New Delhi: The 44-day frenzy is over. And the team that lifted the jewel-studded IPL trophy is the Rajasthan Royals.

The Royals defeated Chennai Super Kings off the last ball of the tournament to win the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League. The Super Kings defended their total of 163 for 5 admirably as they ran the Royals close, but Warne’s batsmen kept their cool to help their side finish as deserving champions of the league.

The Royals were written off before the tournament but during the 44 days they topped the points table and then demolished Delhi Daredevils in the first semi-finals before clenching the final victory.

Starting slowly, the Royals struggled to chase 164, with Makhaya Ntini’s splendid bowling giving the opening batsmen little scope to score runs. Swapnil Asnodkar continued with his good run of form before he holed out to Raina off Morkel’s bowling. Akmal was then run out by a direct throw from Ntini as the Royals slipped to 42 for 3 in the seventh over.

Shane Watson and man-of-the-match Yusuf Pathan then added 65 runs for the fourth wicket before the former was clean bowled by spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan (2-39), who also dismissed Mohammad Kaif. Yusuf scored his fourth half-century of the IPL and looked set to take his team over the line but Suresh Raina ran him out with a direct throw.

The Royals took home a cheque of $1.2 million for emerging victorious, while the Super Kings won $0.6 million for finishing runners-up in the IPL.

Chennai Super Kings who were asked to bat first scored 163 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs as Parthiv Patel, Raina and MS Dhoni all made useful contributions.

Pathan walked away with the man of the match in the final game while Watson was named the man of the series. Tanvir, for his 22 wickets, won the purple cap.

The orange cap for the highest scorer went to Shaun Marsh of Kings XI Punjab.