Gilchrist and Azhar Stunning Punjab win by RCB

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.

Score Details

Bangalore- 174/5 (20)
 

Highest Score
 
C 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)

Punjab Win by 7 Wickets
 

Player of the match-A Gilchrist

Miller fast century RCB big lose

This game was a contest between 2 left-handed batsmen. But, in the end one of them had to bowl right-handed, and finished up on the losing side after being smashed for 22 runs in his 1st over. The bowlers name was Christopher Henry Gayle.

The batsman’s name was David Miller. For a man who is just 23, this left-handed batsman from South Africa knows a thing or two about handling force. Imagine walking in at 51/3, with the opponent on the field sitting pretty on a total of 190/3. Kings XI Punjab troubles increased as they lost David Hussey; most young batsmen would have given up hope by now.

With 123 runs needed from 60 balls, Miller got to work with Rajagopal Satish for partnership. Miller ensured that anything that was full was on time smashed for a six. Anything short was pulled away to midwicket for 4th. Good deliveries were respected, but not wasted. The ones and 2 were added to the total. highly, the strike was almost always with Miller.

Score Details

Bangalore-190/3 (20)

Highest Score

C Pujara -51(58)
C Gayle -61(33)
A de Villiers -38(19)

Kings XI Punjab

Highest Score

D Miller -101(38)
R Sathish -27-(18)

Player of the match- D Miller