Manish-Rahul Takes Royal Challengers Into IPL Final

Johannesburg: Rahul Dravid has proved it once again that he is a� big match player as his power-packed knock crushed Chennai Super Kings in 2nd IPL semi-final on Saturday (May 23). Dravid's blistering innings of 44 runs from 39 balls helped Royal Challengers to win the second semi-final by six wickets. Chasing a victory target of 147 runs, the Bangalore achieved the runs in 18.5 overs.

Young sensation Manish Pandey (48) and Rahul Dravid (44) stole the thunder from Super Kings and batted like mighty under the lights. Both displayed some exquisite timing hitting the leather and kept the scorers busy all throughout.

Manish, who became the first Indian to slam an IPL ton, missed his first fifty when Shadab Jakati's delivery found its way to the stumps. He smashed seven fours in his magnificent innings.

Earlier, Sent in to bat first, Chennai Super Kings scored 146 for five in 20 overs against spirited Bangalore Royal Challengers at New Wanderers Stadium.

Bangalore grabbed wickets at regular intervals after the strategy break to restrict the rampaging Super Kings, who scored at 8 runs in the first 10 overs. Besides the 61-run partnership between the openers, Chennai batsmen failed to find their feet on the slow surface.

Super Kings lost Parthiv Patel (36) and Matthew Hayden (26) after a cracking start against Bangalore Royal Challengers at New Wanderers Stadium.
,br> Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Deccan Chargers in the Final of second season of IPL on Sunday at New Wanderers Stadium, Johannesburg.

Brief Score: Royal Challengers Bangalore 149/4 (M Pandey 48, R Dravid 44) beat Chennai Super Kings 146/5 (Parthiv 36, Vinay Kumar2-38) by 6-wickets

Scores	Upcoming	Results
South Africa vs Pakistan - 3rd ODI 4th Test - Australia v India - December 26-30, 23:30 GMT 1st Test - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan - December 26-30, 07:30 GMT 3rd ODI - Zimbabwe v Afghanistan at Harare Afghanistan won by 8 wickets (with 139 balls remaining) 3rd T20I - West Indies v Bangladesh at St Vincent Bangladesh won by 80 runs

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