Rajasthan Royal Win IPL final

[Amol21]

The Jaipur IPL team show the IPL 2008 trophy after winning the Super Sunday IPL Final 2008 at the DY Patil Sports Stadium in Nerul on Sunday, June 2, 2008.

Team Jaipur poses with the trophy after winning the IPL T20 final held in Mumbai.

After 44 days of mind-boggling action and a no-holds-barred feud among eight fierce franchisees, Rajasthan Royals pipped Chennai Super Kings by three wickets in the thrilling grand finale to lift the inaugural Indian Premier League on Sunday.

Rajasthan Royals celebrate after winning IPLT20 final against Chennai Super Kings at the DY Patil Stadium on June 1, 2008.

Kamran Akmal and Kaif collide into each other while taking a catch during the IPLT20 final at the DY Patil Stadium on June 1, 2008.

Shane Watson plays a shot against Chennai Super Kings during the IPLT20 final at the DY Patil Stadium on June 1, 2008.

Chasing Super Kings' modest total of 163 for five, the Royals rode on a brilliant all-round display by Yusuf Pathan, who took three wickets and top-scored with a 39-ball 56 to overhaul the score off the last ball after needing eight from the last over.

Sohail Tanvir (9 not out) hit the winning run, a pull off the expensive L Balaji, in the company of his inspiring captain Shane Warne, who was not out on 9 in a final score of 164 for seven.

The winners received the top prize of USD 1.2 million and a glittering gem-laden trophy while the runners-up won USD 600,000.

It was a superb final, although a low-scoring one on a slow track, that made up for the disappointment of one-sided semifinals held at the Wankhede Stadium.

The 25-year-old Pathan did the star turn for the winners by sending back the top three Super Kings' batsmen with his off breaks while conceding 22 runs.

The Baroda right-hander then stepped in when his team was struggling at 42 for three to play a punishing knock of 56, using his bat like a sledgehammer while hitting four sixes and three fours to put Rajasthan Royals on the path to a thrilling victory in front of 55,000 spectators.

VIP sitting in the stadium during the IPLT20 final between Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings at DY Patil Stadium on June 1, 2008.

[Salmaan]

Rajsthan played very well but Dhoni's team also played well. They win the final on last ball of the match.

[Shakti K]

Both team played best cricket. That was best final.