Steady Dravid, brutal Uthappa take RCB to a win

Bengaluru: Rahul Dravid finally got a chance to make a mark in IPL 2010.

Till now Dravid (52: 35b, 5x4, 2x6) had been restricted to picking Karbonn Kamaal catches. But on Saturday night, Dravid came up with a measured half-century to push Royal Challengers Bangalore to the second spot.

Complementing Dravid's composure was a late flourish by Robin Uthappa (52: 22b, 2x4, 5x6) which delivered the knockout punch to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Two contrasting approaches by Dravid and Uthappa ensured that Royal Challengers Bangalore overhauled the modest Kolkata Knight Riders target of 161 with seven wickets in hand.

It was the perfect day for Royal Challengers Bangalore after their skipper Anil Kumble opted to field first.

On a helpful M Chinnaswamy Stadium pitch, the home bowlers made up for a poor start.

Another steady Chris Gayle-Sourav Ganguly start was followed by a collapse.

Knight Riders lost three wickets for four runs in 2.1 overs. This collapse pegged back any hopes of a massive target.

Royal Challengers Bangalore were well served by a miserly Kumble, impressive Vinay Kumar and aided well by a pacy Dale Steyn.

The target was never going to challenge Royal Challengers. New recruit and old India hand Sridharan Sriram was nursed by Dravid through a tough phase in a partnership worth 72 runs.

Sriram did well at the top of the order after Jacques Kallis departed early. Dravid joined forces and then set up the stage for an Uthappa flourish.

Uthappa and Ross Taylor combined to calm any frayed nerves in an alliance worth 62 runs for the fourth wicket. It was the Uthappa show all the way as Knight Riders wilted under the onslaught.

The fielding and bowling of Knight Riders crumbled on Saturday night. Crucial misses on the field, coupled with unimaginative bowling, ensured that the pressure never got to the hosts.

The loss means that Knight Riders go back to the drawing board having to fight still to make it to the semis.

The points table is full of possibilities and the fight for the top four slots will be a photo finish