Royal Challengers set 186-run target for Knight Riders

Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) set a target of 186 runs for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), scoring 185/7 in 20 overs in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium on Monday.

Lokesh Rahul and skipper Virat Kohli hit 52 each to propel RCB to a respectable total after swashbuckling hitter Chris Gayle (7) failed yet again.

Starting off slowly, RCB managed just two runs in the first over off Andre Russell.

Gayle launched a six off Morne Morkel in the second ball of the second over, only to get out on the next ball with a reckless shot, giving a simple catch to Keeper Robin Uthappa.

With the latest dismissal, Gayle's 'unit-score innings' streak continues in the IPL from the World Twenty20.

Opening the innings for RCB, Rahul's 32-ball-52 witnessed six fours and two sixes while Kohli managed four fours in his 44-ball-52.

A.B. De Villiers (4) was the other trump card which failed to make a mark for the home team.

Australian all rounder Shane Watson (34) kept the runs flows in the last overs with five fours and a six in the company of local boy Stuart Binny (16) who cracked two sixes and a four when it mattered the most.

In the 19th over, Russell uprooted Sachin Baby's middle stump with a direct hit when he attempted to steal a single in the last ball.

KKR bowlers Russell (24/1) and Morne Morkel (28/2) produced economical spells while Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav and Piyush Chawla were expensive, though the last also claimed two wickets. with the ball.

--IANS

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