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The sun was beginning to dip below the horizon in Gujarat, painting the sky in hues of orange and purple. But inside the bowl of the world's largest cricket stadium, the only color that mattered was Blue.
The Narendra Modi Stadium wasn't just a ground; it was a beast. A concrete coliseum that hummed with the energy of one lakh thirty thousand people. The noise was constant, a low-frequency vibration that could be felt in the teeth.
The Broadcast: Star Sports 'Cricket Live'
Host: Mayanti Langer
Experts: Sunil Gavaskar, Matthew Hayden, Kevin Pietersen, Irfan Pathan.
Mayanti Langer: "The wait is over. The biggest T20 league in the world reaches its climax. It is the Battle of the Royals again. The Gujarat Titans, playing at their land, versus the Rajasthan Royals, who fought their way back through Qualifier 2. Sunny G, is this the toughest venue for a visiting team?"
Sunil Gavaskar: "Absolutely. Look at the crowd. It is a sea of blue jerseys. 130,000 people screaming for Aarav Pathak. It is intimidating. But Rajasthan has been here before. They played the Q2 here two days ago. They know the conditions better than Gujarat right now. That is their slight edge."
Kevin Pietersen: "It's the matchups for me. Aarav Pathak vs Trent Boult. We saw what happened in Kolkata—23 runs in an over. Boult will be hurting. He will want revenge. And then Jos Buttler vs Rashid Khan. The Orange Cap vs The Wizard. This is heavyweight boxing."
Matthew Hayden: "I'm looking at the captains. Sanju Samson is calm, almost zen-like. Aarav Pathak... well, he has that swagger, doesn't he? That swag everyone is talking about. He walks out like he owns the place. Tonight, he has to prove he can own the trophy."
Simon Doull & Graeme Swann stood near the pitch, looking down at the 22 yards.
Graeme Swann: "It looks very different from the Kolkata pitch. This is a mix of red and black soil. It's hard, there are a few cracks opening up. It looks dry."
Simon Doull: "History says chase here. But looking at this specific surface, I think the ball might grip and turn later on. It's going to get slower and lower as the game progresses. It's a 'Bat First' final pressure pitch. 150-160 is gold dust here."
The giant screen flashed: TOSS TIME.
A roar erupted that registered on local seismographs. Ravi Shastri, dressed in a sharp beige suit, stood in the center with Match Referee Javagal Srinath.
The two captains walked out. Sanju Samson in Pink. Aarav Pathak in the dark Blue of Gujarat.
They shook hands. Aarav looked relaxed. Sanju looked focused.
Ravi Shastri (Booming): "Ahmedabad! Make some noise!"
The crowd obliged. It was deafening.
Ravi Shastri: "We have the two captains. Qualifier 1 rematch. Sanju, you have the coin."
Sanju Samson flipped the gold coin high into the twilight. Aarav called, "Tails."
The coin landed. Heads.
Javagal Srinath: "Heads it is."
Ravi Shastri: "Sanju Samson wins the toss. What is it going to be?"
Sanju Samson: "We are going to bat first, Ravi."
Ravi Shastri: "Surprising call given the dew factor? Or is it the pitch?"
Sanju Samson: "It's the pitch and the pressure. We played here two nights ago. We felt the wicket got slightly difficult to bat on in the second innings. It slowed down. In a final, runs on the board are crucial. We want to put up a score and let our bowlers defend it."
Ravi Shastri: "Any changes to the winning combination?"
Sanju Samson: "No changes. Same team that beat RCB."
Ravi Shastri: "Good luck."
Ravi turned to Aarav. The crowd roared again.
Ravi Shastri: "Aarav, you lost the toss. Happy to bowl?"
Aarav Pathak: "Honestly, we would have bowled first anyway. We like chasing. We chased 200 in Kolkata, we are happy to chase here. The crowd loves a chase."
Ravi Shastri: "You are playing at home. First IPL match here for Gujarat. How is the feeling?"
Aarav Pathak: "It's electric, Ravi. Look at this. (He gestures to the crowd). They have waited a long time for a team to call their own. We want to give them a night to remember."
Ravi Shastri: "Same team?"
Aarav Pathak: "Same XI. Why fix what isn't broken? The boys are rested and ready."
Ravi Shastri: "All the best."
The Playing XIs
Gujarat Titans:
Shubman Gill
Abhishek Sharma
Aarav Pathak (C)
Heinrich Klaasen (WK)
David Miller
Rinku Singh
Rahul Tewatia
Rashid Khan
Josh Hazlewood
Kuldeep Yadav
Arshdeep Singh
Rajasthan Royals:
Yashasvi Jaiswal
Jos Buttler
Sanju Samson (C & WK)
Devdutt Padikkal
Shimron Hetmyer
Riyan Parag
Ravichandran Ashwin
Trent Boult
Prasidh Krishna
Yuzvendra Chahal
Obed McCoy
The Commentary Box
As the umpires Chris Gaffaney and Nitin Menon walked out, the commentary team took over.
Ian Bishop: "Good evening to the world. It is the 29th of May. The Narendra Modi Stadium is packed to the rafters. 130,000 souls. One trophy. It is the culmination of two months of blood, sweat, and sixes."
Isa Guha: "The atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The ground shakes when the fans chant. Gujarat Titans are bowling first. Aarav Pathak has backed his chasers. But Sanju Samson has backed his defenders. Who blinks first?"
