Debutants Gujarat Titans were crowned the Indian Premier League (IPL) champions on Sunday after they beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in the final in Ahmedabad.
Opting to bat first, Rajasthan never got going and posted a below-par 130-9 with Jos Buttler, this IPL’s leading scorer, topscoring for them with a rather subdued 39. Gujarat captain Hardik Pandya (3-17) led by example with the ball.
Pandya shone with the bat too, scoring 34 and forging a 63-run stand with Shubman Gill to help Gujarat overcome a slow start to their chase. Opener Gill remained unbeaten on 45, sealing Gujarat’s victory with a six and with 11 balls to spare.
Earlier, being asked to bowl after losing the toss, the Titans produced a sensational bowling display to restrict the Royals to 130/9. It was Pandya who broke RR’s back, with 3/17, which included the crucial wickets of Jos Buttler (39), Sanju Samson (14) and Shimron Hetmyer (11).
With more than a lakh supporting the home team, Gujarat bowlers were able to maintain the pressure on the opposition though Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 16) tried their best to break free.
Jaiswal, who looked tentative against the pace and swing of Mohammad Shami, took more chances compared to Buttler at the start of the innings.
Among the shots Jaiswal attempted, his most assuring stroke was a beautifully timed six over cover off Shami. After pulling Yash Dayal for a massive six over long leg, the southpaw tried one too many and was caught in the deep. The extra bounce induced the mishit.
Buttler, who began his innings with a crisp square cut, was joined by Samson (14 off 11) in the middle. Knowing both Rajasthan right-handers struggle against Rashid Khan, Pandya brought the star spinner into the attack in the powerplay itself.
Both Buttler and Samson chose to play safe against Rashid as Rajasthan reached 44 for one in the powerplay. The in-form Buttler decided to force the issue as he drove Lockie Ferguson over the cover fielder before cutting him for successive boundaries.
