The final of the Indian Premier League between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Superkings was a fitting finish to the 44 days of Indian Premier League . It had glamour and drama and nail biting finish with Rajasthan Royals winning the final and the League tournament by one run . The side that were the underdogs ( and the least expensive franchise )  have shown it to the superstars -  in style - winning all their games at home and then going onto win the final - Shane Warne is now the son of Rajasthan and has made a place for himself in the heart of all Indians . A class player who has used his brains and skills  instead of his tongue ( sledging ). All cricket players have a lot to learn from this player and his fellow spinners Anil Kumble and Murlidaran - we need more players like them .

Chennai batted first and scored 163 for 5 , a low score and I am sure Dhoni would not have been comfortable with this . In fact I think that he made a mistake by not coming out to bat earlier with the result that he was on 29 for 17 not out - if he had come up the ladder , maybe he could have scored extra 20 odd runs . Chennai bowled and fielded well and put Rajasthan under a lot of pressure but two mistakes were made - Patel missed an opportunity to stump Pathan and then Raina missed a Pathan catch . You do not give this type of opportunity to a player like Pathan . He went onto to score 56 off 39 ( also taking 3 wickets for 22 ) thus winning the game for Rajasthan .

The first Indian Premier League was a tremendous success with the final being viewed in 152 countries ! India has given a tremendous product to the world of cricket . CONGRATULATIONS LALIT MODI !

IPL has produced some heros and YUSUF PATHAN is leader in that - what a fine all rounder he is . It will be very difficult for the selectors in India to ignore him now , after this performance , particularly in the one day side and Irfan Pathan his brother is another very good all rounder - congratulations to the parents of Yusuf and Irfan Pathan .

UNTIL NEXT YEAR WHEN WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE SECOND INDIAN PREMIER LEAGUE AND 44 DAYS OF GLAMOUR AND EXCITMENT .

Indian Premier League's second semi-final was as unexciting as the first one . What a let down for the fans and the spectators . Although Mumbai was not even playing , the Mumbai cricket fans came and filled the stadium to watch Kings XI Punjab playing Chennai Challengers , both teams being captained by ' hero ' captains in the form of M S Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh . Not one player of Kings XI Punjab even performed , never mind giving an entertaining performance ; they were reduced to 112 for 8 and Chennai Challengers finished at 116 for 1 in 14.5 overs . The spectators did not have the opportunity to watch Dhoni bat , but what could he do , Kings XI were no match at all . Kings XI should be fined and money returned to the spectators . What a way to end the IPL which has so far been successful and exciting .

The final now is to be played between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Challengers ; which I hope is a lot more exciting than the two semi-finals - FOR PEOPLE TO EVEN REMEMBER IPL UNTIL NEXT YEAR .

Indian Premier League's first semi-finals between Rajasthan Royals and Delhi Dare Devils was a disaster as far as the spectators are concerned . The Delhi team crumbled to 87  for 10 and did not even complete the 20 overs . What a poor performance . On the other hand  Rajasthan Royals , captained and coached by Shane Warne scored 192 for 9 with Asnodkar( 39 off 21 ) , Watson ( 52 off 29 ) and Pathan ( 45 off 21 with 4 sixes - a tremendous all rounder -  this is a guy with a very bright future in Indian criket - if the selectors and the BCCI play fair ) . I hope that the next semi-finals will be exciting and not like this one where Shewag's Dare Devils just collapsed - did not even produce a reasonable performance .

Mumbai Indians beat Banglore Royal Challengers in a match that was of no real importance and in the practice to semi-finals Kings xi beat Rajasthan Royals who were without their captain Shane Warne . For Kings XI Punjab , Marsh scored 115 off 69 with seven sixes and Yuvraj Sugh blasted 49 off 16 with 6 sixes - incredible . Kings XI finished at 221 for 3 and then reduced Rajasthan Royals to 180 for 7 .

Chennai Superkings easily scored 148 for 3 to beat Deccan Chargers 147 for 8 . This now means that Chennai have secured their place in the semi-finals and Mumbai Indians donot have any chance now . Adam Gilcrest must be a disappointed man , he is not used to losing - atleast not every game ! Deccan Chargers will really have to come up with something good next year .

The teams that are now in the semi-finals are :  RAJASTHAN ROYALS against DELHI DAREDEIVILS and  KINGS XI PUNJAB against CHENNAI SUPER KINGS . The Indian Premier League has run a very exciting and thus successful tournament and the last few games will be really exciting and entertaining - so stay tuned in .

