We made basic errors which cost us the game: Hardik Pandya

Hardik Pandya rued basic errors against Chennai Super Kings as the reason for their 15-run defeat in the first Qualifier of the Indian Premier League on Tuesday, May 23, at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. 

After being asked to bat first, Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway forged an 87-run stand for the opening wicket to lay a solid foundation for the home team. 

The duo were aided by some big hits from the middle order that powered the team to 172 runs in the first innings on a sluggish Chepauk surface. In the post-match presentation, Hardik conceded that the Super Kings got 15 extra runs in the first innings. 

" I think we were quite spot-on with the ball, but we made basic errors, which cost us the game. With the kind of bowlers we had, I felt we conceded 15 extra runs."

"A lot of things we did right but we bowled a couple of soft balls in between. We were executing our plans, but in between, we gave some runs," he added. 

The skipper of the Titans also stated that he has no regrets about opting to field first, as the dew factor never really had an impact on the game. "Regrets are not good in life. We expected dew might come, but it didn't come."

"We gave 15 runs extra, and we didn't do the right things in both departments. We'll give it a crack again after two days, and let's hope for the best," Hardik said.

In reply, MS Dhoni choked the firepower of the Titans' batting unit with some clever field placements and bowling changes. "That's the beauty about Dhoni, and the way he uses the bowlers, he'll make sure that you'll feel like he's adding ten runs. We kept losing wickets, and he kept making sure he used the right bowlers," he concluded. 

Gujarat Titans will face the winner of Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians in the second Qualifier on Friday, May 26, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.