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Malspie,

Enjoyed your analysis throught the IPL. The better team won finally, although I would have liked Chennai to have won. Couple of blunders (which ofcourse Dhoni will not admit to) were not bringing Bhadri ahead of kapukadera and having Balaji in the team. Oh well, lets wait for the next IPL.

Ciao,
Priya

PS: Did you go the the stadium to watch the finals y'day? If so, how was the atmosphere?

My dear Prb16,

It has been nice to know that you also like Cricket and follow it with all your heart.

Yes, I have watched it and I am posting my review all from my eyes and my heart too> Yes,. the best team won the game and it has to Rajasthan Royals for the remarkable performance and holding on to their nerves till the last ball. Thats called marvellous cricket.

IPL FINALS - RAJASTHAN ROYALS v/s CHENNAI SUPER KINGS on 1^st June 2008 at D Y Patil Sports Academy, Navi Mumbai

It was Mahi v/s Warnie today and the house was packed with sport enthusiasts. There was the opening ceremony as described in my thread D.Y.Patil Stadium, Nerul, Navi Mumbai. The house had Mukesh Ambani the owners of Mumbai Indians, Sachin Tendulkar with his better half; Aamir and Gauam Singhania was also cited in the house along with Sharad Pawar and Lalit Modi. It is absolutely not fair of Shah Rukh Khan to keep himself out from the match. Instead of giving interviews to paparazzi declaring he is a true sportsman, he should have proved it today. Preity Zinta was also missing. Salman Khan was actually there to promote his show DUS KA DUM.

Now coming to the point of the match CSK set a total of 163 for 5 in 20 overs. Parthiv Patel stood like a tall batsman with 38-33-5(4’s), Vidhut scored 16-14-1(4)-1(6), when he was going after the ball and was caught by Jadeja off Pathan. Suresh Raina the massive blaster of the bat brought nervous moments to Rajasthan Royals throughout his innings. His score of 43-30-1(4)-2(6) gave a good stand for the CSK. Suresh Raina has proved the selection committee his talents. Morkel hit 16-13-2 (6). Akmal and Kaif collide and get injured taking his catch as he fell with his chin hitting the ground. There was lots of concern from both Dhoni and Warne. Akmal decided to continue to be on the field. Skipper Dhoni remained unbeaten at 28 off 17 balls with 1 (4’s) and 2 (6’s). Chamara Kapugedera pulled 8 off 12 balls. Badrinath was unbeaten at 6 off 2 balls with a boundary. They set a run rate of 8.15 with 7 extras to their credit.

The fall of wickets was as follows:

1-35 (Vidyut); 2-64 (Parthiv Patel); 3-95 (A.Morkel); 4-128 (S.Raina) and 5-148 (C.Kapugedera)

The bowler’s spell was as follows:

S.Tanvir was not successful against the CSK. 4-40-1
S.Watson managed economical bowling with a single wicket. 4-29-1
M.Patel was expensive 2-14-0
Y.Pathan again proved to be a valuable asset to the team. 4-22-3
S.Trivedi was expensive with his spell of 2-21-0
S.Warne was unsuccessful with his spell of 4-34-0

