IPL Season 5 - Match 50 - RCB Vs Deccan

Match 50   Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs
Deccan Chargers at M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru

RCB needed to win this match to stay in contention for the top 4 spots.  Taking a leaf out of Sangakkara's book, Daniel Vettori decided to drop himself to get the right combination for this crucial match.  Muralitharan took his place and Virat Kohli led the side.

RCB won the toss and elected to field.   It looked like a foolish decision as the Chargers scored 86 in the 12th over without losing a wicket.  Daniel Harris was the first one to go at the score of 86.  He scored 41 off 37 balls.  Man in form Cameron White joined Shikhar Dhawan and they took the score to 168 when White got out making 45 off 24 balls.  Sangakkara came in and hit 10 off 3 balls.  Shikhar Dhawan remained unbeaten on 73 off 52 balls and Deccan Chargers posted a mammoth total of 181/2.  But in a batting paradise like Chinnaswamy Stadium, no total is safe. Muralitharan justified his inclusion conceding just 18 runs off 4 overs, though he could not capture a single wicket.

Dilshan and Gayle provided the right start for RCB.  Gayle got out in the 11th over scoring 26 off 22 balls.  The total was 91 at that time, Dilshan being the dominant partner.  Kohli came in next and once again disappointed getting out for 9 runs.  Dale Steyn took a brilliant catch in the deep to dismiss Kohli.  Asad Pathan came in next and got out making just 4 runs.  At 106/3 in the 14th over the asking rate was stiff it appeared like a remote chance for RCB.  To add to their worries their opener Tilekeratne Dilshan got out making 71 off 54 balls.  Mayank Agarwal blasted 18 off 6 balls and departed.  Now the entire hope rested on AB De Villers.  De Villiers played a blinder as he did against Pune Warriors earlier this season.  He remained unbeaten on 47 off 17 balls and helped RCB finish the match with 7 balls remaining.  AB's severe attack on Dale Steyn was remarkable and was that the over which turned the match in RCB's favour.   RCB captured 2 crucial points to occupy the 5th spot in the Points Table. 

Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai, the 3 metro teams seem to be well in control of the top 3 spots.  But the 4th metro CSK at the 4th spot appears insecure as RCB are tied with them at 11 points and RCB have 5 more matches to play as gainst CSK's 4 matches.  RCB have another match to play Deccan.  Rajasthan Royals and Kings XI Punjab are closely following them with 10 points each.  Royals do have a match to play against the Deccan and Kings XI Punjab have 2 matches to play against Deccan.  So CSK have a tough task ahead to hold on to that 4th spot.

Tomorrow we have the match between the heavy weights.  Top team Delhi Daredevils take on the 2nd best team Kolkata Knight Riders at Delhi.