Gujarat Titans (GT) endured a forgettable outing in the Indian Premier League (IPL) final against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), registering several unflattering records. The team, which had been dominant throughout the season, faltered under pressure, posting their lowest total in a final and suffering a heavy defeat.
Lowest Total in an IPL Final
GT managed to score just 130 runs in the final, the lowest total ever recorded in an IPL final. This surpassed the previous record held by Sunrisers Hyderabad, who scored 138 in the 2016 final. The batting lineup crumbled against a disciplined RCB bowling attack, with only two batters reaching double figures.
Key Batting Failures
Openers Shubman Gill and Wriddhiman Saha departed early, putting GT on the back foot. Captain Hardik Pandya struggled to accelerate, scoring a sluggish 21 off 25 balls. David Miller, the team's most consistent batter this season, was dismissed for a duck. The middle order collapsed, and GT failed to build any substantial partnerships.
Biggest Defeat in a Final
RCB chased down the target with ease, winning by 8 wickets with 4 overs to spare. This marked the biggest defeat in terms of wickets remaining in an IPL final. GT's bowlers failed to make an impact, with Mohammad Shami being the only wicket-taker. RCB's openers put on a century partnership, effectively sealing the match.
Bowling Struggles
GT's bowling attack, which had been their strength throughout the tournament, looked ordinary. Rashid Khan, the team's leading wicket-taker, went wicketless and conceded 42 runs in his four overs. The pacers also failed to generate breakthroughs, allowing RCB to cruise to victory.
Missed Opportunities
GT had several chances to turn the game around but failed to capitalize. Dropped catches and misfields added to their woes. The team's fielding, usually sharp, was below par, reflecting the pressure of the final. RCB, on the other hand, was clinical in all departments.
Records Tumble
In addition to the lowest total and biggest defeat, GT also recorded the fewest boundaries in a final (8 fours, 0 sixes). Their run rate of 6.50 was the lowest in a final since 2014. These statistics highlight a complete batting collapse on the biggest stage.
Looking Ahead
Despite the disappointing end, GT had an impressive season, topping the league table. The team will look to learn from this experience and come back stronger in the next edition. For now, they must endure the unwanted records that will be associated with this final performance.
