Mohit Sharma returned to the IPL after a three-year absence and completed the season as the joint second-highest wicket-taker with 27 scalps from 14 innings at an average of 13.37 and an economy of 8.20. Ajinkya Rahane, MS Dhoni, and Ambati Rayudu were all dismissed by the 34-year-old, who maintained his excellent play in the championship match.
However, he conceded ten runs in the final two deliveries of the match as CSK won their fifth IPL championship. Former India cricketer Sunil Gavaskar commented on the final over, stating that the seamer bowled the first four deliveries brilliantly, conceding only three runs. However, a delay between innings, during which he was offered water, disrupted his rhythm.
“He had bowled the first three or four balls brilliantly.” Then, for an unknown cause, he was sent some water. During the midst of the game, he was brought a drink. Hardik Pandya then approached him and spoke with him. According to NDTV‘s quote from Gavaskar, “Nobody should have said anything to him when a bowler is in that rhythm and is also mentally present.”
Sunil Gavaskar added that Mohit’s colleagues should have praised him from a distance rather than speaking to him directly, which would have distracted him.
I do not believe that was the proper action. Sunil Gavaskar
“Perhaps they could have simply said ‘well delivered’ from a distance. Going to them and speaking with him – I do not believe that was the best course of action, as he was abruptly looking everywhere. Prior to that, he was concentrated, and I do not believe what they did was the best course of action. Because after that, he began running,” he continued.
Ravindra Jadeja hit the GT seamer for a straight six and a boundary off the final two deliveries to chase down the revised target of 171 in 15 overs with ten required off the final two balls. Consequently, CSK went on to claim their fifth IPL trophy, tying them with Mumbai Indians for the most IPL trophies won by a franchise.
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