IPL: Rain plays spoilsport; Bangalore, Rajasthan share points

The Indian team awaits a review decision in the third one-dayer against England in Nottingham. Photograph: Michael Steele/Getty Images

Royal Challengers Bangalore were forced to share points with Rajasthan Royals in their Indian Premier League match after heavy downpour led to match being called off.

- Scorecard

Batting first at the Chinnaswamy stadium, hosts Bangalore had posted 200 for seven.

However, just before the Rajasthan were about to begin their chase, it started drizzling and then turned it a steady downpour as the match was eventually called off at 11:35 pm.

Tim Southee of Rajasthan Royals celebrates wicket of RCB's Virat Kohli. Photograph: BCCI

Tim Southee bowled the first over of the match and it had a lot of drama in it. Chris Gayle (10) hit him for a boundary and a straight six before flicking an inswinger straight at Deepak Hooda's throat at square leg.

In his second over Southee had Bangalore captain Virat Kohli (1) fish at an away going delivery only to be caught by Sanju Samson.

The home side was in trouble at 19 for two.

Shane Watson of the Rajasthan Royals shows his frustration after bowling to AB De Villiers of the Royal Challengers Bangalore. Photograph: BCCI

But then AB de Villiers joined forces with Mandeep Singh and they launched a counter-attack that yielded 74 runs in only 53 balls.

In the fifth over, the flow of runs began as de Villiers hit James Faulkner for three successive boundaries. The first was an on drive followed by one past fine leg and then an off-drive. When Praveen Tambe came in, De Villiers was quick to sweep him and then punch him through covers for good measure.

Mandeep also played a cheeky innings as they started adding runs at a fair clip.

Mandeep was finally out leg-before when he tried to play the scoop over short fine leg and was hit on the back foot off a full delivery from Stuart Binny.

AB de Villiers of Royal Challengers Banglore walks back after being run out for 57. Photograph: BCCI

De Villiers, however, pulled Binny in the same over for a big six to complete his half-century.

But a misunderstanding with Dinesh Karthik (27) saw him head back to pavilion being run-out.

The South African's 45-ball 57 was inclusive of nine hits to the fence and one over it.

Sarfaraz Khan and Dinesh Karthik of Royal Challengers Banglore. Photograph: BCCI

Thereafter, teenager Sarafaraz Khan's audacious stroke-play stole the limelight.

Mumbai lad Sarafaraz, IPL's youngest player at 17, smashed his way to an unbeaten 45 off 21 balls.

Sarafaraz entertained with some attractive shots, hitting six boundaries and one over the fence, as home team reached a respectable total.

However, rain ensured they didn't get full points for their effort.