The rise of Titans: GT emerge champions as they lift their maiden IPL trophy

Gujarat Titans had a dream run in their maiden season of the Indian Premier League (IPL) and were crowned as the IPL 2022 champions. They beat Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets on their home ground in Ahmedabad on May 29, 2022.

Hardik Pandya-led Gujarat Titans from the front and impressed all with his all-round performance that powered his team to win the IPL title. Credit: PTI Photo

GT registered a comfortable seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. Credit: PTI Photo

Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya lifts the IPL trophy after winning the final T20 cricket match of the Indian Premier League 2022 between the Gujarat Titans and the Rajasthan Royals, at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Credit: PTI Photo

Opting to bat first, 2008 champions Rajasthan never got going and posted a below-par 130-9 with Jos Buttler, this IPL's leading scorer, top-scoring for them with a rather subdued 39. Credit: PTI Photo

Buttler began cautiously, going at a run-a-ball rate and hoping to explode towards the end but it was not to be. Credit: PTI Photo

Pandya (3-17) led by example with the ball, claiming the crucial wickets of counterpart Sanju Samson, opener Buttler and Rajasthan's middle-order lynchpin Shimron Hetmyer. Credit: PTI Photo

Gujarat lost Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade cheaply but Pandya combined with Shubman Gill in a 63-run stand to help Gujarat overcome a slow start. Credit: PTI Photo

Yuzvendra Chahal dismissed Pandya for 34 runs to inject some excitement into the match but Gill's risk-free accumulation of runs and David Miller's quickfire 32 not out helped Gujarat to romp home in the penultimate over. Credit: PTI Photo

Opener Gill remained unbeaten on 45, sealing Gujarat's victory with a six and celebrating it by removing his helmet and letting out a roar. Credit: Gujarat Titans

Gill's 45 came from 43 balls and ended with a six that secured the victory. The two batsmen hugged and, as the fireworks erupted, the Gujarat players came running on to the pitch to celebrate. Credit: IPLT20

Jos Buttler was adjudged the tournament's Most Valuable Player for his tally of 863 runs from 17 matches, including a record-equalling four centuries. Credit: PTI Photo