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Finch, Tye blast Gujarat past RCB

Lions' Australian brigade lead the way as star-studded Bangalore stumble once again in IPL

The result: Royal Challengers Bangalore 134 (Negi 32, Tye 3-12) lost to Gujarat Lions 3-135 (Finch 72, Raina 34no) by seven wickets with 37 balls remaining.

The match in a tweet: Tye destructive, Finch decisive as Gujarat rise from bottom of #IPL ladder to continue RCB misery in Bengaluru!

Finch fires: While Victorian Aaron Finch had threatened in this year’s IPL, his highest score coming into the match was just 33 not out in six hits. But he produced as clinical a T20 knock as you’ll witness, finishing with 72 from just 34 balls. Coming in at 2-23, Finch begun by depositing his second and third balls for six, taking on Samuel Badree after the West Indian had removed both of Gujarat's openers. He stormed to the Lions’ fastest-ever half-century – from just 22 balls – belting six sixes all up in his 34-ball stay to all but secure a much-needed victory for the visitors.

Terrific Tye: AJ Tye spent two full seasons in the IPL without getting a game but the Western Australian has been making up for lost time in this year’s edition of the tournament. Thrown the ball in the fifth over, Tye nicked off the ever-dangerous Chris Gayle with his very first ball, before having Travis Head caught at slip next ball. A second hat-trick of IPL10 didn’t materialise but the right-armer finished with 3-12 from four overs in a player-of-the-match performance. He now sits equal second on the leading wicket-takers list with 12 scalps in five matches.

Image Id: 6060747B96BB4E93B4AAE2CE6C52B94C Image Caption: Tye picked up 3-12 for Gujarat in their win over RCB // BCCI

The big guns: Not for the first time in this tournament, RCB's dream top order of Chris Gayle, Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers all failed to make an impact with the bat. The wickets of Kohli, Gayle and Head fell in the space of just four deliveries - Tye removing the latter pair in consecutive balls - before de Villiers was run out after a horror mix-up with Mandeep Singh. The Indian pushed a ball to Ravindra Jadeja's left in the gully and set off for a run, to which the South African responded. But by the time Singh had realised Jadeja is not the man to test out in the field, de Villiers was halfway down the pitch and he was metres out of his ground when Jadeja's throw clattered into the stumps.

Image Id: 85E709C7A0F84DB6B350EC2C87EA17DB Image Caption: De Villiers walks off after being run out for 11 // BCCI

The stat: RCB's highly-rated batting order has been bowled out three times from nine matches in the tournament so far, which accounts for half of the six instances a team has been dismissed inside 20 overs this year.

The Aussie pack: It was a fantastic night for Gujarat's Australian trio, who all played a crucial role in a much-needed victory. Perth Scorchers quick Tye continued his dream tournament and accounted for Head on the South Australia's first ball. James Faulkner (1-15 from three) responded to his Champions Trophy axing by closing out the late overs nicely. But Finch was the star, the right-hander hammering six sixes in a powerful innings of 72 from just 34 balls to quickly snuff out any faint hopes the RCB had of defending their total.