CHENNAI, India, CMC – Big-hitting Chris Gayle found his feet in the Indian Premier League yesterday, blasting a typically aggressive half-century in a losing cause for Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Playing at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, the left-hander carved out 68 off a mere 35 balls but Royal Challengers went down to Dwayne Bravo’s Chennai Super Kings by five wickets.
Gayle pummeled two fours and six sixes, as Royal Challengers, opting to bat first, raised 205 for eight.
He was a virtual spectator as he put on 53 with Mayank Agarwal who got 45 from 26 balls, but turned up the heat in a second wicket stand of 109 with Virat Kohli who smashed 57 from 46 balls. Australian fast bowler Doug Bollinger led with three for 24 but Bravo finished with none for 30 from his four overs.
South African opener Faf du Plessis then top-scored with 71 from 46 balls to lead Chennai’s run chase while captain MS Dhoni hit 41 from 24 balls.
Bravo chipped in at the end with a cameo unbeaten 25 from 15 balls. In Mohali, there was no such success for West Indies batsman Marlon Samuels who scored just two and went wicket-less as Pune Warriors fell by seven wickets to Kings XI Punjab.
On Wednesday, Kieron Pollard hit a fiery 64 from 33 balls with six fours and four sixes to help guide Mumbai Indians to a 27-run victory over Rajasthan Royals.
