The 15th IPL came with a little twist in 2022. Two new teams- Gujarat Titans (GT) and Lucknow Super Giant (LSG) were introduced and collided against each other in their first match on 28th March. The team roped in Hardik Pandya as their captain. Here is everything you need to know about the GT’s history, squad, schedule, and review of their debut triumph.
India is a diverse country and just like how festivals unite different states people together to celebrate sports do the same too. The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the most anticipated sporting festival that brings all the different states of people together and celebrates this glorious massive victory. This historic moment is filled with entertainment, drama, excitement, and lots and lots of plot twists. It is no less than a movie but with a guaranteed happy ending for a team and its fans.
History
The board of control for cricket in India (BCCI), the governing council of the Indian cricket league had issued an “invitation to tender” (ITT) for two new sides in august 2021. 22 companies were interested but because of the high price, there were only 6 serious bidders.
The IPL which was an eight-team tournament has become 10 team tournament in 2022.
Investment advisory firm and British private equity (CVC capital partners) won the right to operate the Ahmedabad franchise with a bid of Rs 5,625. Ahead of the mega auction, the franchise reserved three players who were Rashid khan, Shubman Gill, and Hardik Pandya.
What’s New
This year’s 15th Indian premier league (IPL) 2022 season has added to the two twists. It has introduced two new teams and in addition to that, it has divided teams into two groups.
There was a group format where the teams are divided into 2 groups, groups A and B with 5 in each. Group A consisted of the teams like Rajasthan Royals, KKR, Delhi capitals, Mumbai Indians, and the new team Lucknow Super Giants. And team B consisted of teams like – Chennai super king, royal challengers Bangalore, Sunriser Hyderabad, Punjab kings and the new team Gujarat Titans.
Each team will play two matches with the rival team. There will be only 4 venues to host the IPL due to the ongoing pandemic. It includes Wankhede stadium in Mumbai, MCA international stadium in Pune, Brabourne stadium in Pune, and DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai.
New Team: Gujarat Titans
CVC capital (a private equity firm) is the owner of this team. The Gujarat Titans have a total of 23 players on their team. And the former cricketer Ashish Nehra is the team’s coach. The team is filled with a few exceptional players like Hardik Pandya who is the captain of the team and was bought for a whopping 15 crore. And Indians fast bowler Mohammad Shami was bought for 6.25 crore. And foreign names like Matthew Wade (Australia) and David miller from australis as well.
Rashid Khan(Afghanistan ) who is one of the biggest in the game, Shubham Gill who is a young opening batsman, and the rest of the players include- Jason Roy, Abhinav Manohar, Rahul Tewatia, Sai Kishor, Noor Ahmed, Lockie Ferguson, Jayant Yadav, Vijay Shankar, Dominic Drakes, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph, Darshan Nalkande, Varun Aaron, Pradeep Sangwan, Sai Kishor, Wriddhiman Saha, and B Sai Sudharshan.
Gujarat Titans have some great hard-hitting ballers like Hardik Pandya (Known for his six-hitting prowess), Matthew wade, Rahul Tewatia, and David Miller. Spinners like Jayant Yadav (experienced player), R Sai Kishor, and ace spin-ace Rashid can change the dimensions of the match and take the team to great heights and maybe even win. The team is not completely strong, it has got some weak sides to it too. There are hardly any fast bowlers than Mohammad Shami.
If players like Shubham Gill, Wriddhiman Saha, and Abhinav Sadarangani can maintain consistent performance by scoring 10-12 runs per over the weak spot won’t do much harm. And if Hardik Pandya plays like his peak days which is what the audience and fans are expecting, no one can stop the team, making it reach great heights.
Match 1 Of GT vs LSG
The Gujarat Titans locked horns with the Lucknow Super Giant on Monday 28th of march at Wankhede stadium Mumbai at 7:30 PM.
Gujarat Titans started the journey on a winning note and defeated the Lucknow supergiant by 5 wickets. Abhinav Manohar and Rahul Tewatia guided GT to a thrilling win, with just 11 required off the last over, they both smashed the runs with 2 balls. Shami (3/25) did a great opening with his fiery bowling. Pacer Dhushmantha Chameera removed Vijay Shankar and Shubham Gill early in the powerplay leaving GT reeling 44 for 2 after the first 6 overs.
Skipper Hardik Pandya and Matthew Wade added a 50 partnership and with David miller, they then rallied together and took the titans over the line after their team lost 2 wickets in the chase. Apart from Shami, Varun Aaron picked two wickets. Ayush Badoni and Deepak Hooda quick-fired half-century to help LSG to recover. After pacer, Mohammad Shami blew their top order with a sensational spell.
Shami produced one of the most breathtaking spells in IPL and left Lucknow at 29/4 in the 5th over. Hooda struck 2 sixes and 4 sixes while Badoni hammered 4 boundaries and 3 maximum in his 41 ball innings. But Rashid khan trapped Hooda in the front of the wicket in the 16th over.
Check out Gujarat TItan’s schedule, venue, timing, and dates for the next matches.
