For the first time since 2006 in the Rajasthan Royals final, the Gujarat Titans for the first time in the IPL. The grand opening ceremony before the final, the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad full of lights in the middle of the innings. The 'home ground' of Gujarat Titans was ready for the festival. For Rajasthan, on the other hand, it was an occasion to dedicate the title to their only title-winning captain, Shane Warne, who passed away last March. For now, Gujarat is waiting for it. Like the first qualifier, the outcome of the fight between the two teams did not change even after reaching the final. The 'new' Gujarat team under 'new' captain Hardik Pandya won the 15th IPL title.
Gujarat, who had managed to keep Rajasthan at half-time with 130 runs, topped it with six wickets and 11 balls to spare. After Sunrisers Hyderabad in 2016, IPL saw a new champion again. In 2006, Gujarat won the title after playing in IPL for the first time after Rajasthan. Where Pandya led from the front.
In the history of IPL finals, the record of winning with less than 130 runs was the same - Mumbai Indians won in 2016. That was perhaps the biggest inspiration for Rajasthan in the middle of the innings. They also get a chance at the beginning. Shubman Gill caught a short mid wicket off Trent Bolt in the first over, but Yuzbendra Chahal could not take it. In the second over, however, Gujarat got success. Gujarat also lost to Matthew Wade in the powerplay, a victim of Trent Bolt. Gujarat's run in the first 6 overs was 31 for 2, the pressure of the final was clearly on Gujarat's batting.
Rajasthan kept up the pressure in the next 2 overs of Powerplay. Gujarat's pressure on the two fours of the famous ninth over was somewhat loosened by Gujarat, although Pandya and Gill played occasionally after watching Chahal. In the 12th over, Ravichandran Ashwin had to be brought in by Sanju Samson in front of two right-handers.
Chahal broke the Pandya-Gill 63-run stand off 53 balls in his last over. Pandya's bat, which was 34 off 30 balls, reached the middle leg before the ball turned seven degrees and went out. Even Warne should be proud of Chahal's delivery. Jaiswal did not make a mistake in the slip after that, that wicket became the highest wicket of Chahal in IPL this season.
But David Miller was still in great form, and so was Gil. A great Miller attack on Ashwin in the spin, did not pay attention to the pacers. With his fast innings, the task became quite easy for Gujarat. Gill, who was unbeaten on 45 off 43 balls, and Miller, who remained unbeaten on 32 off 19 balls, secured their victory with six hits to Obed McCoy.
Though he could not finish the job in batting, Pandia had earlier led Gujarat in bowling. Although he was not a regular bowler this season, he became the fifth bowler in the final to take 3 wickets for 16 runs in 4 overs. Rashid Khan and Pandya took 4 wickets with only 35 runs in 8 overs.
After losing the toss and opting to field, the Gujarat fast bowlers helped the wicket. Mohammad Shami and Yash Dayal's tight bowling helped Rajasthan reach just one boundary in the first two overs of the innings. Yashsvi Jaiswal wanted to open his hand, but in the fourth over, Yash Dayal was caught in the mid-wicket for 22 off 16 balls after hitting one after another.
Rajasthan has been playing Rashid Khan in the previous two matches of the tournament. Hardik Pandya brought him in the last over of Powerplay today. Sanju Samson got four fours in Misfield from Rashid's first ball, but they did not attack the Afghan leg-spinner. Butler hit two fours in a row to Lucky Ferguson in the seventh over after scoring 44 runs in 6 overs of Powerplay, but Rajasthan were then bowled out.
From 8th to 14th — there are only two boundaries in these 8 overs. Pandya returned Sanju Samson at this time, 11 off 14 balls and short off good length to catch the Rajasthan captain was caught in the miss timing. Rashid then 'released' the angel Parikkal. Parikkal made only 2 runs off 10 balls in four overs. Rajasthan got the biggest hit in the first ball of the 13th over. Pandya, the 'hero' of Gujarat, this time his victim is Jos Butler. Butler made 25 off the first 25 balls and had a slow start in the first qualifier against Gujarat. Butler made 69 off 57 balls that day, but returned today with 39 off 35 balls.
Over is coming to an end, with the loss of wickets - Rajasthan then under double pressure. Shimron Hetmeyer tried to hit Pandya with two fours, but it didn't take long for Pandya to take 'revenge'. Rajasthan did not find a way to bat after that, did not get to show the second title. The night belongs to Pandias, the night belongs to Gujarat.