IPL 2014: Rajasthan Royals thrash Royal Challengers Bangalore by 6 wickets

Virat Kohli

Abu Dhabi, April 26 (IANS): Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a humiliating six-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium here on Saturday.

Veteran spinner Pravin Tambe (4-20) along with Australian pacer Kane Richardson (2-18) were the main conspirators as RCB were bowled out for a dismal 70 runs in 15 overs.

Rajasthan had little trouble chasing down the meagre score as they strolled to 71 for four in 13 overs.

India international Ajinkya Rahane (23) gave his team a fast start, and it seemed Rajasthan would reach the target in no time at all. However, Rahane, Sanju Samson (2) and Karun Nair (8) all fell in quick succession to send small tremors in the Rajasthan camp.

Shane Watson (24) and Abhishek Nayar (11 not out) guided Rajasthan to the brink of victory with patient knocks before the Australian all-rounder fell three runs short of the target.

Earlier, only three Bangalore batsmen registered double figure scores in a hapless performance with extras (4) being the fifth highest scorer.

This was the third lowest total in IPL after Rajasthan were on the receiving end when they were dismissed for 58 by Bangalore in 2009, while, in the 2008 edition, Kolkata Knight Riders were bowled out by 67 by Mumbai Indians.

Bangalore captain Virat Kohli top scored with 21 off 25 balls as rest of the top and middle-order collapsed around him.

Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc (18) and West Indies’ Ravi Rampaul (13) were the only others to get in to double figures.

After a whirlwind start to their IPL-7 campaign where they blitzed their opponents in the first two matches, RCB have now lost two on the trot.

Rajasthan, meanwhile, recorded their second win in four matches to leapfrog Bangalore in the points table due to a better run-rate.

Brief Scores:

Royal Challengers Bangalore: 70 all out in 15 overs (Virat Kohli 21, Mitchell Starc 18; Pravin Tambe 4-20, Kane Richardson 2-18)

Rajasthan Royals: 71 for four in 13 overs (Shane Watson 24, Ajinkya Rahane 23; Mitchell Starc 2-29, Yuzvendra Chahal 1-17)