Mumbai: The T20 league final held last evening was a ceremony not less than a rock concert. The stadium was star-studded with actors, politicians, dancers, cheerleaders and celebrities from diverse fields. All were there to get a plunge in the entertaining world of cricket at Mumbai’s DY Patil stadium. With the glamour quotient at its peak, this was the epitome of entertainment for all the viewers and spectators!

The 44 days of mind-boggling action among eight teams, came to the end last evening in a great show put up by Rajasthan and Chennai. Rajasthan defeated Chennai by three wickets in the thrilling grand finale and lifted the inaugural League title here on Sunday night.

Chasing Chennai’s modest total of 163 for five, the Rajasthan team came forward with a brilliant all-round display by Yusuf Pathan. This young and energetic player took three wickets and made match winning 39-ball 56 runs.

Sohail Tanvir was 9 not out. He hit the winning run, a pull off the expensive L Balaji, in the company of his inspiring captain Shane Warne. 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.

The 25-year-old Pathan displayed the real cricketing skills by sending back the top three Chennai’s batsmen with his off breaks while conceding 22 runs. When it came to bat then too he outclassed all others.

The Baroda right-hander stepped in when his team was struggling at 42 for three. He changed all the events with his knock of 56 by hitting four sixes and three fours. This performance by this young player put Rajasthan on the path to a thrilling victory in front of 55,000 spectators.

Pathan, took maximum benefit from overs of Balaji. Watson made his 28 that helped the team when it was needed the most. Faced with a modest target, the Rajasthan team was in tough waters in the initial part of the run-chase as they lost three top order batsmen within the first seven overs. Then Pathan came in to change the course of the events. He blasted Muralitharan with three sixes over long on.

The Rajasthan team lost Watson when 56 runs were needed in 35 balls and then lost three more wickets, including that of Pathan in six balls. It brought back the pressure on Rajasthan. This was the stage when it appeared that Chennai will win easily.

Rajasthan needed 21 runs in the last 14 balls with Warne and Tanvir at the crease. Makhaya Ntini bowled the penultimate over very tightly but captain Warne found the chance and hit him for a four off the last ball.

Now eight runs were needed in the last over, tension was heightened. Rajasthan leveled the scores when Tanvir hit Balaji for a couple. After this delivery he struck the winning hit. This way the curtains were brought down on the 59-match tournament which entertained millions across the world.

In the early part of the chase, Niraj Patel, inducted in place of injured Graeme Smith, fell for two off Gony. Swapnil Asnodkar made useful 28. Kamran Akmal failed to make a mark as he was gone at 6. Akmal was run out by a direct hit from mid-on at the stumps by Makhaya Ntini.

Then came the big hitters Watson and Pathan. Their running between the wickets was also good. They did the main task and left the remaining work to be done by Warne and Tanvir.

Earlier, Chennai made a moderate score with the help of entertaining 43 by Suresh Raina, who played only 30 balls. Parthiv Patel made considerable 38 in 33 balls followed by Vidyut Sivaramakrishnan who made 16 in 14 balls. But Raina’s dismissal in the 17th over derailed Chennai’s plans for a healthier total. Skipper Dhoni remained unbeaten with 29 off 17 balls, inclusive of two sixes.
However, credit must also be given to Dhoni’s men for fighting back the way they did in this tough battle.

Yusuf Pathan grabbed 3 wickets for 22 in two spells. Watson got the crucial wicket of Raina. Pathan was adjudged Man of the Match for his all-round show while Watson walked away with the Man of the Series award.