The 2022 edition of the Indian Premier League concluded last night in Ahmedabad, where the Gujarat Titans became the new champions by defeating the Rajasthan Royals in the final. RR won the toss and elected to bat first at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The decision did not work in their favor as the Royals lost wickets at regular intervals. They managed only 130 runs in their 20 overs.
Chasing 131 to win their first IPL trophy, GT lost the wickets of Wriddhiman Saha and Matthew Wade early, but the trio of Shubman Gill, Hardik Pandya and David Miller delivered the goods for the home team. Eventually, GT won the match by seven wickets with 11 balls to spare. Pandya won the Man of the Match award for his three-wicket haul and 34 runs.
Speaking of IPL champions, last year Chennai Super Kings won their fourth trophy by defeating Kolkata Knight Riders. Shubman Gill and Lockie Ferguson were members of the losing team in IPL 2021 Final, but they finished on the winning side this year. Interestingly, there were two players from CSK’s IPL 2021 winning squad who were GT this year. Here’s a look at those two players.
1. R Sai Kishore – Benched by CSK, Main Indian spinner for Gujarat Titans
R Sai Kishore was a top performer for Tamil Nadu in domestic cricket, but the Chennai Super Kings did not give him a place in their playing XI. He made his IPL debut for the Gujarat Titans in IPL 2022 and took two key wickets in the final. Kishore is the only Indian player to win IPL 2021 and IPL 2022.
2. Dominic Drakes
While R Sai Kishore has made his IPL debut, Dominic Drakes has already won two IPL titles before his IPL debut. He was signed by CSK as a replacement last year. GT signed him at the IPL 2022 Mega Auction. Neither of the two teams gave him a place in the XI, but he was a part of the champion squads.