Harsha Bhogle: "It's interesting, Ian. Rajasthan thinks the pitch will slow down. Aarav thinks the dew will speed it up. One of them has misread this surface. We will find out in about three hours."
Anjum Chopra: "Watch out for the first six overs. Trent Boult with the new ball later, and Aarav Pathak with the new ball now. The Powerplay will decide the momentum."
The Gujarat Titans huddled. Aarav Pathak stood in the center. The noise was so loud he had to scream to be heard by the man next to him.
"This is it!" Aarav yelled. "No tomorrow! Empty the tank! We restrict them. We field like tigers. Do it for the badge! Let's go!"
The huddle broke. The Titans sprinted to their positions. Aarav Pathak took the new ball.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Jos Buttler walked out to bat. The Closing Ceremony fireworks were still smoking in the air. The Final was on.
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The Royal Box
If the Eden Gardens was a coliseum of noise, the Narendra Modi Stadium was a fortress of power. The VVIP box, enclosed in bulletproof glass and luxury, hosted the most powerful men in the country.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi sat in the center, waving to the crowd. Beside him sat Home Minister Amit Shah, whose son Jay Shah (BCCI Secretary) was busy ensuring everything was perfect.
But for the cameras, the real treat was a few rows behind.
The Tendulkar Clan was in full attendance. Sachin Tendulkar, wearing a sharp suit, was pointing out field placements to Anjali. Sara Tendulkar and Shradha Tendulkar were seated next to each other. Arjun Tendulkar was busy taking a panoramic video of the 130,000-strong crowd, his jaw slightly dropped.
"I have played in Lords," Sachin was heard saying to a nearby official. "But this... the sheer volume of this is frightening. The acoustics are designed to intimidate."
Down in the stands, the atmosphere was shifting. It wasn't just the generic "GT! GT!" chants anymore. This was Ahmedabad. This was the business capital. And they had a special name for their captain.
It started in the North Stand—the 'Patra City' block, filled with fans who had traveled from Aarav's hometown.
"SETH SAHEB! SETH SAHEB!"
It rippled through the stadium. "SETH SAHEB AAYO! (The Boss is here!)"
To the Gujarati fans, Aarav wasn't just a cricketer. He was the son of the soil. He was the heir to the Pathak business empire. He was the 'Seth'—the owner, the boss, the leader. It was a term of endearment and immense respect.
The broadcast director knew exactly what he was doing. The spider cam swooped down low over the pitch where the Gujarat Titans were warming up.
It focused on Aarav Pathak. He was marking his run-up tape. He heard the chant. "SETH SAHEB!"
Aarav stopped. He looked up at the 130,000 people. He cracked a smile—a rare, genuine smile. He raised his hand, acknowledging the chant. He touched his heart and then pointed to the stands.
The noise that followed could have shattered glass.
Ravi Shastri (On Air): "Listen to that! 'Seth Saheb'. The Boss. They have crowned him already! I have seen Tendulkar being called God. I have seen Kohli being called King. But this... this is personal. This is Gujarat claiming their own."
Sunil Gavaskar: "It puts a shiver down your spine, Ravi. Look at the Prime Minister clapping! Even he knows the popularity of this young man. The pressure on Aarav Pathak tonight is not just to win a game; it is to justify this love."
Aarav handed his cap to the umpire. He grabbed the new white ball. He looked at the batsman, Yashasvi Jaiswal. He looked at the non-striker, Jos Buttler.
Then, he looked at the VVIP box. He saw the faint outline of Shradha. He took a deep breath, the smell of red soil and humidity filling his lungs.
The 'Seth' was ready to work.
Umpire Nitin Menon: "Let's play!"
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The noise was deafening as Aarav Pathak stood at the top of his mark. The 130,000-strong crowd had turned into a singular entity, a wall of sound vibrating through the stadium.
Aarav looked at the field. He signaled to Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma. "Two slips," Aarav shouted, his voice barely cutting through the roar. "Get in there. We attack."
Ravi Shastri (On Air): "Look at this field! Two slips in a T20 Final? Aarav Pathak is not here to contain; he is here to destroy. He knows the pitch is slow, but he is backing his pace."
Ian Bishop: "It's aggressive. It's brave. Yashasvi Jaiswal, the young sensation, takes the strike. This first ball will set the tone for the entire night."
Ball 1: Aarav steamed in. The run-up was smooth, but the release was explosive. He didn't look for swing. He looked for the toes. 152 kmph. The ball dipped viciously late. Jaiswal was late bringing his bat down. He tried to dig it out, but his feet got tangled. He lost his balance and fell onto the pitch. The ball whistled past the leg stump, missing the timber by millimeters.
Sunil Gavaskar: "OHHHH! What a start! That was a toe-crusher! Jaiswal is on the floor! That missed the leg stump by a coat of varnish! The Seth has arrived with fire!"
Jaiswal scrambled up, dusting his jersey, looking a bit shaken. He tapped the pitch nervously.
Ball 2: Aarav shortened the length slightly, bowling a heavy ball outside off stump. Jaiswal tried to cut it hard. He found the fielder at backward point. Dot Ball.
Ball 3: Fuller this time. Jaiswal drove it firmly towards covers. David Miller, agile as a cat, swooped in, gathered the ball one-handed, and fired a throw to the keeper, Heinrich Klaasen. Jaiswal thought about a run but saw Miller and stayed put. Dot Ball.
