AHMEDABAD, India, CMC – West Indies opener Chris Gayle failed to convert another start but his fireworks were not missed as Royal Challengers Bangalore strolled to an uncomplicated nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League here yesterday.
They restricted Royals to 130 for nine off their 20 overs after winning the toss at the Sardar Patel Stadium and then cruised to their target in the 17th over, with captain Virat Kohli top scoring with an unbeaten 62 off 46 deliveries.
Gayle, who struck 20 from 17 balls, put on 36 from 27 deliveries with Kohli to give RCB a breezy start in their run chase.
The left-handed Jamaican hammered three fours and a six – a might blow over long on off South African seamer Chris Morris – in an over which went for 15 runs.
However, Gayle lasted just three more deliveries before he was dismissed two overs later, top-edging a hesitant pull behind off Australian medium pacer Shane Watson.
Gayle opened his campaign with 96 but has since struggled with scores of 20 and 10.
Kohli then combined in a 98-run stand with South Africa’s AB de Villiers, who stroked an unbeaten 47 off 34 balls, to see RCB easily home.
Earlier, Royals struggled for momentum as left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc helped to cripple the innings with a spell of three for 22 from his four overs.
His fellow Australian Steve Smith top scored with 31 while Watson chipped in with 26.
