The tables have turned this year in the second edition of the Indian Premier League taking place in SA, writes Chandraboli Mitra.

This time destinies have followed different routes for both the last year's finalists - Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

While, those who could not even make it to any mark for themselves in 2008, are out there to prove a point or two.

The real statement makers of IPL 2009 have turned out to be the Deccan Chargers, who finished at the bottom of the table last season.

But this time, under a new leader in Adam Gilchrist, the Hyderabad team has actually stunned everyone with their four straight victories, before they faltered against Delhi Daredevils. However, they are still sitting comfortably at the top of the table.

In fact, the Deccan Chargers have become the hot favorites this time around with the highest betting ratio riding on them.

Another team that has come out with flying colours in the IPL second season is definitely the Mumbai Indians. Though they have lost two and won two matches with one game being called off due to rain, but they have shown enough character during their matches so far where they gave some of the best teams a run for their money.

On the other hand, the defending champions Rajasthan Royals and the runners-up Chennai Super Kings have failed to re-create the magic of the last season.

Shane Warne's captaincy and simultaneous coaching received immense praise from every nook and corner last year when they started the tournament as under-dogs but ended up as winners. And although, there is no less effort from him to motivate and inspire his teammates in this season, the team is certainly missing some key players -- Sohail Tanvir, who finished the 2008 tournament in possession of the Purple Cap (the IPL's leading wicket taker) and Australian all-rounder Shane Watson, who was declared the Man of the Series for his consistent show throughout.

The Royals had the worst possible start to their IPL 2009 campaign, getting the lowest score in IPL history in their opening game against bottom-of-table-of-IPL-2008 Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Nonetheless, the defending champions have somehow managed to keep their hopes alive by registering impressive victories against Kolkata Knight Riders and Delhi Daredevils with Yusuf Pathan's explosive performances being the key.

Chennai Super Kings, added some more feathers to their cap in terms of buying players at the IPL auction 2009, with the costliest purchase being made that of Andrew Flintoff, besides buying Thilan Thushara, George Bailey and Murali Vijay. But they have been unsuccessful in producing desired results.

The Super Kings could win just two matches out of the six they have played so far and despite the teams looking most impressive on paper, they have simply failed to click as a unit for most part of the tournament, so far.

And with Flintoff having returned home for a surgery after getting injured during the tournament, it has further added to the worries of Dhoni's men.

But with their convincing victory over Rajasthan Royals on Thursday, they have sent strong signals to the opposition that they may be down but certainly not out.

Meanwhile, Delhi Daredevils and Kings XI Punjab have more or less managed to carry on the momentum of the last year, with the Daredevils looking one of the favourites to lift the trophy.

Unfortunately, the Bangalore Royal Challengers and the Kolkata Knight Riders have not being able to shrug off their last year's disappointment and both these teams are fighting hard not to finish first from the bottom in IPL II.

The Twenty20 format is a bit funny and if Indian batting maestro Sachin Tedulkar is to be believed then "any team can start winning at any stage in the tournament."

After a fortnight into the mega-event, the tournament is still wide open and it will surely not be a cake-walk for any of the teams.

The IPL II is set for a lot more action and drama, expectedly with a few neck-to-neck matches before four of the best sides make it the semi-final stage.