Ball 4: Aarav banged it in short. A surprise bouncer on a slow track. It rose sharply. Jaiswal tried to play the upper cut, arching his back, but the pace defeated him. It sailed through to Klaasen. Dot Ball.
Ian Bishop: "This is hostile bowling. Pace, accuracy, and variation. Jaiswal hasn't scored a run yet. The pressure is immense."
Ball 5: Aarav bowled straight and full. Jaiswal presented the full face of the bat, pushing it past the bowler to mid-on. He scampered through for a quick single. 1 Run.
Ball 6:Jos Buttler on strike. The danger man. Aarav kept it simple. Good length on middle. Buttler flicked it off his pads to deep square leg. He wanted two, but the outfield was quick. Just a single. 1 Run.
End of Over 1.Score: RR 2/0.
As the players changed ends, Aarav walked up to Arshdeep Singh. He put an arm around the young left-armer's shoulder, pointing at a specific spot on the pitch—the 6-meter length.
"Arsh," Aarav said, shielding his mouth from the cameras. "Pitch it up. Don't drag it back. The new ball is swinging. Make Buttler drive. If he hits you, fine. But make him drive."
Arshdeep nodded, "Length ball. Swing it in. Got it, Bhai."
Over 2: Arshdeep Singh to Jos Buttler
Ravi Shastri: "Arshdeep Singh shares the new ball. He has been a revelation this season. Aarav was having a long chat with him. Let's see if the youngster executes the plan."
Ball 1: Arshdeep listened. He pitched it full, shaping back into the right-hander. Buttler leaned forward, respecting the movement, and pushed it gently to covers. 1 Run.
Ball 2: Jaiswal on strike. Arshdeep bowled a tight line on off stump. Jaiswal guided it to third man. 1 Run.
Ball 3: Buttler back on strike. Arshdeep bowled a beauty—seaming away slightly. Buttler left it alone. Dot Ball.
Ball 4: Arshdeep went for the inswinger. Buttler defended it back to the bowler. Dot Ball.
Ian Bishop: "This is high-quality test match bowling in colored clothing. They are giving nothing away. The run rate is just 2.5."
Ball 5: Arshdeep erred slightly in line, drifting onto the pads. Buttler didn't miss out. He flicked it with those incredible wrists. The ball raced through the gap at mid-wicket. FOUR. The first boundary of the final! The Rajasthan dugout clapped.
Ball 6: Arshdeep corrected immediately. Outside off, shaping away. Buttler tried to drive but was beaten by the movement. Dot Ball.
End of Over 2.Score: RR 8/0.
Sunil Gavaskar: "A fantastic start for the Gujarat Titans. 8 runs from the first 2 overs on a big night like this is gold dust. Aarav's first over set the tone—that yorker to Jaiswal was a wake-up call. And Arshdeep supported him well, despite that one boundary."
Ravi Shastri: "The pitch is definitely a bit slow. The ball isn't coming onto the bat as quickly as Buttler would like. This 160-170 prediction might be spot on. Every run is going to be a struggle tonight."
The crowd chanted "SETH SAHEB" as Aarav walked to his fielding position at mid-off, clapping his hands, keeping the intensity high. The pressure cooker was just heating up.
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Over 3: Josh Hazlewood
Ravi Shastri: "Change of bowling. The 'Hoff' comes into the attack. Josh Hazlewood. He is like a metronome. You can set your watch by his line and length. On this pitch, that nagging length is going to be difficult to get away."
Aarav had saved Hazlewood for the third over, knowing the Australian's ability to dry up runs.
Ball 1: Good length, top of off. Jaiswal tapped it to cover. Single. Ball 2: Buttler pushed to mid-on. Single. Ball 3: Jaiswal worked it to square leg. Single. Ball 4: Buttler defended to mid-off. Quick single. Ball 5: Jaiswal guided to third man. Single. Ball 6: Buttler retained strike with a push to deep point. Single.
Score: RR 14/0.
Over 4: Arshdeep Singh
Arshdeep continued for his second over. The Royals needed to break the shackles.
Matthew Hayden: "Rajasthan is going at just over 4.6 runs an over. They need a boundary. Arshdeep will be targeted here."
Buttler and Jaiswal managed to find gaps, running hard twos and rotating strike. Arshdeep bowled a tight line, but a slightly wide delivery was cut by Buttler for three runs (great save by Rashid on the boundary).
Runs: 8 runs from the over. Score: RR 22/0.
Over 5: Josh Hazlewood
Hazlewood continued his relentless accuracy. Buttler tried to step out, but Hazlewood pulled the length back, hitting the splice of the bat. Jaiswal managed a boundary—a streaky edge past the slip cordon—but otherwise, the Titans were suffocating the Royals.
Runs: 7 runs from the over. Score: RR 29/0.
Sunil Gavaskar: "This is excellent captaincy from Aarav. He hasn't let them breathe. 29 for no loss in 5 overs is a Test match score in a T20 final. Something has to give in the final over of the Powerplay."
Over 6:
Aarav Pathak took the ball from the umpire. He looked at the scoreboard. 29/0. He looked at the batsmen. They were desperate. He adjusted his field. He kept the two slips.
Ball 1: Aarav banged it in short of a length, rising towards the ribs. Jaiswal tried to work it to square leg but was cramped for room. Dot Ball.
