Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to capitalise on an aggressive start before A B de Villiers rescued their innings with an unbeaten half century as they posted a competitive 157 for seven against Delhi Daredevils in their IPL match on Saturday.
Published: Apr 07, 2012, 05:38 PM (IST)
Edited: Apr 07, 2012, 05:38 PM (IST)
Royal Challengers Bangalore batsman AB de Villiers (R) in action during his knock of 64 against Delhi Daredevils © AFP
Bengaluru: Apr 7, 2012
Royal Challengers Bangalore failed to capitalise on an aggressive start before A B de Villiers rescued their innings with an unbeaten half century as they posted a competitive 157 for seven against Delhi Daredevils in their IPL match on Saturday.
With the explosive Chris Gayle sitting out due to fitness issues, RCB badly needed the current toast of Indian cricket, Virat Kohli, to fire.
But the Delhiite flopped and RCB failed to get a single steady partnership, barring a 54-run stand down the order between de Villiers (64 not out) and R Vinay Kumar (18).
Opener Andrew McDonald (30) also made a valuable contribution up the order.
De Villiers struck six fours and a couple of sixes in his blazing knock which came off 42 deliveries.
McDonald gave RCB a flying start but his dismissal triggered a parade back to the pavillion by RCB batsmen, with Glenn Maxwell being the most successful Delhi bowler. He grabbed three wickets and conceded 32 runs in his four overs.
Morne Morkel also chipped in with a couple of wickets for Delhi.
De Villiers rescued RCB’s innings after the hosts were five down with 85 runs on the board.
Had it not been for the South African swashbuckler, RCB could have been deep trouble as talismanic skipper Daniel Vettori was run out after contributing just three runs to the total.
Delhi’s star bowler Irfan Pathan was a massive flop as he conceded 47 runs — 23 of them in his first spell of two overs, punished by both McDonald and de Villiers.
Umesh Yadav was the most economical Delhi bowler but went wicketless in his two overs that cost just eight runs.(PTI)
Brief Score: RCB 157 for 8 in 20 overs (AB de Villiers 64, Andrew McDonald 30; Doug Bracewell 3 for 32, Morne Morkel 2 for 30) vs DD
