Champions League T20
Gayle, Kohli sink NSW
2011-10-07 20:40
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Bangalore -
Chris Gayle and Virat Kohli struck
half-centuries to send Bangalore Royal Challengers into the final of the
Champions League Twenty20 tournament with a six-wicket victory over
former champion New South Wales on Friday.
West Indian left-hander
Gayle struck a 41-ball 92 and India batsman Virat Kohli remained
unbeaten on 84 to guide Bangalore to 204-4 in 18.3 overs at the
Chinnaswamy Stadium. David Warner had earlier lashed a second successive
century (123 not out) to lead NSW to an intimidating 203-2 in 20 overs.
Gayle
set up Bangalore's spectacular chase, smashing eight sixes and as many
fours. The opener helped Bangalore race to 100 in just 8.4 overs as he
put on 141 for the second wicket with Kohli.
NSW pace bowler Pat
Cummins, who finished with four wickets, put the brakes on Bangalore
when he dismissed Gayle and new batsman Saurabh Tiwary off successive
deliveries with the home team needing 42 from 37 deliveries. He also had
Mayank Agarwal caught in his following over.
However, Kohli hit
two fours and a six off left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc and Mohammad Kaif
brought up the victory with two boundaries off spinner Steven Smith.
Kohli
completed his second straight 50 as Bangalore chased down 200-plus
targets in successive games, following their final-ball victory over
South Australia Redbacks in the previous game.
"Virat was
brilliant, Gayle was awesome. We tried different lengths, different
paces, it was a big learning experience for the young bowlers, probably a
couple of dropped catches cost us today," NSW skipper Simon Katich
said.
For NSW, left-handed opener Warner lashed 11 sixes and six
fours to put the team in a commanding position after being put in to
bat.
Warner's whirlwind knock came off just 68 balls after his
unbeaten 135 in the previous game shut the door on defending champion
Chennai Super Kings. Warner put on 146 for the second wicket with Daniel
Smith, who reached his maiden Twenty20 fifty (62) with a six off pacer
Raju Bhatkal.
Warner smashed 23 runs in the final over of the
innings by pacer Sreenath Aravind with two sixes and as many fours to
take the score past 200.
Mumbai Indians meet qualifier Somerset in the other semifinal in Chennai on Saturday.
Scores:
Bangalore
Royal Challengers 204-4 in 18.3 overs (Chris Gayle 92, Virat Kohli 84
not out, Pat Cummins 4-45) beat New South Wales 203-2 in 20 overs (David
Warner 123 not out, Daniel Smith 62).