JAIPUR – Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir hit impressive half-centuries to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to a nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Friday. South African Kallis top-scored with a 65-ball 80 not out while skipper Gambhir made an unbeaten 75 off just 44 balls as Kolkata achieved a 160-run target with nine deliveries to spare for their second win in three matches.
The pair added 152 for the unfinished second-wicket stand to ensure an easy victory for their team. Left-handed Gambhir, caught off a no-ball when on 66, cracked one six and 11 fours, including four boundaries in an over from seamer Amit Singh. Kallis hit two sixes and seven fours in his third successive half-century. It was the first defeat in three matches for Rajasthan, led by former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne. Kolkata spinners Yusuf Pathan (2-4) and Shakib Al Hasan (2-31) earlier shared four wickets to restrict Rajasthan despite a 25-ball 35 not out by New Zealander Ross Taylor.
Off-spinner Pathan bowled former India captain Rahul Dravid (35) and then held a return catch to account for Ashok Menaria (27) in the same over to put pressure on Rajasthan. Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib struck with his third delivery when he had opener Amit Paunikar (nine) caught by Kallis.
BRIEF SCORES: Rajasthan Royals 159-4 in 20 overs (R. Taylor 35 not out, R. Dravid 35, A. Menaria 27, S. Watson 22; Y. Pathan 2-4, Shakib Al Hasan 2-31) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 160-1 in 18.3 overs (J. Kallis 80 not out, G. Gambhir 75 not out) by nine wickets.
KOCHI BEAT MUMBAI: Kochi Tuskers Kerala won a thriller against the mighty Mumbai Indians to pick up their first IPL victory on Friday at the Wankhede Stadium. Sachin’s century went in vain as Kochi defeated his team by 8 wickets with six balls remaining. Answering the 182 for 2-carnage by the Mumbai Indians, Mahela came out with definite plans promoting himself as an opener.
This worked well for Kochi as Mahela and McCullum opening wicket stand amassed 128 runs in 13.5 overs slamming all the Mumbai bowlers, especially Lasith Malinga and Kieron Pollard. But Malinga had his revenge by bowling out the Kochi skipper Mahela Jayawardene with an inswinging yorker and Brendon McCullum with a fuller in his come back spell.
Mahela cracked 56 from 36 balls and McCullum slammed 81 runs from 60 balls. McCullum hit three fours and Jayawardene one in a Slingshot over forcing Sachin to withdrew him from the attack early into the match. Pollard also took good beating as the Kochi batsmen allowed none of the bowlers to find their rhythm.
BRIEF SCORES: Kolkata Knight Riders 160 for 1 (Gambhir 75*, Kallis 80*) beat Rajasthan Royals 159 (Dravid 35, Taylor 35*) by nine wickets.
