Skipper Hardik Pandya leads the way for Gujarat Titans

The best side in the competition show why with a comprehensive victory under pressure in front of an unbelievable crowd.

Gujarat Titans sealed victory in a fairly one sided final. A glorious win set up by their sublime bowling attack and led incredibly well in a tense environment by this year’s standout captain Hardik Pandya.

India have found themselves an alternative option if ever needed to lead the side in the future. Pandya’s calmness under pressure and thoughtful and smart decision making in the big moments were eye catching. Ally that to his willingness to want to bat and bowl in the pressure situations says much about his character and personality.

Sometimes when the captaincy is awarded to someone with little experience, they can retract from responsibility rather than promote themselves through fear of failing. Hardik wanted to shine and lead from the front and did exactly that. Titans Head of Cricket Vikram Solanki must take much credit for an appointment which has had so much to do with their tournament success.

Vikram himself new to a role he clearly has enjoyed and shone in, he has been involved in coaching so more hands on with the playing side but to thrive in such an early appointment is special. Ashish Nehra and Gary Kirsten, a shrewd pairing to help guide the captain and team.

A standout characteristic of the team has been how many different players have helped win games. Sure, the captaincy and contributions of David Miller, Rashid Khan and Mohammad Shami have been crucial but most players have made significant contributions along the way.

David Miller has had a wonderful competition scoring runs in pressure situations which can be so tough, also seeing his side home from different game positions. Yes, the finisher but on some occasions having to resurrect the innings as well. He adapted so well to the team needs.

I felt that he looked more relaxed this year and again put some of that down to the management and their dealings with him, if a player feels welcome and is spoken to in a way that gets the best out of him, he will likely perform for you.

A captain and management need to know their players well and treat them all differently, that may also have helped underpin an incredible tournament. Rashid Khan is a winner. Don’t underestimate his all-round contributions as a captain when Hardik was injured and a late middle order batter scoring valuable runs.

He is constantly taking his game to a new level, never standing still and being caught up but always working to stay ahead developing new deliveries to outfox batters and adding a new dimension to his game with his batting and leadership. In this format if you have a top order that fires, an opening bowler capable of picking up early wickets regularly and an outstanding leader and top-class leg or mystery spinner then that is a good start to building a successful side.

The top order could have been more successful in truth with more runs. Gill and Saha dovetailed well though if one didn’t score then the other often would to help get the side off to decent start. Mathew Wade was not at his best with bat but made contributions along the way.

A bowling attack that functioned well together. Dayal and Ferguson providing important ingredients with the left arm angle as a variation and the extreme pace respectively. Ferguson is a much-improved bowler now with his control of pace off deliveries more consistent.

Titans have been so impressive throughout and have been more often than not able to field their best side. With bigger breaks between games this year with a longer tournament resting niggles for longer has been decisive. Rajasthan Royals could not put together a score batting first and that ultimately cost them the game.

It was the right decision to bat first but ended up 30 runs light mainly due to their inability to master the Pandya and Rashid Khan spells in the middle overs. A batting unit that has been over reliant on the sublime Jos Butler. His threatened in the final and was trying to set up a late onslaught but once dismissed the innings tailed away.

I thought Royals batters might have used the crease better either staying leg side and opening up the off side so in effect creating you own angles. After all the lengths that Titans were bowling were not going to hit the stumps. Very few deliveries in royals innings were crashing into the stumps.

Also, they could have used their feet more to try and effect the length Pandya was bowling. This May have helped them reach a more competitive score and with runs on the board in a final May have been more competitive. Possibly the drop chance of Gill early the moment where it was very unlikely to win from there for the Royals who have an outstanding bowling line up.

Chahal finished as the purple cap holder and fitting too. Top two wicket takers were leg spinners showing their class but also the important element to any side to have these types of bowlers. Remember the conditions in the early part of the competition not conducive to spin.

Spinners don’t always need spin particularly in this format. They have variations and the pitches provided bounce which is a spinners friend. What an occasion the final was. The atmosphere and crowd extraordinary. A fitting tribute to an incredible 2 months of high octane cricket.

22 very lucky cricketers played out their dreams in the final. I was nervous watching so how you control you nerves under such pressures and expectation is awesome. The IPL goes from strength to strength. Thanks to all the players, officials, fans and simply everyone involved for making this a special experience.