BANGALORE, India, CMC – Chris Gayle anchored a successful Royal Challengers Bangalore run chase to carry them to a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals and top of the Indian Premier League yesterday.
The West Indies left-hander hit an unbeaten 49 as the hosts, chasing a modest 118 for victory, eased home with 13 balls to spare at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.
With the triumph – their fifth of the season – Royal Challengers remained unbeaten at home and now have 10 points.
Opting to bowl first, they bundled out Royals cheaply off 19.4 overs, with seamers RP Singh (3-13) and Vinay Kumar (3-18) taking three wickets apiece, and West Indies pacer Ravi Rampaul picking up two for 19.
Retired India batting star Rahul Dravid top scored with 35.
Gayle then took control of the Royal Challengers innings, facing 44 balls and striking four fours and a six, and anchoring two key partnerships.
He put on 53 for the first wicket with Tillkaratne Dilshan (25) and when three wickets fell for 11 runs in the space of 14 balls, combined with Saurabh Tiwary (25 not out) to add 59 in an unbroken fourth wicket stand.
In Kolkata, Dwayne Bravo got the better of fellow Trinidadian and West Indies teammate Sunil Narine after Chennai Super Kings beat defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders by four wickets at Eden Gardens.
Neither Bravo nor Narine made any significant contribution.
