No dilution of quality here, but instead breaking the status quo! In front of a packed Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday, debutants Gujarat Titans chased down Rajasthan Royals' 130/9 with 11 balls to spare. The Hardik Pandya-led Titans topped the points table with 10 wins in 14 games, then eased into the final with a seven-wicket win in Qualifier 1 against the Royals at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. Then they dominated the IPL 2022 final, aga✨in𝔍st the same opponents, at home for a seven-wicket win (deja vu).
In a season defined by their fearlessness and some luck, Gujarat Titans sure emulated the feat achieved by their rivals tonight, Rajasthan Royals in 2008. Sanju Samson won the toss and opted to bat first. With bounce on offer, Titans pacers dominated the Royals batters with skipper Hardik Pandya leading from the front with figures of 3/17. And in his deputy Rashid Khan (1/18), the 🅘former Mumbai Indians all-rounder found a perfect ally. Their combined figures꧂ of 4/35 sealed the fate of the match.
But Pandya was not done yet. After losing two quick wickets, Titans needed the skipper in the middle with the bat. Pandya (34 off 30) and unbeaten Shubman Gill (45 off 43) calmed the frayed nerves, then came the final dash. It's only fitting that David Miller (32 not out off 19) was there to wit🍸ness the win, first hand, in the middle as Gill smashed Obed McCoy for a six.
For Royals, Jos Buttler (39 off 35) played a measured knock, and except his opening partner Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 16), none of the Royals batters crossed the 20-run mark. Defending a total o๊f 130/9 against a boisterous side was always going to need some magic. Royals did produce some magic, with Trent Boult returning 1/14. But, big battles need multiple warriors. Catch GT vs RR, IPL 2022 final highlights:
