Gayle's ton guides Challengers over Kings XI Punjab in IPL

Saturday, May 07, 2011

BANGALORE, India (AP) — Chris Gayle hit his second century in four matches to power Royal Challengers Bangalore to an 85-run victory over Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League yesterday.

West Indian Gayle lashed 10 fours and nine sixes in his 49-ball 107 to help the home side post a commanding 205-6 off 20 overs after being put in to bat.

Kings XI began their chase in disastrous fashion, losing skipper Adam Gilchrist run out off the first ball and Abhishek Nayar for one in the second over to crash to their fourth straight defeat.

Kings XI were 120-9 off 20 overs as Man of the Match Gayle took 3-21.

Gayle had hit 102 not out against Kolkata Knight Riders in his first IPL match after being dropped by West Indies for the opening home matches against Pakistan. Yesterday, he put on 111 with Virat Kohli (27) as Royal Challengers raced past the 150-run mark by the 15th over.

Left-handed opener Gayle hit sixes off successive deliveries from pacers Ryan Harris and Praveen Kumar and leg-spinner Piyush Chawla as he tore into the attack.

"The key actually is to pick your areas, it is not all about slogging, you have to target particular bowlers," Gayle said.

The former West Indian captain reached his century with a boundary off pace bowler Ryan McLaren before he fell to Chawla caught at the midwicket fence by Harris.

Chawla dismissed Kohli two balls later before Harris took three wickets in his second spell of two overs to peg back Royal Challengers at the finish, despite a 14-ball 27 not out by South African AB de Villiers.

Left-arm fast bowler Sreenath Aravind took four wickets, but Gayle struck crucial blows by dismissing in-form Paul Valthaty (21), Dinesh Karthik (20), and Chawla for five as Royal Challengers moved up to the fourth spot in the 10-team standings.

"Almost the perfect T20 game, to score a hundred in that fashion; the wicket was not an easy one to bat on," Royal Challengers captain Daniel Vettori said. "Gilchrist run out first ball made it easier for us. Aravind has been a really good find for us."

Today, Kolkata Knight Riders play defending champions Chennai Super Kings, while in-form Mumbai Indians take on Delhi Daredevils.

Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 205-6 (Chris Gayle 107, Ryan Harris 3-38, Piyush Chawla 2-37) defeated Kings XI Punjab 120-9 off 20 overs (Ryan McLaren 28, Sreenath Aravind 4-14, Chris Gayle 3-21).