The Gujarat Titans' entry into the IPL ended in a fairytale fashion, as they secured the title in their very first season. This victory was the result of a highly efficient performance, both in bowling and batting, led by skipper Hardik Pandya, who contributed a clinical 3/17 and 34 runs in the championship game. Despite early skepticism about their squad after the auction, the Titans emerged as a powerhouse, finishing the league stage as leaders thanks to a diverse group of impactful players. This dominance continued in the playoffs, where they comfortably beat the Rajasthan Royals twice.
Gujarat Titans’ dream IPL debut saw a fairytale culmination. A clinical performance with the ball first and then with the bat guided the debutant franchise to lift their maiden IPL trophy. Gujarat Titans’ skipper Hardik Pandya led from the front with bowling figures of 3/17 and then scored 34 runs in the IPL 2022 final. Many may have written the Titans off after the auction. But The Titans found different match-winners throughout the season to end as the table-toppers at the end of the league stage. Gujarat Titans then went on to completely dominate Rajasthan Royals in both playoff matches.
Hardik Pandya saved his best for the big stage, delivering a powerhouse performance to crush the Rajasthan Royals in the final. His medium-fast bowling was impeccable, characterized by tight lines and consistent lengths that stifled the opposition. His efforts were key in restricting the Royals to a modest 130/9 after Sanju Samson won the toss and elected to bat first.
Stepping up with the bat, Pandya scored a pivotal 34 runs from 30 deliveries. His composure ensured the Titans reached the 131-run target with 11 balls to spare, sparking wild celebrations among the 100,000+ spectators at the Narendra Modi Stadium.
Thanks to his exceptional all-round contribution in the final, Hardik Pandya was honored as the Man of the Match. This achievement places him in an exclusive club, making him only the third captain to win the award in an IPL final, following in the footsteps of Rohit Sharma and Anil Kumble. Rohit secured the honor during Mumbai Indians' 2015 title run with a strong batting display. Kumble, on the other hand, earned the award in 2009 while leading Royal Challengers Bangalore, though his team unfortunately finished as runners-up.
Defying all expectations, the Gujarat Titans stunned the cricketing world by winning the IPL title in their debut year. Rather than relying on a roster of superstars, the team thrived under Pandya's exceptional leadership, which brought out the best in every player. While Pandya's batting was a cornerstone of their success, the team also possessed a remarkable ability to recover from difficult positions, thanks to the clutch hitting of David Miller and Rahul Tewatia.
Hardik also entered an elite circle of Indian captains, becoming the fourth Indian to ever lift the IPL trophy. He now joins the legendary ranks of Rohit Sharma (five titles with MI), MS Dhoni (four titles with CSK), and Gautam Gambhir (two titles with KKR).