Royal Challengers Open With Convincing Win

Royal Challengers Open With Convincing Win

Jacques Kallis put in a fine all-round performance as the Royal Challengers Bangalore thrashed Guyana

©REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko (SOUTH AFRICA SPORT CRICKET) Picture Supplied by Action Images

Royal Challengers Bangalore 106-1 (Kallis 43no) beat
Guyana 103 (Barnwell 30, Kallis 3-16) by nine wickets
Champions League Group B, Centurion Park

The Royal Challengers Bangalore got their Champions League campaign off  to the perfect start with a comprehensive nine-wicket win over Guyana.

Bangalore, the only Indian Premier League team to be making a repeat appearance at the competition, dismissed Guyana for 103 before racing to 106 for one inside 13 overs.

South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis starred with both bat and ball, taking three for 16 before scoring an unbeaten 43 for the Challengers.

Bangalore's decision to bowl first reaped dividends as Guyana lost wickets regularly, and the experience of Ramnaresh Sarwan (7), Narsingh Deonarine (13) and Travis Dowlin (10) failed to build them a solid platform.

Top scorer was Christopher Barnwell, whose 30 came from 35 balls as Kallis dismissed Sarwan, Jonathan Foo (1) and Derwen Christian (0).

Praveen Kumar grabbed two for 22 while Dale Steyn, Anil Kumble and Nayan Doshi took one wicket apiece.

After Kallis, who faced 32 balls, and Rahul Dravid, who made 33 in 34 balls, ensured that the Challengers remained on top of the game, Robin Uthappa came in and finished it off by blasting 25 in eight balls with two fours and two sixes.

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