Challengers drub Rajasthan Royals

Kumar records first hat-trick of IPL III

On an excellent batting surface, Anil Kumble led from the front and his fast bowlers responded magnificently as the Challengers skittled the Royals for a paltry 92, the lowest IPL total this season. Jacques Kallis did the early damage and Kumble polished off the tail, but the individual accolades were reserved for Praveen.

The Indian medium-pacer dismissed Damien Martyn, Sumit Narwal and Paras Dogra with the second, third and fourth deliveries of the 17th over to register the seventh hat-trick in IPL history, and the first by a Challengers bowler.

The Yusuf Pathan threat extinguished by a brilliant piece of fielding by Virat Kohli, the Challengers made sure they didn’t have too many to chase by bowling out the Royals with one delivery to spare. Victory was achieved in breathtaking fashion as Kallis backed up his brilliant spell with the ball with a classically orthodox stint with the bat.

By contrast, his opening partner Manish Pandey was all fire and brimstone, producing one stunning hit after another to further demoralise an already shattered Royals outfit.

Kallis, the man of the match for the second straight game for his all-round skills, and Pandey needed just 10.4 overs to knock off the runs required, the electrifying rate of scoring propelling the Challengers to second in the points table on run rate at this early stage of the competition. Next up for Kumble’s men, on Saturday in Mumbai, are Sachin Tendulkar’s Mumbai Indians.

Today’s matches: Delhi Daredevils vs Chennai Super Kings, 4 pm; Deccan Chargers vs Kings XI Punjab, 8 pm