Pandya.
Sehwag Agrees with Gavaskar
Virender Sehwag, in agreement with Gavaskar, criticized Pandya’s actions, stating that they had disturbed Mohit’s rhythm and caused him to err in his line and length. Sehwag emphasized that when a bowler is performing well, particularly delivering yorkers effectively, there should be no reason to intervene.
He further added that Pandya’s intervention might have been related to concerns about fielding adjustments or tactical changes, but it was ill-timed and unnecessary. Despite Mohit’s impressive start, his execution faltered after Pandya’s discussion with him. The interference disrupted Mohit’s rhythm, ultimately leading to CSK’s victory.
This incident serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between providing guidance and allowing bowlers to focus on their plans in high-pressure situations. As teams continue to vie for IPL titles, captaincy decisions and on-field interactions will remain pivotal factors in determining success or failure.