Bangalore Royal Challengers hopes of a semifinal berth in the Champions League Twenty20 received a jolt after going down to Victoria Bushrangers by seven wickets in Thursday’s Super Eight league encounter.
Royal Challengers could put up only 127 for six on the board after electing to bat. Victoria crossed the target in 15.5 overs losing just three wickets with some solid contribution from the top order.
The Australian side were off to a good start through opener Rob Quiney (29) and Brad Hodge (25). They added 48 runs in 39 balls. Aiden Blizzard (21) and David Hussey (31 not out off 15 balls) saw to it that there were no hiccup in the run chase. Hussey hit three sixes in the 15th over bowled by Anil Kumble to romp home.
The total proved too small for Royal Challengers to defend and it did not help matter that the early wickets never came.
Royal Challengers got off to a good start as Robin Uthappa (13) and Manish Pandey (39) blasted 39 runs in 28 balls.
Pandey was impressive in his 28-ball innings stroking seven fours. Andrew McDonald (4-21), however, bowled a tight spell, rocking the top order that put the hosts on the backfoot.
Rahul Dravid made 33 but he, too, became a victim of McDonald. The Victorians were carrying two points in the second stage as they had defeated Delhi Daredevils, the second team to qualify from Group D, in the first stage of the league.
Royal Challengers were not carrying any point from the league stage and needed to win both their league matches to have a real chance to reach the last four.
