JAIPUR, India: Explosive opener Chris Gayle smacked an unbeaten 70 as Royal Challengers Bangalore thrashed Rajasthan Royals by nine wickets in the Indian Premier League to consolidate their play-off chances. The West Indies' batsman continued his fairytale run, clobbering six fours and four sixes in his 44-ball knock to help Bangalore overhaul a 147-run target with three overs to spare at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. The win moved Bangalore to second in the table, one point adrift of leaders MumbaiIndians (16) while Rajasthan slumped to its third consecutive defeat, denting its chances of advancing in the tournament. Rajasthan skipper Shane Warne, playing his last home game in the tournament, was left to rue a dropped catch of Gayle when the batsman was on 13. The Australian spin legend is set to retire from all forms of the game after the end of the IPL.The host earlier frittered away a bright start given by openers Shane Watson (34) and Rahul Dravid (37) who put on 73 runs inside the first 10 overs. Brief scores: Rajasthan Royals 146-6 in 20 overs (R. Dravid 37, S. Watson 34; S. Aravind 3-34). Royal Challengers Bangalore 151-1 in 17 overs (C. Gayle 70 not out, V. Kohli 39 not out, T. Dilshan 38). – Agence France
