Gilchrist leads from the front against RCB to boost Punjab's play-off hopes
Gilchrist leads from the front against RCB to boost Punjab's play-off hopesu00a0
Kings XI Punjab's Australian skipper Adam Gilchrist (106 off 55 balls with eight fours and nine sixes) and compatriot Shaun Marsh (79 not out off 49 balls with seven fours and five sixes) disturbed the peace and tranquility of this city last night as they hammered Royal Challengers Bangalore to all corners of the HPCA Stadium amassing 231 for two. RCB eventually fell 111 runs short of the third highest total in the Indian Premier League.
Adam Gilchrist acknowledges the cheers from Dharamsala crowd on
reaching his first hundred in IPL IV. Pic/AFPIn what was yet another must-win IPL tie for them, Punjab lost opener Paul Valthaty (20) in the fourth over as he skied one off Charl Langeveldt and was easily pocketed by Saurabh Tiwary at mid-on with only 25 on the board. Just as it looked to be a crucial loss for the hosts, the mayhem with the willow that followed in the next 16 overs proved it was in fact a blessing in disguise. Shaun Marsh replaced Valthaty and together with his captain put on a 206-run stand off just 104 balls.
RCB's South African pacer Johan van der Wath would have wished he hadn't stepped in as replacement for the injured Zaheer Khan, considering he conceded a whopping 50 runs off 24 balls. His pace partner, Langeveldt was not far behind conceding 48 off his four overs. However, he accounted for Valthaty and then Gilchrist off the penultimate ball of the innings, as the Aussie tried to steer a full toss way outside off, but only managing to find Chris Gayle at short third man.
The highlight of the Punjab innings had to be the 15th over bowled by van der Wath, who was clobbered by Marsh for 6-6-4-4-4-6 leading to a total of 30 runs. Then out of sheer frustration, the visitors went up to the umpires seeking stoppage of play citing slight drizzle.
No stoppingThe covers were called for but Gilchrist, after a little chat with the umpires, ensured the ground staff running in the covers, were promptly sent back. Gilchrist continued from where he left off taking 12 off the next over by Gayle, and 44 off the remaining three overs.
In reply, RCB's Gayle began by playing out a maiden over against Praveen Kumar. Thereafter, the West Indian slashed at the very next ball he faced off Ryan Harris only to be caught by diving wicketkeeper Gilchrist almost at first slip. RCB then lost skipper Virat Kohli (11) quickly too, as he tried to get Harris away square but only ended up edging to Dinesh Karthik in slip.
Thereafter, RCB lost wickets at regular intervals and folded for 121 in just 17 overs as Punjab took yet another step towards that elusive play-off spot. They are now placed fourth in the table alongwith Kolkata Knight Riders on 14 points. However, Punjab have just one game in hand while KKR have two.
