'We saved our worst for the last,' says Gilchrist as RCB qualify for Champions League

Defending champions Deccan Chargers finished their third Indian Premier League campaign on a disappointing note by putting up a below-par performance in the third place play-off game at the DY Patil Sports Stadium on Saturday night.


Adam Gilchrist

Royal Challengers Bangalore capitalised on a disastrous batting performance by Adam Gilchrist & Co. to coast to a nine-wicket win and qualify for the Twenty20 Champions League.

Lot to play for

Unlike most meaningless third-place games, there was lot to play for in Saturday's IPL play-off match, but DC were shockingly disinterested. Apart from playing for pride, they had the opportunity to be part of the multi-million dollar Champions League. They batted without direction or purpose to be bowled out for 82, the lowest score of the third IPL.


Kumble celebrates Ryan Harris' wicket yesterday. PIC/ATUL KAMBLE

Rajasthan Royals' total of 92 against RCB at the Chinnaswamy Stadium had been the lowest total of this season so far.

"We saved our worst for the last," admitted skipper Gilchrist, who started the DC procession in the first over when he hit a full-toss from Anil Kumble straight to deep square-leg.

The game was over as a contest in the ninth over when Kumble bowled Dwayne Smith to reduce DC to 35 for five.

Kumble finished the tournament in a blaze of glory by claiming four wickets for 16 runs to walk away with the man of the match award. The other highlight of the game for RCB was their opener Jacques Kallis
"It was a ordinary performance, especially after the way we played to win the last five games to reach the semi-finals. We never expected to finish this way," said Gilchrist.

"If you ask me why? We played some poor shots, I, Rohit, Symmo all went out early," added Gilchrist.