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Cape Town - Adam Gilchrist blasted 71 off 45 balls as the Deccan Chargers went to the top of the table with a 24-run win over the Bangalore Royal Challengers in an Indian Premier League match at Newlands on Wednesday.
Opening batsman and captain Gilchrist and Rohit Sharma (52) propelled the Deccan team to 184 for six in their 20 overs.
The Challengers could score only 160 for eight despite a classy 48 off 27 balls by Rahul Dravid, who became the tournament's top scorer, and 50 off 30 balls by Virat Kohli.
Deccan, who finished bottom of the table in 2008, kept a perfect record in the 2009 edition and became the first team to win two matches - equalling their total haul in 14 matches last year.
"It's still early but we're really happy with the work the boys have put in," said Gilchrist.
The Australian and Herschelle Gibbs (11) put on 46 in 3.5 overs to get Deccan off to an ideal start after Gilchrist won the toss and batted on a good pitch in warm weather, which was in contrast to the conditions for the tournament's opening double headers here last weekend.
Gilchrist slammed six fours and five sixes. He and Sharma put on 61 off 36 balls for the third wicket. Sharma also hit five sixes, including three in an over from Anil Kumble, as well as a four in his 30-ball innings.
Fast bowler Fidel Edwards yorked Jesse Ryder with the first ball of the Bangalore innings and the Challengers were in a hopeless position when they slid to 38 for three after 7.2 overs.
Bangalore captain Kevin Pietersen, who made just 11, admitted: "Our batting has let us down in the first six overs every single time and we're going to have sort it out."
