Bengaluru, April 17 (IANS) Royal Challengers Bangalore set a target of 192 runs for Delhi Daredevils in a group stage IPL match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday.
Captain Virat Kohli, with a fighting 79 off 48 balls, was the chief architect of RCB’s 191/5 in 20 overs.
Steadying the ship after losing swashbuckling Chris Gayle for a duck, Kohli was joined by mercurial A.B. De Villiers to build the innings.
Gayle, who opened the innings, virtually threw his wicket, offering a simple catch to J. P. Duminy off Zaheer Khan in the first over.
Succeeding him, De Villiers smashed two back-to-back fours to complete the first over, and proved his credentials to be a vital cog in the team by hitting 55, off 33 balls, garnished with nine fours and a six.
Like an one day international match, Kohli and De Villiers stole quick singles during the match to build a partnership of 107 runs, before the latter was caught by Mohammed Shami off Carlos Brathwaite.
Shane Watson, who came in next, scored a fast-paced 33 (off 18 balls) before he was caught by Chris Morris off Shami in the 17th over while attempting a huge shot.
Sarfraz Khan (1) however failed to recreate the scoop and back shots magic of RCB’s first match against Sunrisers Hyderabad as he was run out by Shami with a superb piece of fielding off his bowling.
Shami took two wickets for an economical 34 runs while Zaheer Khan and Brathwaite claimed a wicket each.
Brief Scores: RCB 191/5 in 20 overs (Virat Kohli 79, A.B. De Villiers 55; Mohammed Shami 2/34, Carlos Brathwaite 1/18).
