'Winning IPL is as big as winning Under-19 World Cup,' says Shubman Gill

In a historic turn of events, Gujarat Titans (GT) clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in their first attempt by registering a comprehensive victory over Rajasthan Royals (RR) by seven wickets in the final, held at Narendra Modi Stadium at Ahmedabad, on Sunday (May 29). 

After choosing to bat first, the Royals posted a modest total of 130 on the board, which was chased successfully by the Titans, courtesy of an unbeaten knock of 45 runs by Shubman Gill and a fiery 19-ball 32 by David Miller. 

After completing the match, the GT drafted opener opined that the IPL-triumph was nothing short of his Under-19 World Cup win for India back in 2018. After the game, Gill said that it's a phenomenal personal achievement for him to have an IPL trophy in his kitty alongside the U-19 World title inside the first four years of his career as a professional cricketer. 

"It means a lot. After winning the under-19 World Cup, winning the IPL is just as big. It is my fourth year," Gill said. 

The stylish right-handed batter from Punjab revealed that the coaches advised him to bat until the end during the chase and expressed his satisfaction as he could execute the same in the middle. 

Gill, who has represented the national side in ten Tests and three ODIs, also praised the Titans' bowlers for their valiant efforts with the ball, which played a pivotal role in restricting the Royals to a sub-par total of 130. 

"I wanted to be there till the end and that was the talk with the coaches. So glad I took them over the line. Our bowlers bowled really well to restrict them to 130. We wanted to keep them under 150 but fortunately, it was much less," the 22-year-old concluded. 

Notably, Gill finished his IPL 2022 campaign as Gujarat's second-highest run-getter with 483 runs at a decent average of 34.50. Moreover, he played some very effective knocks for the Titans. 

His impactful half-centuries helped the Hardik Pandya-led team register important victories against Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings, and Lucknow Super Giants.