In the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL), Delhi Capitals defeated the reigning champion Gujarat Titans by five runs while holding them to a meagre goal of 131 runs, leaving the Gujarat Titans and likely neutrals with open jaws. 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 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 speed throughout his innings, hitting seven fours but no sixes, and Pandya accepted blame for the loss after the game. “I gave it my all, but I was unable to profit. It all comes down to me,” Hardik said to the media after the game. “Obviously, on any given day, we would have accepted 129 (the 131-run aim). Rahul (Tewatia) brought us back into the game at the very end after (we) just lost a few of wickets, he remarked.
The ground wasn't particularly challenging for batting, according to Pandya, and what affected them was the stress of losing wickets. GT managed just 32 runs between the seventh and 17th overs after losing four wickets in the opening seven overs.
“I don't believe the [track] was that important. It moved a little more slowly than usual for us. But they did a great job bowling. After losing a few early wickets, we had to take our time. We were unable to establish a rhythm in the middle. Rahul re-entered the game for us. They were well ahead else.
Pandya expressed sympathy for Mohammed Shami, a quick bowler, whose 4/11 statistics held DC to a total of 130/8. Hardik remarked, “I feel terrible for (Shami). If you bowl like that, you only allow the team to score 129 (130), which I believe disappointed our hitters. The ball didn't seem to have done anything. Simply said, Mohammed Shami's skill set and ability to make the ball speak are to blame. Otherwise, I don't think the wicket offered much assistance to fast bowlers. But all credit (to him) for the manner he bowled four consecutive strikes to keep us in the game. As I already said, the batters, including myself, did not complete, and we let him down.