Ball 2: 151 kmph. Full and straight. Jaiswal dug it out back to the bowler. Aarav fielded it in his follow-through and stared at the young opener. Dot Ball.
Ball 3: Aarav steamed in. He went wide of the crease, angling it in and then getting it to straighten beautifully with outswing. Jaiswal (16 off 18) felt the pressure. He threw his hands at it, trying to slash it over point. The ball kissed the outside edge. It flew fast and low to the left of second slip. Abhishek Sharma dived. He plucked it inches from the ground with both hands!
Ravi Shastri (SCREAMING): "EDGED AND GONE! The pressure tells! Jaiswal cracks! A magnificent delivery from Aarav Pathak, and a blinder of a catch by Abhishek Sharma in the slips! The first blow has been struck in the Final!"
Yashasvi Jaiswal c Abhishek b Aarav 16 (19)Score: RR 29/1
Ball 4:Sanju Samson walked in. The crowd was roaring. Aarav bowled a heavy ball on the hips. Sanju tucked it to fine leg for a single. 1 Run.
Ball 5: Jos Buttler on strike. The Orange Cap holder. Aarav sensed the moment. He ran in harder. He bowled the perfect line—the 'Corridor of Uncertainty'. Just outside off, tempting the drive, shaping away a fraction. Buttler (11 off 15) pushed at it tentatively, his feet stuck in the crease. Snick. The sound was unmistakable. The ball flew straight into the gloves of Heinrich Klaasen.
Ian Bishop: "HE'S GOT HIM! HE'S GOT HIM! TWO IN THE OVER! The danger man is gone! Jos Buttler departs cheaply! Aarav Pathak has ripped the heart out of the Rajasthan batting lineup inside the Powerplay! What a spell from the Captain!"
Jos Buttler c Klaasen b Aarav 11 (16)Score: RR 30/2
Ball 6:Devdutt Padikkal walked out to a cauldron of noise. Aarav bowled a 148 kmph yorker first up. Padikkal just about managed to bring his bat down in time to dig it out. Dot Ball.
End of Over 6 (Powerplay).Score: RR 30/2.
Ravi Shastri: "That is the over that wins you finals! A double wicket maiden... well, nearly a maiden! Just one run and two massive wickets. Jaiswal and Buttler are back in the hut. Rajasthan Royals are reeling at 30 for 2. The Seth Saheb has turned the Narendra Modi Stadium into a graveyard for the Royals!"
Sunil Gavaskar: "It's the length, Ravi. He didn't bowl short; he bowled full, inviting the drive, and let the swing do the rest. Aarav Pathak is leading from the front in the biggest game of his life."
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The Powerplay had silenced the Rajasthan dugout, but the Gujarat Titans were not done. As the field restrictions lifted, the 130,000 fans expected a release of pressure. Instead, Aarav Pathak turned the screws tighter.
Aarav (to the team huddle): "The ball is stopping. No pace now. Spin web. Let's choke them."
He tossed the ball to the magician, Rashid Khan.
Over 7: Rashid Khan to Sanju Samson
Ian Bishop: "Here comes the best T20 bowler in the world. Rashid Khan. The field spreads, but look at the intensity. A slip is still in place. That tells you Aarav is hunting for wickets, not just dot balls."
Ball 1: Rashid darted it in on a length, skidding through. Sanju Samson, wary of the LBW, pressed back and defended solidly. Dot.
Ball 2: The slider. It looked like a leg-break but went straight on. Sanju tried to cut but was cramped for room. He chopped it into the pitch. Dot.
Ball 3: Sanju finally got off strike. He worked a length ball to long-on for a single. The crowd cheered even the single, mocking the slow run rate.
Ball 4: Devdutt Padikkal on strike. Rashid bowled a googly. Padikkal picked it late and defended awkwardly to cover. Dot.
Ball 5: Padikkal tried to push at a flatter delivery. Inside edge onto the pads. Dot.
Ball 6: Padikkal finally nudged one to deep square leg. 1 Run.
Score: RR 32/2.
Over 8: Kuldeep Yadav into the Attack
Sunil Gavaskar: "Spin from both ends. Kuldeep Yadav, the chinaman, comes in. This pitch is tailor-made for him. It's gripping."
Ball 1: Kuldeep tossed it up beautifully, slowing it down through the air (82 kmph). Padikkal stepped out, realized he wasn't to the pitch, and adjusted to defend. Dot.
Ball 2: Padikkal, feeling the pressure of the dot balls, went for a sweep. He didn't time it well, dragging it to deep square leg. 1 Run.
Ball 3: Sanju Samson on strike. Kuldeep bowled a wrong 'un. Sanju read it and drove it to deep cover. 1 Run.
Ball 4: Padikkal tried to cut a ball that was too close to him. He missed. Dot.
Ball 5: Kuldeep bowled wider. Padikkal reached out and drove to sweeper cover. 1 Run.
Ball 6: Sanju Samson leaned forward and pushed it to long-off. 1 Run.
Score: RR 36/2.
Matthew Hayden: "This is suffocating. They are gasping for air out there. Gujarat Titans are swarming over them like bees. Every dot ball is cheered like a wicket."
Over 9:
Rashid Khan continued. He knew he was the linchpin. If he got stuck, the innings would collapse.
Ball 1: Sanju pushed to long-on. 1 Run.
Ball 2: Padikkal worked it to square leg. 1 Run.
