Riding on Chris Gayle's blitzkrieg, Royal Challengers Bangalore set Somerset an intimidating target of 207 in their must-win Group B match of the Champions League T20 tournament at the M Chinnaswamy stadium.
Put into bat, RCB ran up a powerful 206 for six -- the highest total in the CLT20 this season. Gayle, who was in an aggressive mood, smashed eight sixes and four boundaries during his 46-ball 86. Thanks to his pyrotechnics, RCB belted 14 sixes in an innings a record in CLT20.
After a dismal outing for most part of the tournament, Gayle let his bat do the talking on the day, that had the English bowlers scurrying for cover. He was particularly severe on George Dockrell who conceded 21 runs in an over, including three towering sixes.
Peter Trego was also treated with utter disdain, the towering Jamaican taking 19 runs in the medium pacer's first over. Trego conceded 50 runs in three overs.
Gayle was at his imperious best, hitting the ball all over the park. Dropped by Joss Butler off Steven Kirby while on 4, Gayle capitalised the reprieve.
After losing his opening partner Tillakaratne Dilshan (23), Gayle joined hands with consistent Virat Kohli (33) as the second wicket pair stitched a belligerent 70 off 40 balls.
Saurabh Tiwary scored 18 runs while adding 49 runs for the third wicket in Gayle's company. In the latter part of the innings, Mayank Agarwal made a 8-ball 19, including two sixes.
