It began with plenty of razzmatazz and lots of dazzle. Over the last month and half India has been captivated by it. Big hits, controversies, glamour and with many stars, the Indian Premier League (IPL) has been a cricketing revolution unlike any other. Now as the tournament enters its final week, the men have been separated from the boys. Four teams will fight for the right to be called champions of the IPL.

Fifty-six matches have been played and now there are no more league tables; no more moving on from losses. It's the knock out stage.

In a one-hour special Kaun Jeetega IPL? show, CNN-IBN debated which team among the final four is going to lift the IPL trophy. The panelists included former India skipper Krishnamachari Srikkanth and former India pacer and International Cricket Council Match Referee Javagal Srinath, Sri Lankan wicketkeeper Kumar Sangakkara, who is playing for Kings XI, Punjab and former South Africa skipper and coach of Chennai Super Kings Kepler Wessels. The discussion was moderated by CNN-IBN Sports Editor Gaurav Kalra.

Rajasthan Royals

The Shane Warne's team has been the biggest surprise of the tournament topping the league phase losing just three matches out of the 14. At home they maintained a clean sheet and with Warne giving his players all the freedom to play their natural game, they are certainly the hot favourite to win the IPL.

Even Chennai Super Kings Brand Ambassador Krishnamachari Srikkanth agrees.
"I think they have been fantastic. They have a fantastic captain in Shane Warne. He has been very inspiring leader for Rajasthan Royals. There has not been any kind of pressure on the players. And it is a good thing. They also have no big names and you don't have any big expectations. If the expectations are less then the pressure is also less. When the captain gives you the freedom to do whatever you want and go play your natural game, you will definitely get the best out of the players," Srikkanth says.

Shane Warne's team seems to have an answer for every Twenty20 situation. The team is not dependent on any one player and almost every one has risen to the occasion when the situation demanded.

"Yeah, sure. They have the best side. They paid the least of all the sides and they were even penalised for that and I think that was very wise. If you go by the average age, I think they are the best. They must not be even crossing 25. Two men who have really made the big difference apart from Shane Warne are Sohail Tanvir and Shane Watson. They have been terrific throughout the tournament and the catchment area players have performed well for them. So all these things have fallen perfectly for them. That's the reason why they looked to be seeming champions of the tournament," Javagal Srinath says.

Source: http://www.cricketnext.com/news/the-big-question-who-will-win-the-ipl/31895-13.html