The Gujarat Titans’ first-ever champions were crowned Indian Premier League (IPL) champions on Sunday after finishing the legendary season by defeating first-time Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in front of 100,000 fans at their home ground in Ahmedabad.Gujarat captain Hardik Pandya made an excellent performance as his team won the semi-final with 11 points to spare.
Choosing to score first, the 2008 champions Rajasthan did not leave and sent for less than 130-9 with Jos Buttler, the IPL top scorer, who scored the most goals for them in 39 appearances. Buttler started off with a cautious, fast-paced ball and the prospect of a blast near the end but it didn’t happen.Pandya (3-17) made an example of the ball, claiming the key sticks of teammate Sanju Samson, opener Buttler and Rajasthan midfielder ShimronHetmyer.
Gujarat lost to WriddhimanSaha and Matthew Wade at a low price but Pandya met Shubman Gill in the stand with 63 runs to help Gujarat win a slow start. YuzvendraChahal outscored Pandya by 34 runs to add excitement to the game but Gill’s harmless collection of unbeaten runs and David Miller’s 32 straight unbeaten quickfire helped Gujarat to head home in the first over.
Opener Gill remains undefeated at 45, closing Gujarat’s victory by six and celebrating it by removing his helmet and thunder.”I wanted to show what I worked hard for,” said Pandya, who also received the Outstanding Player Award, for her efforts to swing. Today was the day I saved the best. “Pandya said he had controlled his violent beatings to get used to the conditions.”I will take the trophy any day and hit 160. My team will come first for me.”
The Englishman Buttler was judged as the Most Valuable Player in the tournament for his 863 runs in 17 games, including a record equal to four hundred years.”All my expectations for the season have gone beyond today,” Buttlersaid.”Congratulations to Hardik and his team, they are a great champion.”
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