Bengaluru, Apr 2 (UNI) Liam Livingstone scored a fine half-century and Tim David and Jitesh Sharma played cameos as Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) put up a competitive total of 169 against Gujarat Titans (GT) in their Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Wednesday.

However, Gujarat's disciplined bowling effort, spearheaded by Mohammed Siraj and Sai Kishore, prevented the hosts from piling on the runs.

Bengaluru found themselves in early trouble with the loss of key wickets but were revived by a crucial knock from Livingstone, who scored a resilient 54 off 40 balls. His innings, laced with five towering sixes, kept RCB's innings afloat after a shaky start. His milestone came when he launched Rashid Khan into the mid-wicket stands.

David provided a late flourish with 32 off 18 balls, striking three fours and two sixes, before being cleaned up by Prasidh Krishna in the final over.

Gujarat's pace spearhead Siraj was in sublime form, rattling RCB's top order with early breakthroughs. He first removed Devdutt Padikkal (4) with a sharp in-swinger that pegged back the off stump. Soon after, he dismissed Phil Salt (14), who had earlier smashed a massive six but was undone by a fast delivery that shattered his stumps.

Continuing his dominance, Siraj sent back the in-form Livingstone, caught behind by Jos Buttler. His spell of 3/19 proved pivotal in restricting RCB.

Kishore played a crucial role in the middle overs, claiming two key wickets. He first picked up Krunal Pandya (5) caught-and-bowled before removing Jitesh Sharma (33) with a well-flighted delivery, caught by Rahul Tewatia at long-on.

RCB had their share of luck as GT dropped crucial catches. Tewatia spilled a sitter at long-on off Livingstone when he was on just 9, a miss that allowed the English batsman to steer RCB's innings. Earlier, Buttler fluffed a regulation catch behind the stumps off Salt in the opening over.

GT also lost a review when they challenged an LBW appeal against Livingstone in the fifth over, with replays showing the ball sailing over the stumps.

With 170 required for victory, GT will look to capitalise on the assistance offered by the pitch, while RCB's bowlers aim to defend their total. UNI BDN SSP