Ball 3:THE WICKET. Rashid Khan bowled a leg-break, but he bowled it slightly quicker (96 kmph) and into the pitch. Sanju Samson, feeling the weight of the scoreboard, tried to manufacture a shot. He looked to play the late cut—the dab to third man—which he plays so well. But the ball gripped. It stopped on the surface for a microsecond and bounced a fraction more than he expected. Sanju couldn't control the shot. It was too close to cut. The ball kissed the shoulder of the bat and flew quickly to the right of the lone slip. Shubman Gill, sharp as a hawk, dived to his right and pouched it with soft hands.
Ravi Shastri (SCREAMING): "GONE! The pressure tells! Sanju Samson has to go! He tried to be cheeky against the master, and he pays the price! Rashid Khan strikes in his first spell! The Captain departs, and Rajasthan is sinking!"
Sanju Samson c Gill b Rashid 14 (20)RR: 38/3
Harsha Bhogle: "Silence in the Rajasthan dugout. Pandemonium in the stands. That wicket was created by the dot balls in the last two overs. Sanju felt he had to do something."
Over 10:
Shimron Hetmyer walked out. Usually a finisher, he was promoted to stop the rot. But Aarav Pathak kept the slip in place.
Kuldeep Yadav to Hetmyer.
Ball 1: Hetmyer defended a googly. He looked nervous. Dot.
Ball 2: Hetmyer pushed to cover. Dot.
Ball 3: Hetmyer finally got off the mark with a single to long-off.
The rest of the over was a struggle for Padikkal, who looked completely at sea against the turning ball. He swung and missed twice.
Score: RR 42/3.
Over 11 & 12
Rashid and Kuldeep bowled in tandem, changing their lengths, varying their pace. It was a masterclass in T20 bowling.
Padikkal couldn't time the ball.
Hetmyer couldn't find the gaps.
The boundary seemed miles away.
Score after 12 Overs: RR 60/3. Run Rate: 4.83.
Ian Bishop: "I have never seen a batting lineup dismantled this slowly. It's not a collapse of wickets; it's a collapse of intent. They are frozen."
Over 13: Kuldeep's Double Strike
Kuldeep Yadav came in for his over. The Royals were desperate. They needed a 20-run over. They got a disaster.
Ball 1: Padikkal's Misery Ends Devdutt Padikkal (22 off 24) decided he had to hit out. He stepped down the track, aiming for long-on. Kuldeep saw him coming. He dragged the length back and bowled it wide outside off. Padikkal had to reach for it. He lost his shape completely. One hand came off the handle. The ball lofted high, lacking any power, straight down the throat of David Miller at long-on.
Sunil Gavaskar: "He put him out of his misery. Padikkal struggled for 25 balls, and it ends with a whimper. Kuldeep outsmarted him in the air."
Devdutt Padikkal c Miller b Kuldeep 22 (25)RR: 60/4
New Batsman: Riyan Parag.
Ball 2: Parag took a single.
Ball 3: Shimron Hetmyer on strike. The last hope for a 150+ score. Kuldeep bowled the wrong 'un. He flighted it, inviting the big shot. Hetmyer's eyes lit up. He went for the slog sweep to the mid-wicket boundary—the shorter side. But he didn't read the googly. The ball turned into him, cramping him for room. It took the top edge, spiraling high into the night sky. Abhishek Sharma ran in from deep mid-wicket, kept his eyes on the ball, and took a tumbling catch.
Ravi Shastri: "TWO IN THE OVER! Kuldeep Yadav is weaving magic! The big West Indian goes! Rajasthan Royals are falling apart! Half the side is gone for just 62!"
Shimron Hetmyer c Abhishek b Kuldeep 2 (4)Score: 61/5
Rashid Khan returned to finish his spell. Ravi Ashwin had joined Riyan Parag.
Rashid gave nothing away. He bowled four googlies in a row to Ashwin, who could only poke and prod. It was a maiden over in terms of boundaries. Just 3 singles.
End of Over 14.Score: RR 76/5.
Harsha Bhogle: "8 overs. 46 runs. 3 wickets. That passage of play has decided the final. The spin twins, Rashid and Kuldeep, have absolutely decimated the Rajasthan batting order. From 30/2, they have crawled to 76/5. It is a blockade of the highest order."
Matthew Hayden: "It's the conditions, Harsha. The ball gripped, yes. But the bowling was brave. They tossed it up. They invited the shots. And Rajasthan fell into every single trap."
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The spin twins had gutted the middle order, leaving the Royals gasping at 76/5. Now, as the innings entered its final quarter, Aarav Pathak turned back to his speed merchants to finish the job.
Over 15: Arshdeep Singh
Harsha Bhogle: "Arshdeep Singh comes back. He bowled a brilliant spell in the Powerplay. Now he needs to execute his death bowling skills. Riyan Parag is the last recognized batter. He has to take the strike."
Ball 1: Arshdeep came round the wicket to Parag. He angled it across, burying it into the pitch. Parag tried to slap it through covers but couldn't get under it. Dot.
Ball 2: Arshdeep went for the yorker. He missed by a fraction, but it was still too full to hit. Parag dug it out to long-on. 1 Run.
Ball 3: Ashwin on strike. He shuffled across, trying to play a scoop. Arshdeep saw him moving and bowled a wide line. Ashwin let it go. Wide.
Ball 3 (Re-bowl): Ashwin pushed a cutter to deep point. 1 Run.
