Kolkata, Apr 21 (UNI) Gujarat Lions captain Suresh Raina’s 46-ball-84-run earned the visiting bottom side its second win in six games against two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens here tonight.
GL chasing KKR’s 187/6, were 188/6 scripting a 4-wicket triumph with 10 ball remaining.
Left handed batsman Suresh Raina tonight stole the limelight at packed Eden Garden’s rain marred play with his superb batting hitting nine 4s and 4 sixes to lead side a much-needed victory.
It was sweet revenge for Gujarat Lions agaisnt KKR, who defeated the rivals by 10 wickets in Rajkot on April 7.
The defeat for KKR was the second in six games and stopped them from taking the pole position for first time. KKR were now stranded at eight points from six games.
Gujarat Lions desperate to win and come back into the contest started dangerously with two openers Aaron Finch and Brandon McCullum to chase KKR 187/5 in 20 overs.
Both slammed all over the ground to partner 42 runs in first wicket before Finch was out on 31 from 15-ball with four to the fence and two sixes.
Bolwer for KKR Nathan Coulter-Nile broke the deadly partnership when he dismissed Finch as the batsman nickedtowards Manish Pandey to end the first wicket for the visitors.
McCullum was also on aggressive mood also scored 33 from 17-ball withfive 4s and a towering six before getting out from Chris Woakes bowling. This time too Pandey took the catch.
Incidentally GL’s first 50 runs from 3.5 overs was the fastest in the IPL.
Captain Suresh Raina was on rescue mission for the side, which needed at least a win to come into the contest after four games defeats in five matches, when the other side of the stumps was falling like nine-pins.
Wicket-keeper batsman Dinesh Karthik was out cheaply on 3. Ishan Kishan on 4 and Dwain Smith was also on 5.
But all rounder Ravinder Jadeja supported his captain and remained not out on 19.
Earlier, Robin Uthappa’s 72 took KKR to post 187.
Robin Uthappa’s 48-ball-72-run powered Kolkata Knight Riders to post moderate score of 187.
It was hard-hitter Uthappa’s second half-ton at Eden (28th time in T20) on trot after his 68 runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Thirty-one-year-old Uthappa also boasted to have share highest 59-run 2nd wicket partnership with Gautam Gambhir. Uthappa faced 48-ball and hit eight 4s and two sixes.
Sent to bat first KKR began in whirlwind fashion as opener Sunil Narine batting with skipper Gautam Gambhir was in belligerent mood hitting all the bowlers.
Bowlers Praveen Kumar, J Faulker and Basil Thampi conceded 12,17 and 15 runs in their first over respectively.
His blasting prompted rival captain Suresh Raina to come and bowl and his delivery clicked the issue. Left hander Sunil Narain on his big attempt skied up and Faulker had no trouble to hold when the West Indian scored 42 runs in 17 deliveries.
His highest score in T20 studded with 9 boundaries and a six with no single run.
After first wicket fall at 45, another left handed batsman Gautam Gambhir continued to keep on run rate with his hit and run method with new partner Robin Uthappa.
But the captain could go far as he also lifted sky high of a Faulker delivery and Suresh Raina held on his safe hands.
Gambhir’s 33 came from 28-ball with two to the fence and a six. Fifty nine runs came in 2nd wicket for the hosts.
Manish Pandey scored 24 and Yusuf Pathan was unbeaten on 11.
P Kumar, J Faulkner, Basil Thampi and Suresh Raina were taken one wicket each conceding 24, 38, 48 and 11 runs respectively. UNI
