Indian Premier League: Bangalore go top as Gayle force continues unabated

Ugly spat between captains mars game as Kolkata end up on losing side.

File picture of Chris Gayle from last year after he continued his good form against Kolkata today. Aijaz Rahi / AP Photo

Toss Bangalore, chose to field
Kolkata Gambhir 59, Pathan 27; Singh 3-27, Henriques 2-24
Bangalore Gayle 85 not out, Kohli 35
Man of the match Chris Gayle (Bangalore)

The heavy West Indian flavour to the start of the sixth season of the Indian Premier Leaue continued as Chris Gayle hammered a 50-ball 85 to help Royal Challengers Bangalore sail over Kolkata Knight Riders challenge by eight wickets at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Gayle was unbeaten at the crease and brought up the winning runs with another one of his massive sixes after captain Virat Kohli had left with a decent contribution of 35 in the chase of the 155-run target.

Kohli's dismissal brought about a heated exchange between the captain, who said something and his counterpart Gautam Gambhir was quick to retaliate. Both India internationals come from the same state of Delhi.

At the post-match presentation, Gambhir hoped Kolkata will turn the tide with two points from three matches. "Full credit to Gayle. He took the game away from us. We were in this situation last year. Hopefully we can turn it around."

Gambhir had earlier played a lone hand in steering Kolkata to a respectable total with the innings falling apart towards the end with bits and pieces contributions from his teammates in batting.

In contrast, the combination of Gayle and Kohli ensured that an early setback of Mayank Agarwal did not hamper much as Bangalore coasted home with 15 balls to spare.

Gayle was man of the match though Kohli took the orange cap for the best batsman with his 198 runs seven more than Gayle.

R Vinay Kumar, with two wickets today, went up the tally to take the purple cap.

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