Bangalore win battle of bottom two

Adam Gilchrist hit 46 for Deccan Chargers during their loss

Deccan Chargers were guaranteed the inaugural Indian Premier League’s wooden spoon after the Bangalore Royal Challengers chased down a victory target of 166.

Deccan’s 165 all out was built on the foundation of a 101-run opening partnership between Adam Gilchrist (46) and Herschelle Gibbs (47).

But once the international duo departed, the home side struggled with only Rohit Sharma and Venugopal Rao reaching double figures.

Bangalore replied with a well-balanced scorecard - four players making over 30 - as they cruised to a five-wicket win with six balls remaining.

Rock-bottom Deccan started the day two points behind their opponents and seemingly intent on eradicating that gap.

Gilchrist and Gibbs looked in complete command against the Bangalore attack with India Test captain Anil Kumble coming in for some particularly rough treatment.

But just two balls after reaching a 100-run partnership, Gibbs perished when he charged down the track to Kumble, missed and saw his stumps shattered by wicketkeeper Shreevats Goswami.

The hosts needed captain Gilchrist to hang around but the Australian went with only eight runs added to the total, caught at long-off by Balachandra Akhil off the bowling of Vinay Kumar.

Rohit made a quickfire 17 and Rao a 12-ball 26 but the rest of the Deccan order failed to fire with man of the match Kumar the pick of the Bangalore attack with three for 27.

The early loss of Wasim Jaffer offered Deccan hope but Jacques Kallis (31), Misbah-ul-Haq (34) and Rahul Dravid (31) kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Cameron White and Akhil saw the visitors home with an unbroken partnership of 30. White ended on 31 not out while Akhil remained unbeaten on 27.

The victory takes seventh-placed Bangalore on to eight points from their 13 matches. Deccan remain on four.