Match 52: RC v. DD: Kallis takes RC closer to Semis! Win Crucial Match!

Kallis played a crucial innings during the chase of 135 which helped them to go closer to the last four place. This is an important game for RC, a must win situation to stay in the competition.

With 12 points and two matches to go, a win would fetch two more points! Chasing 135, Uthappa showed one more failure in his batting. He was caught behind of Nehra for 1 in the first over. The two experienced men--Kallis and Dravid took the responsibility on their shoulders. Dravid was caught and bowled off Nagar for well made 38 off 34 balls. RC were 72 for 2 in 12.3 overs, requiring 63 in 45 balls.

Kallis and Taylor took the score closer to the target. The 29-run partnership was broken by Nagar. Taylor going for hat-trick sixes was caught just inside the rope by Vettori for 25. He hit a four and 3 sixes in his 12-ball innings.

Earlier, DD deciding to bat first, lost Sehwag and Manhas in the first over for duck. Praveen Kumar gave the start the RC needed. Gambhir and DeVilliers added 36 for the 3rd wicket. Gambhir fell at the end of powerplay for 27 and he scored the only six of the Delhi innings.

Dinesh Karthik is having a decent tournament so far. He scored valuable 31 and became the top scorer for Delhi. Nagar scored 20 and also picked two wickets in his bowling.

Scoreboard:

Match # 52
Date: Tuesday May 19, 2009
Teams: Bangalore Royal Challengers v. Delhi Daredevils
Captains: Kumble and Sehwag
Toss: DD, decided to bat
Venue: New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg
Result: RC won by 7 wickets with 6 balls remaining
Points: RC 2; DD 0
Man of the Match: Kallis off RC

Delhi Daredevils Innings:

Batsman	How Out	Runs	Balls	4s	6s
Gambhir	c Taylor b Kallis	27	19	3	1
Sehwag	c Taylor b P Kumar	0	2	0	0
Manhas	c Kallis b P Kumar	0	2	0	0
deVilliers	b Merwe	28	29	3	0
D Karthik	c Uthappa b P Kumar	31	29	1	0
McDonald	b Kumble	3	4	0	0
Y Nahar	c Uthappa b Kumble	20	20	1	0
Maharoof	Not Out	18	13	0	0
Vettori	Not Out	4	2	0	0
Extras	(w 3)	3	-	-	-
Total	for 7 wkts in 20 overs	134	-	-	-

Fall of Wickets: 1-1 (Sehwag, 0.3 ov), 2-1 (Manhas, 0.5 ov), 3-37 (Gambhir, 5.6 ov), 4-65 (de Villiers, 10.3 ov), 5-70 (McDonald, 11.3 ov), 6-109 (Nagar, 16.5 ov), 7-114 (Karthik, 17.5 ov)

Bowler	O	M	R	W
P Kumar	4	0	30	3
Kallis	4	0	17	1
Akhil	2	0	20	0
Merwe	4	0	31	1
Kumble	4	0	24	2
Kohli	2	0	12	0

Bangalore Royal Challengers Innings:

Batsman	How Out	Runs	Balls	4s	6s
Uthappa	c D Karthik b Nehra	1	5	0	0
Kallis	Not Out	58	56	2	2
Dravid	c & b Nagar	38	34	4	0
Taylor	c Vettori b Nagar	25	12	1	3
Boucher	Not Out	10	9	1	0
Extras	(lb 1, nb 2)	3	-	-	-
Total	for 3 wkts in 19 overs	135	-	-	-

Fall of Wickets: 1-2 (Uthappa, 0.6 ov), 2-72 (Dravid, 12.3 ov), 3-101 (Taylor, 14.5 ov)

Bowler	O	M	R	W
Nehra	4	0	21	1
Salvi	4	0	30	0
Maharoof	2	0	9	0
McDonald	3	0	22	0
Vettori	4	0	32	0
Nagar	2	0	20	2

McCullum may jeopardize RC's hope of Making to SF!

Though the chances of RC making to the last four stage is minimal, nothing can be said in cricket until it happens!

In the 40th match of the IPL season 2, KKR and Royal Challengers were clashing for the 2nd time. In the first encounter, RC won in the last ball of the game.

RC has 4 wins in 10 of them games while KKR has only one win and one abandoned match. The result of the game will not bother KKR in anyway except that it can boost their morale and bring back little bit pride!

Their points tally will also go up and creates the chance for acquring double digit in the points column.

A win for RC means, they still have the chance to make it to last four if they win all of their remaining games. In their current match against KKR, its captain McCullum played the spoil sport with a blistering 84 off 64 balls with 10 fours and 2 sixes. He was given company by David Hussye, who is playing the first match of the IPL season 2.

Hussey scored 43 in 27 balls which had 2 sixes and 3 fours. These two added 70 in 54 balls for the third wicket. McCullum at one was handling in boundaries and sixes. KKR scored 39 runs in the last 15 balls to go past 150.

KKR ended their innings at 173 losing 4 wickets. RC has to reach 174 to keep their chances alive!

Good luck Kumble!