Complex sentence: The top four ranking sides progressed to the knockout stage of semi-finals followed by a final.First winning team is Rajasthan Royals who defeated Chennai Super Kings in a thriller and emerged as the inaugural IPL champions.
Split into simpler sentences: The top four ranking sides progressed to the knockout stage of semi-finals followed by a final. The first team to win the IPL was the Rajasthan Royals, who defeated Chennai Super Kings in a thriller and emerged as the inaugural IPL champions.