Bangalore Royal Challengers beat Chargers by 12 runs

By Ken Borland

CENTURION, South Africa (Reuters) - Manish Pandey smashed the highest score of the Indian Premier League season as his unbeaten 114 helped Bangalore Royal Challengers to a 12-run win over Deccan Chargers and third place in the table.

The Delhi Daredevils secured first place in the standings with a four-wicket victory over Mumbai Indians on the final day of round-robin action on Thursday.

Pandey was called on to open the batting for the first time in the IPL and the 19-year-old smashed the ball all over Centurion in just the second century of the season.

His 114 not out off 73 balls led Bangalore to 170 for four.

Rudra Pratap Singh, who holds the Purple Cap for taking the most wickets in the competition, dropped Pandey on two and then bowled a terrible final over for Deccan, conceding 23 runs.

Herschelle Gibbs ensured Deccan were initially up with the required run rate as he blasted 60

But spinner Balachandra Akhil, who had earlier winkled out Adam Gilchrist (15), dismissed the South African at the start of the 15th over with the help of a fine running catch by Pandey on the midwicket boundary.

Akhil finished with two for 18 in four overs, while experienced leg-spinner Anil Kumble claimed two for 23 as Bangalore restricted Deccan to 158 for six.