Taylor thunders as Bangalore rout Kolkata

Centurion: Ross Taylor smashed 81 from 33 balls as Bangalore Royal Challengers cruised to an six-wicket win against Kolkata Knight Riders at Centurion on Tuesday. Royal Challengers pulled off the highest successful run chase in this IPL.

An audacious and skillful innings by Ross Taylor, including five sixes and seven fours, completely devastated Kolkata Knight Riders, who hoped for a consolation victory at Centurion.

Match was almost tilted to Bangalore's side as Taylor came in to bat and soon, turned the fortunes in the favour of his team. Taylor reached his half-century off 24 balls and single-handedly took Bangalore to a stunning victory who at one stage looked in trouble at 74/3.

Ross Taylor was declared the Man of the Match for his miraculous innings.

"It was probably a relief. I missed a few games and it is good to repay the faith to the management. Our plan was to express ourselves and the way we played today, we did that" said Ross Taylor.

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Bangalore were off to a cracking start as both Jacques Kallis and Jesse Ryder played some exquisite shots.

Kallis hit a six and 4 fours in his 34-ball 32 before smashing a Murali Kartik delivery to short extra cover where Brendon McCullum dived to his left to take a stunning catch. In the next over Ajit Agarkar dismissed Ryder for 22 runs.

Earlier put into bat first, Kolkata Knight Riders posted total of 173 runs for the loss of four wickets.

Leading from the front, captain Brendon McCullum hit an unbeaten 84 as Kolkata Knight Riders notched up their highest total in this IPL.

Hitting his maiden IPL half-century, McCullum carried his bat through the innings and his knock came off 64 balls and was studded with 2 sixes and 10 fours. McCullum was well supported by David Hussey who scored 43 runs from just 27 balls.