Yuvraj compounds Delhi misery

A quickfire half-century from batsman Yuvraj Singh and a slew of other cameos were enough for the Royal Challengers Bangalore to trump the Delhi Daredevils by 16 runs in Tuesday's pivotal Indian Premier League match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

A quickfire half-century from batsman Yuvraj Singh and a slew of other cameos were enough for the Royal Challengers Bangalore to trump the Delhi Daredevils by 16 runs in Tuesday's pivotal Indian Premier League match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The result propelled the Royal Challengers to sixth position in the eight-team standings, while the Daredevils remained stone last – and have all but been ruled out of the reckoning in the wake of a mere two wins in 10 attempts.

Yuvraj's entertaining 68 not out, achieved off just 29 deliveries and lined with all of nine sixes and a solitary four, was at the fore of a formidable total of 186 for four. West Indian Chris Gayle, Indian Parthiv Patel and South African AB de Villiers, meanwhile, contributed a complementary 22, 29 and 33 respectively.

The Delhi bowling attack struggled to combat the hard-hitting left-hander's onslaught, with Pakistan-born leg-spinner Imran Tahir and right-arm seamer Rahul Shukla proving particularly expensive.

The Daredevils' pursuit was initially hampered by the early departures of openers Quniton de Kock and Murali Vijay, who were collectively flatfooted against a new-ball attack boasting the services of former Sri Lanka spinnner Muttiah Muralitharan and Australian left-armer Mitchell Starc.

Captain Kevin Pietersen's commanding 33 and Proteas left-hander JP Duminy's cavalier 48 brought some fight, but a general lack of support resulted in an insurmountable asking rate.

All-rounder Yuvraj, who bowled four economical overs, was named Man of the Match. Wednesday's IPL fixtures will see the Sunrisers Hyderabad clash with the Kings XI Punjab in Uppal – and the Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians meet in Cuttack.