CHRIS Gayle powered Royal Challengers Bangalore to a nine-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in their IPL clash yesterday.
After being set a straightforward total of 142 by Mumbai, Bangalore – inspired by Gayle’s unbeaten 82 off 59 balls – eased to victory with two overs remaining for the loss of just one wicket, a result that puts Bangalore above Mumbai in fourth as the race for the play-offs heats up.
Fast bowler R. Vinay Kumar did the damage against Mumbai, hitting twice in the second over to leave the Indians on 2-2.
Sachin Tendulkar gave the hosts some hope with a cluster of boundaries but he soon went for 24 to Harshal Patel as they struggled to post 141, for the loss of six wickets.
Gayle and Tillakaratne Dilshan started the Bangalore innings slowly, with only 35 runs in the first six overs, but after Gayle was dropped by Dwayne Smith the visitors were more aggressive.
Initially that saw Dilshan trapped lbw by Pragyan Ojha in the ninth over, but Gayle soon let rip and, helped by a 36 from Virat Kohli, they eased to victory with time to spare.