"Catches win Matches"

Mumbai Indians learned this the hard way. Suresh Raina was dropped twice once when he was on 13 and then when he was on 28. The mistakes proved to be costly as he went on to score a match-winning fifty.

CSK won the toss and batted first. A steady start saw the opening pair cross 40 runs in the sixth over. Hayden and Murali Vijay fell in quick succession and at one stage CSK were 68 for 3 in 12 overs. Then Raina and Dhoni blasted the ball to all corners of the park. The last 8 overs yielded 100 runs and CSK set a target of 169.

Ashwin started the proceedings by bowling a maiden over. As wickets fell at regular intervals courtesy a strange shuffling of batting positions as Harbhajan was promoted above Pollard, Sachin tried to bring stability. Run-outs were aplenty and in spite of a counter-attack by Pollard where he plundered 20 odd runs of an over Mumbai Indians lost the finals.

Dhoni found form when it mattered most-the match at Dharamshala against Kings XI Punjab. Under his inspiring, cool and calm leadership CSK XI have been crowned champions of IPL-3.

The ICC World T:20 Championship starts in another five days in the West Indies. Can Dhoni inspire Team India to lift the trophy?

Time will tell and a lot depends on Yuvaraj Singh's form!

Bollinger's Charge Discharges the Deccan Chargers

In a low scoring match CSK defended a target of 143 and bowled out DC for 104.
The finals against Mumbai Indians will be tough and let us see if Dhoni can manage to lift the trophy.

Batting is a big cause of worry and the one-day rest will have Stephen Fleming wondering what to do?

Will Hayden be dropped for the finals?

Sachin is highly unlikely to play in the finals.

Let us see what happens!

Pollard Seals Royal Challengers' Fate

Pollard's all round performance with bat and ball ensured that the Mumbai Indians entered the finals of IPL-3.

Today's match between Chennai and Hyderabad will determine the other finalist.

Keeping my fingers crossed!

IPL-3 Semi-finalists announced

Mumbai Indians sit pretty on top of the table and were confirmed semi-finalists more than a week back.

The remaining three teams to make it to the semi finals are:

Chennai Super Kings
Royal Challengers Bangalore
Deccan Chargers Hyderabad.

In a spectacular finish at Dharamshala yesterday, aided by Dhoni's blistering knock CSK overcame a stiff target of 193 posted by Kings XI Punjab.

Going in to their last match Deccan Chargers defended a sub-150 run total and defeated the much-fancied Delhi Daredevils team.

Bangalore meet Mumbai and Chennai meet Hyderabad in the semis which have been shifted to the D.Y. Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

With regard to the Kochi franchise controversy, Shashi Tharoor has been forced to resign from his post as MOS External Affairs.

The semis take place on April 21 and 22.

May the best teams win.

I have a surprising feeling that Mumbai will lift the glittering IPL trophy this time, with a special knock by Sachin in the finals.

CSK lose to Daredevils

CSK lost to Delhi Daredevils after an absolutely dismal batting performance.
This means that CSK need to win their final match by a comfortable margin to ensure a semi-final place.

Let us see what happens!

CSK Break the Jinx

CSK finally returned to winning ways with a power-packed knock by Murali Vijay.
CSK defeated RCB and chased down 163.
If CSK win all their remaining matches it will boil down to net run rate to place the fourth semi finalist.

Delhi Daredevils defeated Rajasthan Royals in another match courtesy a good knock by Dinesh Karthik.

Chennai Super Kings in the Doldrums

Chennai Super Kings were defeated by Rajasthan Royals about 25 minutes ago.

This means that CSK are in the seventh place just ahead of Kings XI punjab.

Shane Warne continues to inspire his team and lead from the front with consecutive victories.

IF CSK need to reach the semis they will have to win all their remaining matches from now on. That would be difficult.

My pick for the semis:

Mumbai Indians, Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers Bangalore, the fourth place will be a fight between Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals though Kolkata Knightriders might pull a surprise or two.

IPL Updates

Well things are really heating up and though there are no clear winners yet, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Deccan Chargers and Mumbai Indians have impressed a lot.

Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings need to get their act together.

Kolkata have flattered to deceive.

Kings XI Punjab were very very lucky to win the match against CSK in the super-over.

All of Shilpa's smiling and dancing are not going to save Warne's Rajasthan Royals.

Let us see how the remaining games progress and if more surprises are in store for us.