The final of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 will feature a clash between the four-time champions Chennai Super Kings and the Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, May 28.
With both sides gearing up to accelerate their preparations for the summit clash of the cash-rich league, it could be interesting to see whether MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings become five-time champions or if Gujarat are able to successfully defend their title.
It could prove to be a massive challenge for the Hardik Pandya-led side to overcome the experience in Chennai’s lineup. Gujarat faced defeat against Chennai in Qualifier 1 of the IPL, and it could be interesting to see how they fare in the rematch. However, with obvious nervousness in the camp, Gujarat’s Director of Cricket, Vikram Solanki, was confident of the team’s preparations ahead of the final.
“We entirely appreciate and respect what CSK has done. They’ve been a fabulous team for a good number of years now, and we respect that. We respect the playing group. As we have done throughout the year against all of the opposition, we’ve respected each and every opposition we’ve come up against. But we try and prepare ourselves to be competitive against anybody, and we are confident in our preparation,” Vikram Solanki said in a pre-match press conference ahead of the final as quoted by India Today.
Tomorrow is a brilliant opportunity: Solanki
Furthermore, Solanki also opined that whatever happens in the summit clash should not derail the hard work and preparation that Gujarat has done throughout the season. He even opined that they are looking at the final as an opportunity to showcase their skills and that he is looking forward to it.
“What transpires on the day transpires on the day, but we’ve got to be conscious of our preparation. Be present when the opportunity presents itself, and take those opportunities. Tomorrow is a brilliant opportunity. It’s yet another opportunity for our players to show the skill they have, and we’re very much looking forward to it,” he added.