Rajasthan Royals thrash Bangalore Royal Challengers

Jaipur : Rajasthan Royals continued their winning spree and became the first team in the Indian Premier League (IPL) to enter the semifinals as they thrashed bottom placed Bangalore Royal Challengers by 65 runs at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium here on Saturday.

Chasing an imposing target of 198, Royal Challengers made 132 for the loss of nine wickets at the end of 20 overs.

Rahul Dravid's decision to bowl first backfired as the Rajasthan Royals openers tore apart the Royal Challengers bowling attack.

The century opening stand between Graeme Smith (75 not out) and Swapnil Asnodkar (50) put the match beyond the Challengers as the hosts made 197 for one in 20 overs. Shane Watson was not out on 46.

With the temperature soaring to 48 degrees Celsius, the Royal Challengers were always going have a tough time while fielding and the wayward bowling by their bowlers did no good either.

Smith was in full force as he cut, drove and pulled with elegance, spanking the bowlers to all parts of the ground. In contrast, Asnodkar's half-century was an unconvincing knock. He slashed, missed and edged repeatedly over the wicketkeeper and slips. He was lucky to get a life early on in the innings after umpire Suresh Shastri turned down a lbw appeal in Praveen Kumar's first over. The replays suggested the ball would have crashed into leg stump.