Gayle fires Bangalore to easy win over KKR

Opener hits century in Indian Premier League match.

KOLKATA:

Chris Gayle put aside the drama going on with the West Indies Cricket Board and hammered an unbeaten 102 off just 55 balls to power Royal Challengers Bangalore to a nine-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The West Indies batsman, who has angered the country’s board over his preference to participate in the IPL over the national team after he was dropped for the home series against Pakistan, cracked seven sixes and 10 fours. The left-hander helped Bangalore achieved a 172-run target with 11 balls to spare for their second win in six matches of the Twenty20 tournament.

Gayle, playing his first IPL match, put his team on course for victory with a 123-run stand  with Tillakaratne Dilshan. Dilshan scored 38 off 31 balls with the help of six fours before being bowled by fast-bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji.

But there was no stopping Gayle, who completed his century when he hit spinner Shakibal Hasan through the covers for a four. Virat Kohli was the other notable contributor with an unbeaten 30.

Kolkata, who suffered their third defeat in six matches, posted a competitive total, thanks to skipper Gautam Gambhir (48),

Marsh blasts Punjab to win

Shaun Marsh blasted his way to a whirlwind 71 off just 42 balls as Kings XI Punjab beat Rajasthan Royals by 48 runs. Marsh hit six fours and three sixes and powered Punjab to 195 before the bowlers contained the Rajasthan batsmen to 147 for seven.

Quick wickets at the end of the innings denied Punjab a score of over 200 but it was more than enough for Rajasthan.

When they began the chase, no batsman offered resistance with Ashok Menaria being the highest scorer with 34.

While Punjab won their third game in four matches, Rajasthan lost their third in six.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 23^rd, 2011.