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Gayle returns but RCB lose to Kings XI Punjab
Led by a disciplined performance from their bowlers, Kings XI Punjab outclassed Royal Challengers Bangalore by five wickets to continue their winning run in the Indian Premier League in Dubai, on Monday.
- Scorecard
Chris Gayle, who came back from his injury, went after Glenn Maxwell for 20 runs in the first over of the innings, hitting two fours and two sixes, before he was bowled by pacer Sandeep Sharma in the next over.
After being put in to bat, RCB once again struggled with the bat and finished on a modest 124 for eight in their 20 overs.
In reply, Virender Sehwag top scored with 32 as Punjab eased to victory, their fifth on the trot, with seven deliveries to spare.
Kohli unlucky to be given out LBW
RCB captain Virat Kohli lasted two deliveries and was unfortunate to be given out leg before wicket.
Sharma claimed two big wickets in his first over after Kohli was given out LBW for four by umpire Billy Bowden despite the ball looking to be sliding down the leg side.
He finished with splendid figures of three for 15 in three overs including a maiden.
AB's poor run continues
AB de Villiers' poor run with the bat continued.
The South African perished for 15, hitting a short ball from Rishi Dhawan straight into the hands of Maxwell at point to leave RCB struggling on 67 for five in the 10th over.
De Villiers has scored just 71 runs in four innings in the tournament so far.
Yuvraj top scores with 35
Yuvraj Singh top scored with a fluent innings of 35 from 32 balls, hitting three fours and a six.
But the left-hander also threw his wicket away with a reckless shot, lobbing a short delivery straight to David Miller at deep midwicket.
RCB kept losing wickets at regular intervals to finish on a disappointing 124 for eight in their 20 overs.
Medium pacer Dhawan did a good job with the ball as he took two for 14, while Mitchell Johnson claimed two for 19 and Lakshmipathy Balaji bagged one for 17.
Dinda strikes early for RCB
Ashok Dinda struck in his first over with the wicket of Punjab opener Cheteshwar Pujara, who was caught behind for 10.
The right-hander tried to steer it to the thirdman region but ended up getting an edge and was taken by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel, in the fifth over of the innings.
Starc shines on the field
Mitchell Starc took two magnificent catches to lift Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Wriddhiman Saha (2) lifted Varun Aaron behind square on the leg side but Starc made good ground to his left and held on to a superb catch. The tall Australian then took a diving catch to dismiss Glenn Maxwell for six after he pulled a short ball from Aaron.
Sehwag steadies Punjab after quick wickets
Veteran Virender Sehwag rallied Kings XI Punjab with a composed innings of 32 from 25 balls, hitting four boundaries.
The right-hander put on 45 runs for the fourth wicket with David Miller (26) before both perished in quick succession.
Chahal's double strike gives RCB hope but Punjab ease to victory
Young leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal brought his team back into the contest with the wickets of Miller and Sehwag in his fourth and final over.
Both were caught behind by wicketkeeper Parthiv Patel but replays showed Sehwag was unlucky to be given as the ball had missed the edge of the bat.
Captain George Bailey and Rishi Dhawan steered Punjab home by five wickets with seven deliveries to spare as they remained unbeaten on 16 and 23 respectively.
This is Kings XI Punjab's eight victory in a row in the IPL including three from the last season. They lead the standings in IPL 7 with 10 points from five games.