'That wasn't a right thing to do' - Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag fume at GT for breaking Mohit Sharma's rhythm in final over of IPL 2023

Indian Premier League 2023 finally came to an end on May 29 when Chennai Super Kings (CSK) defeated Gujarat Titans (GT) by 5 wickets and became the five-time champions. It won’t be wrong to say that this was one of the most successful seasons in the history of the cash-rich league as it witnessed many last-over thrillers.

Meanwhile, former legendary Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar questioned GT skipper Hardik Pandya for interrupting Mohit Sharma during the last over. Mohit was given 13 run to defend in the final over, he started really well as in the first 4 balls he conceded only 4 runs, however, before the 5th delivery GT head coach Ashish Nehra sent water and information to Mohit, and after that, he couldn’t defend 10 runs in the last 2 balls. 

“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 to say 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,” Gavaskar was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.

If I would have been there, I wouldn't have disturbed him: Virender Sehwag

Another former Indian cricketer Virender Sehwag commented on the unnecessary chat between Hardik and Mohit and said that the bowler shouldn't be interrupted when he is bowling well. Hardik should've talked to Mohit only if he had leaked runs.

“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 the 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,” Sehwag was quoted as saying by Hindustan Times.