De Villiers, Murali help RCB to upset Delhi Daredevils by 20 runs

Tags: Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Delhi Daredevils 5th Match at Bangalore - Apr 7, 2012, Indian Premier League - 2012, Muttiah Muralitharan, Abraham Benjamin de Villiers, Douglas Andrew John Bracewell

Published on: Apr 07, 2012

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Royal Challengers Bangalore Vs Delhi Daredevils, Match 5 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, Match Highlights: DLF IPL 2012

Muralitharan spins RCB to 20-run victory

Muttiah Muralitharan weaved his old magic to spin hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore to a superb 20-run win over Delhi Dardevils at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. Muralitharan claimed three wickets for 25 runs to turn the match in favour of the RCB as the Delhi Daredevils failed to get to the target of 158.

The visitors were in a nice shape at 55 for 2 in 7.3 overs when Naman Ojha edged Murali to slip after a well made 33 from 26 balls (with 4 fours and a six). It was from this moment, that the Daredevils lost direction as Murali and Vettori strangled them with their spin. Skipper Daniel Vettori conceded only 28 runs in his 4 overs besides taking a wicket.

Towards the end, Irfan Pathan was left to do the impossible and his cameo of 24 (from 15 balls with 2 fours and a six) went in a losing cause. Delhi Daredevils were restricted to 137 for 7 to lose the match by some distance. AB de Villiers got the Man of the Match award for his superb half century.

AB de Villiers’ brilliance carries RCB to 157

AB de Villiers got the Man of the MatchRoyal Challengers Bangalore ended up with an impressive 157 for 8 on the board against the Delhi Daredevils thanks to a brilliant unbeaten knock from AB de Villiers. The hosts were struggling at 59 for 4 in the 9th over and later on at 103 for 6 before AB de Villiers got the much needed support from R Vinay Kumar (18 from 16 balls) to take the hosts to a competitive total.

AB de Villiers struck an unbeaten 64 from 42 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes. Towards the end of the innings, AB de Villiers unleashed two magical reverse sweeps off Irfan Pathan, one of which flew over the Keeper’s head for a six! Early on, opener Andrew McDonald looked in good touch for his 30 from 19 balls with 4 fours and 2 sixes.

For the Delhi Daredevils, New Zealander Doug Bracewell was the most successful bowler taking 3 for 32 in 4 overs besides taking a brilliant diving catch at mid wicket.

Toss and Teams: Delhi Daredevils have won the toss and asked hosts Royal Challengers Bangalore to bat first at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru. The pitch for this game has a greenish look to it. The big news from the RCB camp is that their match winner Chris Gayle is sitting out because of an injury.

Royal Challengers Bangalore: V Kohli, SS Tiwary, AB McDonald, MA Agarwal, DL Vettori (Captain), AB de Villiers (Wicket Keeper), R Vinay Kumar, CA Pujara, Z Khan, HV Patel, M Muralitharan

Delhi Daredevils: NV Ojha (Wicket Keeper), V Sehwag (Captain), AJ Finch, Y Venugopal Rao, GJ Maxwell, M Morkel, IK Pathan, Y Nagar, RE van der Merwe, UT Yadav, S Nadeem

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