Kohli's 50 in vain as Chennai beats Bangalore in IPL

Virat Kohli’s third half century this season proved to be in vain as Chennaithumped play-off contender Bangalore by eight wickets for only ir fourth win in Indian Premier League on Sunday.

Kohli’s 50 off 43 balls that included just one four and a six formed nucleus of Bangalore’s orwise below-par total of 145-6.

Opening batsman Ruturaj Gaikw upstd Kohli with an unbeaten 65 off 51 balls and guided Chennai to 150-2 in 18.4 overs when he lofted Chris Morris for a six over long leg fence.

Bangalore have 14 points from 11 games and could still finish among top two while Chennai are struggling down in seventh spot with only eight points after losing eight of ir 12 games.

“What you saw in second innings wasn’t a true reflection of how difficult pitch was,” Kohli said in defence of his team’s total. “We didn’t hit areas, (gave away) too many boundary balls … we just didn’t bowl eugh slower balls.”

Chennai were effective with slower balls after Kohli won toss and opted to bat first. Fast bowler Sam Curran (3-19) deceived Aaron Finch (15) with a slower bouncer and Australian skied an easy catch in covers.

Faf du Plessis continued with his brilliant catching in outfield this season when he relayed a catch to Gaikw after tumbling over on edge of boundary to dismiss Devdutt Pikkal (22) soon after batting powerplay.

New Zealand left-arm spinner Mitchel Santner (1-23), playing his first game this season, and Imran Tahir (0-30) didn’t allow Kohli and AB de Villiers to break loose in middle-overs and two stroke-makers consumed 68 balls in raising an 82-run partnership.

Both batsmen holed out to safe hands of du Plessis in deep while attempting big shots as Bangalore could score only 44 runs in last five overs and lost four wickets.

Gaikw, who hit four boundaries and three sixes, and du Plessis (25) set up strong run-chase by sharing a 46-run opening wicket stand from 31 balls.

Ambati Rayudu also hit three fours and two sixes before he was clean bowled by Yuzvendra Chahal in 14th over. Captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (19 t out) ensured Chennai did t let game slip away as Gaikw finished it off with more than an over to spare in style.

“I felt this one was one of perfect games,” Dhoni said. “Everything went to plan, and execution was re. We kept picking up wickets and kept m to a total that was slightly below par.”