Ahmedabad: An unblemished all-round show by debutant Gujarat Titans led by Captain Hardik Pandya before the home fans helped them lift the 2022 IPL title after convincingly defeating Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets after chasing down 131 runs target at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
After Shubnam Gill (45 no off 43 3x4 1x6) tonked the ball for a six of the first ball of 19th over off Obed McCoy, the players scurried onto the ground amidst fireworks going off behind the scene.
Amid all the delirium was Pandya (34 off 30 3x4 1x6), who looked as cool as a cucumber at the dugout after he had vented ire over the denial of third run by Gill as the very next ball he was sent back to the dugout.
But, it was an outstanding season as a captain for Pandya as he led GT sagaciously. And today was a special day as he bowled well and then picked three wickets that included Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson and Shimron Hetmyer, and then made useful runs in the chase.
Gill dropped anchor, an unusual knock from his blades as normally he is on the top gear at least in the first half of the innings.
David Miller (32 no off 19 3x4 1x6) finished it off in great style this season that has proved very good for him. As also the season has been good for Rahul Tewatia.
At the half-way stage, GT needed 77 runs to win with eight wickets in hand. The 53 runs partnership for third wicket between Pandya and Gill worried RR.
RR lost the hope after Ravichandran Ashwin was introduced in the 12th over and he leaked 15 runs that completely tilted the momentum in GT's favour.
Yuzuvendra Chahal hurled a ripper ensuring Purple Cap and giving a glimmer of hope for RR after he found Pandya edging to Yashashvi Jaiswal at slip to complete the dismissal. They were reduced to 86 for 3, but that was enough as Gill and Miller milked runs.
Trent Boult nearly gave RR the early breakthrough as Gill edged the fourth delivery of GT innings which Chahal made a hash of the chance at square leg.
After the first break, Gill had another close shave after Hetmyer failed to latch on after running in the opposite direction off a thick top-edge towards extra cover.
Staring the chase, Prasidh Krishna sent Wriddhiman Saha to the dugout two balls later with a peach of a delivery that angled in, beating the inside edge and hitting the top of middle.
Matthew Wade's innings came to a tame end as the Aussie keeper-batter departed after chipping the ball towards Riyan Parag standing at midwicket, reducing GT to 23/2.
Batting first, RR finished at 130 for 9 as their batting order collapsed badly before a brilliant bowling attack of GT led by Pandya.
Until Buttler (39 off 35 5x4) and Captain Sanju Samson (14 off 11 2x4) were at the crease, RR were in fine fettle. His spell of 3-17 included prized wickets of Samson, Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer (11 off 12 2x4) jolted RR and from thereon they never put the ship on track.
Yashashvi Jaiswal (22 off 16 1x4 2x6) got off to an aggressive start, but walked back to the dugout after a cameo.
Buttler was looking to up the ante by anchoring the innings, but was frustrated by GT's dogged bowling and eventually nicked one behind.
Rashid Khan, as usual, was in his element once again. He was quite impressive in the middle and GT came out with flying colors. His final figures read 1 for 18.
There was help for spinners as Rashid turned his googlies, but not prodigiously. Unless RR puts on an out-of-the-box bowling performance, the title clash is heading in GT's favour. (UNI)