In the most attended (104,859 fans) cricket match in the history of the sport, the Gujarat Titans defeated the Rajasthan Royals to be crowned IPL 2022 champions in their debut season.

The Final

Gujarat Titans (Shubhman Gill 45*, Hardik Pandya 34, Boult 1/14, Chahal 1/20) beat Rajasthan Royals 130 for 9 (Buttler 39, Jaiswal 22, Hardik Pandya 3/17, Rashid Khan 1/18)

“They didn’t play to participate. They played to win and dominate.” In their debut IPL season the Gujarat Titans capped off an impressive campaign by comprehensively beating the Rajasthan Royals in the final. It is a remarkable story of a team which wasn’t given a chance by any of the “pundits” including myself at the start of the tournament.

While there was joy in the Gujarat camp there was disappointment in the Rajasthan camp. So near yet so far. A lot of emotions as well because they so desperately wanted to win it for the “First Royal” Shane Warne. But regardless of yesterday’s result, watching from the heavens above, I am sure Warnie would have been proud of his team and their 2022 campaign.

Runs on the board in a big final are worth their weight in gold which is why probably Rajasthan Royals captain Sanju Samson decided to bat first when he won the toss. The Royals got off to a steady start with in form openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler laying a good foundation. But from a decent position of 60 for 1 after 8.1 overs, the Royals innings lost its way and never recovered. The Tians captain Hardik Pandya broke the back of the Royals innings in a terrific spell of fast bowling in the middle of the innings. He picked up the key wickets of Buttler, Samson and Shimron Hetmyer and finished with figures of 4-0-17-3. Pandya was ably supported by the ever reliable Rashid Khan who himself had figures of 4-0-18-1. I have said this many times before but will repeat it once again that as far as T20 cricket is concerned Rashid Khan is the absolute GOAT (Greatest of All Time). Rajasthan Royals managed a well below par 130 in their 20 overs and needed an exceptional showing with the ball if they had any hopes of winning this one.

In the run chase the Royals got the start they wanted and had the Titans in trouble at 23 for 2. But as he has done all season Hardik Pandya walked in, soaked up all the pressure and in the company of Shubhman Gill put on a valuable partnership of 63 runs which set up the foundation for the win. David Miller then came in and put the icing on the cake for the Titans by finishing the innings in typical fashion. It was only fitting that a team that finished on top of the league table comprehensively won the final as well. A remarkable achievement for a brand new franchise competing against eight experienced franchises’ and another new franchise. For his all-round performance, Pandya won the “Man of the finals” award and Jos Buttler with a whopping 863 runs in the season won the “Player of the Tournament” award.

True to its motto “where talent meets opportunity” IPL 2022 provided a platform to talented cricketers to display their skills. A number of these individuals have impressed one and all. Indian and world cricket is richer due to the IPL. Richer in monetary terms and richer in talent too. The faster the critics of the IPL accept the fact that all forms of cricket need to co-exist for the future of this beautiful game the better it will be. On a personal note, I have enjoyed bringing you all the action for the last two months and look forward to the next opportunity. Cheers and take care.