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The Indian Premier League ended with debutants Gujarat Titans hammering Rajasthan Royals by seven wickets in front of almost 105,000 fans at the world's biggest cricket stadium in Ahmedabad.

Kohli's jinx 

Former India captain Virat Kohli and Royal Challengers Bangalore's wait for their first IPL title drags on after they went down to Rajasthan in the second qualifier.

Kohli endured a tough season that including three golden ducks -- out on first ball -- before he scored a match-winning 73 in the team's final league game. He averaged 22.73 across the tournament, his lowest since the 2010 season. 

Coach Mike Hesson says that Kohli, 33, nevertheless remains an "influential character" who brought the senior players together and took care of the youngsters in the Faf du Plessis-led side.

But former players including Brett Lee feel the usually game-changing batsman should take a break to "freshen up the mind".

Debut success 

Gujarat Titans emphatically shrugged off pundits' concerns about their squad at the end of the February auction to emerge as the team to beat in their debut season.

Hardik Pandya, who was called an unlikely choice to lead the side because of his maverick ways and injury-prone career, combined with South African David Miller, Indian batsman Rahul Tewatia and Afghan spinner Rashid Khan to become champions.

Pandya's all-round showing in Sunday's final, three wickets with the ball and 34 runs with the bat, capped a fairytale run that began by beating fellow newcomers Lucknow Super Giants in the league phase.

Lucknow also impressed on their debut season in finishing third in the regular-season standings, before losing to Royal Challengers in an eliminator.

Evergreen Dhoni 

Old warhorse M.S. Dhoni had a dramatic year for four-time champions Chennai Super Kings, who ended ninth in the table.

The 40-year-old gave up the captaincy ahead of the season but returned to lead the side midway through the campaign after Ravindra Jadeja stood down with Chennai's form faltering.

The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman not only got some wins for Chennai but also played a few vintage knocks that galvanised their supporters.

Chennai ended last but one in the table, their lowest-ever ranking, but in his final league game Dhoni promised fans he would be "back next year".

Indian talent 

While foreign stars including Jos Buttler at Rajasthan Royals and Quinton de Kock at Lucknow Super Giants were vital to the success of their teams, emerging Indian talent made its presence felt this season.

Sunrisers Hyderabad speed demon Umran Malik emerged as a future star and earned a place in the Indian T20 team alongside up-and-coming medium-fast bowler Arshdeep Singh of Punjab Kings.