Chris Gayle obtained custody of the Orange Cap as the Royal Challengers Bangalore beat the Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets in a rain-shortened Indian Premier League match to book their place in the play-offs.
Kolkata's innings was halted with them on 69 for two and following a lengthy delay, the game was reduced to 13 overs per side. They added 20 further runs before Bangalore's target was adjusted to 102.
Gayle then smashed 38 in 12 balls to quickly bring the required run-rate to around one run per ball and although the home side then lost a flurry of wickets, they eventually got home in the final over, in the process extending their winning run to a record seven in a row.
The powerful left-hander smacked six fours and two sixes before the other batsmen all contributed with cameos, Luke Pomersbach, gaining cheers for giving the strike back to opening partner Gayle, making 16 and both Virat Kohli and Mohammad Kaif hitting 15.
The winning runs came when AB de Villiers hit Lakshmipathy Balaji for four to leave the Knight Riders under pressure as they try to cement their place in the play-offs for the first time.
Their innings had been built around a fine innings of 36 in 24 balls from Yusuf Pathan either side of the rain break. He thumped two fours and three sixes but was to be put in the shade by Gayle, whom the Knight Riders decided against retaining for this season.
Manoj Tiwary (19 not out) and Jacques Kallis (14) were the only other players to reach double figures.
 |
Gayle Grabs Orange Cap |
Kolkata's innings was halted with them on 69 for two and following a lengthy delay, the game was reduced to 13 overs per side. They added 20 further runs before Bangalore's target was adjusted to 102.
Gayle then smashed 38 in 12 balls to quickly bring the required run-rate to around one run per ball and although the home side then lost a flurry of wickets, they eventually got home in the final over, in the process extending their winning run to a record seven in a row.
The powerful left-hander smacked six fours and two sixes before the other batsmen all contributed with cameos, Luke Pomersbach, gaining cheers for giving the strike back to opening partner Gayle, making 16 and both Virat Kohli and Mohammad Kaif hitting 15.
The winning runs came when AB de Villiers hit Lakshmipathy Balaji for four to leave the Knight Riders under pressure as they try to cement their place in the play-offs for the first time.
Their innings had been built around a fine innings of 36 in 24 balls from Yusuf Pathan either side of the rain break. He thumped two fours and three sixes but was to be put in the shade by Gayle, whom the Knight Riders decided against retaining for this season.
Manoj Tiwary (19 not out) and Jacques Kallis (14) were the only other players to reach double figures.
No comments:
Post a Comment