Despite the best efforts of retired international star Anil Kumble ( 4/16), the Deccan Chargers were crowned 2009 T20 Champions.

They defeated fellow semi-final underdogs Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 runs at a packed Wanderers stadium in Johannesburg to end an exciting 5 weeks of IPL cricket enjoyed in South Africa.

Herschelle Gibbs (50 not out) and Andrew Symonds combined (33 off 21 balls) to take the Chargers to 143/6. 

Royal Challengers replied with 137/9 in their 20 overs with Symonds again featuring with a bowling performance of 2/18.

Kumble won the match of the match for his bowling performance albeit in a losing team.

Despite the series starting at short notice at the end of a busy South African season, the cricketing public embraced the tournament whole heartedly.

Both finalists will now feature in another T20 tournament in India with T20 domestic champions from South Africa, India, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and the West Indies.  A total of 12 teams will participate.

All four semi final spots have now been booked. 

Delhi Daredevils topped the log with 20 points from their 14 games played – 5 points ahead of their nearest rivals, Chennai Super Kings. 

In the first semi-final Delhi Daredevils takes on Deccan Chargers Friday at Centurian.

Delhi starts as favourites for this game.

In Saturday’s second semi-final Chennai Super Kings takes on Royal Challengers Bangalore.

The final takes place on Sunday at the Wanderers.

 
Thank you to thesportscampus for providing daily rankings.

Bottom of the log Kolkata Knight Riders won their second match of the tournament!  They won against a Matthew Hayden-less Chennai Super Kings in an exciting encounter Monday night.

I can’t believe the series is almost over!

Herewith the current rankings after Monday night’s programme:

Rankings source: thesportscampus.com.

Rajasthan Royals did their semi-final chances no favours by losing to top of the table Delhi Daredevils by 14 runs in Bloemfontein on Sunday.

Delhi Daredevils and Chennai Super Kings already booking semi-final spots, that leaves only 2 more places to play for.

Herewith rankings after Sunday the 17th’s matches.

source for rankings: thesportscampus.com

In Thursday nights match the Rajasthan Royals snatched victory in a thrilling encounter against the Mumbia Indians.

After a disasterous start to the IPL T20 season, the Royals are pulling themselves together at just the right time.

The log standings after Thursdays matches are:

Source for rankings: thesportscampus.com.

Top of the table Delhi Daredevils qualified for the semi-finals of the IPL T20 series with their victory against the Deccan Chargers.

While the Chargers still have a chance to reach the semi’s, they’re in there with a bunch of other hopefuls.

Source for rankings thesportcampus.com

Shame, the Kolkata Knight Riders have become this year’s IPL T20 whipping boys.

They have won only 1 game so far in the series, losing again on Tuesday.

The Delhi Daredevils remain on top with a game in hand.

Source for rankings thesportscampus.com.

In Monday night’s match the Rajastan Royals were comprehensively beaten by the Deccan Chargers.

Herewith the rankings after Monday’s programme.

The Kolkata Knight Riders lost another game on Sunday, putting them firmly at the bottom of the IPL T20 Log.

The Delhi Daredevils, defeaters of the Knight Riders find themselves at the other better end of the IPL rankings – not as firmly on top, but there nevertheless.

After Saturday’s matches Chennai Chargers find themselves at the top of IPL T20 rankings.

The Charges defeated Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals by 7 wickets in Kimberley.

Matthew Hayden is firmly entrenched at the top of the batting rankings.

Source for rankings thesportscampus.com.