Bangalore's losing streak ends

Article taken from Rediff.com


Bangalore Royal Challengers [Images] beat Chennai Super Kings by 14 runs in their Indian Premier League [Images] match in Chennai on Wednesday.

The win was only Bangalore's third in the competition in 12 matches and moved them up from the bottom of the table to seventh spot with six points.

Chennai, on the other hand, suffered their fifth defeat in 12 matches and now have to win both their matches to qualify for the last four.

This was a much improved performance from Bangalore.

Chasing a modest 127 to win, Chennai began well with Parthiv Patel (24) and Stephen Fleming [Images] (45) putting on 60 runs in nine overs.

The former New Zealand [Images] captain looked impressive in his 39-ball knock that included three hits to the fence and two huge ones over it.

Parthiv fell in the first ball of the 10th over, bowled by Kumble and then followed a Chennai collapse.

Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni [Images] (4), Fleming, S Badrinath (1), Albie Morkel (1) and S Vidyut (0) fell in quick succession as the home team lost five wickets for an addition of 33 runs while eating up seven overs. Chennai never recovered from that collapse and ended up with just 122 for eight in their quota of 20 overs.

Anil Kumble [Images] (three for 14) and Dale Steyn (two for 28) were the most impressive bowlers for the Bangalore team. Vinay Kumar also chipped in with two wickets.