Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set a target of 186 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring 185/7 in 20 overs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday.
Lokesh Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli hit 52 each to propel RCB to a respectable total after swashbuckling hitter Chris Gayle (7) failed yet again.
Starting off slowly, RCB managed just two runs in the first over off Andre Russell.
Gayle launched a six off Morne Morkel in the second ball of the second over, only to get out on the next ball with a reckless shot, giving a simple catch to Keeper Robin Uthappa.
With the latest dismissal, Gayle's 'unit-score innings' streak continues in the IPL from the World Twenty20.
Opening the innings for RCB, Rahul's 32-ball-52 witnessed six fours and two sixes while Kohli managed four fours in his 44-ball-52.
A.B. De Villiers (4) was the other trump card which failed to make a mark for the home team.
Australian all rounder Shane Watson (34) kept the runs flows in the last overs with five fours and a six in the company of local boy Stuart Binny (16) who cracked two sixes and a four when it mattered the most.
In the 19th over, Russell uprooted Sachin Baby's middle stump with a direct hit when he attempted to steal a single in the last ball.
KKR bowlers Russell (24/1) and Morne Morkel (28/2) produced economical spells while Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav and Piyush Chawla were expensive, though the last also claimed two wickets. with the ball.
--IANS
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