Rajasthan Royals’ Pravin Tambe celebrates with team-mates after getting the prize scalp of Royal Challengers Bangalore’s Virat Kohli in Abu Dhabi. (BCCI)


IANS/Abu Dhabi


Royal Challengers Bangalore suffered a humiliating six-wicket loss to Rajasthan Royals in an Indian Premier League match at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium here yesterday.
Veteran spinner Pravin Tambe (4-20) along with Australian pacer Kane Richardson (2-18) were the main conspirators as RCB were bowled out for a dismal 70 runs in 15 overs. It was not particularly convincing, or entertaining show with the bat from Rajasthan, as they lost early wickets and ended up scratching and edging their way to their target in 13 overs with the loss of four wickets.
Ajinkya Rahane (23) gave his team a fast start, and it seemed Rajasthan would reach the target in no time at all. However, Rahane, Sanju Samson (2) and Karun Nair (8) all fell in quick succession to send small tremors in the Rajasthan camp. Shane Watson (24) and Abhishek Nayar (11 not out) guided Rajasthan to the brink of victory with patient knocks before the Australian all-rounder fell three runs short of the target.
Earlier, only three Bangalore batsmen registered double figure scores in a hapless performance with extras (4) being the fifth highest scorer.
This was the third lowest total in IPL after Rajasthan were on the receiving end when they were dismissed for 58 by Bangalore in 2009, while, in the 2008 edition, Kolkata Knight Riders were bowled out by 67 by Mumbai Indians.
Bangalore captain Virat Kohli top scored with 21 off 25 balls as rest of the top and middle-order collapsed around him. Aussie pacer Mitchell Starc (18) and West Indies’ Ravi Rampaul (13) were the only others to get in to double figures.
After a whirlwind start to their IPL-7 campaign where they blitzed their opponents in the first two matches, RCB have now lost two on the trot. Rajasthan, meanwhile, recorded their second win in four matches to leapfrog Bangalore in the points table due to a better run-rate.

Humiliating defeat
A dejected Bangalore skipper Virat Kohli said later he wants to ‘forget’ the humiliating defeat, even though he conceded that poor application was responsible for being shot out for 70. “Looks like we didn`t arrive on the field today,” Kohli said. “It was one of those days that we need to forget quickly. The pressure created by Royals was extended over a long time.
“When you lose wicket every over, it builds up pressure. When I batted, I felt it was a good wicket, but that`s what happens when you lose wickets. There were two played ons and a run-out. These unfortunate dismissals cost us. I believe we are a much better batting unit than this.”
Rajasthan skipper Watson was elated after a comprehensive win, having lost badly to Chennai Super Kings in the previous game. “It was a great way for us to bounce back after that loss against Chennai. It was good that we could create some chaos in the Bangalore ranks,” Watson said.
He was all praise for veteran Tambe, who won the man of the match award for his four-wicket haul. “He (Tambe) is very skillful and reads the batsman`s mind very well. He is very cagey bowler. I play him a lot of the nets and is pretty difficult to get away.”