IPL Match 34: Bangalore lose again as Shaun Marsh hits an unbeaten 74

Punjab Kings XI registered a thumping nine-wicket win over depleted Bangalore Royal Challengers with 26 balls to spare in the DLF Indian Premier League match in Mohali on Monday.

In reply to losers’ 143 for eight, the winners reached the target losing only James Hopes’ wicket. Shaun Marsh hit a brilliant unbeaten 74 off 51 balls laced with nine fours and a couple of sixes while LA Pomersbach remained not out on 34.

The Bangalore bowlers - Dale Steyn, Praveen Kumar, Anil Kumble and others - failed to curb the flowing runs.

Earlier, some disciplined bowling performances by S Sreesanth, VRV Singh and Irfan Pathan made it difficult for the depleted Bangalore Royal Challengers. Thanks to Mark Boucher, who hit 39 off 31 balls, the visitors reached 143 for eight in the allotted 20 overs.

Opting to bat, Bangalore were in trouble losing J. Arunkumar in the third over. But things started getting better with the advent of Pakistani T20 specialist Misbah-ul Haq. But he also perished in an uncanny fashion after smashing 21 off just 8 balls. While taking a shot off his backfoot, Misbah’s right foot dislodged the bails and he was adjudged hit-wicket.

With that wicket the Bangalore side’s morale seemed to have dipped further and they kept on losing wickets at regular intervals and ultimately managed to get to none-too-strong total 143 on the board in 20 overs.

In the death overs, the Punjab side managed to keep their cool and did the job almost perfectly. The yorkers - the most effective weapon - from the Punjab pacemen were difficult to get away.