Gujarat Titans scripted history in 2022, clinching the IPL Trophy Winner title in their debut season with a thrilling seven-wicket victory over the Rajasthan Royals.
Led by Hardik Pandya, GT transformed from underdogs to champions, blending tactical brilliance and clutch performances.
Follow BRG365 to dive into the key moments, players, and stats that defined their fairytale run.
Underdogs to IPL Trophy Winner
When GT entered the 2022 auction, critics dismissed their squad as a "bunch of misfits."
With a mix of unproven talents and injury-prone stars like Hardik Pandya, few predicted their meteoric rise.
Yet, they stunned the league by topping the table and dominating the playoffs, culminating in an IPL Trophy Winner finish.
Key to their success was strategic recruitment:
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Hardik Pandya (₹15 crore): Captaincy and all-round prowess.
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Rashid Khan (₹15 crore): Spin wizardry and lower-order hitting.
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Shubman Gill (₹8 crore): Anchor of the batting lineup.
Pandya’s Leading to IPL Trophy
Hardik Pandya’s leadership was a defining factor in Gujarat’s IPL Trophy win. His maturity as a captain allowed the team to thrive under pressure.
Pandya proved his all-round ability in the final, taking 3 wickets for 17 runs, including the crucial scalps of Jos Buttler and Sanju Samson.
His performance with both bat and ball in the final was nothing short of remarkable.
Pandya’s composure when chasing the total also stood out.
With Gujarat at 31/2 in their chase, it was his calm and collected innings of 34 runs from 30 balls that steered the team home, making Gujarat the deserving IPL Trophy winners.
Read More: Hardik Pandya News: MI Captain’s Viral Rap Moment Sparks Buzz
Key Players Behind IPL Trophy Win
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Shubman Gill: The young batter played an important role throughout the tournament, emerging as a key figure in Gujarat's IPL Trophy journey. His match-winning 45* in the final ensured Gujarat claimed the IPL Trophy with a comfortable win.
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Rashid Khan: As one of the world’s finest spinners, Rashid Khan was pivotal in Gujarat’s IPL Trophy triumph. His excellent spell of 1/18 in the final, along with his consistently tight economy rate throughout the season, made him a game-changer for the Titans.
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David Miller: Miller's calm and composed batting in pressure situations was another highlight. His match-winning knock in the final stages of several chases cemented his status as one of the key contributors to Gujarat's IPL Trophy win.
The Final Showdown
Rajasthan Royals’ Struggles
Rajasthan Royals, despite having a strong squad, couldn’t handle the pressure in the final. Hardik Pandya's brilliant bowling performance ensured that Gujarat kept the Royals’ batting in check.
Rajasthan posted only 130/9, which was never going to be enough against a calm and confident Gujarat team.
Gujarat's Calm Chase
In the chase, Gujarat Titans had a brief scare, losing two early wickets.
However, with Hardik Pandya at the helm and Shubman Gill playing a responsible knock, the IPL Trophy was always within reach.
Gill’s steady 45* and Miller’s finishing touches led Gujarat to their first-ever IPL Trophy in just 18.1 overs.
Read More: CSK's Historic Winning Years: A Tale of IPL Triumphs
Chase Highlights:
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Shubman Gill (45* off 43): Steered the innings after early wobbles.
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David Miller (32*): Sealed the win with calm under pressure.
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Hardik Pandya (34 off 30): Crushed Yuzvendra Chahal’s spin to shift momentum.
GT’s chase, though rocky, epitomized their season: resilience in crunch moments.
Effort of IPL Trophy Winner
The journey to becoming IPL Trophy winners wasn’t just about individual brilliance—it was about a collective effort. Gujarat's IPL Trophy win was built on strong team dynamics and leadership.
Key players like Rashid Khan and David Miller provided the necessary support to ensure the team remained at the top throughout the season.
Their ability to play as a cohesive unit, especially under pressure, was key to their IPL Trophy triumph.
Read More: CSK's IPL 2011 Final: A Journey Through Their Second Title Win
📊Season Stats Table
|
Player |
Runs |
Wickets |
Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Hardik Pandya |
487 |
8 |
3/17 in final |
|
Rashid Khan |
91 |
19 |
40* vs CSK |
|
Shubman Gill |
483 |
- |
45* in final |
|
David Miller |
481 |
- |
32* in final |
GT’s IPL Trophy Victory
Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2022 success was a fairytale come true. Led by Hardik Pandya, the team rose from being an underdog to becoming IPL Trophy winners.
From Pandya’s all-around brilliance to the standout performances from players like Shubman Gill, Rashid Khan, and David Miller, Gujarat’s victory was a team effort.
Their triumph in the final against the Rajasthan Royals will go down as one of the most memorable IPL moments.
Also Read: Gujarat Titans win IPL 2022 title in fairytale debut season
