Gujarat Titans were crowned champions in the IPL 2023 final at Ahmedabad on 29 May. The league leaders beat Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets thanks to an all-round show by their skipper Hardik Pandya.
Royals Restricted after Electing to Bat
Sanju Samson won the toss and to everyone’s surprise, elected to bat. After a relatively quiet start, they were 31/1 in the 4th over. Jaiswal the batsman out, dragging a ball from Yash Dayal to Sai Kishore at deep square leg. Samson joined Buttler at the crease and appeared to be settling down with a couple of hits to the fence. But the Royals skipper mistimed a pull shot off Hardik Pandya to sky the ball to Sai Kishore at short third man.
Devdutt Padikkal went cheaply, caught by Shami off Rashid Khan to leave Royals reeling at 3/79 in the 12th. But with Buttler still at the crease, the batting side would have considered a 150-plus score doable. But two balls later, the opener guided a rising ball outside off from Pandya to the keeper, the batting team were in serious trouble at 4/79 in the 13th.
The batting team were running out of wickets and overs as the Titans bowlers pegged away. As things transpired, Royals were kept down to 130 for 9 in their allotted overs. It was a brilliant performance by the Titans’ bowlers, with skipper Pandya (3/17) the stand out performer.
Hardik Pandya’s All-Round Brilliance
When Titans replied, they lost the wickets of Saha and Wade to be reduced to 2/23 in the 5th over. Then came a 63-run stand for the 3rd wicket between Gill and Hardik. Any hope that Royals would make a match of defending a small target was snuffed out.
With 45 runs needed from nearly seven overs, Gill and Miller ensured that Titans scaled the target without further alarm. While Boult (1/14) and Chahal (1/20) played to potential, the remaining Royals bowlers ailed to make a lasting impression. Pandya who scored 34 from 30 balls was deservedly named the man of the match for his all-round showing.
Other Highlights of the Week
Buttler Smashes 4th ton to take Royals to Final
RR beat RCB by 7 wickets to reach their first final since winning the inaugural title in 2008. In the qualifier on 27 May in Ahmedabad, Royals fast bowlers Prasidh Krishna and Obed McCoy took three wickets each. They helped keep RCB down to 157 for 8. Royals reached the target with 7 wickets to spare on the back of Buttler’s 4th ton of the season.
Patidar Hundred Helps RCB to Oust Lucknow in Eliminator
Rajat Patidar scored a sensational ton to help RCB rout Lucknow in the Eliminator in Kolkata on 25 May. Patidar who was let go by RCB in the auction was redrafted as a cover for the injured Luvnith Sisodia. On the back off his 112 off 54 balls, RCB reached a daunting 207/8.
However, LSG made a match of it thanks to skipper Rahul’s 79 from 58 balls. With 33 needed from 12 balls, Rahul was caught at short fine leg to hand RCB a 14-run victory.
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