Manish Pandey stars in Bangalore’s win by CricketArchive Staff Reporter

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Scorecard:	Deccan Chargers v Royal Challengers Bangalore
Player:	MK Pandey, B Akhil, A Kumble, HH Gibbs
Event:	Indian Premier League 2009

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DateLine: 21st May 2009

 

Young Manish Pandey emerged as the surprise packet as Bangalore Royal Challengers kept their comeback assault going, beating Deccan chargers by 12 runs to finish third on the points tally and enter the semi-finals.

 

Chasing Challengers’ 170, Deccan Chargers ended at 158 for six. B. Akhil was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 2/18 off four overs while skipper Anil Kumble was as proficient as ever.

 

With the semi-final line-up now completed, table toppers Delhi Daredevils take on fourth placed Chargers on Friday while Bangalore meet Chennai Super Kings on Saturday.

 

Pandey, who represents Karnataka in domestic cricket, also became the first Indian batsman to score a century in this format.

 

A member of the World Cup winning under-19 squad, Pandey was dropped at third-man by RP Singh and that cost Chargers dearly. The youngsters went on to hammer an unbeaten 114 off 73 balls with ten boundaries and four sixes, to become only the second century-scorer in this year’s IPL.

 

The rest of the batting had little to do, part from give Pandey support and strike. Roelof van der Merwe was also sent up the order but didn’t quite manage to replicate his hitting prowess.