In the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), Delhi Capitals defeated Gujarat Titans by five runs while defending a pitiful 131-run goal. Since both teams are at the exact opposite ends of the table, this was only the Titans’ third loss of the year. Despite the loss, GT is still in the first place and leads the second-place team by two points. DC, on the other hand, has remained at the very bottom of the list.
The unsuccessful GT chase was highlighted by Hardik Pandya‘s unbeaten 53-ball 59. The GT skipper struggled to get going at his normal pace throughout his innings, hitting seven fours but no sixes and Pandya accepted blame for the loss following the game.
Hardik spoke during the post-match interview
“I tried my best but could not capitalize. It boils down to me,” Hardik told broadcasters after the game. “Obviously, we would have taken 129 (131-run target) on any given day. (We) just lost a couple of wickets and at the end, Rahul (Tewatia) got us back in the game,” he said.
The ground wasn’t particularly challenging for batting, according to Pandya, and what affected them was the pressure of losing wickets. GT scored only 32 runs between the seventh and 17th overs after losing four wickets in the opening seven overs.
“I don’t think the [track] played much role. It was a tad slower than what we are used to here. But they bowled really well. We lost a couple of early wickets and then we had to take some time. We could not get the rhythm in the middle. Rahul brought us back into the game. Otherwise, they were quite ahead.
Pandya expressed sympathy for quick bowler Mohammed Shami, whose 4/11 statistics prevented DC from scoring more than 130.
“I feel sorry for (Shami),” Hardik said. “If you bowl like that, then you restrict the team to 129 (130), I think (our) batters disappointed. I don’t think the ball did a lot. It’s just that Mohammed Shami’s skillset he has and he made the ball talk. Otherwise, I think for fast bowlers, the wicket did not have much assistance. But the way he bowled four on the trot and got us in the game, full credit (to him). As I said, batters and particularly myself did not finish and we disappointed him.”
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