India's first Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra backs Rajasthan Royals to win the IPL 2022.
Rajasthan Royals took 14 years to reach the IPL final for the first time in the 15th edition of the lucrative tournament after Australia legend Shane Warne guided them to the title triumph in the inaugural edition back in 2008. The Sanju Samson-led side will have their task cut out in the IPL 2022 final as they will face the debutant franchise Gujarat Titans who have looked like a dominating side in the league stage and playoffs to become the first franchise to book a berth for the summit clash.
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Samson has led his troop well in the IPL 2022 as they became the third franchise to book the playoffs berth before losing to GT in the Qualifier 1 and then defeating RCB in the Qualifier 2 to reach the final. However, as much as the fans remain divided, over supporting their favourite team in the IPL 2022 final, the untimely demise of Warne has brought them together.
India’s first Olympic gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, who made the country proud at 2008 Beijing, backed Rajasthan Royals to give ‘poetic tribute’ to Warne by winning the IPL 2022. The words from the ‘sport romantic’ also had an emotional side visible to it. “Have not been following the IPL much but Rajasthan Royals winning the title will be poetic, a beautiful tribute to the immortal Shane Warne who started it all for them. Sport romanticism at its best!,” Bindra tweeted.
Rajasthan Royals, however, made a poor start to the IPL 2022 final after opting to bat as their top order was sent packing inside 100 runs. Gujarat Titans captain Hardik Pandya ran through the top-order to pick up the important wickets of Sanj Samson (14), in form Jos Buttler (39) and Shimron Hetmyer (11), to leave RR reeling at 94/5.