Date:14/05/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/05/14/stories/2008051456701900.htm

Sport - Cricket

Facile win for Kings XI

Rakesh Rao

MOHALI: Rahul Dravid, under fire from all quarters, must have finally realised that it is impossible to win a war with bows and arrows against an enemy armed with rapid-fire guns.

It was yesterday once more for Royal Challengers Bangalore on Monday as it came up with yet another uninspiring performance against Kings XI Punjab and found itself gunned down with nine wickets and 4.2 overs to spare.

The victory was the sixth for Kings XI in nine matches. With 12 points, the team shared the second spot with Chennai Super Kings (as on May 12). The result meant that Royal Challengers kept Deccan Chargers company with four points and seven losses from nine games, but trailed in the net run-rate to be last in the standings.

Local talent to fore

Yuvraj Singh may have lost the toss but got everything right mainly due to the bulk of the job done by home-grown bowlers and overseas batsmen. A target of 144 never looked challenging.

Shaun Marsh continued his consistent run with an unbeaten 74 off 51 deliveries. He hit two sixes and nine boundaries. James Hopes smashed three sixes in his 19 before Luke Pomersbach made his presence with a 24-ball 34. The latter hoisted two sixes and three boundaries during the unbroken 102-run match-winning second-wicket stand that came in just 9.2 overs.

The scores:

Bangalore Royal Challengers: 143 for eight in 20 overs.

Kings XI Punjab: S. Marsh (not out) 74, J. Hopes c Steyn b Vinay Kumar 27, L. Pomersbach (not out) 34; Extras (lb-5, w-4): 9; Total (for one wkt. in 15.4 overs): 144.

Fall of wicket: 1-42.

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowling: Steyn 2-0-33-0, Zaheer 4-0-35-0, Praveen 2.4-0-15-0, Vinay Kumar 2-0-11-1, Kumble 4-0-36-0, Kohli 1-0-9-0.