In reply to the given total Rajasthan Royals opened with Neeraj Patel and Asnodkar. The fire from the willow of Neeraj was not to be seen and he was extremely uncomfortable with the bowling of Ntini. It proved from his poor score of 2-11 and his exit when the score was 19. Asnodkar hit 28 off 19 balls with four 4’s. Shane Watson walked in place of him to give the needed push on the score-board. Immediately Akmal was run out at 6 off 7 balls with a boundary. Murali bowled the pricey Watson for 28-18-3(4’s) at 108. The partnership of Yusuf and Watson was working well for them. With the fall of Watson’s wickets CSK had started tasting success. There was twinkle in their eyes and confidence of winning was at the prime. M.Kaif another smasher of the ball gave the crowd good entertainment and the bowler a few wrinkles on his brow. He scored 12 off 9 balls with a huge six much to the cheering of the crowd. Kaif’s wicket was another feather to the cap of CSK. The confidence in the spectators on Shane Warne was remarkable. Warne is yet to come, till Warne is on the field the victory is with Rajasthan Royals was the music in the 59,000 + crowd. The magic of Shane Warne is immeasurable. Jadeja walked in and tried to hit like a super hero when the hero – Pathan was on the other side. What was he trying to prove is yet to be understood. His poor technique and reckless shot earned the bolwer a wicket and a duck for him. The blow of another wicket had developed nervousness in the RR dug out. The patience, perseverance, the dedication, the consistant performance, the do or die attitude, the nerve of steel at the moment of pressure are the qualities that have brought them to the final. Will they succumb, will they take the trophy was the question? Many of them wanted Rajasthan Royals to win, they truly deserve it was the echoing words. Yes, why not, a good performer is the one who takes the medal.They have played good cricket. After losing the initial three matches, they have slowly topped the charts of points only to be followed by the toughies Kings XI. Will they drop their hats today? No, was the confidence in the stadium and in the Captain Shane Warne. He had it in him, he belived in his team and himself and it showed once again. With Pathan and Shane on the field, there was no need of any tension were the whispers. Pathan fell at crucial 143 and the crowd was roaring. His golden contribution of 56 off 39 balls with three 4’s and four 6’s pulled RR from the rug. What a batsman!! Young Yusuf Pathan proved to the world what a world-class batsman he is. He has earned a valuable berth in the Indian Team. My personal Standtion Applause to this young guy who has a humble background. It was Warne and Tanvir the Purple Cap Holder of the Tournament. Will he hold his wicket and give the legendary Warne the strikes to gallop toward victory was the tension in the air. Remember, Tanvir and Shane are bolwers who are left to make it now. The field got tighter and Mahi’s remarkable coolness was again reflected today. His face did show some wrinkles of tension under pressure, but, he was close to victory. Will Warne let it happen? He never did with Mumbai Indians and again pulled it from the jaws of Kings XI. Warne magic was on with his nerves of steel in a dying moment. There was dead silence in the Stadium. Hats off to Tanvir too, with his Captain on one side, he also did not lose his nerves. The real sad part was Dhoni had already used his key bolwers and was left with no option but the most expensive Balaji to bowl the last over. L.Balaji except for the hat-trick in one of the matches has always been the most expensive bowler for the team. Dhoni was nervous, the pressure had come on the fielders. They had to do it, they cannot let even a run go the side of RR. Balaji is not famous for DOT BALLS. God, save us, was the prayer in CSK team. He unfortunately bowled a wide and a leg bye that cost him and his team dearly which turned the table towards Rajasthan Royals. Warne drive the last ball and earned the victory. So is the power of Shane Warne a true captain a true sports person a true lover of the game, he was passionate and induce passion in his boys, he was a friend so could look in to the weakness of his boys, he was the mentor who guided them to victory. Shane Warne was not only the Captain but also the coach who arrived in Indian just a couple of days before the match. A English speaking Captain with so many vernacular medium boys under him, it must have been a difficult task for him to guide them. He did it. The nervous crowd roared with cheers. Yes, it was the favourite Rajasthan Royals who toiled for the cup that they truly deserve. They have put their sweat and blood; their statistics speak for them. Rajasthan Royals were the true ROYAL CHALLENGERS OF IPL. RR put up 164/7 in 20 overs. Unlike Yuvraj who had started losing his cool in the Semis, Dhoni kept his cool. What a temperament this master young man has got?

The stadium was full even after the clock ticked pass 12 midnight. The fight pulled to the last ball, the winner is the master of the game, and the loser has to suck his thumb. Mumbai Indians and Kings XI have also had many last ball games, which they lost eventually. CSK too lost it today.

The fall of wickets was as follows:
1-19 (N.Patel); 2-41 (Asnodkar); 3-42 (Akmal); 4-107 (Watson); 5-139 (M.Kaif); 6-139 (R.Jadeja) and 7-143 (Y.Pathan)

The bowler’s spell was as follows:

M.Tini 4-1-21-0
M.Gony 4-0-30-1
A.Morkel 4-0-25-2
L.Balaji 4-0-42-2
M.Muralitharan 4-0-39-2

RAJASTHAN ROYALS BEAT CSK BY 3 RUNS.

Yusuf Pathan was declared the Man of the Match

Again it was Yusuf Pathan grabbing the DLF Maximum Sixes Award.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS ARE THE CHAMPIONS OF THE IPL T-20-20 LEAGUE.

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS WERE DECLARED THE RUNNER UP.

