Kochi triumphs over World Champions Chennai !

The IPL cannot be called a revolution, but must be credited for creating great content for the masses, something which football or hockey in India cannot provide. The Kochi stadium refurbished can compare with any other in India and the crores which went in for the renovation does indeed display splendour. Sony did show the beautiful boat rides on the magnificent Vembanad Lake. The beautiful islands of Kochi does display a splendour which can enchant all. Many Kochiites are happy that big time cricket is here to stay, but there are concerns that corporation tax levied is a bit high and Ahmedabad may be the alternative venue planned for IPL V. But rain tainted yesterday's play and the match was reduced to 17 overs.

It was a good toss to win and Mahela elected to bowl. This has become a fashion for the captains to take fielding, as you can know the target in advance. Since all teams have excellent Test batsmen playing in their sides, a target of 180 or above will not pose much of a problem and we are seeing the majority of sides batting second winning. The dew factor ? The Dew Factor did come to India's assistance in the final, an opinion seconded by Imran, Murali and Dhoni.

So Kochi got their target, well 132 to win and it was imperative for Kochi to win, to grab the attention of the world, that they are no pushovers. The other debutant, Pune started well winning the first two matches, but lost their way in the third.

This is Kochi's second consecutive win. KTK has just defeated mighty Chennai !

At the moment, CSK are 109/3, with Raina just crossing his 50.MSD has just come in.

Earlier RP Singh got rid of the dangerous Mike Hussey for 8.

Heavy rains lashed Kochi and the match was reduced to 17 overs by the D/L method. Chennai scored 131/4, with Raina top scoring with 50. Raina was run out by Thissara Pereira for 50. Gomez trapped Badrinath lbw for 19. Dhoni was not out 14 when the 17th over finished, leaving Kochi to score 132 for victory.

The great duo of Mahela and Brendon started their glorious campaign and put on 39 for the first wicket. Mahela was out for 16, having hit a six and two fours. Parthiv Patel seems to be in good nick and he and Brendon took the score to 90. McCullum was out for 47 off Ashwin. He had blasted 4 fours and three sixes. Patel was out when the score was 110. Then again the Saviours of the Kochi last game, Jadeja and Hogde stroked Kochi to victory, as they did in the last match against Mumbai. Like in the last match, Jadeja blasted two sixes in this magnificent 16 not out !

Kochi got good star support as actresses Riya Sen and Lakshmi Rai were seen hanging around. The actor Mohan Lal and Film Director Priyadarshan were conspicous by their presence. The Kochi fanbase will improve, as Kochi has already grabbed the attention of the world by beating strong teams like Chennai and Mumbai, the top favourites to win this IPL trophy. If Chennai is the

No 1 favourite, Mumbai is the second favourite to win this 10 cr INR Trophy !

CSK captain Dhoni said the rain interruption took away crucial three overs against Kochi, which proved to be crucial in the end.