Captain Hardik Pandya's all-round performance helped Gujarat Titans clinch the Indian Premier League 2022 title in their maiden season after registering a one-sided seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the final on Sunday. Along with this, IPL also got a new champion after 5 years. The team of Rajasthan Royals reached the final after 14 years, but the dream of becoming champion for the second time was shattered. In 2008, Rajasthan won the trophy for the first time under the captaincy of Shane Warne.

When Shubman Gill completed the formalities of victory by hitting Obed McCoy for a six on the very first ball of the 19th over, the Narendra Modi stadium resonated with the applause and noise of more than one lakh spectators. The credit for making a new fledgling team the head of this most captivating cricket league in the world goes to someone, then its captain cool Hardik Pandya.

Hardik Pandya made his team champion by performing all-rounder. Taking three wickets for 17 runs in four overs in the first bowling, he restricted the Royals to 130 for nine wickets. In reply, after two wickets fell early, 34 runs in 30 balls took the team out of the pressure. Titans won the match with 11 balls and seven wickets to spare.

Gill remained unbeaten on 45 off 43 balls with the help of three fours and a six, while David Miller made 32 off just 19 balls which included three fours and a six. Gujarat had lost the wickets of Wriddhiman Saha (five) and Matthew Wade (eight) early on.

Rajasthan captain Sanju Samson won the toss and decided to bat first, although none of his batsmen could play. At the same time, in front of more than one lakh spectators on his home ground, the bowlers of Gujarat put pressure on him. Jos Buttler (39 off 35 balls) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (22 off 16 balls) could get some runs off the bat. Hardik took three wickets for just 17 runs in four overs while Afghanistan leg-spinner Rashid Khan bowled very economically and took one wicket for just 18 runs in four overs.

Jaiswal, unable to play comfortably in front of Mohammed Shami's pace and swing, did not leave any stone unturned to take risks. He hit Shami for a six in cover and hit Yash Dayal for a six at long leg. In an attempt to play higher shots, he was caught in the deep. Orange-capped Butler and Samson were now at the crease. Keeping in mind the inconvenience caused to both of them against Rashid Khan, Hardik handed over the ball to the veteran spinner in the powerplay itself. Butler and Samson played Rashid carefully and the score was 44 for one in the powerplay. Butler, who was in form, hit Lockie Ferguson for two consecutive fours. Hardik sent Samson to the pavilion on his second ball. In an attempt to play a pool shot, he was caught by Samson off-side.

Devdutt Padikkal took eight balls to open the account and returned after scoring two runs. Butler also lost his wicket after three balls. Padikkal was dispatched by Rashid and Butler by Hardik. Hardik also sent Shimron Hetmyer to the pavilion and now Rajasthan's score was 94 for five. With the dismissal of Ravichandran Ashwin, the hopes of a comeback for Rajasthan ended. Shami dismissed Riyan Parag on the best yorker.