May 13, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 7, 1429

MOHALI, May 12: Bangalore Royal Challengers batsmen once again put up a flop show as they could manage just a modest 143 for eight against Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League match at the PCA Stadium here on Monday.

The pace trio of Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan and V.R.V. Singh bowled with discipline and did not offer width to opponents, making life difficult for them.

Mark Boucher (39) and skipper Rahul Dravid (29) were the only willowers who put up some resistance after electing to bat on a pitch, which did offer pace and movement to the bowlers.

Sreesanth was the pick of the bowlers for the hosts as he accounted for three batsmen, giving away just 29 runs in his quota of four overs.

Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla also impressed with his performance as he chipped in with two scalps.

Both the openers — J. Arunkumar and Virat Kohli — struggled right from the start as they attempted some flashy shots out side the off stump but only managed edges.

Sreesanth struck early when he got rid of Arunkumar (3) on the first ball of his second over when the batsman edged his delivery to first slip Mahela Jayawardene.—Agencies