Sizzling Hodge lifts Rajasthan to IPL

A scintillating knock by Australian Brad Hodge powered Rajasthan Royals to a five-wicket victory with two balls to spare against Deccan Chargers in a high-scoring Indian Premier League (IPL) match in Jaipur on Tuesday. Chasing a formidable target of 197, Rajasthan were pegged back in the middle overs from Chargers spinner Amit Mishra (three for 32) after skipper Rahul Dravid (42) and Ajinkya Rahane (44) had given them a sound start with a 62-run alliance. Hodge hit six boundaries and two sixes in his explosive unbeaten 48 in just 21 balls to help Rajasthan score 74 in the last six overs with the help of Ashok Menaria (22) and steer his team to victory. Rajasthan moved to the top of the table while winless Hyderabad remain at the bottom. Saurabh Tiwary hit a six off the final ball as Royal Challengers Bangalore beat Pune Warriors by six wickets in another match. Bangalore had gone into the final over needing 21 runs to win but Tiwary could only take a single off Ashish Nehra. However, AB de Villiers scored four, six, six and one off successive balls, leaving three needed off the final ball and Tiwary smashed it over the ropes as the home side chased down Pune's 182 for six. Tiwary finished unbeaten on 36 and de Villiers 33, while Chris Gayle smashed five successive sixes during his 81 from 48 balls in Bangalore's 186 for four. Robin Uthappa (64) top scored for the Warriors while Jesse Ryder and Marlon Samuels chipped in with 34 apiece.