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Riding high on gutsy knock of 58 runs from Jacques Kallis, Bangalore romped home to a 7 wickets win over Delhi Daredevils at The Wanderers stadium here in 
Johannesburg.
The win ensured that Mallya’s boys remain in strong contention for a semi-final berth in the IPL season two and put behind their horrendous campaign of the opening series.
Chasing a modest total of 135 runs for victory, Jacques Kallis and Rahul Dravid combined together in a defining partnership after Robin Uthappa’s early departure.
Robin Uthappa’s horrendous IPL campaign continued as he failed again to live up to the expectations. Uthappa could manage just one before nicking one to the wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik off the bowling of Ashish Nehra. But from their on, it was Bangalore all along the way as Kallis-Dravid combination kept Delhi’s bowlers at bay. Delhi, who until now had an exceptional record in the tournament, badly missed their pace Derek Nannes, who was rested by Virender Sehwag.
In what was a must-win game for Royal Challengers Bangalore after Delhi had already secured a semi-final berth, Ray Jennings needed his middle order to stand up to occasion and Kallis-Dravid did that in style. In the end, a 25 run cameo off 12 balls from Ross Taylor, and 38-run effort by Rahul Dravid ensured that Kallis’ show did not go in vain.
Earlier, opting to bat first after winning the toss Delhi were put on backfoot right at the start as Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas were sent back to the pavilion before they could trouble the scorers. Praveen Kumar accounted for both the batsmen.
Gautam Gambhir, who opened the innings with Sehwag, remained undeterred by the proceeding on the other end and kept the run rate ticking for Delhi. The Delhi left-hander along with de Villiers combined together for a 35-run partnership when Jacques Kallis struck.
Trying to clear the third man boundary Gambhir was holed in deep by Ross Taylor on a personal score of 27 as Delhi brought its fifty in 8 overs.
AB de Villiers who was in tremendous form this season carried the day for Delhi as Karthik joined him at the crease. At the strategy break Delhi managed to lift their total to 63/3.
Bangalore struck just after the strategy break by removing dangerous looking AB de Villiers for 28 runs. Van der Merwe clean bowled his African teammate with an arm bowl which crashed into the off and middle stump.
More problems were in store for Delhi as Kumble then got rid of Andrew McDonald, who failed to read a yorker from the Bangalore’s Jumbo. Match was then an affair between Karthik’s grit and Kumble’s nagging line and length. Kumble marshaled his resources well and in the end set Bangalore on road to victory as Delhi Daredevils were scuffled to 134/7 in stipulated twenty overs. In the end Kallis made the modest target look easy as the all rounder deservedly ran away with the Man of the Match award.
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