Gayle falls cheaply as RCB slide continues

BANGALORE, India, CMC – Chris Gayle’s quiet start to the Indian Premier League continued yesterday when he scored just four as his Royal Challengers Bangalore slumped to a 32-run defeat to rampant Kings XI Punjab.

Playing at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Kings XI piled up 198 for eight off their 20 overs after being sent in and in reply, RCB were held to 166 for nine.

Gayle fell early, facing seven deliveries before nicking seamer Sandeep Sharma (3-25) behind from one that was angled away in the third over.

The West Indies left-hander now has scores of 20, 27, 38 and four.

RCB quickly collapsed to 50 for five in the tenth over and it took a top score of 53 from captain AB de Villiers to revive the innings. The South African smashed a four and five sixes off just 26 balls.

Earlier, another South Africa David Miller top scored with 66 from 29 balls, to lay the foundation for Kings XI’s total.

Kings XI have lost just once this season and lead the IPL standings while RCB slipped to their fifth defeat.