Kallis reigns over Kings XI

Bopara's efforts in a losing cause as Challengers cruise home

Last updated: 16th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Kallis reigns over Kings XI

Kallis: Unbeaten 89

Indian Premier League
Bangalore
Kings XI Punjab 203-3 (R S Bopara 77, M S Bisla 75) v Bangalore Royal Challengers 204-2 (J H Kallis 89 no, R V Uthappa 51)
Bangalore Royal Challengers beat Kings XI Punjab by 8 wkts

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Jacques Kallis hit 89 not out as the Banglalore Royal Challengers chased down a target of 204 with seven balls to spare against the Kings XI Punjab.

The South African all-rounder hit eight fours and five sixes to steer his side home to a thrilling victory in front of their own fans.

Robin Uthappa also played his part with the bat, smashing a rapid 51from just 21 deliveries to help put on 69 in a hurry with the classy Kallis.

The Kings XI had amassed 203-3 after choosing to bat first, openers Manvinder Bisla and Ravi Bopara both making half-centuries.

The duo shared a partnership of 129 for the first wicket despite managing only one run off the first over sent down by Praveen Kumar.

Bisla dominated from then on, hitting a six and two fours off one Kallis over, though the Bangalore bowler had his revenge later on by getting him caught on the mid-wicket boundary by Eoin Morgan.

Bopara blossomed

After playing second fiddle Bopara blossomed after the fall of the first wicket, making his second half-century in this season's Indian Premier League.

The England international faced just 50 deliveries for his 77 runs, hitting nine fours and clearing the rope twice before falling in the final over. Mahela Jayawardene also made an unbeaten on 26 to help take the score past 200.

However their efforts proved to be in a losing cause, as the Challengers amazingly coasted home with eight wickets and more than an over in hand.

Manish Pandey (38) gave the innings a solid start alongside Kallis but it was Uthappa, promoted to number three in the order, who raised the tempo.

The powerful 24-year-old hammered four boundaries and the same number of sixes, three of which came in one Sreesanth over that went for 25.

His second IPL 50 came up from just 19 balls and although his onslaught came to an end when he lofted spinner Bipul Sharma out to long-off, the damage was already done for the Kings XI.

Left needing 55 from the last five overs, Kallis simplified the equation by taking one over from Bipul for 23.

Fittingly, the Proteas star was able to hit the winning runs, slamming compatriot Yusuf Abdulla away through the covers for his eighth four of the day.