Kallis leads Bangalore home

Jacques Kallis struck an unbeaten 58 to ensure Bangalore cruised to victory

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A well-crafted half-century from Jacques Kallis was the key for Royal Challengers Bangalore as they eased to a comfortable seven-wicket victory over Delhi Daredevils in Johannesburg.

The South Africa all-rounder finished unbeaten on 58 as his side, who had to win to maintain their semi-final hopes, cruised to the 134 victory target with an over to spare.

Earlier, Praveen Kumar took three wickets for Bangalore to restrict Delhi to a mediocre 134 for seven, with Gautam Gambhir (27), AB de Villiers (28) and Dinesh Karthik (31) all getting starts but failing to kick on.

Kumar came out firing, striking a double blow in the first over removing the dangerous Virender Sehwag and Mithun Manhas, both without scoring.

That brought together Gambhir and de Villiers, who battled to really get going despite sharing a 36-run partnership for the third wicket.

Kallis eventually got the breakthrough when he was gifted the wicket of the India opener, who slapped a short delivery straight to Ross Taylor at cover-point to leave Delhi 37 for three.

De Villiers and Karthik consolidated, helping their side reach the strategy break with 63 on the board, but the resumption of play spelt the end of the South Africa batsman as he was bowled by fellow countryman Roelof van der Merwe.

Anil Kumble then accounted for Andrew McDonald and Yogesh Nagar in quick succession, but late hitting from Karthik and Farveez Maharoof helped the Daredevils cause.

In response, Ashish Nehra struck an early blow when he had Robin Uthappa caught behind in the first over, but Kallis and Rahul Dravid began to rebuild slowly.

They brought up their 50 partnership in 52 deliveries as Bangalore reached the halfway stage on 54 for one.

The pair put on 70 before Dravid chipped a simple return catch back to Nagar, but Taylor came in improved the momentum even further by smashing 25 off just 12 balls.

The New Zealander hit three sixes and a four to leave his side needing 34 from 31 deliveries and Kallis, who raised his fifty off 51 balls, along with Mark Boucher duly wrapped up a crucial win.