SPORTS

Royal Challengers win a cliffhanger

Banglore: Rahul Dravid would now be a relieved man as Bangalore Royal Chall-engers beat Deccan Chargers by 3 runs and recorded their second win of the DLF Indian Premier League at Bangalore.
It was cracker of a match and the team that held their nerves till the end, won it. The balance of the game shifted from one side to another at various junctures and only the last ball of the game could decide the winner. Man of the Match Praveen Kumar took three wickets to be the top wicket taker of the match. Zaheer Khan was also very effective as he took two crucial wickets
Defending the total of 156 runs, Royal Challengers bowlers started off well by picking two crucial wickets of Adam Gilchrist and Herschelle Gibbs in the beginning. Gilchrist lofted a short delivery by Zaheer Khan for a six but Jaffer took a sensational catch few centimeters away from the boundary. Next to go was another dangerman, Herschelle Gibbs (5). He was caught by Kumble off Praveen Kumar’s delivery.
Royal Challengers tried to put Deccan Chargers under pressure, but Laxman and Rohit were in no mood to let them have a cakewalk. Both smashed fifties but their efforts went in vain. While, Laxman played the anchor role, Rohit continued from where he had left in the previous match. Rohit Sharma is now the leading run scorer of the DLF IPL tournament and the proud owner of the “Orange Cap.” R.P. Singh finished the innings with three wickets. He uprooted Banga-lore opener Bharat Chipli’s stumps and provided the first breakthrough. He later picked Virat Kohli (38) and Mark Boucher (16)
Scoreboard
Bangalore Royal Challen-gers : 156 for 8 (Jaffer 44) beat Deccan Chargers: 153 for 6 (Rohit 57, Laxman 52) by 3 runs.

Kings XI prevail in close contest

Mohali: A gutsy fight-back took Kolkata Knight Riders close to an unlikely win, but Kings XI Punjab were better on the day, winning by nine runs at Mohali’s PCA Stadium.
To put the result into perspective, it all came down to how each time batted in their last over. Kings XI looked like they would make an under-par when Piyush Chawla smashed 21 from their last over, from Ishant Sharma, to take his team to 178-6.
With David Hussey and Wriddhiman Saha matching each other six for six, Kolkata reduced the equation to 19 from six balls, to be bowled by Irfan Pathan. But they made just nine, and slumped to their fourth straight loss in the Indian Premier League.
The two teams came into this with contrasting fortunes. The Knights had lost three after winning their first two games, while the Kings had lost two and then won three.
Kings started off on a steady note, with the young Shaun Marsh providing an impressive 40. However, their run rate stalled around the time Kumar Sangakkara retired hurt with a side strain and Saha picked up two stumpings — of captain Yuvraj Singh and Marsh.
Umar Gul turned in inexpensive figures of 4-0-27-2, picking up Mahela Jayawardene and Sangakkara, who came out to bat with a runner.
A score of 160 would not have been enough on a wonderful batting wicket. And that’s where Chawla’s assault beefed up the score, making it appear a little more attractive.
When Kolkata batted, Sreesanth and Irfan Pathan got the ball to move about. Pathan’s sharp in-swinger to the right-hander troubled Kolkata’s batsmen, as did Sreesanth’s outs-winger. Kolkata were soon reduced to 5-50 in the 10th over -— and the game seemed done and dusted.
Kings XI now rest at No. 4 in the points table, ahead of Kolkata who have now fallen to No. 5.
Scoreboard
Kings XI Punjab: 178 for 6 (Marsh 40, Gul 2-27) beat Kolkata Knight Riders: 169 for 6 (Hussey 71, Saha 59*, Pathan 2-18, Sreesanth 2-25) by nine runs.

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