Indian Premier League's match between Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals was a crucial match for Mumbai Indians and Jayasurya and Tendulkar did thier bit ,  but then the middle order collapsed until Vijay Takalwale came and fired 24 off 8 balls taking Mumbai to 145 for 7 . Rajasthan Royals had nothing to lose and they could afford to experiment - so G Smith was rested . This could have almost lost them this game but Jadeja and N Patel steadied the ship by adding 63 runs between them - the beauty being the last two runs off the last ball . It was more like Mumbai's fumbles that let them make the last two runs and so Rajasthan Royals won yet again . Rajasthan Royals are now the only team in the Indian Premier League to have beaten all the other teams . This says so much about Shane Warne's captaincy ; and it seems that besides Kolkata Knight Riders ,  Rajasthan Royals will be the only franchise to break even / make a profit this year .

Mumbai Indians have now to win their next match against Chennai and even if they lose , if their run rate is good they may go into the semi-finals .

The first Indian Premier League semi-finalists will be : RAJASTHAN ROYALS , KINGS XI PUNJAB , DELHI DAREDEVILS and most likely MUMBAI INDIANS ( or maybe CHENNAI CHALLENGERS )

On Sunday the Indian Premier League matches were supposed to be for the sake of playing only ,  but Saurav Ganguly , captain of Kolkata Knight Riders showed why he has been the most successful captain of India . He has a never give up attitude and scored 86 off 53 although he was running short of partners and took Kolkata to a win against Kings XI Punjab where only Sangakara amd Marsh manged to fire up . Kings XI scored 174 for 6 and Kolkata finished at 175 for 6 . If the team combination is managed well next year , Kolkata Knight Riders will be a team to watch out for . On a happy note , Shoiab Akhter has announced that the gold helmet presented to the players by the owner Shah Rukh Khan will be auctioned and the proceeds will go to charity . This is a helmet in 24 carat gold sighned by Shoiab Akhter and Shah Rukh Khan - so watch out for it on e-bay .

Dravid restored some pride for Banglore Royal Challengers by beating Deccan Chargers who have remained at the bottom of the league through out the tournament . I am sure players like Gilcrest and Gibbs will not tolerate this next year and will ( hopefully ) advice the owners to buy some good bowlers , because that is where they lacked . It is very surprising to see a team with Adam Gilcrest in it at the bottom of the table . Still by winning thier last game , Dravid proved that he has still got it . But the man who did it for me is Akhil who fired 27 off just 7 balls - where were you all this time ?

Who will join the final 4 - Mumbai have to win both their matches otherwise Delhi will edge in .

May and June are the rainy sesson in India - why did the Indian Plremier League management not think of the disruptions that will most certainly come , if they keep the tournament during the monsoon period . Well this has cost Kokata Knight Riders ( not that they stood a real chance ) a place in the semi-finals . So after Banglore Royals , the next team who will not be in the semi-finals is Kolkata Knight Riders . The match between Delhi Dare Devils and Kolkata Knight Riders was a wash-out .

Delhi Dare Devils have to win their next game and then pray that Mumbai Indians lose their next two matches . If I were Virender Shewag , I wouldnot hold my breath . I think that Delhi will be the next team out ; a few wrong decisions by the captain cost them a lot  , otherwise it is a good team with both Shewag and Gambhir in great form .

The Indian Premier League produced one of the closest matches and a very exciting one at that between Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab . Mumbai should have won this game but for last minute brilliant fielding from Yuvraj Singh on behalf of Kings XI . Tendulakar scored 65 off 46 showing that he has still got a lot of cricket left in him , but despite that Kings XI Punjab beat them by 1 run , Marsh ( 81 off 56 ) and Pomersbach ( 79 off 50 ) were the highest scorers for Kings XI .

After the match Yuvraj complained of the crowds behaviour towards them . What do you expect - you are in Tendulkar's home ground .

In the second match between Chennai Superkings and Banglore Royals , Dravid was the higest scorer with 47 off 39 , The scores were low with Banglore finishing at 126 for 8; giving the victory to Chennai on a platter but except for Flemming ( 45 off 39 ) no other player really performed and Banglore reduced Chennai Superkings  to 112 for 8 restoring some pride for Banglore .

Indian Premier League will bring out some stars from the unknown players and I think Yusuf Pathan is one of them . Although he is not totally unknown , he was never given the opportunity to shine in the national team . He has proved that if nurtured properly he can become one of the finest all-rounders India will ever produce . He was a big part in today's win by Rajasthan Royals against Kolkata Knight Riders . Kolkata Knight Riders seem to have created a mental barrier that 150 is the highest they can score . After Ganguly was gone at 32 off 34 , the team finished at 147 for 8 ; their fifth consequetive under 150 score . At one time it seemed that Kolkata might win after Ganguly bowled Watson , but they had not counted Yusuf Pathan who blasted 48 off 18 with Mohd.Kaif supporting him on the other side and they took Rajasthan Royals to 150 for 4 with balls to spare . This virtually kicks  Kolkata Knight Riders out of the tournament although they have a slim chance still to reach the semi-finals . I hope they do as they are an entertaining team and Ganguly and Shoiab Akhter are always a pleasure to watch .

Lets see how the other teams play  - can Banglore win tomorrow , now that they have no pressure .