Virender Sehwag, Sunil Gavaskar show their dissatisfaction over Hardik Pandya's captaincy during last over of IPL 2023 final

Indian Premier League 2023 saw more last-over victories than any other edition in the tournament's history, which increased the strain on death-over bowlers. One may follow Yash Dayal's destiny, as Rinku Singh had done, or they could succeed like Sandeep Sharma did against the iconic MS Dhoni. 

After his incredible start versus Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2023 final in Ahmedabad on Monday, Mohit Sharma was on his way to take his side to another title. But all changed when CSK batsman Ravindra Jadeja struck a six and a four on the last two deliveries, giving them their fifth IPL championship. After the match, Sunil Gavaskar as well as Virender Sehwag, two legendary batsmen, criticized Gujarat Titans skipper Hardik Pandya for his squad's defeat.

In the rain-affected encounter at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Chennai needed to chase down 171 in 15 overs, and Hardik saved Mohit for the last over when 13 runs were needed. He was Gujarat's top bowler after taking two wickets in consecutive deliveries in his previous over to aid GT in regaining control of the situation.

The right-arm bowler then started off versus Jadeja and Shivam Dube with four straight yorkers, only giving three runs off them. When Mohit played against CSK, his execution appeared to be clear and he also gave off the impression that he was confident in his strategy. However, he misfired on two crucial deliveries that CSK used to chase down the score. These deliveries were hit for a six over long-on and four past short fine leg, respectively.

"Nobody should have said anything to him" : Sunil Gavaskar

Sunil Gavaskar spoke to India Today about how the last over unfolded and what they saw during the middle of the over. He said,

“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.”

Former team India opener, Virender Sehwag also spoke to Cricbuzz regarding the last over antics, stating,

“When someone is bowling well and is delivering with yorkers, why will you go and have a word with him? He knows that the batter needs 10 from 2 and that he needs to stick with yorkers. Then why will you waste his time? Had Mohit been hit for runs, then he could have gone and had a word, but when the bowler is doing his job you want to get done with the over quickly. It also could be that the captain might have come with a concern about whether the bowler would want any changes in the field for the last two balls. But still, if I would have been there, I wouldn't have disturbed him.”