Ball 4: Parag tried to pull a short ball but mistimed it to deep square leg. The ball didn't carry to the fielder. 1 Run.
Ball 5: Ashwin backed away. Arshdeep followed him with a slower bouncer. Ashwin ducked awkwardly. Dot.
Ball 6: Ashwin took a single to retain strike.
Score: RR 81/5. Analysis: Just 5 runs. The Royals couldn't find the boundary.
Over 16: Josh Hazlewood
Sunil Gavaskar: "The Metronome is back. Josh Hazlewood. He hasn't picked a wicket yet, but his economy has been stifling. On this pitch, his hard length is impossible to hit."
Ball 1: Hazlewood hit the deck hard. Ashwin tried to force it through the off-side but was beaten by the extra bounce. Dot.
Ball 2: Ashwin steered a length ball to third man. 1 Run.
Ball 3: Parag on strike. Hazlewood bowled a cross-seam delivery. It skidded low. Parag did well to keep it out. Dot.
Ball 4: Parag stepped out, trying to unsettle the bowler. Hazlewood saw him and banged it in short. Parag pulled it mistimed to deep mid-wicket. 1 Run.
Ball 5: Ashwin tried to swing across the line. He got an inside edge onto his pads. 1 Run (Leg Bye).
Ball 6: Parag drove on the up to long-off. 1 Run.
Score: RR 85/5. Ravi Shastri: "This is a chokehold! They are dealing in singles in the 16th over of a final! The crowd is loving every dot ball. Aarav Pathak has set fields that are cutting off every angle."
Over 17:
Aarav Pathak brought himself back into the attack. The crowd chanted "SETH SAHEB" as he marked his run-up. He had 2 wickets already. He wanted more.
Ball 1: Riyan Parag took a single off the first ball, exposing Ashwin to the pace.
Ball 2: Aarav steamed in. 151 kmph. Full and straight. Ravichandran Ashwin backed away to create room, trying to carve it over covers. But the pace was too much. He was late on the shot. The ball crashed into the off-stump, sending the LED bails flying into the night sky.
Ian Bishop: "TOO FAST! You cannot back away against 150 clicks! Aarav Pathak disturbs the furniture! Ashwin goes, and the Royals are six down!"
R Ashwin b Aarav 6 (10)
New Batsman:Trent Boult.
Ball 3: Aarav greeted Boult with a searing bouncer. Boult swayed out of the way, looking uncomfortable. Dot.
Ball 4: Full and wide. Boult slashed and missed. Dot.
Ball 5: Boult managed to touch the ball to third man. 1 Run.
Ball 6: Parag on strike. He tried to hook a short ball. Top edge... but it landed safely in no-man's land behind square. 2 Runs.
Score: RR 89/6.
Over 18: Arshdeep
Arshdeep Singh to bowl his final over.
Ball 1: Boult took a single to put Parag on strike.
Ball 2: Parag (20 off 23) knew he had to go big. He set himself for the slog.
Ball 3:CLEAN BOWLED! Arshdeep delivered the perfect yorker. Tailing in towards the middle stump. Parag swung blindly across the line. He missed completely. The ball smashed into the base of the middle stump.
Matthew Hayden: "The death rattle! Arshdeep Singh nails it! Riyan Parag's struggle comes to an end. Rajasthan Royals are falling apart at the seams!"
Riyan Parag b Arshdeep 20 (24)
New Batsman:Obed McCoy.
Ball 4: McCoy defended the first ball. Dot.
Ball 5: McCoy took a single.
Ball 6: Boult swung and missed. Dot.
Score: RR 91/7.
Over 19
Aarav Pathak came in to bowl the penultimate over. Obed McCoy and Trent Boult at the crease.
Ball 1: Aarav bowled a cutter. Boult chipped it to mid-off. 1 Run.
Ball 2: McCoy on strike. Aarav went round the wicket, cramping him with a short ball. McCoy fended it off. Dot.
Ball 3: Full toss (145 kmph). McCoy was surprised by the pace and just blocked it. Dot.
Ball 4: McCoy managed to squeeze a yorker to deep point. 1 Run.
Ball 5: Boult backed away and tried to hit over cover. He missed. The ball whizzed past the off pole. Dot.
Ball 6: Aarav finished his spell with a 153 kmph thunderbolt. Boult edged it along the ground to third man. 1 Run.
Score: RR 94/7. Aarav Pathak's Figures: 4-0-22-3. Crowd: Standing ovation for the Captain.
Over 20: Hazlewood
Josh Hazlewood to bowl the final over.
Ball 1: Obed McCoy tried to swing for the fences. He mistimed it completely. The ball went straight up in the air. Shubman Gill ran in from cover and took a simple catch.
Ravi Shastri: "Hazlewood gets a wicket! McCoy skies it, and Gill takes another one. Number 8 down!"
Obed McCoy c Gill b Hazlewood 2 (6)
New Batsman:Prasidh Krishna.
Ball 2: Krishna faced a hard length delivery. He poked at it. Dot.
Ball 3:WICKET! Hazlewood targeted the stumps. Full and straight. Krishna played all around it. The off-stump was uprooted.
Sunil Gavaskar: "And another one! Hazlewood on a hat-trick! The tail is wagging, but it's being cut off! 9 wickets down!"
Prasidh Krishna b Hazlewood 0 (2)
New Batsman:Yuzvendra Chahal.
