Faulkner assault helps Rajasthan Royals downs RCB in IPL encounter

A stunning 17-ball 41 from Australian all-rounder James Faulkner helped Rajasthan Royals defeat Royal Challengers Bangalore in their Indian Premier League (IPL) encounter at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Sunday night by five wickets.

Faulkner cracked three sixes and three fours to help his side chase down a tough 191-victory target with seven balls to spare. He shared an unbroken 85-run stand with fellow Australian Steve Smith, who scored 48 off 21 deliveries, reports Sport24.

For Rajasthan Royals, opner Karun Nair set up the chase nicley with 56 off 39 balls.

Earlier, Yuvraj Singh sent the Rajasthan Royals bowlers on a leather hunt with a 38-ball 83, and was ably assisted by South African AB de Villiers, who score a 32-ball 58 in their 132-run partnership. They took RCB from a precarious 40 for loss of three wickets to a good total of 190 for 5.

Yuvraj also claimed four for 35 with the ball, but still ended on the losing side.

RCB batting first, lost Virat Kohli (four), Chris Gayle (19) and Vijay Zol (16). They were taken out by Kane Richardson, Pravin Tambe and Rahul Tewatia respectively.

However, De Villiers and Yuvraj scored at a rate of 12.18 during their 10.5 overs together.

Yuvraj's innings included seven sixes and seven fours. De Villiers hit five sixes, including one that struck the roof of the stands.

Yuvraj fell LBW to Kane Richardson, while De Villiers was caught by Ajinkya Rahane at deep mid-wicket of the bowling of Faulkner.

Rajasthan Royals opener Rahane scored 24 and put on 54 runs for the first wicket with Nair in a little under seven overs.

Skippper Shane Watson fell for one, Stuart Binny was caught by Rilee Rossouw at deep cover for one, while Sanju Samson was caught and bowled for 13.

Nair was bowled by Yuvraj shortly after getting a half century.

Teams:

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE: CH Gayle, PA Patel (wk), V Kohli (capt), AB de Villiers, Yuvraj Singh, VH Zol, JA Morkel, MA Starc, VR Aaron, YS Chahal, AB Dinda

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