Fans root for RCB as clouds hang over
May 2nd, 2012 - 11:29 pm ICT by IANSBangalore, May 2 (IANS) Undeterred by a cloudy sky and threat of rain, thousands thronged the Chinnaswamy stadium late Wednesday to root for home team Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) against Kings XI Punjab in the Indian Premier League (IPL-V) T20 here.
With the previous league match between the home team and two-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK) washed out April 25, fans have been praying for a rain-free contest to make up for the loss last week.
“It’s a great relief that the match started on time and the rain-bearing clouds are holding up still. Though RCB skipper (Daniel Vettori) lost the toss, we are delighted that Kings XI captain (David Hussey) opted to field first giving us a great opportunity to watch Chris Gayle explode,” Ravi Subramanian, a sales executive, told IANS at the eastern stands.
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Gayle ’storm’ hits fans as rain gods keep away
As is his wont, RCB’s explosive opener Chris Gayle set the stands on fire again after a slow start. Though he took time to settle down and get his eye on the ball, there was no looking back once he opened up and started hitting freely despite tight bowling and excellent fielding by Kings XI.
Of the four sixes he hit in his 71 score of 42 balls, one over the long on was the longest in the IPL having soared 111 metres to touch the pavilion roof. Even as his every six electrified the stands, his six fours were a delight to watch as they cruised over the boundary with lightning speed.
The Jamaican southpaw accelerated the score after RCB squandered the first six overs of power play to put up a paltry 33 for loss of Mayank Agarwal for seven.
Virat Kohli joined Gayle to take the hosts out of woods with 119-run second wicket partnership in 83 balls.
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Priety Zinta, Pankaj Advani, cheer girls delight fans
Presence of Bollywood heartthrob and Kings XI owner Priety Zinta, billiards champion Pankaj Advani and other celebrities in the pavilion and corporate boxes were star attractions in the flood-lit stadium on a breezy night. Drum-beating, sounding of bugle, waving of RCB flags and stunning dances by cheer girls for every six and a four hit by Gayle and Kohli or when their wickets fell in the slog overs was relished by about 25,000 fans across the stands.
- Frenzied fans pray for RCB win (Sidelights) - May 06, 2012
- Frenzied fans turn up to back RCB in eliminator - Oct 05, 2011
- Kings XI wary of Gayle 'storm' in revenge game - May 02, 2012
- Rampant Gayle brings frenzied fans to the stadium in droves (IPL Diary) - May 08, 2011
- Testing time for fans as rain plays spoilsport (IPL Diary) - May 14, 2011
- Frenzied fans brew carnival atmosphere in Bangalore - May 06, 2011
- Royal Challengers set stiff 206-run target for Kings XI - May 06, 2011
- Delayed start, gloomy weather fail to dampen Royal Challengers fans (IPL Diary) - May 14, 2012
- Kings XI blown away by Gayle's knock - Apr 21, 2012
- Gayle powers RCB to victory over Kochi Tuskers (Roundup) - May 08, 2011
- Daredevils blown away by Gayle storm, hopes alive for Royal Challengers (Lead) - May 18, 2012
- Gayle turns KKR's nightmare as RCB wins again (Lead) - May 14, 2011
- Kings XI clinch a thriller against Royal Challengers (Lead) - May 03, 2012
- We need to pick the best to partner Gayle, says Vettori - May 09, 2011
- RCB looks for Gayle's opening partner as Dilshan leaves - May 09, 2011
Tags: bollywood heartthrob, captain david, cheer girls, chris gayle, cloudy sky, corporate boxes, daniel vettori, david hussey, delight fans, lightning speed, pankaj advani, priety zinta, rain gods, rcb, six fours, star attractions, time and the rain, time champions, wicket partnership, xi captain