Punjab win as Gilchrist, Marsh run riot

Adam Gilchrist smashed a rapid-fire 106 and Shaun Marsh a 49-ball 79 not out to set up Kings XI Punjab's 111-run win over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League on Tuesday.

The Australians put on a record 206 off just 16 overs for the second wicket in a superb display of power-hitting as Punjab scored 232-2 before dismissing Bangalore for 121 to keep alive their hopes of making it to the semi-finals.

Gilchrist hammered nine sixes, including three in an over off South African paceman Charl Langeveldt, and eight fours in his 55-ball knock, while Marsh cracked five sixes and seven boundaries. Marsh's best came in the 15th over when he hit South African seamer Johan van der Wath for 30 runs, including three sixes. Gilchrist completed his century in the last over with a four off Langeveldt.

Bangalore were already assured of a place in the semi-finals with 17 points.

They are followed by Chennai (16), Mumbai (16), Kolkata (14), Punjab (14), Kochi (12), Rajasthan (11), Deccan (10), Pune (eight) and Delhi (eight).

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla grabbed four wickets for 17 runs, while Australian paceman Ryan Harris finished with 3-28 to complete Punjab's easy victory. Bangalore suffered a twin blow when Harris dismissed in-form Chris Gayle and skipper Virat Kohli (11) in successive overs. West Indies opener Gayle, who has made two centuries in the ongoing tournament, failed to open his account.

South African AB de Villiers top-scored with a 27-ball 34 in Bangalore's dismal batting performance.

Brief scores: Kings XI Punjab 232-2 in 20 overs (A. Gilchrist 106, S. Marsh 79 not out, P. Valthaty 20; C. Langeveldt 2-48) Royal Challengers Bangalore 121 in 17 overs (AB de Villiers 34; P. Chawla 4-17, R. Harris 3-28, S. Srivastava 2-30)

DHARAMSHALA, AFP