Royal Challengers Bangalore have beaten Mumbai Indians by 39 runs to keep their hopes of qualifying for the playoffs alive.
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Virat Kohli and AB De Villiers were to thank for the victory, managing the third ever 200-run partnership in the IPL. The pair took the game away from the Indians before they even had a chance to bat.
The Challengers got off to a quick start thanks to Chris Gayle, who smashed a six in the first over. However, the West Indian didn’t last for long, being dropped twice in two balls before eventually being caught spectacularly by Lendl Simmons to leave them 20-1 after 3.4 overs.
However, there was little respite for the opposition, with De Villiers taking control of the innings almost as soon as he came to the crease. Affairs continued like this throughout the innings, with Gayle even looking like he was enjoying things from the dressing room.
Eventually Bangalore finished their innings on 235-1, with the South African getting 133* off 59 balls and Kohli managing 82* from 50.
Mumbai didn’t have the start they would have wanted, getting to 63-2 from the first eight overs. However, this brought Kieron Pollard to the crease, and for a short while it looked like they might have a chance at the improbable chase. Lendl Simmons partnered the all rounder, and the West Indians were in fine form.
However, the former holed out for 49 from 24 deliveries, and with him went their chances. Simmons went on to eventually get 68 and the team struggled to 196 for 7 from their 20 overs. A final defiant six of the last ball summed up their efforts in adversity.
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