Gilchrist, Marsh lead Punjab to big win over Gayle's Bangalore

DHARAMSALA, India (AP):

A record double-century partnership between Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh powered Kings XI Punjab to a resounding 111-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League (IPL) yesterday.

Gilchrist bludgeoned 106 off 55 deliveries and Marsh hammered an unbeaten 79 off 49 as Kings XI Punjab totalled 232-2, the highest score this year in the IPL. The Australian left-handed pair added 206 in the second-wicket stand.

In reply, Bangalore were bowled out for 121 in 17 overs.

"It was a pretty important game for us," Gilchrist said. "You've always got to maintain trust in your mind that you will get runs."

Punjab remain in play-off contention with 14 points from 13 games, while Bangalore, the only team to be assured of a berth, top the standings with 17 from 13.

Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians each have 16 points from 12 matches.

Gilchrist smashed nine sixes - the most ever by a Punjab batsman in the IPL - and eight fours.

The 39-year-old Gilchrist dominated the bowling from early on, smashing West Indies all-rounder Chris Gayle for two consecutive sixes and following up with three successive sixes off South African swing bowler Charl Langeveldt.

Gilchrist eventually fell to Langeveldt off a catch by Gayle towards the end of the innings, after completing his second IPL century earlier in the over.

Marsh had been content playing second fiddle early on, but then came into his own in style.

The 27-year-old Australian hammered 30 off an over from South African all-rounder Johan van der Wath, hitting the hapless seamer for three sixes and three fours.

pressure

He finished with five sixes and seven fours as Punjab set Bangalore an average of 11.65 runs an over to win.

Bangalore caved in under the pressure of runs, with Gayle falling to Ryan Harris without the star batsman scoring, Gilchrist taking a fine catch jumping high to his left.

Harris also dismissed Virat Kohli when the stand-in skipper edged a delivery to the slips for a run-a-ball 11. Saurabh Tiwary and Asand Pathan then fell in quick succession, as Bangalore were reduced to 43-4 by the seventh over.

Legspinner Piyush Chawla ripped through the middle order to finish with the enviable figures of 4-17.

Today, Chennai Super Kings and Kochi Tuskers play at Chennai.