KOLKATA — Skipper Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers scored half centuries as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) registered a 9-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League in Kolkata Monday.
Sunil Narine was the only wicket-taker, that of Chris Gayle, for Kolkata.
Earlier, Kohli won the toss and elected to field, as Kolkata posted a challenging total of 183 for 5, courtesy of twin half centuries from Gautam Gambhir (51) and Manish Pandey (50), while Sreenath Aravind claimed a couple for 41.
Bangalore openers Kohli and Gayle started off in an explosive manner, as they gave a 71-run opening stand, before Gayle fell at the score of 49 to spinner Narine in the eighth over.
Nevertheless, it was hardly anything to panic for Bangalore, as Kohli along with de Villiers made sure that they saw this match off comfortably.
In the process Kohli brought up his half century off 37 deliveries. He surpassed 760 runs in the season to be the first Indian to do so.
Kohli achieved another landmark, becoming the highest run scorer in a single season of the IPL, as he surpassed Gayle and Michael Hussey.
Kolkata bowlers failed to get any further breakthroughs, as the two steered their team home to a comfortable nine-wicket win.
Brief scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 183 for 5 in 20 overs (Gautam Gambhir 51, Manish Pandey 50; Sreenath Aravind 2 for 41) beat Royal Challengers Bangalore 186 for 1 (Virat Kohli 75, AB de Villiers 59; Sunil Narine 1 for 34) by 9 wickets.
