Kohli smashes 70 as RCB post imposing 175 for four

Mumbai, May 24 (PTI) Virat Kohli struck a superb unbeaten
70 in only 44 deliveries to lift Royal Challengers Bangalore
to an imposing total of 175 for 4 in the first play-off
qualifier against defending champions Chennai Super Kings in
the IPL at the Wankhede Stadium here on Tuesday.
Kohli began slowly and then accelerated towards the end
of the innings by hammering three sixes and 5 fours as RCB
made light of a rare failure by Chris Gayle to set a stiff
target for the CSK who need to score at 8.8 runs per over for
victory.
Apart from Kohli, opener Mayank Agarwal made 34 in 33
balls with five fours and Luke Pomersbach made a quick-fire 29
in only 18 balls to give the innings the much-needed impetus
when it was needed.
For the Super Kings, left-arm pacer Doug Bollinger
emerged as the pick of the bowlers with one for 20 while off-
spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who dismissed Gayle cheaply in
his first spell, finished with one for 33.
Dwayne Bravo and Albie Morkel were off-target with the
latter conceding 40 runs in his four wicketless overs while
Shadab Jakati picked up one for 37.
It was surprising to find that Ashwin who had normally
opened the bowling wasn't brought in early as Dhoni opted for
seamers from both ends.
Though Albie Morkel went for some runs when Mayank
Agarwal thumped him for a few boundaries, Doug Bollinger
bowled splendidly, not allowing danger man Gayle the chance to
drive.