BANGALORE: Yusuf Pathan chose the Monday night against the Royal Challengers Bangalore at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium to play one of those innings that sets the Indian Premier League ablaze.

Yusuf power was on full display as he downed Bangalore with his batting might with a 29-ball 60 to guide them to a five-wicket victory. Chasing 190, Kolkata’s two batting power houses showed what brute force can do to a bowling attack and a steep target. Both Pathan and Andre Russell were found wanting against spin at a stage when they were 69-4 at one stage with 121 more require from the last 10.

Spinner Yuzvendra Chahal had both of them struggling. To make matters worse, wicket-keeper K.L. Rahul missed a stumping chance as the game slipped away from Bangalore’s grasp.

Yusuf took 24 runs in one over off Shane Watson to tilt the game completely in Kolkata’s favour despite losing Russell (39 off 24 balls).

Earlier, Bangalore captain Virat Kohli scored yet another half century as his side posted a healthy 185-7 in front of packed home supporters while Rahul also contributed 52.

Summarised scores:

ROYAL CHALLENGERS BANGALORE 185-7 in 20 overs (K.L. Rahul 52, V. Kohli 52, S.R. Watson 34; M. Morkel 2-28, P.P. Chawla 2-32); KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS 189-5 in 19.1 overs (Yusuf Pathan 60 not out, A.D. Russell 39 not out, G. Gambhir 37; Y.S. Chahal 2-27).

Published in Dawn, May 4th, 2016