Gilchrist turns on the style

A brutal half-century from Adam Gilchrist set Deccan Chargers on their way to a 24-run win over Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League in Cape Town.

The former Australia wicketkeeper-batsman smashed 71 off 45 balls and Rohit Sharma contributed a rapid 52 as Deccan made 184 for six.

Bangalore's reply never really got going, with captain Kevin Pietersen managing just 11 before was stumped by Gilchrist off Pragyan Ojha.

Rahul Dravid gave them hope with a thumping 48 before holing out, and Virat Kohli made a 31-ball half-century but, with precious little support from their team-mates, their efforts proved in vain.

Having won the toss and elected to bat, Deccan opener Gilchrist took the fight to Bangalore from the outset, smashing six fours and five sixes in his blistering innings.

Adam Gilchrist goes aerial in his entertaining 71, which served as the cornerstone of Deccan Chargers' imposing 184 for six

He was caught by Kohli off Pietersen in the 14th over, one of two victims for the England man, who was the pick of the Bangalore bowlers.

Gilchrist was caught at cover by Kohli to leave Deccan 127 for three, but Sharma was on hand to carry on piling on the runs.

He raced to his fifty off just 28 balls before Pietersen pouched a catch at mid-on off Dale Steyn.

The former England captain finished with 2-31 off four overs, having also accounted for Scott Styris.

Herschelle Gibbs, who made 13, was only other batsman to manage double figures for the Chargers.

Bangalore's innings got off to the worst possible start when Jesse Ryder was bowled first ball by Fidel Edwards.

Neither Robin Uthappa nor Jacques Kallis could make any significant inroads into the target as the Royal Challengers slipped to 38 for three, and Pietersen managed a solitary boundary before he departed.

A fifth-wicket partnership of 53 between Dravid and Kohli threatened to haul them back into the contest, but the required run-rate remained out of reach.

RP Singh finished with 2-16 from three overs and Styris 3-32 from four.