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Kallis powers Bangalore

Kallis powers Bangalore

03/20/2010 08:06:01 PM

Jacques Kallis smashed an unbeaten half-century as the Royal Challengers Bangalore eased to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians to move to the top of the Indian Premier League.

Fast bowler Dale Steyn and medium-pacer Vinay Kumar claimed three wickets apiece as the Royal Challengers turned in another ruthlessly efficient performance in the field to restrict the Indians to a below-par 9-151.

Kallis then smashed an unbeaten 66 and opening partner Manish Pandey made 40 as Bangalore secured victory with five deliveries to spare.

Batting first, the Indians lost Sanath Jayasuriya (two) early, trapped in front by Steyn, but Sachin Tendulkar responded with three consecutive boundaries in the bowler's next over and continued to score fairly easily, without taking undue risk.

The Royal Challengers pulled things back with the wicket of Aditya Tare, but his replacement, Saurabh Tiwary (25) was briskly into his stride and the Indians looked set for a massive total.

Anil Kumble introduced himself into the attack in the eighth over and the leg-spinner put the brakes on Mumbai's free-scoring ways by bowling Tiwary through the gate.

The real damage, however, was done by Vinay in the 11th over, the medium-pacer making a terrific comeback after copping a bit of stick in his first two overs.

In his third over, Vinay had the dangerous Ambati Rayudu caught behind for three, bowled Tendulkar for 25 and trapped Dwayne Bravo in front for one as the Indians crashed from 71 for two to 76 for six.

Kieron Pollard (21) and Rajagopal Sathish (24) were left to repair the damage and the seventh-wicket duo nursed the innings back to life, putting on 47 together before Steyn caused another wobble by removing both batsmen in one over.

The Indians only went past the 150 mark due to a nine-ball 23 from Zaheer Khan, 16 of which came off the final over sent down by Praveen Kumar.

The Indians needed early wickets in stay in the contest and they should have had Kallis in the second over, but Rayudu fluffed the chance and the Royal Challengers raced away to another strong start.

Pandey launched his innings by hammering Zaheer for two boundaries in the third over and Kallis joined in at the other end, bludgeoning Lasith Malinga for three boundaries in the fourth.

By the time Harbhajan Singh produced the first breakthrough by removing Pandey for 40, the Royal Challengers needed only 67 from the remaining 10.1 overs.

Robin Uthappa narrowed the equation with a breezy 23 and Virat Kohli was run out for 17, but Kallis played out a steady hand to see the Royal Challengers over the line. England batsman Eoin Morgan was unbeaten on seven off six balls.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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