The Royal Challengers Bangalore and Gujarat Lions have some quality batsmen in their line up and they did not disappoint, as more than 360 runs were scored in Rajkot on Sunday. Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Dinesk Karthik and Suresh Raina looked brilliant with the bat as Gujarat Lions chased down RCB's score of 180 runs in 19.3 overs, to hand Virat Kohli's team their third defeat in IPL 2016.
RCB must be disappointed to be on the losing side, after Virat Kohli scored a magnificent ton in the first innings, which helped RCB score 180 runs. His maiden IPL ton ended in a losing cause for RCB as Gujarat Lions emerged victorious by six wickets.
Gujarat Lions had to score nine runs per over from the beginning, and they were well on course for a win, scoring 72 runs in the first six overs, with just one wicket down. Smith provided a perfect platform as he scored 21-ball 32 before getting out, and McCullum took control of the situation after the West Indies batsman was dismissed.
McCullum lost his wicket in the ninth over, scoring 24-ball 42. Despite the wicket, Raina and Karthik were well ahead of the game, scoring runs all-round the park in boundaries as well as ones and twos. Though they did not score much runs in boundaries early on, they ran well between the wickets, and hit the odd-boundary when required, to release pressure.
However, RCB's hope were raised when Raina was out for 28 runs in the 16th over. Leggie Yuzvendra Chahal took the all-important wicket but Kane Richardson dropped an easy caught and bowled chance to send back Karthik, which could have made life difficult for the home team.
The game went into an interesting phase as GL had to score 21 runs from 12 balls. Karthik, who scored an unbeaten 50 runs, helped his team register their fourth win in IPL 2016.
Earlier, RCB, who made some changes in the top order, did not get off to a great start, batting first. They lost Shane Watson -- promoted as opener -- in the second over of the game, and AB de Villiers joined Kohli in the middle.
The RCB were once again dependent on De Villiers and Kohli, and they were looking good for the second wicket partnership, but the South Africa batsmen was back into the dugout for 20 runs.
Despite losing two big guns, Kohli was shining with the bat, hitting boundaries with ease during the middle overs of the game as well. He was well supported by KL Rahul, who also batted aggressively, scoring 35-ball 51, reducing pressure on Kohli. Rahul hit four fours and three sixes in his innings.
But the skipper turned out to to be hero of the first innings as he thrashed Gujarat Lions bowlers all around the park. Kohli might not have hit those massive sixes, but his 11 fours and one six was enough for him to complete his maiden ton.
The right-hander scored 15 runs in the final over to score 100 runs from 63 balls, which helped RCB compile 180 runs. GL batsmen were terrific as they reached the target with three balls to spare.
With this victory, Gujarat Lions have climbed to the top of IPL 2016 table, with eight points.
