--NEWS--

AB-inspired Bangalore overcome Kochi fright
The South African, who came in to bat with the team reeling at 48-2, put on 52 runs for the fourth wicket with Tiwary to ensure Challengers got off to a winning start. Wicket-keeper batsman AB de Villiers struck a fine half-century as Bangalore survived some anxious moments against fighting Tuskers.
De Villiers impressed with his shot selection, patiently waiting for loose deliveries to punish Kerela bowlers - smacking five big sixes and a four. He stayed there till the end as Bangalore romped home in 18.4 overs.
Kerala's attack came under pressure for the first time when opener Mayank Agarwal (33) welcomed Muralidaran with a monstrous hit over deep mid-wicket off his first ball to bring up Bangalore's 50 in style. He and de Villiers comfortably gathered runs against pace and spin, much to the dislike of Jayawardena.
Murali was immediately replaced and Mahela brought in part-timer Ravindra Jadeja, who got the wicket of Mayank trying to go over long off.
Local lad Sreesanth did the early damage for Kochi, dismissing opener Tillakaratne Dilshan for 1 run as crowd erupted in joy. Youngster Virat Kohli (23), back from a World Cup high, played some lusty shots before being trapped by Vinay Kumar. Promising Kohli, only player retained by Bangalore for this edition, missed a menacing straight delivery form Kumar which would have taken out leg stump happily.
Earlier, opener Brendon McCullum's brisk 45 runs in 32 balls - which included four boundaries and two huge sixes - was the cornerstone of Kochi's 161 as the home team impressed with their batting after winning the toss against favourites Royal Challengers Bangalore.
Brendon McCullum loves playing against Royal Challengers doesn't he? It was against Bangalore in the opening game of the inaugural Indian T20 extravaganza where McCullum hammered 158 off just 73 balls. After that both Kolkata and McCullum had a horrible time in IPL. So, he changed the team, got a new jersey - violet and light orange - and gave debutant Kerala a dream start against his favourite opponents.
The home team made the most of winning the toss on an easy-paced pitch as McCullum and Laxman provided an explosive 80-run start off just 8.6 overs.
McCullum greeted Dirk Nannes with 4, 4 and 6 in the second over, much to the amusement of the crowd celebrating their only association with big time cricket. VVS Laxman too demonstrated his enduring class in the company of his aggressive partner and brought 50 runs for Kochi in just 5.3 overs.
After all the hic hic play in the first six overs, both openers started dealing in singles as Bangalore bowlers continue to struggle with their line and length. However part-timer Tillakaratne Dilshan provided the much-needed breakthrough in the 9th over when VVS tried to hoick one for a simple catch to Cheteshwar Pujara at deep mid-wicket.
Big-hitting New Zealand wicket-keeper McCullum soon followed Laxman trying to 'Dilscoop' a low full toss from Virat Kohli for an easy catch to Nannes at short third man. Sad ending to a promising innings...
The momentum suddenly shifted in Bangalore's favour after McCullum's wicket and their bowlers kept the pressure on with some good slower ones. However, Brad Hodge (27) and Ravindra Jadeja (23) propelled Kochi Tuskers to a competitive 161 - the score captain Jayawardena wanted.
The pick of the bowler for Bangalore was Daniel Vettori, whose 4 overs of spin yielded 1-17 while Nannes claimed one wicket at the expense of 31 runs in 3 overs.
In all, the Tuskers - under the stewardship of Mahela Jayawardene - impressed with their batting, fielding and to some extent their bowling - which needs improvement.