The saying in cricketing circle that no match is won or lost until the last ball is bowled came true as the tottering RCB came good in the end to enter the final of the IPL 9 in style with AB de Villiers plundered 79 of 47 balls in a most to clinical way to achieve an incredible win. The asking rate was going high from the word go when RCB batted with the cream of the batting including in form Virat Kohli back in the pavilion before touching the 30 run mark. Binny stitched a 39 run partnership for the 6th wicket with de Villiers before getting out to a bad lbw decision. It was left to I. Abdulla to lend his hand for a fruitful partnership with the more illustrious and senior partner de Villiers. The pair added 91 runs when the odds were against them with mounting run rate and loss of early wickets. The left-right combination came handy to hit out of the rut and come out with flying colours in the end. Abdula, who accounted for both Finch and McCullum in his spell with the new balls did contribute 33 not out when the chips were down and defeat was looming large. He used patience very well and gave good company to achieve RCB’s objective of winning at the first instance. On the other hand Gujarat Lions slipped out an even chance to win after their main batsmen failed in a heap to put the team under tremendous pressure. Both Jadeja and Bravo failed as a batsmen and that put paid the hopes of Suresh Raina’s side in the end. It was indeed a calculative win for the Bangalore outfit. Kudos to Kohli and Co for entering the final of IPL 9.
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