 Bangalore : Riding high on its three consecutive victories, home team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) outplayed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to win their fifth match in the IPL T-20 at the Chinnaswamy cricket stadium here by 36 runs.
Set to score 172 at 8.6 run rate, Super Kings struggled to make 135 for seven, losing wickets at regular intervals to some wily bowling and intelligent fielding of RCB set by its skipper and local hero Anil Kumble. The mongoose bat-wielding Mathew Hayden was the top scorer with 32, followed by S. Badrinath (31) and G. Bailey (19).
RCB's medium-pacer Vinay Kumar again emerged as the wrecker of the Super Kings bagging four wickets for 40 runs in four overs. Earlier, RCB scored 171 for 5 wickets in 20 overs, helped largely by a belated scintillating knock by local lad Robin Uthappa, who remained not out 68, with six huge sixes and three fours.
Sri Lankan ace spinner Muthaiah Muralidharan was the most successful bowler of CSK bagging three wickets for 25 runs in four overs. Uthappa was ably supported by youngster Virat Kohli with 24 runs in 16 balls with a six and two fours. Dashing opener Jacques Kallis, who remained unbeaten in four matches, was bowled by Lakshmipathy Balaji for 20 runs in 28 balls.
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