Venue : Durban
May 20, 2009 @ 4 PM IST

Here we enter the penultimate day of the league stage. And know what, there are still three semifinal spots up for grabs! This has been the most exciting aspect of this season of IPL. So, what can get Rajasthan Royals in? One of the spot is taken either by the Deccan Chargers or the Royal Challengers. In the event of Chennai winning over Kings XI Punjab, and Rajasthan defeating Kolkata Knight Riders today, they are directly through.

If Kings XI Punjab manage to defeat Chennai (and Rajasthan still winning the match today), then it comes down to the Net Run Rate in which case, Chennai will have its go looking at the present situation since Rajasthan is well below Chennai in NRR. So, the only option left is to win and win it big. And Kolkata, coming from their terrific win over Chennai will not be any easy pushover. Good Luck Rajasthan!

Venue : Pretoria
May 18, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

The Super Kings are through to the semis. But that wouldn’t stop them from continuing with their momentum and keep winning matches. After all, a loss to KKR here would mean a huge blow to confidence and team morale. The Knight Riders gave a really tough fight to the Deccan Chargers last time and I did feel a tinge of sympathy for Brendon. Anyway, when Dada is sidelined, these things are bound to happen. May we see a formality match here.

Venue : Johannesburg
May 16, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

The Knight Riders have seemingly taken a vow to spoil the semifinal chances of at least one team before they pack up for home. It could possibly be today with Deccan desperately trying to get back to their top four position and Kings XI having shown the way to beat the Daredevils have made the competition tougher. May the best team win!

Venue : Pretoria
May 12, 2009 @ 4 PM IST

I have no idea if this match matters at all. Yes, if the Royal Challengers win this one, and keep winning the rest of the matches, they can have a serious go at the semifinals, but then that statement is prefixed with a big IF and seems highly unlikely. So, as they say, when there is nothing at stake, enjoy good cricket and that is what we are expected to do in today’s first match that starts at 4 PM IST.

Venue : Johannesburg
May 10, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

The Knight riders have nothing, absolutely nothing to lose. And the Delhi Daredevils have absolutely lost nothing so far in this tournament barring those stray couple of matches. It will be interesting to see how the Knight Riders match up to what is easily the best performing team in the tournament. Everything seems to be going right for Delhi and I reckon today’s match shall just add up to that pile.

Venue : Durban
May 5, 2009 @ 8 PM IST

This is yet another match whose result, we all know. Knight Riders will concede one more defeat, right? Daredevils will eye the top of the table with this match. But it could all change. Mashrafe Mortaza could be playing this match, and if he does, there is lots of chances that Knight Riders can turn the tables in their favor. This seemingly one-sided match can well turn into a nail biter.

Venue : Port Elizabeth
May 3, 2009 @ 4 PM IST

The Knight riders are a beaten and battered side. If anything they would want to win a couple here just to salvage any pride left. The Kings XI on the other hand are a bruised lot. Despite the captain’s heroics with the bat and ball in the previous match against the Royal Challengers, they lost and that must have hurt. Let’s wait and watch how the Punjab XI respond in this match.

Venue : East London
May 1, 2009 @ 4 PM IST

Sometimes you do feel sorry for Shahrukh and his men. They are not that bad, actually and still end up losing every other match. Will they end up yet again on the losing side this time too? Mumbai lost their previous match by a whisker and that was terrible. Sachin’s boys would be dying to come back strong in this match. Who is going to win this one?

Venue : Durban
April 29, 2009 @ 4 PM IST

Given a chance, both these teams will run away from IPL. And they are playing today! Dogged by controversies or bad form or both, KKR wouldn’t mind if they did not have to play one more match. On the other hand, this is going to be Pieterson’s last match in this season of IPL before he leaves his team and he would want to make one last impact. Let’s hope Pieterson gets his due..

Venue : Port Elizabeth
April 27,2009 @ 8 PM IST

Knight Riders had an unfortunate washout of their previous game. Mumbai Indians had an unfortunate finish. The strategic timeout has been taking its toll, and it was the master blaster last time. This game is poised to be close as both the teams will be here to make a point. Watch Sachin’s men take on Shahrukh’s at 8