The final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 showcased an exhilarating display of sporting prowess as Ravindra Jadeja, in a stunning feat, scored 10 runs off the last 2 balls against Mohit Sharma from the Gujarat Titans, leading his team, the Super Kings, to their 5th title. While the Super Kings reveled in sheer ecstasy, the Titans squad was left in utter despair, falling short of defending their title by the slimmest of margins. Mohit Sharma, who conceded a six and a four on the final two deliveries to Jadeja, admitted that he couldn’t find sleep that night, pondering over what he could have done differently.
In a conversation with The Indian Express, Mohit shared insights into his plans and preparations for the final over, which had gone according to his strategy until those last two balls.
“I had a clear mindset about what I wanted to do. I had practiced such situations in the nets, and I had experienced similar scenarios before. So, I decided to bowl yorkers and trusted my instincts,” said the pace bowler from Haryana.
“When they inquired about my plan of action, I told them that I would stick to bowling Yorkers. People are now saying different things, but honestly, it doesn’t matter,” he added.
With Shivam Dube and Ravindra Jadeja on strike, the Super Kings managed only 3 runs from the first 4 balls. However, Jadeja dispatched the penultimate delivery for a six straight down the ground and followed it up with a fine four behind the wickets to seal the run-chase.
“I just wanted to stay focused and trust myself. I have done that throughout the entire IPL. Unfortunately, the ball landed where it shouldn’t have, and Jadeja made the most of it with his bat. I tried my best,” Mohit expressed.
Making a remarkable comeback into the team seemingly out of nowhere, Mohit had a season of resurgence that will be remembered for a long time.
He said, “I couldn’t sleep. I kept thinking about what I could have done differently to win the match. It’s not a pleasant feeling now. Something seems to be missing, but I’m trying to move on.”
“The determined fast bowler recalls being chosen unexpectedly and seeking advice from respected Haryana administrator Anirudh Chaudhary before the season on whether to continue playing or not. Ani bhai suggested giving it a try, and without any expectations, the bowler continued to work hard with the same work ethic. Although unsure of what the future holds,” the bowler has found joy in their journey.
