Adam Gilchrist-led Deccan Chargers became the champions of 2009 Indian Premier League (IPL) beating Royal Challengers Bangalore by six runs in a thrilling final played at Johannesburg on Sunday (May 24). Put in to bat first, Deccan Chargers made 143 in their allotted 20 overs. The Chargers got the early blow by losing Adam Gilchrist (0), the hero of last encounter, in the very first over of the match. However, Herschelle Gibbs and Andrew Symonds batted nicely to put up a good score on the board.

 

Gibbs remained not out on 53 from 48 balls while Symonds smashed 33 off 21 deliveries. Gibbs' solid innings was studded with three boundaries and two sixes while Symonds cracked four boundaries and a six. Royal Challengers bowlers displayed some good bowling especially skipper Anil Kumble who led his team from the front. Every time the leg-spinner introduced himself in the attack, he came out with success. Kumble picked up four wickets by conceding only 16 runs in his four overs.

 

Chasing a victory target of 144 runs, Royal Challengers could not handle the pressure of final and finished at 137/9. The final of IPL at Johannesburg was pulsating as fortunes kept on fluctuating from one team to the other. The Challengers could not chase down nicely as they lost wickets at regular intervals. They lost five wickets in the last six overs. After putting a good show with the bat, Andrew Symonds also bowled some good wicket-taking deliveries. It he was who turned the match in favour of Deccan Chargers by dismissing dangerous Ross Taylor (27 off 20) in the 14.2 overs.

 

Earlier Roelof van der Merwe (32 off 21) put up a great fight before getting out to Pragyan Ojha. The young spinner also took the vital wicket of in-form Manish Pandey (4). Ojha ended up with the figure of 3-28 in his four overs. Apart from him, medium pacer Harmeet Singh claimed two wickets besides taking a stunning catch to dismiss Vinay Kumar (8) in the last stage on the match. Robin Uthappa (17) fought till the end but could not take out the match from the leading wicket taker of the tournament, RP Singh.