IPL8 RR vs RCB: Kohli guides Bangalore to easy win

Royal Challengers Bangalore secured a comfortable nine-wicket victory to stay in contention of the Indian Premier League.

Chasing a modest 131 to win, Chris Gayle (20, 17b) and Virat Kohli put on a quick 36 runs to rush to the target.

Kohli remained unbeaten on 62 from 46 balls while AB de Villiers was 47 not out from 34 balls as Bangalore achieved the target in 16.1 overs.  

Earlier, great spells from Bangalore bowlers as they restricted Rajasthan to a meager 130 for nine in 20 overs.

Many batsmen began well but did not last to play a big knocks. Steven Smith top scored with 31 while Shane Watson chipped in with 26.

For Bangalore, Mitchell Starc picked up three wickets while Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal claimed two wickets each. 

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE INNINGS

Half century for Kohli as he slams a six to reach there quickly in just 39 balls. RCB 114-1 in 14 overs.

Bangalore is on track for a fine win as they reach 83 for one half way through the innings.

Watson picks the important wicket as Gayle is on his way back home. But he has given the right start for Bangalore. RCB 36-1 in 4.3 overs.

Chris Gayle c Samson b Watson 20 (17b 3x4 1x6)

Gayle on fire as he smashes three boundaries and a six to reach a 13-ball 19. Kohli is going slow scoring four from five balls. RCB 28-0 in 3 overs.

Gayle and Kohli open the innings for Bangalore. This should be an easy victory for Bangalore and an important one.

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS

Starc rattles Kulkarni's stumps as Rajasthan in deep trouble. RR 127-9 in 19.1 overs.

Dhawal Kulkarni b Starc 1 (2b 0x4 0x6)

Rajasthan further fall into trouble as Faulkner is gone as wicketkeeper Karthik takes a brilliant diving catch. RR 127-8 in 19 overs.

James Faulkner c Karthik b Patel 4 (5b 0x4 0x6)

Nothing going right for Rajasthan as big hitter Binny also departs. Not a situation Rajasthan would have loved to be. RR 121-7 in 17.5 overs.

Stuart Binny c Wiese b Starc 20 (20b 2x4 0x6)

Steven Smith attempts a big one but fails to find the distance as he departs. RR 119-6 in 17.1 overs.

Steven Smith c Karthik b Starc 31 (28b 2x4 0x6)  

Not a great situation to be for Rajasthan as they manage to reach 100 for five in 15 overs.

A very bad sweep shot attempt as Samuel misses it completely to be bowled by Chahal. RR 89-5 in 12.4 overs.

Sanju Samson b Chahal 4 (7b 0x4 0x6)

A superb ball from Abdulla as Hooda is bowled. Rajasthan in trouble here as they lose their fourth wicket. Pressure on Smith. RR 84-4 in 11.2 overs.

Deepak Hooda b Iqbal Abdulla 1 (3b 0x4 0x6) 

A bad ball hit hard to the man at deep only turned out to be a nightmare for Rajasthan as a great throw from Harshal ensured Nair was run out. RR 71-3 in 9.5 overs.

Karun Nair run out 16 (14b 0x4 1x6)

Karun and Smith steady things after two quick wickets. A six from Karun gets Rajasthan back into the groove. RR 63-2 in 8 overs.

Big wicket for Bangalore as Watson succumbs. He just had hit a six and a boundary before holing one to long-on. RR 46-2 in 5.4 overs.

Shane Watson c Starc b Chahal 26 (22b 4x4 1x6) 

After some initial bashing from the openers, Bangalore fights back with the important wicket of Rahane. A fine slower one from Patel deceives Rahane completely to be trapped in front. RR 36-1 in 5 overs

Ajinkya Rahane lbw b Patel 18 (12b 2x4 1x6) 

Three boundaries already scored by Watson as Rajasthan reach 17-0 in 3 overs.

Rajasthan have a decent start with Watson cracking a boundary. RR 8-0 in 1 over.

Bangalore have won the toss and opted to bowl first.

PLAYING XI

Rajasthan Royals: Ajinkya Rahane, Shane Watson, Stevevn Smith, Karun Nair, Samuel Samson, Deepak Hooda, Stuart Binny, James Faulkner, Chris Morris, Dhawal Kulkarni, Praveen Tambe

Royal Challengers Bangalore: Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik, AB de Villiers, Sarfaraz Khan, David Wiese, Harshal Patel, Mitchell Starc, Iqbal Abdulla, Yuzvendra Chahal

Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers Bangalore will face off in Match 22 of IPL8 at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad on Friday.

RR are placed at the top of the table, while RCB are at the bottom of the table.

RR won five matches on the trot before being stopped by Kings XI Punjab who won a Super Over contest.

RCB have lost three of their four matches so far.

Squads

Rajasthan Royals: SR Watson, Ankit Sharma, B Brainder Sran, R Bhatia, STR Binny, BCJ Cutting, JP Faulkner, DJ Hooda, DS Kulkarni, VS Malik, CH Morris, KK Nair, AM Nayar, AM Rahane, P Sahu, D Salunkhe, SV Samson, SPD Smith, TG Southee, PV Tambe, R Tewatia, J Theron, SV Trivedi, DH Yagnik

Royal Challengers Bangalore: V Kohli, VR Aaron, SA Abbott, AN Ahmed, S Aravind, S Badrinath, SA Bhavane, MS Bisla, YS Chahal, AB de Villiers, AB Dinda, CH Gayle, Iqbal Abdulla, KD Karthik, SN Khan, NJ Maddinson, Mandeep Singh, HV Patel, RR Rossouw, DJG Sammy, S Sandeep Warrier, Jalaj S Saxena, MA Starc, YV Takawale, D Wiese, VH Zol

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