DC end losing streak

Suman, Symonds script Deccan Chargers Hyderabad's seven wicket win over Royal Challengers, Bangalore

Match Report: Match-40: Royal Challengers Bangalore and Deccan Chargers at M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, April 8, 2010.

Bangalore, April 8: Tirumalasetti Suman (78 not out; 57 balls, 6x4, 3x6) and Andrew Symonds (53 not out; 24 balls, 5x4, 3x6) spoilt the party for the Royal Challengers Bangalore’s on the home ground in Bengaluru. The Deccan Chargers Hyderabad ended their losing streak with a seven-wicket victory in Match 40 of the IPL-2010 at M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Thursday night, as the fourth wicket pair of T. SUman and Andrew Symonds chased down the target of 185 runs in 19.2 overs.

Deccan Chargers Hyderabad, who lost five matches on the trot, came alive to score their fourth win from 10 matches. They are, however, still placed at seventh position with 8 points. For Royal Challengers Bangalore, it was their fifth defeat from 10 matches.

It was the adventurous Suman and the aggressive Symonds who changed the course of the match. The two plundered 91 runs in 46 deliveries. It all started in the 17th over, bowled by Praveen Kumar, as the Aussie all-rounder Symonds and 26-year-old Suman went berserk blasting 21 runs. Thereafter, the two took the wind out of Royal Challengers Bangalore attack with a flurry of strokes.

Earlier, opener Monish Mishra departed in the third over. Skipper Adam Gilchrist and T Suman were involved in a 77-run stand for the second wicket. Left-hander Gilchrist, who slammed a 19-ball 32, was foxed by Anil Kumble’s googly and was stumped. The consistent Rohit Sharma (6) was out to a poor shot.

When Royal Challengers Bangalore batted, Orange Cap holder Jacques Kallis began in style. He struck a six and a four off Harmeet Singh in the second over. However, Manish Pandey (1) perished in the third over, bowled by Australian fast bowler Ryan Harris. Dravid and Kallis brought up the team’s 50 in 6.4 overs. After adding 42 runs in 6.1 overs, Dravid (26 off 25 balls; 2x4, 1x6) became left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha’s 14th wicket of the tournament. The dangerous Robin Uthappa (2) edged Symonds to wicketkeeper Gilchrist.

Ojha snatched the Purple Cap from Mishra by removing New Zealand explosive batsman Ross Taylor (1), trapping him LBW in front. This was Ojha’s 15th wicket and he dislodged Amit Mishra of the Delhi Daredevils to the second spot. Royal Challengers Bangalore, who lost three wickets in the space of eight runs, thus, wobbled at 68/4 in10.1 overs.

Even as wickets fell at the other end, the steady Kallis continued his phenomenal form with bat. The South African vice-captain reached his sixth 50 of the tournament in 35 balls (6x4, 1x6). The advent of young Virat Kohli saw Royal Challengers Bangalore dominate the Deccan Chargers Hyderabad bowling. The ruthless Kohli took the fight into the Deccan Chargers camp. Kohli hammered 23 runs, including two fours and two sixes, in the 17th over bowled by Symonds. The last four overs produced 69 runs as Royal Challengers Bangalore left Deccan Chargers Hyderabad gasping for breath. Kallis made a brilliant 44-ball 68 (9x4, 1x6) while Kohli remained unbeaten with a blistering 58 (35 balls, 4x4, 4x6). Kallis and Kohli realised 95 runs for the fifth wicket in 8.4 overs.

Royal Challengers brought back South African pace bowler Dale Styen, who replaced England batsman Kevin Pietersen. The home team also made two more changes. Dashing opener Manish Pandey and swing bowler Praveen Kumar came in place of left-arm spinner KP Appanna and pace bowler Mithun.

Deccan Chargers made five changes. Anirudh Singh, VVS Laxman, Dwayne Smith and Azhar Bilakhia made their way out. Australian under-19 captain Mitchell Marsh, younger brother of Shaun Marsh, made his IPL debut. The other players to play today were Monish Mishra, Venugopal Rao and T Suman.