Dugout News: Season Finale as Titans sunk Royals 

Gujarat Titans defeated Rajasthan Royals in the IPL 2022 final to clinch the title in their debut season at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. The team became the only second team to achieve the feat in their inaugural season after Rajasthan Royal reached so in IPL 2008. The trophy to champions was nothing but a celebration of the culmination of a fantastic campaign. 

Gujarat Titans have been brilliant from the start. From leading the charts in the group stage by winning 10 of the 14 matches played to being the first team to secure a spot in the finals. And here they were, pulling the final chase game like champions to be crowned champions. The bowlers, Mohammed Shami, Rashid Khan, and Hardik Pandya, were terrific with the ball to restrict the opposition to 130. Further in the chase game, despite losing two early wickets, Shubman Gill and Hardik Pandya maintained their cool to take it slow and seal the game with David Miller in the end.

Twitter exploded with wishes and congratulatory messages for GT over their clinical win:

Sanjay Manjrekar wrote, "A lesson that you don't win the IPL at the auction."

Harsha Bhogle commented, "They had a plan, and they played to it magnificently. Everyone seemed to rise into their role but no one more so than Hardik Pandya who climbed his highest peak @gujarat_titans."

"Gujarat Titans. Ufff…what a rocket season. Hardik Pandya produced a stellar effort in the grand finale. Found different match winners in different games…what a season," wrote Aakash Chopra

Wasim Jaffer, "Remember The Titans! Congratulations @hardikpandya7 and@gujarat_titans #IPLFinals."

Royals' spirit to defend

Rajasthan Royals skipper, Sanju Samson, won the toss to bat first. The decision to use their strength first didn't go well with the execution. Their top order, followed by middle-order power hitters, struggled to pull off their best batting strokes against Gujarat Titans' bowling attack. The GT bowlers successfully restricted RR to 130 at a loss of 9 wickets. 

The total posted on the scoreboard looked no huge deal to be chased down in 20 overs for Gujarat batters. However, Rajasthan bowlers didn't give a straightforward chase to the Titans. They bowled and fielded exceptionally well in an attempt to defend the total. They even dismissed Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade within the powerplay. Trent Boult and Yuzvendra Chahal were best at controlling runs and building pressure on the opposition. Boult and Chahal bowled with the economy of 3.50 and 5.00, respectively. 

Their attempt and sportsmanship attitude to not give up till it ends received praise from many former players. 

Harsha Bhogle's tweet read, "Love the spirit with which @rajasthanroyals are defending this little score."

KL Rahul tweeted, "Big respect to both teams last night. 

Congratulations, GT, on your fantastic win and to RR for showing good spirit throughout the tournament.

It's been a season to remember for all, a fantastic one. Thank you to everyone who helped make this brilliant spectacle happen."

The revelation of Hardik Pandya

While Gujarat Titans registered a clinical win against Rajasthan Royals in the IPL final, what came pleasing to viewers' eyes was Hardik Pandya's stint in the game as an anchoring batter, a wicket-taking bowler and a fantastic captain. 

Starting with the first inning came his role as a captain and bowler. Hardik Pandya, as skipper, was terrific in setting the field and rotating his bowlers. Especially his ability to use his best bowler Rashid Khan to keep putting brakes on the Royals' bat was scintillating. Further, taking the ball in his hand, he dismissed skipper Sanju Samson on his second ball only. He took the other two most crucial wickets of Jos Buttler and Shimron Hetmyer, who could have potentially threatened the scoreboard if not dismissed early. He returned with a figure of 4-0-17-3.

On his bowling, Hardik Pandya said, "Wanted to show at the right time what I've worked hard for. Today was the day from the bowling point of view I saved the best for the best."

"Very impressed with how Hardik Pandya has handled things so far, and that includes these two overs he has bowled. #GT look calmer", tweets Harsha Bhogle.

Apart from the bowl, his other crucial role came when GT lost two early wickets of Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade. He stitched a 63-run anchoring partnership with Shubman Gill and got dismissed at 34. However, before going, he made sure to set the platform right for David Miller to continue alongside Shubman Gill and seal the win with his natural game.

Sanjay Manjrekar wrote, "Well done, GT! Especially Miller, Rashid, Gill, Saha, and Shami. But above all, Hardik!!! Excellence in 3 depts. What a revelation he has been!

Aakash Chopra tweeted," To be honest, the difference between Gujarat Titans and Rajasthan Royals was Hardik Pandya. Both teams have gun bowling attacks…but Hardik brought the much-needed balance to the XI…something RR didn't have. None of their top 6 batters bowled."