Bangalore keep hope alive in IPL

INDORE, May 15 (AP): Royal Challengers Bangalore crushed Kings XI Punjab by 10 wickets in a must-win Indian Premier League match on Monday and kept its hopes alive for a place in the playoffs.

Umesh Yadav's short-pitched deliveries got the big wickets of Lokesh Rahul (21) and Chris Gayle (14) as Punjab was bowled out for 88 in 15.1 overs after Bangalore won the toss and opted to field. Captain Virat Kohli (48 not out) and Parthiv Patel (40 not out) then piloted Bangalore to 92 without loss in just 8.1 overs as Punjab missed its injured mystery spinner Mujeebur Rahman.

Bangalore remained at seventh in the standings but with a vastly improved net run-rate which could prove crucial for playoffs qualification.