Ball 4: Hazlewood for the hat-trick. He bowled a yorker. Chahal dug it out brilliantly. Dot.
Ball 5: Chahal squeezed a single to third man. 1 Run.
Ball 6: Boult faced the last ball. He swung hard. Thick outside edge flew over short third man. FOUR.
Innings Break
Total Score: Rajasthan Royals 99/9 (20 Overs)
Scorecard Summary:
Sanju Samson: 14
Devdutt Padikkal: 22
Riyan Parag: 20
Jos Buttler: 11
Yashasvi Jaiswal: 16
Extras: 6
Bowling Figures (GT):
Aarav Pathak: 4-0-22-3
Arshdeep Singh: 4-0-18-2
Rashid Khan: 4-0-19-1
Kuldeep Yadav: 4-0-22-2
Josh Hazlewood: 4-0-18-2
Harsha Bhogle: "Unbelievable scenes in Ahmedabad. The Rajasthan Royals, a team that scored heavily all season, have been restricted to just 99 runs in the Final. It was a clinic by the Gujarat Titans."
Matthew Hayden: "It started with Aarav Pathak's pace and ended with his pace, with a web of spin in the middle. 100 to win. The Gujarat Titans have one hand on the trophy. Can Rajasthan pull off a miracle? They need early wickets, but 100 seems like a walk in the park for this batting lineup."
The Gujarat Titans walked off the field to a deafening roar. They had dominated the first half. Now, the chase for the title began.
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The Narendra Modi Stadium was buzzing with a strange energy. It wasn't the frenetic screaming of the first over; it was the low rumble of disbelief mixed with anticipation. 130,000 people were digesting what they had just witnessed. The high-flying Rajasthan Royals, the team of Buttler and Samson, decimated for 99.
On the sidelines, the Star Sports desk was lit up. The backdrop was the massive stadium, creating a dramatic silhouette for the panel of experts.
The Host:Jatin Sapru. The Panel:Sunil Gavaskar, Gautam Gambhir, Kevin Pietersen, Harsha Bhogle, and making a special appearance, Navjot Singh Sidhu.
Jatin Sapru: "Welcome back to the mid-innings show. If you are just joining us, rub your eyes, check your TV sets, because the scorecard is real. The Rajasthan Royals, in the Grand Finale of the TATA IPL 2022, have been bowled out for 99. Not 199. Ninety-nine. It is the lowest score in an IPL Final since 2013. Sidhu Paaji, let's start with you. How do you describe what just happened?"
Navjot Singh Sidhu (Adjusting his tie, eyes wide): "Oye Jatin, my friend! Woh kehte hain na, jab sher dahaadta hai, toh jungle mein sannata chha jata hai! (They say when the lion roars, the jungle falls silent!) Today, the Gujarat Titans didn't just roar; they swallowed the prey whole! Thoko taali!"
(He claps his hands enthusiastically).
"This wasn't a cricket match; it was a demolition derby! Aarav Pathak came out like Alexander the Great. He saw, he conquered, and he left nothing but ruins behind! Rajasthan looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a Ferrari doing 200 kmph!"
Jatin Sapru: "A demolition indeed. Harsha, you were on commentary. Was it the pitch, or was it the pressure?"
Harsha Bhogle: "You know, Jatin, it's easy to look at 99 and say 'bad batting'. And yes, there were some soft dismissals. But we have to give credit where it's due. This was a tactical masterclass. From the moment Aarav Pathak inserted two slips in the first over, he dictated the narrative. He told Rajasthan, 'I am not here to save runs. I am here to take wickets.' And that mindset filters down. When your captain is diving at mid-off, when your slip fielder is taking blinders, the bowlers grow an extra inch."
Jatin Sapru: "Gautam, you are a winning captain. You talk about intensity. Today, Aarav Pathak used his bowlers in short bursts. He brought spin properly. He brought himself back at the death. How do you rate his captaincy today?"
Gautam Gambhir (Serious, leaning forward): "10 out of 10. And I don't give that rating easily. Look at the field placements. Usually, in T20s, captains spread the field after the Powerplay. They put a sweeper cover, a deep mid-wicket, and say 'Okay, take your singles'. Aarav kept a slip for Shimron Hetmyer. For Hetmyer! In the 11th over! That tells the batsman, 'We are coming for you'. It creates doubt."
He pointed to the screen where a replay of Sanju Samson's wicket was playing.
"Look at this. Rashid Khan bowling to Sanju. Most captains would have a deep third man to cut off the single. Aarav kept the slip and brought the third man up. He tempted Sanju to play the cut. Sanju saw the gap, tried to guide it, and nicked it. That wicket belongs to the captain as much as the bowler. That is proactive captaincy, not reactive."
Kevin Pietersen: "I agree, GG. But I also want to talk about his bowling changes. He realized very quickly—probably after the first over—that the ball was gripping. So, what does he do? He doesn't wait for the 8th or 9th over. He brings Rashid and Kuldeep on immediately after the Powerplay. He suffocated Padikkal and Samson. They couldn't breathe. It was a stranglehold. And to bowl himself at the death? To take 3 wickets in a final? That takes serious guts."
Jatin Sapru: "Sunny Bhai, let's talk about Rajasthan. 99 all out. Where did they go wrong? Was it just good bowling, or did they panic?"
