Rajasthan Royals have been crowned the winners of inaugural IPL as they beat Chennai Super Kings by three wickets to clinch a win off the final ball in a tense finale at Dr D Y Patil ground, Mumbai.
Pakistan’s Sohail Tanvir hit the winning run from the final ball of the innings to seal the victory.
Yusuf Pathan was awarded Man of the Match. Shane Watson was chosen as the Man of the Series.
They were definitely the most deserving team to lift the trophy.
In the fascinating inaugural IPL final, on one side it will be the test of character of Shane Warne’s tactics and MS Dhoni’s calmness while on the other there will be an intriguing tussle between Shane Watson’s willow and Makhaya Nitini’s ball.
The final promises to be the highpoint of a grueling and glamorous tournament, which many analysts believe, has changed the face of cricket forever.
So who do you think will win the grand finale?
Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings have had contrasting paths to the semifinals of the Indian Premier League. While Yuvraj Singh-led Kings XI ensured their place in the knockout stage with some games left, the MS Dhoni-led Super Kings left it until their last game in the league stage to qualify for the semifinals.
The Super Kings though won both their league games against Kings XI and these two victories should give the Chennai side the psychological edge going into the semifinals on Saturday night, but based on recent performances and the composition of the squads, the teams look to be evenly matched as they look to book themselves a place in the final of the inaugural IPL.
Result: Excelling in all departments of the game, Chennai Super Kings outwitted and outplayed its opponent right through the two sessions on Saturday evening. A hat-trick of wins — the third by an emphatic nine wickets — against the Kings XI Punjab took it to the championship final to be played at the D.Y. Patil Stadium on Sunday.
So, who exercises that kind of magnetic appeal upon women from amongst the cricketers who are busy with IPL just now? Here’s what the women have to say…
While there have been stray entries for Chris Gayle, Brett Lee, Shane Warne among others, Shane Watson is by far the most popular non-Indian player amongst women. As model Krishna Somani puts it, “Shane Watson is extremely good looking and a star cricketer…what else can one ask for?” Model Nina Manuel concurs, “A great looking guy with a great bod and a great player. That makes him really hot.”
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The Indian ODI and T20 captain, the Chennai skipper and the player who earned the highest bid during the IPL auction… it is MSD who gets the ladies’ votes too! Actress Sophie Choudry calls him a “lion on field and I looove it! He has a fantastic and positive attitude. To be honest, IPL or no IPL, it is Dhoni for me.”
These superlatives later, singer Anushka Manchanda chips in, “He takes care of his looks and leads his team well… excellent combination.” His game is what makes him so hot for the women. “Success suits him. His sexiness lies in the way he leads his team,” she adds. Grooming pro Meyhar Bhasin sums it up, “Dhoni is a statement in himself. He has class, panache and attitude. His game is like no one else’s.”
source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
On a roll after winning six matches on the trot in the Indian Premier League, Mumbai Indians will soon have another lethal weapon in their armor as South African pacer Andre Nel is joining the team soon.
Mumbai Indians are currently fourth in the table, and if they maintain that position, they will qualify for the semi-finals at the end of May.
Andre Nel, who is remembered most in India for being at the receiving end of a big six and a famous impromptu dance from Indian pace bowler Sreesanth, will help strengthen the Mumbai bowling attack.
Shoaib Akhtar has made an amazing comeback after the PCB let him play in the IPL.
The knight riders could only manage 133 with the bat but Shoaib Akhtar came in steaming and seaming with the ball taking four for 11.
The Knight Riders emerged victorious by 23 runs. Shoaib was chosen as the Man of the Match.
Now that’s what is called an ideal comeback and a dream IPL debut.
