Preview

The 2009 IPL final is a contest between Royal Challengers Bangalore, a disciplined team that has begun to add flair, and Deccan Chargers, a team that has reduced its flair to add discipline

But only one of the two bottom-placed teams last year can walk away with the IPL

This is now a two-match series after the abandonment at Headingley which gives both sides even less room for mistakes. Both teams are looking towards these matches as a chance to build some form and momentum before the ICC World Twenty20

Both teams couldn't be more different. Their journey to the semi-final illustrates that. If Royal Challengers Bangalore, under Anil Kumble, are playing as a team with seniors and the youngsters performing as a unit, Chennai have depended on individuals

It's a sign of how healthy and competitive this IPL has been that going into the second semi-final, we don't have a clear favourite

There'll be no second chances on Friday, when Delhi Daredevils and Deccan Chargers take on each other in the first semi-final in Centurion

What could have been a potential quarter-final clash will be of less importance now that Punjab's defeat against Chennai has made things easier for the other Southern Indian teams

The big picture for the tournament won't change regardless of the result of this match, but there are still little goals that both Delhi and Mumbai will aim for in the penultimate round-robin clash of the IPL

After wrapping up the Test series 2-0, England now switch their focus to the one-day contests against West Indies

Chennai can still afford one more mistake, but with their negative net run-rate Punjab have made their last mistake if they are to error if they are to enter the final four

Kolkata Knight Riders' upset win over Chennai Super Kings in Centurion gave an indication of their prominent role in spite of being knocked out, and they may wreck another team's hopes of reaching the top four on Wednesday

With the IPL moving towards the last leg of league games, things are desperate for Royal Challengers Bangalore

Chennai are currently placed second and will confirm their qualification for the semi-finals if they beat Kolkata

Kings XI Punjab have already made it through one make-or-break match successfully but they now face another crucial encounter, against Deccan Chargers

Beat Delhi and follow up with another victory in their final league game against Kolkata and Rajasthan are through to the semis; lose, and the race shifts to net run-rate, how the other top teams fare, and plenty of crossed fingers

The equation for the Deccan Chargers to enter the semi-finals is simple on paper - they need to win two of their last three matches

The task of qualifying for the semi-finals has gotten tougher for Mumbai Indians, who will have to raise their game considerably to beat the top two ranked teams, Chennai Super Kings tomorrow and Delhi Daredevils

It's a do-or-die match for Kings XI Punjab in this, the last lap of the league matches, and they could not have asked for tougher opposition

If Mumbai have an edge on recent form, Rajasthan are under the added pressure of winning back a place in the top four

Royal Challengers Bangalore's first challenge in staying in the hunt for a place in the final four is to end the winning streak of the Chennai Super Kings