The big question: Who will win the IPL?

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Sangakkara says he is feeling a little nervous before the semis and added he is very proud to be a part of Kings XI Punjab.

“The butterflies are always there for me whether it is a club game or for my country or this. I always get excited and I always look forward to a contest. This is just huge for me. The first time it has happened, a new format that has taken the world by storm and now we are in the semi-finals. All eyes will be on us. I don't think as a cricketer you can ask for much more than this. We know we can do. But before we become the champions we have the semi-final and if we win then the final. So I think we must concentrate on one game at a time. First we try and win the semi-final but whatever happens on Saturday or Sunday, I am very proud to be a part of Kings XI Punjab. I have grown as a player. I have gelled very well the guys. I don't have any regrets and I will leave India a very happy and contented man,” he adds.

Chennai Super Kings

Chennai began the tournament with a bang riding on their two Australian imports – Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey. But after the duo joined their national team, the team has been through ups and downs.

Srikkanth, who obviously has a bias in favour of Chennai, says: “We are not too dependent on any one player. As a team especially in batting there is Raina, Morkel, Dhoni, decent openers and Subramaniam Badrinath. One good thing about Chennai Super Kings is batting is spread out and pretty solid. Bowling has also reasonably improved and we have Ntini coming back and Murali is also bowling well. Manpreet Gony and Lakshmipathy Balaji are also doing reasonably well. So there is a balance. We have beaten Punjab both away and at home. So Chennai have got a good chance.”

Srinath, however, is not so optimistic of Chennai’s chances and says the absence of some of their overseas players can hurt in the knock out stage.

“I think the exit of Matthew Hayden and Michael Hussey as well Stephen Fleming, who is not playing. is going to upset Chennai to some extent. I see a bit of instability in their batting now. They haven't found a good opener and their catchment players are not really contributing apart from Badrinath and that’s where the problem is. In bowling Gony has been very impressive through out and Murali is always a big time player. I strongly feel in their batting they heavily depend on Dhoni, Morkel and Raina. These three batsman come a little down the order. If you see the pattern in this tournament, if the openers do well you always see than reaching a very respectable or a competitive score. I strongly feel Dhoni should come higher up the order and that can solve a lot of problem for them. The batting is the one, which I really suspect in the Chennai side,” Srinath cautions.

Chennai Super Kings coach Kepler Wessels says it is relief that his team is in the semi-finals.