Making IPL final, Deccan Chargers, Royal Challengers turn jeers to cheers (Preview)

JOHANNESBURG - After 36 days of scintillating action and 58 dazzling encounters, the penultimate stage of the Indian Premier League (IPL) could not have been more exciting as the two bottom-placed teams of the inaugural edition - Deccan Chargers and Bangalore Royal Challengers - made it to Sunday’s title clash.

Pandey steers Royal Challengers to IPL final (Lead)

JOHANNESBURG - On a roll after his unbeaten century against Deccan Chargers, youngster Manish Pandey played another scintilating knock Saturday as Bangalore Royal Challengers stormed into the finals of the Indian Premier League (IPL), pipping last year’s runners-up Chennai Super Kings by six wickets at the New Wanderers here.

IPL scoreboard: Super Kings vs Royal Challengers

JOHANNESBURG - Scoreboard of the Indian Premier League (IPL) second semi-final between Chennai Super Kings and Bangalore Royal Challengers at the New Wanderers here Saturday.

Royal Challengers beat Super Kings, face Deccan Chargers in IPL final

JOHANNESBURG - Bangalore Royal Challengers defeated last year’s runners-up Chennai Super Kings by six wickets in the second semi-final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wanderers here Saturday and will take on Deccan Chargers in Sunday’s final at the same venue.

Super Kings set 147-run target for Royal Challengers

JOHANNESBURG - Chennai Super Kings scored 146 for five in 20 overs against Bangalore Royal Challengers in the second semi-final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the New Wanderers here Saturday.

(HOLD) Goa’s two top swimmers may quit state

PANAJI - Two of Goa’s top swimmers are likely to relocate, thanks to the inability of the state government to implement its sports policy, the Goa Swimming Association (GSA) said Saturday.

Royal Challengers opt to field against Super Kings

JOHANNESBURG - Bangalore Royal Challengers captain Anil Kumble won the toss and asked Chennai Super Kings to bat in the second semi-final of the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the New Wanderers here Saturday.

McGrath denies remarks on IPL return

CENTURION - Australian bowling legend Glenn McGrath, who is disappointed at not getting to play a single Indian Premier League (IPL) match for Delhi Daredevils, has denied having said he would not come back for next year’s edition of the tournament.

Shoaib to lead Islamabad Leopards to prove fitness

KARACHI - Pakistan cricket is bracing for yet another controversy after

enigmatic fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar Saturday decided to lead Islamabad Leopards in the National Twenty20 Cup to prove his fitness for the next month’s Twenty20 World Cup.

Gichrist turns a soothsayer, predicted his team’s victory

CENTURION - Australian Adam Gilchrist has turned a soothsayer Friday. The Deccan Chargers captain wrote on a slip ‘We will win by six wickets,’ before their semifinal match against Delhi Daredevils. The swashbuckler made sure his prediction came good smashing a 35-ball 85 and the Hyderabad side indeed cantered to six-wicket win.

Lalit Modi mulling two IPLs in a year

LONDON - After the success of Indian Premier League (IPL) on foreign soil, chairman and commissioner Lalit Modi is now planning to host two Twenty20 leagues in a year.

McGrath was not in form: Sehwag

CENTURION - Delhi Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag justified not playing Australian Glenn McGrath in any of the Indian Premier League matches, saying that the fast bowling legend was not match-fit and was also not in the form he was in last year.

Rohit Sharma named top under-23 cricketer in IPL

JOHANNESBURG - Rohit Sharma has been named the winner of the Citi Under-23 Success of the Tournament in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which concludes Sunday.

Glitz, glamour planned for IPL closing ceremony

PRETORIA - After five weeks of exhilarating cricket, the Indian Premier League (IPL) will draw to a close in an electrifying closing ceremony at Wanderers Cricket Stadium in Johannesburg Sunday.