Gayle blows away Mumbai, Royal face Kings in IPL final
Riding on Jamaican Chris Gayle’s whirlwind knock Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Mumbai Indians by 43 runs in the second qualifier here Friday and set up a date with Chennai Super Kings in Saturday’s final of the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Opener Gayle smashed the Mumbai Indians bowlers with a whirlwind 89 as Royal Challengers Bangalore posted an imposing 185 for four at the M.A.Chidambaram Stadium.
Mumbai Indians could get to 142 for eight in 20 overs after a dismal performance by the top order, barring skipper Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a 24-ball 40.
Mumbai Indians paid the price for putting in Royal Challengers on a placid track and Gayle made the most of it, blasting nine fours and five sixes in his 47-ball innings and shared a 113-run opening partnership with Mayank Agarwal (41) in 10.4 overs to set the
foundation.
Gayle smashed the Mumbai bowlers to all parts of the ground as Royal Challengers amassed 111 in first 10 overs.
Mumbai Indians, however, came back strongly in the second half and dismissed four of their batsmen in quick successions.
While chasing, Mumbai Indians failed to get a good partnership going and lost wickets at regular intervals. The top order got starts, but none except Tendulkar could cross 16.
The lower order duo of Rajagopal Satish (19) and Abu Nechim (18) staged a fight-back with their 32-run unbroken stand for the ninth wicket but it helped them to avoid an ignominy.
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