On This Day In IPL: Rajasthan Royals were crowned the inaugural champions of the Indian Premier League and Kolkata Knight Riders lifted the coveted trophy for the second time on this day. The two franchises celebrate the anniversary of their finest moments in the league’s history. While the Royals surpassed massive odds to win the 2008 edition of the IPL, the Knight Riders repeated their 2012 triumph with another spectacular campaign and finish in 2014. The Royals, who were entirely missing in discussions in the build-up of the first-ever season of the IPL with all the fanfare and favourites tag attached to some of the high-profile franchises, proved their mettle by coming out victorious. Despite an inexperienced squad, the Jaipur juggernaut didn’t give up as their skipper Shane Warne inspired raw young talents like Ravindra Jadeja, Yusuf Pathan and Swapnil Asnodkar to play beyond their skins. Pathan proved to be the ultimate hero for Royals on the night of the big final against the Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai, coming up with a terrific all-round display. The Indian cricketer brought his part-time spin bowling to the fore, taking 3 wickets for 22 runs in his 4 overs to help restrict CSK to 163/5. Pathan then blasted 56 runs off 39 balls to push RR within touching distance of a memorable victory. His dismissal in the 18th over caused nerves for the Royals at 143/7. But captain Warne’s calming influence took them through alongside lower-order batter Sohail Tanvir, who hit the winning runs on the last ball. Kolkata Knight Riders Wins IPL 2014 Knight Riders’ IPL 2014 win wasn’t short of drama and excitement either. The then-skipper Gautam Gambhir’s side overcame a one-sided first half enjoyed by Punjab Kings for their most thrilling win. The Knight Riders saw their hopes nearly crushed by PBKS’ Indian batting pair of Manan Vohra and Wriddhiman Saha. While Vohra struck 67 off 52 balls, Saha played the innings of his IPL career, smashing 115 not out to take Punjab to a massive 199/4 on a flat pitch in Bengaluru. Experienced leg spinner Piyush Chawla (2/44) was the only bright spot with the ball for KKR. In the run-chase, KKR lost their in-form opener Robin Uthappa (5) early but Manish Pandey’s valiant 94 reignited their chances. The Karnataka right-hander struck 7 fours and 6 sixes during his memorable knock even as the rest of the KKR batting line-up stuttered along, with only Yusuf Pathan providing him good company with his 36 off 22 balls. Pandey’s departure left KKR on a slippery rope. They were soon 7 down for 187 in the 19th over, needing a miracle from the lower order. That piece of magic came from an unexpected source as Chawla showed remarkable temperament and hammered the most priceless cameo of 13* from 5 balls, taking KKR home with three balls remaining.