Sunil Gavaskar: "It was panic, Jatin. Pure and simple. Look at the shots. Yashasvi Jaiswal trying to slash over point when the ball is swinging? Not on. Sanju Samson playing a late cut against Rashid on a sticky wicket? Risky. But the biggest culprit was the lack of strike rotation."
He pulled up a graphic: Dots Balls: 58.
"Fifty-eight dot balls! That is nearly 10 overs of zero runs! You cannot win a final playing out 10 maiden overs. Devdutt Padikkal got stuck. He consumed 25 balls for 22 runs. That built pressure on everyone else. Hetmyer felt he had to hit every ball. Parag felt he had to slog. They stopped playing the ball and started playing the scoreboard pressure."
Gautam Gambhir: "I'll add to that. It's the mindset. They walked in thinking, 'This is a final, we need 180'. But on this pitch, 140 was a fighting total. If they had just batted sensibly, taken singles, kept wickets in hand till the 15th over, they could have reached 140. But they tried to hit their way out of trouble against quality bowling. You don't hit Rashid Khan out of the attack. You respect him."
Navjot Singh Sidhu: "Oye Guru! Sabar ka phal meetha hota hai, lekin inko toh phal chhod, ped bhi nahi mila! (Patience bears sweet fruit, but they didn't even get the tree!). They were in a hurry, like a groom rushing to his wedding! But the bride (the trophy) ran away with the other guy!"
Jatin Sapru: "Kevin, you mentioned the pitch gripping. How difficult was it really?"
Kevin Pietersen: "It was tricky, yes. The black soil patches were holding the ball a bit. Kuldeep Yadav was getting drift and turn. But 99? No pitch is a 99 pitch in the IPL final. This is a 150 pitch. The Royals batters just didn't adapt. They kept trying to hit through the line. On a pitch like this, you play late. You wait for the ball. Only Padikkal tried to wait, but he just couldn't find the gaps. It was a collective failure of technique against spin."
Jatin Sapru: "We have to talk about the man of the moment. Aarav Pathak. 3 wickets for 22 runs. And the crowd... listen to them."
The background noise of "SETH SAHEB" was still audible.
Harsha Bhogle: "It is spine-tingling, Jatin. I was down at the toss, and the noise when he walked out... it reminded me of MSD in Chennai. He has captured the imagination of Gujarat. But beyond the popularity, look at his skill. That ball to Ashwin? 151 kmph. At the end of his spell! He is an elite athlete. He is not just a captain who bowls; he is a genuine frontline pacer who captains."
Sunil Gavaskar: "And he is just 21? Or 22? The maturity he shows is of a 35-year-old. He doesn't get flustered. When Arshdeep went for a boundary, he walked up to him, smiled, and pointed to the length. He manages his troops like a general. Indian cricket is in very safe hands if this is the future."
Jatin Sapru: "Okay, the big question. 100 to win. Is there ANY chance for Rajasthan Royals? Or should we start engraving the trophy?"
Kevin Pietersen (Laughing): "Start engraving. It's done. 100 runs? With that batting lineup? Gill, Abhishek, Aarav, Miller, Klaasen? They could chase this with three bats. Unless Trent Boult takes a hat-trick in the first over, this game is over by the 12th over."
Gautam Gambhir: "Hold on, KP. Cricket is a funny game. Remember 1983? India defended 183. Remember low scoring thrillers? If Rajasthan gets early wickets—say Gill and Aarav go cheaply—panic can set in. It's a final. The bat feels heavier. The feet feel heavier. 100 can look like 200 if you lose 3 wickets for 20 runs."
Sunil Gavaskar: "Gautam is right. You never say never. But... the dew is coming down. I can see the groundstaff wiping the outfield. The ball will skid on nicely for the Gujarat batters. The spinners for Rajasthan—Chahal and Ashwin—will find it hard to grip the wet ball. That is a massive disadvantage."
Navjot Singh Sidhu: "My friend, ummeed pe duniya kayam hai (The world lives on hope), but today, Rajasthan is living on a prayer! The Titans are not just walking; they are galloping towards the finish line! Unless a meteor hits the stadium, the cup is staying in Ahmedabad!"
Jatin Sapru: "So, the consensus is a Gujarat victory?"
Harsha Bhogle: "It would take a miracle of biblical proportions to stop them. They have the momentum, they have the crowd, they have the conditions, and they have the target within reach. I expect them to play it smart, not reckless."
Jatin Sapru: "Well, you heard the experts. The mountain is steep for the Royals, and the path is smooth for the Titans. But as Gambhir said, it's a final. Nerves play a part. Can Trent Boult conjure some magic? Can Chahal spin a web with a wet ball? Or will Aarav Pathak lift the trophy in his home ground?
Stay tuned. The chase for glory begins in moments. Don't go anywhere!"
Gujarat Titans Dressing Room: Aarav sat with his pads on. He wasn't listening to the TV. He was eating a banana. Gary Kirsten was speaking to the openers. "See off Boult. Don't do anything stupid. The run rate is 5. Singles are enough. Kill the game with boredom if you have to."
Rajasthan Royals Dressing Room: Sanju Samson looked at his deflated team. "Boys, we have 100 runs. It's not enough. We know that. But we are the Royals. We don't give up. We fight for every run. We make them earn it. If we go down, we go down swinging. Fielders, I want noise. Bowlers, attack the stumps. Let's make them panic."
The umpires walked out. The crowd roared again. The final act was about to begin.
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