AWARDS WERE AS FOLLOWS:

City Under 19 player was Goswami from the Royal Challengers Bangalore team

Orange Cap goes to Shaun Marsh of Kings XI Punjab for batsman with the most runs in the league. [616 in 11 matches]

Purple Cap goes to Sohail Tanvir of Rajasthan Royals for the highest wicket taker in the league [22 wickets in 10 matches]

Fly Kingfisher Fair Play Award goes to Chennai Super Kings

Man of the Series was the charming and winsome Shane Watson for 472 runs and 17 wickets to his kitty

RAJASTHAN ROYALS THE WINNER TEAM GOT RS.4,80,00,000 CRORES

CHENNAI SUPER KINGS THE RUNNER UP TEAM GOT RS.2,40,00,000 CRORES.

WHAT DID WE GET? OH BROS AND SIS, 100% PAISA VASOOL ENTERTAINMENT WITH ALL THE REALITY PROGRAMMES, MOVIES AND IMPORTANT ASSIGNMENTS TAKING BACK SEAT. THE NATION WAS HOOKED TO IPL THE GREATEST SUCCESS WHICH EVEN LALIT MODI DID NOT DREAM OF.

IT WAS CELEBRATION TIME!!!


The party hosted by Kingfisher started at 2.00 a.m. and rocked past 6.00 a.m. Lalit Modi, Shane Watson and Sohail Taneer and Yusuf Pathan were chilling with Kingfisher Beers. Let us all put our hands together for Sreesanth who was found partying with the Winning Team though his team did not qualify for the finals. Isn’t that True Sportsmanship? A cue others need to take from this youngster. There was cake cutting and celbratory champagne pouring too. The beautiful Shonali Nagrani burnt the dance floor.

I WILL BE POSTING THE DISCOVERIES OF IPL. FOLLOW ME TO KNOW HOW MANY OF THE LESS KNOWN FACES EMERGED AS STARS!!!


CATCH UP WITH THE DISCOVERIES OF IPL – 1

THE FIRE CALLED YUSUF PATHAN

His younger brother has already made a mark for himself in the Indian Team. Yusuf was struggling for the selectors eyes on him. IPL proved to be the perfect platform. He did not let the opportunity fly from the ground. This 6 feet tall lad burnt his willow with 435 from 15 innings with 68 as his highest. His crackling 43 fours and 25 sixes has made him the most explosive batsman on the crease. He almost single handedly steered victory for his team in the finals.

CATCH UP WITH THE DISCOVERIES OF IPL – 2


THE SQUIRREL CALLED SURESH RAINA


He has played the One Day matches for India.This Uttar Pradesh player has given electrifying performance with his bat and shown excellence in his fielding. If Raina has fielded, dare a batsman takes a cheeky single or comes to grab the second!!! That was Suresh Raina in IPL again showing his talent. He has taken 10 catches in 16 matches and has effected two successful run outs (recollect the run out in CSK team). He also collected 421 runs from 14 innings with a highest of 55 not out.

CATCH UP WITH THE DISCOVERIES OF IPL – 3


THE FIERY BOWLER CALLED SOHAIL TANVEER


It was Shoaib Akhtar who grabbed all the fake attention only to be doused with disappointment. Came the package surprise called Sohail Tanveer whose bowling batsmen never wanted to face. He picked the wickets of 22 batsmen in 11 matches. How lethal he has been!!! His economy rate was 6.42

CATCH UP WITH THE DISCOVERIES OF IPL – 4

THE MAN WITH WONDER GLOVES – YOGESH TAKAWALE


The 23-year-old player was good with his willow and he switched to wicket keeping and played for his state Maharashtra. He had four dismissals in one game against Team Jaipur. He has a total of 11 dismissals in 7 matches (10 catches and 1 stumping). He has also scored 70 runs in four innings with a highest of 27.

CATCH UP WITH THE DISCOVERIES OF IPL – 5

THE VOLCANO CALLED SHAUN MARSH


24-year-old son of legendary former Australian Opener Geoff Marsh, he made his father proud with his willow. Shaun was the opening batsman for team Mohali and he has won the matches for them single handedly most of the time. He scored whopping 616 runs in 11 innnings and was the highest stroke player. Do not forget the Orange Cap that went flying to sit on his head for the highest runs in IPL. He hit 1 century and 5 fifties with an average of 68.44