IPL: http://www.senore.com/Cricket/M-Muralitharan-c1864 – Cricket News Update
The Royal Challengers Bangalore's wicketkeeper batsman http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Delhi-c780 Daredevils in an IPL fixture at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bangalore, which the hosts won
by 20 runs.
The South African was the star performer with the bat for RCB as he scored an unbeaten 64 off just 42 deliveries to steer the side to a competitive Twenty20 total of 157 for 8. Former Sri Lankan spin wizard Muttiah Muralitharan then
took the charge with the ball and restricted the opposition batsmen to 137 for 7 in their allotted quota of 20 overs to hand RCB a comfortable 20-run victory in their tournament opener. Murali returned with figures of 3 for 25 in his spell of four overs.
Speaking to the media reporters after the match, the South African gloveman said that it was the outstanding bowling from Murali and Co that won them the match against a formidable Delhi line-up, who had come into the match at the
back of a comfortable 8 wicket win over Knight Riders.
"I don't think the batters won the game. The Man-of-Match award should have gone to Muttiah Muralitharan,” de Villiers, who was named as the Man of the Match for his blistering knock, said at the post-match press conference. “The
bowlers won the game for us. It was a decent total. Our bowlers and fielders turned it around for us," he added further.
Replying to a query regarding the Chinnaswamy wicket, de Villiers said that it was a placid wicket.
The South African singled out magical Murali for the praise saying the Sri Lankan is a legend of the game and a match-winning wicket-taker.
"Murali is a legend of the game and a wicket-taker and the wickets he picked up changed the momentum for Delhi,” said the 28-year-old RCB wicketkeeper batsman. “Not only skills, Murali brings to the table his human qualities which boosts the prospects of
the team. He is a wonderful person, he is a nice guy and a smiling character," he added further.
The explosive Caribbean opener, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/CH-Gayle-c1221 missed out the opening game on fitness grounds but de Villiers was hopeful he will be ready for the next match against Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday, April 10.
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