RCB restricts Pune to 157 for 3

Royal Challengers Bangalore bowlers kept the Rising Pune Supergiant batsmen in a tight leash to restrict them to a modest 157 for three in their Indian Premier League match here today.

RCB bowlers dominated the proceedings from the word go after inviting the Pune outfit to take first strike, with left-arm spinner Pawan Negi returning with impressive figures of 1/18 from his 4 overs.

Stuart Binny (1/17) and Samuel Badree (1/31) chipped in with wicket apiece.

Despite losing just three wickets, Pune batsmen could not up the ante despite the pitch being reasonably batting- friendly.

Skipper Steven Smith top scored with 32-ball-45 that included five boundaries and a six, while Manoj Tiwary (44 no, 35 balls) and opener Rahul Tripathi (37) also made important contributions.

Pune could bring up 100 runs only in the 14th over.

Even Mahendra Singh Dhoni, who hit a huge six and a boundary during his unbeaten 21 off 17 failed to increase the tempo in the final overs.

The two India batsman could put up just 46 runs in the last five overs.

Despite three 40-plus runs partnerships, Pune batsmen simple failed to get going, as the bowlers managed to tightened the noose.

Having lost Ajinkya Rahane (6) early, opener Tripathi and Smith stitched 40 runs for the second wicket, before the skipper joined hands with Tiwary for a 50-run stand for the third wicket.

Tiwary then couple with Dhoni for an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 49.