A `Royal` end to IPL 2008; Warne wrecks Chennai

Mumbai, June 01: Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals outclassed and outplayed MS Dhoni’s Chennai Super Kings to beat them by three wickets in the IPL’s final on Sunday. Yusuf Pathan was awarded the DLF maximum sixes as well as the man of the match for his outstanding performance – three wickets and 56 runs – to carve a fabulous victory for Rajasthan. Chennai Super Kings, however, won the Kingfisher Fair Play award and also a cash prize of 2.4 cr rupees. Rajasthan were given a cheque of 4.8 crores.

Rajasthan Royals proved their worth in the series and held their nerve to win the first edition of the DLF Indian Premier League. The match went down to the wire, to the very last ball, which Tanvir hit to mid on to seal the victory after which the Royal dugout was all out for celebration. Mumbai were on the edge of the seat till the last ball and then on its feet for some exquisite celebration. The Royals were absolutely ecstatic.

Yusuf Pathan seemed to be the only name at the DY Patil Stadium. He struck for the third time for the Rajasthan Royals to send the dangerous looking Albie Morkel on a long walk back to the dugout after the batsman hit the Royal bowlers for a few huge ones to up the tempo for the Chennai Super Kings. The captain of the Super Kings, Mahendra Singh Dhoni came to join Suresh Raina at the crease.

Pathan struck again to dismiss the in-form Parthiv Patel after the left hander played a classy innings of 38. Patel was dismissed at the right time for the Royals as he along with Suresh Raina looked set to build on a huge partnership for the second wicket. Chennai Super Kings lost their second wicket at the score of 64.

Just when Chennai were going steady, Pathan pitched one short and Jadeja took a neat catch at mid wicket to give a chance to the Rajasthan Royals the early breakthrough and a chance to penetrate the Chennai batting line-up so as to restrict them to a low score. Vidyut departed in an attempt to send Pathan out of the park.

Shane Warne won the toss and decided to bowl first and restrict Chennai to a modest total and let his batsmen do the rest. He said that they have been doing well in restricting the opposition bowling first and they would like to do the same in the final for one last time.

Source : www.zeenews.com