Veterans Gilchrist and Azhar Mahmood roll back the years, leading Kings XI Punjab to a 7-wicket win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in a crucial Indian Premier League game here on Tuesday.
RCB were riding high after scoring 174 for 3, courtesy a 136-run partnership in 14.2 overs between Chris Gayle (77) and captain Virat Kohli (58), but 41-year old Gilchrist and Mahmood, 38, made light work of the target with a wonderful 118-run stand for the 2nd wicket as Kings XI coasted past the target in 18.1 overs.
Parvinder Awana was the pick of Kings XI bowlers with 3 for 39 while new ball bowler Azar Mahmood came away with 2 for 25 and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla conceded just 27 runs in his 4 overs.
Bangalore bowlers came in for some penalty while they were also unlucky that a few streaky lofted shots by Adam Gilchrist and Mahmood eluded the fielders by a whisker.
The result anchor RCB to 16 points from 15 games while Kings XI moved up to 12 with 2 more matches in hand. RCB, playing at home after 3 weeks and six away games, are slated to play favorites Chennai Super Kings here on May 18. Bangalore loss meant that Mumbai, Chennai and Rajasthan qualified for the play offs.
Bangalore- 174/5 (20)
Highest ScoreC Gayle -77(53)
V Kohli- 57(43)
Best Bowling
P Awana-3 for 39
Punjab- 176/3 (18.1)
Highest Score A Gilchrist -85(54)
A Mahmood -61(41)
Player of the match-A Gilchrist
