Bangalore: Bangalore Royal Challengers defeated Deccan Chargers by three runs in a thrilling Indian Premier League (IPL) match at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.

Set to chase 156, Deccan Chargers were restricted to 153 for six. Deccan Chargers were required to score 20 runs in the last over and Sanjay Bangar (17) almost got them close to the finishing line with two sixes off Anil Kumble.

Praveen Kumar was the star performer for Royal Challengers, picking up three wickets for 23 runs in his four overs to turn the tide in favour of the hosts. Rohit Sharma (57 off 42) was the top scorer for Deccan Chargers being closely followed by skipper V V S Laxman (52 off 44).

Useful contributions from Wasim Jaffer(44), Virat Kohli (38)and Rahul Dravid helped Bangalore Challengers set Deccan Chargers, a challenging target of 157 runs.

Earlier, Deccan Chargers skipper V V S Laxman today won the toss and elected to field against the Bangalore Royal Challengers.

The home team brought in Pakistani batsman Misbah-Ul-Haq in place of Kiwi Ross Taylor, who has left for national duty, and veteran spinner Anil Kumble to add teeth to the bowling attack.

Teams:

Royal Challengers Bangalore:Rahul Dravid (C), Jacques Kallis, Wasim Jaffer, Virat Kohli, Mark Boucher, Praveen Kumar, Zaheer Khan, Bharat Chipli, Misbah-ul-Haq, Anil Kumble, Dale Steyn

Deccan Chargers:VVS Laxman (C), Sanjay Bangar, Herschelle Gibbs, Scott Styris, Adam Gilchrist (wk), Pragyan Ojha, Shahid Afridi, Rohit Sharma, RP Singh, P Vijay Kumar, Arjun Yadav.

Umpires:Billy Doctrove and Suresh Shastri

3rd Umpire:SK Tarapore

Match Referee:Talat Ali.

Source : PTI