BANGALORE, India, (Reuters) – Chris Gayle smashed his second century of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season to set up an 85-run win for Royal Challengers Bangalore against Kings XI Punjab today.
The left-hander cracked 107 in 49 balls with 10 fours and nine sixes to power Daniel Vettori’s side to 205 for six after being asked to bat first by Adam Gilchrist.
Former West Indies captain Gayle, a late inclusion for Bangalore as a replacement for injured fast bowler Dirk Nannes, added 111 for the second wicket with Virat Kohli (27) before he got out to leg-spinner Piyush Chawla in the 15th over.
South African AB de Villiers remained unbeaten on 27 off just 14 balls with two boundaries and an identical number of sixes to take Bangalore past the 200-run mark.
The 31-year-old Gayle, who hit an unbeaten 102 off 55 balls in his first match in the current season of the IPL after opting out of West Indies home series against Pakistan, also picked up three wickets for 21 runs with the ball.
Gilchrist was run out off the first ball for a duck as Punjab’s hopes of a successful run chase were nipped in the bud.
Young pace bowler Sreenath Aravind took four wickets for Bangalore, who picked up their fifth win in the competition, as Punjab crawled to 120 for nine wickets in their 20 overs.
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