BANGALORE, India, CMC – Ross Taylor’s half-century lifted Royal Challengers Bangalore to a spirited eight-wicket win and knocked Delhi Daredevils out of the Twenty20 Champions League yesterday.
The attacking Black Caps right-hander hammered 65 from 38 balls as Royal Challengers, already eliminated from semi-final contention, overhauled Delhi’s mediocre 138 for six with over four overs to spare at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Delhi seemed en route to a challenging score with Indian batsmen Virender Sehwag (47) and Gautam Gambhir (11) going full blast in an opening stand of 48 from 34 balls.
But once both were removed, the innings went into decline and leg-spinner Anil Kumble snatched three for 20 to stifle Delhi’s batsmen.
Only Tillakaratne Dilshan with 20 from 22 balls showed any resistance thereafter.
There was to be no bright start for Royal Challengers, however. They lost opener Manish Pandey to injury in the second over and then his partner Robin Uthappa to a miscued pull for nine with the score on 15 in the fourth over.
It was the last hint of success for Delhi as Taylor entered and transformed the match for Royal Challengers.
He smashed six fours and four sixes and shared an entertaining 93-run, second wicket stand off 58 balls with Rahul Dravid whose unbeaten 32 required 26 balls and contained three fours and one six.
When Taylor was bowled in the 14th over with the match all but over, the 20-year-old Indian right-hander Virat Kohli stroked a cameo, unbeaten 24 off 10 balls with five fours to carry Royal Challengers home in style.
Pacer Dirk Nannes was the most successful bowler with two for 19
