Royal Challengers Bangalore’s leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal (top left) is congratulated by team-mates after he dismissed Mumbai Indians captain Rohit Sharma during the Indian Premier League at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium yesterday. (BCCI)


IANS /Dubai  


Royal Challengers Bangalore recorded their second consecutive win with a seven-wicket win over defending champions Mumbai Indians in an Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here yesterday.
Some tight bowling by the Bangalore bowlers helped restrict Mumbai Indians to 115 for nine in 20 overs. After a brief stutter early on in the innings when Royal Challengers lost three wickets in succession, AB de Villiers (42 not out) and Parthiv Patel (45 not out) added 80 runs for the fourth wicket to guide the team to 116 for three in 18 overs.
Lasith Malinga in customary fashion removed Nic Maddinson (12) with a toe-crushing yorker. Indian pacer Zaheer Khan then removed Virat Kohli (0) and Yuvraj Singh (0) in the same over to put Bangalore under tremendous pressure.
However, Parthiv and de Villiers batted patiently to inch towards the target and in the end brought out the big shots to hand Mumbai Indians their successive losses this season.
Earlier, put into bat, Mumbai Indians were lucky not to lose Michael Hussey (16) in the very first over of the match. The veteran Australian batsman spooned an easy catch to Yuzvendra Chahal, a former Mumbai Indians player, at point who grassed the easy chance.
His opening partner Aditya Tare (17) was also give a reprieve in the very next over with Maddinson dropping a sitter at first slip. Fortunately for Bangalore, both players failed to cash in and were dismissed soon enough. At 52 for two after seven overs, Mumbai were still in a strong position.
However, some shocking batting by the middle-order saw them being reduced to 101 for seven in 17.2 overs. Ambati Rayudu (35) was the only batsman to make any noteworthy contribution. Such was the dismal performance that only four batsmen, including Rayudu, managed to get into double figures.

Chahal excels again
Pacers Mitchell Starc, Varun Aaron and leg-spinner Chahal picked up two wickets apiece while Albie Morkel and Ashok Dinda chipped in with a wicket each. This was also Bangalore’s 50th win in the IPL, becoming only the fourth team to do so after Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians and Rajashthan Royals.
Skipper Kohli was delighted with the second consecutive victory. “It’s a lovely feeling to get two wins on trot. There was a nervous moment or two when we lost three wickets in quick time, but we were positive. AB (de Villiers) got in early, and Parthiv too batted well,” said Kohli.
Mumbai skipper Sharma rued lack of runs on the board and said to his team to win their batsmen need to put a better effort. “We were short on the runs Bowlers gave us some chance. We were in the game for first 8-9 overs, but then they had a big partnership after that.
“We need to go back and see what we can do. But we need not worry too much as I am sure things will fall in place. We have the ability and the potential. We should believe we have the team that can turn this around. I hope the batsmen put up a show in the coming few games.” Sharma said.