Kolkata, Apr 13 (UNI) Skipper Gautam Gambhir’s unbeaten 72 from 49-ball powered Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to a facile 8 wickets triumph over formidable Kings XI Punjab on the newly relaid pitch at Eden Gardens here tonight.
Batting first the Glenn Maxwell side had scored 170 for loss of 9 wickets as Umesh Yadav picked up 4 wickets for 33 runs on his return to field after sustaining injuries from national duty.
In reply KKR scored 171 for loss of 2 wickets with 21 balls remaining.
Left handed batsman Gambhir remained not out on 72 hitting 11 to the fence and Manish Pandey was not out on 25. He hit the winning stroke for a six to M Stoinis delivery.
KKR returned to winning way after loss at the Mumbai. KKR had won the first match with 10 wickets against Gujarat Lions. This win also meant that KKR remained unbeaten at home from Kingsmen.
This was first defeat for Glenn Maxwell side after two wins against Pune and Bengaleru.
Deceptive West Indian right arm off break bowler Sunil Narine was surprise package for KKR skipper Gautam Gambhir in absence of his inform injured opening batsman Chris Lynn. Narine batting with his left hand scored 37 with 18-ball hitting four boundaries and three lofty sixes to lead the side on confident note.
Twenty-eight-year old Narine partnering with Gambhir in first wicket they made 76 runs
in 5.4 overs before being bowled by Varun Aaron. Narine, who dropped a catch, was given standing ovation by the spectators at Eden.
Then hard hitting wicket-keeper batsman Robin Uthappa hit three 4s and one six to score 26 in just 16-ball to the purple brigade solid foundation for win, especially after team loss at Mumbai Indians in the previous play. UNI
