Gayle failure continues

BANGALORE, India (CMC):

Chris Gayle's batting failures continued as his Jamaica and West Indies teammate, AndrÈ Russell, upstaged him with an electrifying cameo to fire Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to an important win in the Indian Premier League here yesterday.

Entering the run chase with KKR in a spot of bother at 69 for four in the 11th over - in pursuit of 186 for victory - the right-handed Russell reignited the innings with 39 off 24 balls as the visitors reached their target off the first ball of the final over.

Yusuf Pathan finished on 60 not out off 29 deliveries, posting an invaluable 96 for the fifth wicket with Russell, who blasted a four and four sixes.

Captain and opener Gautam Gambhir stroked 37 off 29 balls.

The victory allowed KKR to move into second place on 10 points, ahead of Mumbai Indians, courtesy of a superior net run rate.

Gujarat Lions remained clear at the top on 12 points.

Sent in at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, RCB were powered by a joint top score of 52 from captain Virat Kohli and opener Lokesh Rahul, as they reached 185 for seven off their 20 overs.

RUN OF LOW SCORES

Australian Shane Watson chimed in with 34, while the left-handed Gayle continued his run of low scores with seven.

Subdued by Russell in the first over, Gayle seemed ready to explode when he struck South African seamer Morne Morkel straight overhead for six, off in the second over of the innings.

Next ball, however, Gayle miscued a pull at a ball of shortish length and skied a catch to the wicketkeeper at eight for one.

Gayle has scored eight runs in three innings for RCB this season and all told, has now failed to reach double figures in six consecutive innings since his hundred against England in the Twenty20 World Cup last March.

Russell claimed one for 24 from four overs of pace, while West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine went wicketless from his four overs which cost 45 runs.