On this day in 2008, Seventeen years ago, cricket fans witnessed an unforgettable climax to the inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The Rajasthan Royals(RR), led by Shane Warne, emerged as champions after a nail-biting final against the Chennai Super Kings(CSK) at the DY Patil Stadium in Mumbai.
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Warne’s Royals Win Inaugural IPL Title
Entering the tournament as underdogs, the Royals showcased consistent performance throughout and sealed their victory off the final ball of the match.
Batting first, the MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings posted a competitive total of 163/5. Key contributions came from Suresh Raina, who scored 43 runs, and Parthiv Patel, who added 38 runs. Dhoni played a quickfire cameo, scoring 29 runs off 17 balls, setting a challenging target for Rajasthan.
Rajasthan Royals’ chase began on a shaky note, with the team reduced to 42/3 early on. The situation looked grim, but Shane Watson and Yusuf Pathan steadied the ship with a crucial 65-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Watson eventually got out, but Pathan’s aggressive 56 off 39 balls kept Rajasthan’s hopes alive.
The match reached a dramatic climax in the 18th over when Pathan was run out, leaving Rajasthan needing 21 runs from 14 balls.
The tension was palpable as their lead bowler, Sohail Tanvir, joined Warne at the crease. The final over began with Rajasthan requiring eight runs from six balls. It all boiled down to one run needed off the last ball.
Tanvir pulled the ball to short mid-on, and Warne had already dashed halfway down the pitch, ensuring the Royals clinched victory by three wickets.
This thrilling finish crowned Rajasthan Royals as the first-ever IPL champions, marking a historic moment in the tournament’s history. It remains one of the most remarkable stories in tournament history.
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