Which team won the inaugural IPL season in 2008?

The Rajasthan Royals won the inaugural IPL season in 2008. They defeated the Chennai Super Kings by three wickets in the final on 1 June at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai.

The Royals, captained by former Australia great Shane Warne, were not regarded as the strongest squad before the tournament. They topped the league stage, won 11 of their 14 matches, and then beat the Delhi Daredevils in the semi-final. Chennai defeated Kings XI Punjab in the other semi-final to reach the title match.

Batting first in the final, Chennai scored 163 for five, with Suresh Raina making 43 and captain M. S. Dhoni contributing an unbeaten 29. Rajasthan chased the target on the final ball, finishing on 164 for seven. All-rounder Yusuf Pathan was named Player of the Match after scoring 56 and taking three wickets.

The victory gave Rajasthan the first IPL trophy and remains one of the league’s most memorable underdog triumphs. Chennai Super Kings were the runners-up, while Shane Watson was named Player of the Tournament.