RCB vs DC and MI vs RR - Day to Decide the Final Four

IPL Live Streaming 2012

Update: MI beats RR, DC beats RCB
Teams in the play-offs - DD, KKR, MI and CSK

IPL 2012 reaches the last day of round robin stage and we couldn't have asked anything better than this! Last day of round robin and still the fourth team for the play-offs is yet to be decided. With the defeats of Rajasthan and Punjab in their last matches; it is now pretty clear that alongwith Delhi and Kolkata it is Mumbai who will qualify for the next round.

The major permutations and combinations are as follows:

• Delhi remains on first position irrespective of today's results
• Kolkata remains on second position irrespective of today's results
• If Bangalore wins against Deccan Chargers and Mumbai loses against Rajasthan, Bangalore will take the third position and Mumbai will take the fourth position
• If Bangalore loses today and Mumbai wins, Mumbai will take the third position and Chennai will take fourth position as Bangalore will be eliminated
• If both Bangalore and Mumbai lose, still Mumbai finishes on third position and Chennai takes the fourth place

1st Match: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Deccan Chargers 

Royal Challengers Bangalore need to follow a very simple equation. If they win they are through to the play-offs and if they lose they make way for Chennai Super Kings to the next round. Bangalore registered a thumping victory over Delhi Daredevils where Gayle scored a quick fire century. This win has boosted their confidence. Deccan Chargers have played well recently and beating them won't be an easy job. On the other hand Deccan Chargers has nothing to lose. So they can play a role of party poopers.

Bangalore heavily relies on the batting of Gayle, Dilshan and Kohli. AB de Villiers is one of the best batsmen in cricket but he hasn't got enough chance to bat. So he may look rusty on the crease if other batsmen fail. Similar is the case of Deccan Chargers. The batting heavily relies on Shikhar Dhawan and Cameron White.

2nd Match: Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals

Mumbai Indians are already through to the play-offs and today's result doesn't matter to them. Even if they lose to Rajasthan they would finish fourth and have to play eliminator with the fourth team that will qualify for play-offs.

Rajasthan Royals made a flying start to this year's IPL and they could have been in the contention if they could have won the last match. But their defeat has eliminated them from IPL 2012. This could also be the last IPL of Indian great Rahul Dravid. So he would like to finish it on a winning note against the most popular IPL team viz. Mumbai Indians.

Mumbai Indians Vs Rajasthan Royals - A farewell to Shane Warne

Mumbai Indians take on Rajasthan Royals at Wankhede Stadium tonight. The biggest highlight of this match would be Shane Warne. The reason being this is the last match of Rajasthan Royals in this edition of IPL and hence the last match of Shane Warne from all forms of cricket. He has already declared his retirement and would be featuring on the cricketing scene for the last time as a player. Undoubtedly one of the best bowlers of all time.

The other highlight of this match would certainly be Sachin Tendulkar Vs Shane Warne. If Sachin stays long enough till the time Warne bowls, we all would be able to see the face-off. Infact Sachin would be eager to play a vital role today and take his team home.

As far as points tally is concerned, Mumbai is placed on 4th position. A win here will ensure their place in the play offs. If they lose here they will have to face a formidable KKR which would also be the last round robin match in IPL 2011. RR is already eliminated from IPL 2011 and outcome of this match doesn't actually matter to their standings.

A lot depends upon Watson, Dravid and Taylor apart from the spin headed bowling attack of RR. For Mumbai things look fine in both bowling and batting. Munaf and Malinga are doing a superb job in bowling. Tendulkar,. Rayudu, Sharma, Pollard have to play their part. Symonds form this year has been a worry for MI.

Will it be RR who would repeat the Jaipur performance and beat MI again? Or will it be MI who would reverse the result this time? Lets wait and watch.