April 28, 2008	Monday	Rabi-us-Sani 21, 1429

BANGALORE, April 27: Shane Watson re-emphasised his utility to the Rajasthan Royals team as he scored a pugnacious 61 not out and was instrumental in the Jaipur team beating Bangalore Royal Challengers by seven wickets on Saturday.

Watson was involved in a match-winning 104-run partnership with Graeme Smith (49), after Yusuf Pathan (21) provided the early impetus.

Not one of the Royal Challengers’ bowlers had anything to offer and they were done in as they had a very poor score to defend.

Royal Challengers only had themselves to blame. Not one of their batsmen, apart from Ross Taylor and Praveen Kumar, had anything to offer and the accurate Rajasthan Royals attack restricted them to 135-8.

Taylor scored an attacking 44, while Praveen chipped in with 34. Shane Watson and Munaf Patel claimed two wickets each, and the Jaipur team fielded brilliantly.

Anil Kumble marked his IPL debut as Shane Warne’s Rajasthan Royals inserted Bangalore Royal Challengers in to bat at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The Jaipur franchise, who bounced back after their defeat to Delhi in the first game, drafted in Pakistan pacer Sohail Tanvir as well as wicket-keeper Mahesh Rawat at the expense of Kamran Akmal.

Summarised scores:

BANGALORE ROYAL CHALLENGERS 135-8 in 20 overs (Ross Taylor 44, Praveen Kumar 34; Shane Watson 2-20, Munaf Patel 2-20); JAIPUR RAJASTHAN ROYALS 138-3

in 17.1 overs (Shane Watson 61 not out, Graeme Smith 49).

—Agencies