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Brilliant Bangalore outclass Kolkata

Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Kolkata Knight Riders by seven wickets in their crucial Indian Premier match at M Chinnaswamy stadium here today.

A brilliant bowling effort by Vinay Kumar and a breezy 52 by Robin Uthappa ensured Royal Challengers Bangalore registered a crucial win over Kolkata Knight Riders in an IPL match here on Saturday.

Chasing 161 to win, Bangalore lost man in form Kallis early, but a brilliant half century by Rahul Dravid brought Bangalore back into contention. Uthappa continued the good work as Bangalore achieved the target in 17.1 overs. Earlier, Brendon McCullum top scored with a fiery 45 but Kolkata Knight Riders frittered away a breezy start to settle for a modest 160 for nine. At one stage, Kolkata were placed comfortably at 101 for one in 11 overs, looking for a huge score, but the whole script changed as the visitors struggled to keep wickets in hand. Invited to bat, Kolkata got off to a rollicking start with Ganguly (33) and Gayle (34) going hammers and tongs right from the word go.

They had galloped to 52 in barely 32 balls when Kallis produced the much-needed breakthrough for Bangalore.

Venturing to hit the burly fast bowler over the top, Gayle holed out to Dravid at covers but not before hitting six fours and a six in his 15 ball cameo.

Ganguly continued to treat the bowlers with disdain before R Vinay

Kumar had him caught at square leg by Anil Kumble. Ganguly’s 33, included two fours and two sixes. McCullum (45 off 36) continued to slay the RCB attack, keeping the run-rate at around nine. But his dismissal, caught by Vinay Kumar at square leg off Kumble, stopped the visitors in their tracks.

Brief Scores:

Kolkata Knight Riders: 160 for 9 in 20 overs. (Brendon McCullum 45, C Gyale 34, S Ganguly 33; Vinay Kumar 3/23).

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 164 for three in 17.1 overs (R Dravid 52, R Uthappa 52 not out; A Dinda 2/15).