CLT20: RCB fight with SAR in do-or-die match for Semis spot

Tags: Champions League Twenty20 2011-12, Royal Challengers Bangalore v South Australia 20th T20 at Bangalore - Oct 5, 2011, Royal Challengers Bangalore, South Australia, RCB vs SAR, RCB vs SAR fight for Semis

Published on: Oct 05, 2011

Scorecard | Commentary | Graphs

Royal Challengers Bangalore who clinched their first win of the tournament defeating Somerset on Monday, will lock horns with semifinal spots in the Champions League Twenty20 here on Wednesday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore who clinched their first win of the tournament defeating Somerset on Monday, will lock horns with semifinal spots in the Champions League Twenty20 here on Wednesday.

Royal Challengers Bangalore, are at the bottom of Group B with two points while Redbacks (three) are placed third.

Assuming that Warriors (four points from three matches) defeat Somerset (three from three) on Wednesday, RCB could qualify for the semifinals if they overcome Redbacks' challenge.

Thanks to the 51-run win against Somerset courtsey a blinder of an innings by Chris Gayle, RCB have a healthy net run rate of +0.438.

However, rain can also decide the fate of the teams. An abandonment of Wednesday's matches will mean that Kolkata Knight Riders with four points will make it to the semis along with Warriors.

After a poor start to the tournament with two back-to-back defeats, RCB are back in contention, thanks to the Chris Gayle-inspired runaway win over Somerset.

The RCB batting has gained momentum with the top order coming to the party while posting a tournament-high total of 206 against Alfonso Thomas's black-clad gladiators.

Gayle took a rain-ravaged Bangalore by storm with a dominating show that saw the Jamaican smashing a 46-ball 86 that had the opposition bowlers scurrying for cover.

TillakaratneDilshan, ViratKohli, SaurabhTiwary and MayankAgarwal played the supporting role as Gayle cut loose at the square.

Given the comfort of defending an intimidating total of 206, SreenathArvind and Daniel Vettori did most of the damage as Somerset crumbled under pressure.

But RCB cannot expect the game against Redbacks to be a lark in the park. Led by Michael Klinger the South Australians are a well-balanced side.

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