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Royal Challengers crush Daredevils by 7 wkts

It is something great for Bangalore. Though they lost Uthappa early, Kallis and Rahul Dravid got together in a very solid partnership. It was not rollicking but was steady and ensured that Bangalore do not lose too many wickets. The increase in the required run rate was taken care of by Taylor.

As the IPL moves towards the final stage of league games, things seem to be desperate for Royal Challengers Bangalore. Bangalore have constantly changed their struggling opening combinations and don’t have a great pace attack, so everything falls on Anil Kumble’s shoulders. They have to win their last two games. A loss to Delhi Daredevils will seriously dent their chances of going further, but a win will suddenly put the pressure on Deccan Chargers, Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab, on 14, 14 and 13 points respectively.

Delhi are clearly the better side, with a far stronger opening combination and middle order, Twenty20’s best slow bowler, a legspinner in form and a potent new-ball pair. They will probably look to experiment a little and give some of the players on the bench a go, so that everyone has some matches under their belt before the knock-out phase begins.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: RV Uthappa, JH Kallis, R Dravid, LRPL Taylor, V Kohli, RE van der Merwe, MV Boucher, P Kumar, B Akhil, A Kumble, M Pandey

Delhi Daredevils: G Gambhir, V Sehwag, AB de Villiers, KD Karthik, M Manhas, MF Maharoof, AB McDonald, AM Salvi, A Nehra, DL Vettori, Y Nagar