Bangalore Back to Winning Ways

It was a good all round show by Bangalore. Bangalore bowling attack restricted Kolkata to 160. And then Rahul Dravid laid the foundation and Robin Uthappa provided a frenetic finish and helped them win a crucial tie in 18^th over by seven wickets. Before the start of this match both teams were on 10 points but the victory helped Anil Kumble’s men to nudge their points tally to 12 from 11 matches and Riders stayed at 10 points from 11 games.

In Bangalore’s chase, orange cap holder Jacques Kallis got out cheaply and entered “Mr. Dependable” who hardly got any chance to bat in IPL-2010. He along with S. Sriram put up a 72-run second-wicket partnership. Dravid’s 52 of 35 balls was full of classical stroke play. Especially square and straight drive off Ishant’s bowling was a treat to watch.

In the end there was no fuss as Robin Uthappa plundered Kolkata bowlers all over park. He hammered Ishant down the ground and then switch-hit Ajantha Mendis for a couple of sixes. Bangalore needed 24 from 24 but Uthappa and Taylor scored 23 runs in 17^th over bowled by Mendis and sealed a match for Bangalore.

Earlier, Kumble opted to field and it looked the decision will cost Bangalore dearly with Kolkata getting a good start in two successive 50-plus stands between Ganguly (33 in 32) and Gayle (34 in 15) and Ganguly and McCullum (45 in 36). Kolkata was all set for a big finish and were 101-1 at the end of 11^th over. But Bangalore bowlers struck the right cord and Kolkata was reduced to 155-9 and eventually finished at 160 in 20 overs.

Kolkata’s downward spiral began when Vinay Kumar struck a blow in 12^th over to get rid of Dada. At other end Kumble and company applied breaks and put Kolkata batters under pressure. Kumble finished with figures 17-1 in his 4. Vinay Kumar was awarded Man of the Match for his 23-3 in 3 overs.

With this loss Kolkata have pushed themselves in a must-win situation. They need to win 3 of 3 to ensure a semi final birth. Whereas Bangalore jumped to no. 2 and is now in better position and need 2 wins from 3 games to secure semi final spot.

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