Getting Gayle's wicket early is key to beating RCB: Fleming

Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming has said that Royal Challengers Bangalore was lucky to get Chris Gayle in its side and any team that would be playing against RCB should ensure that the West Indies opener gets out cheaply.

Indian Premier League top scorer Gayle continued his good form by blasting an unbeaten 75 as RCB crushed CSK by eight wickets in a high voltage match on Sunday to top the points table.

"Without doubt, I haven't seen a player to have that much of impact in a season yet. He's been phenomenal. It's RCB by luck to the injury to (Dirk) Nannes that he was available. Very fortunate that they've got him, and he's responded beautifully.

"So, he is very much a key player and a lot of their wins feed off him. I guess the challenge now in the semifinals and the final, whoever plays them, is to get Chris Gayle out early. If you get Chris Gayle out and you've got a few, you have a chance, getting him out will be priority number one," said Fleming.

RCB restricted Chennai to 128 for eight, a total that owed much to a 40-ball 70 from skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Gayle, however, matched Dhoni's big hitting with six sixes in his 50-ball knock as Bangalore reached the target with two overs to spare.

After the win, Captain of RCB Daniel Vettori said the team was an elated bunch of individuals.

Vettori lauded Gayle for his outstanding performance and said the player is determined to get the Orange Cap.

Chennai and Bangalore will meet again in Tuesday's first playoff in Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium, a day before Kolkata take on Mumbai in the second playoff at the same venue.