Bangalore edge past Chennai

Anil Kumble used all of his experience to return superb bowling figures of 2-12 in Bangalore's narrow victory over Chennai

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Anil Kumble and Ross Taylor led the way as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Chennai Super Kings to maintain their late push for a place in the Indian Premier League semi-finals.

The Royal Challengers secured a two-wicket victory in Durban, despite Matthew Hayden giving the Super Kings a flying start with 60 from 38 deliveries.

Australian Hayden’s performance was not matched by his team-mates as the Super Kings were bowled out for 129 with two balls remaining, with Kumble picking up 2-12 from four overs.

The Super Kings then reduced the Royal Challengers to 30 for three inside six overs, but Taylor struck 46 from 50 deliveries as Bangalore clinched their win in a thrilling finish.

After thrashing 81 from 33 balls in Tuesday’s victory over Kolkata Knight Riders, today’s effort was more subdued from Taylor but similarly important.

Albie Morkel had accounted for Royal Challengers openers Jacques Kallis – for a first-ball duck - and Robin Uthappa, while medium-pacer Sudeep Thyagi sent back Rahul Dravid for eight.

Taylor and Virat Kohli then got the run chase back on course with sensible batting as they added 56 for the fourth wicket.

Kohli struck Muttiah Muralitharan for a four and a six in the same over and raced to 38 but mis-timed a pull off Lakshmipathy Balaji and was well caught by Jacob Oram.

The Royal Challengers still needed 44 from just under six overs and they slumped from 86 for four to 104 for seven, making for a close finish.

They needed 17 from the last two overs when Praveen Kumar smashed a six to reduce the gap to a run a ball off the last 11 deliveries.

Taylor was dismissed in the final over, adding to the drama, but Praveen (12 not out) kept a cool head as he got the Royal Challengers over the line.

Earlier, Hayden had given Chennai an ideal start, smashing Vinay Kumar for three consecutive boundaries in the second over and then hitting a four and six off consecutive deliveries from Praveen.

Kallis picked up a wicket in each of his first two overs, and Kumble had Hayden caught in the deep during his third over.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni made just 18 as the Super Kings slipped from 52 for two to 101 for four.

The Royal Challengers bowlers then tightened the noose with Vinay dismissing Oram and Balaji with consecutive balls.

Praveen also picked up the wicket of Morkel and then effected two run-outs in his final over.