Hardik Pandya led the Gujarat Titans to an IPL triumph in their maiden campaign. The side defeated the Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad on Sunday. The 28-year-old registered figures of 3/17 and scored 34 runs to win the player of the match trophy. 

Also read: Captain Hardik Pandya puts up a ‘Titan-ic’ show in IPL 2022

The younger Pandya brother topped the run charts for GT. He was this season’s fourth highest run-getter with 487 runs in 15 games at an average of 44.27 and strike rate of 131.26. The star India all-rounder also picked eight wickets. 

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Hardik Pandya was applauded for his cool captaincy and all-round efforts. While several former cricketers and experts lauded him, his elder brother Krunal Pandya, who represented the Lucknow Super Giants, penned an emotional note. 

Krunal’s IPL 2022 campaign came to an end when LSG were defeated by the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the eliminator. He finished the season with 183 runs in 13 innings and 10 wickets. 

Also read: With Pandya’s wicket, Yuzvendra Chahal beats Imran Tahir in huge IPL feat

The senior Pandya sibling in a tweet said that Hardik deserved to win IPL 2022. He was not present to see the final in Ahmedabad.

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“People had written you off but you keep writing history. Wish I was there when more than a lakh people were cheering your name. @hardikpandya7. My bro Only you know the amount of hard work that’s gone behind this success of yours – early mornings, countless hours of training, discipline and mental strength. And to see you lift the trophy is the fruits of your hard work You deserve it all and so much more,” Krunal wrote on Twitter.

Hardik Pandya did well for Gujarat at the No 4 slot. He will now be seen in India’s blues when KL Rahul and co take on Temba Bavuma’s South Africa in a three-match T20I series, starting June 9.