Kolkata: Sourav Ganguly led from the front to take the Kolkata Knight Riders to a 14 run victory over the visiting Daredevils. He produced a brilliant direct hit, scored a brisk half-century and slipped in a few overs of medium-pacers. He then picked up a Karbonn Kamaal Katch and dived around the manicured Eden Gardens outfield to cap a memorable day.
Ganguly's heroics were nearly outdone by the blitzkrieg produced by Delhi Daredevils' Virender Sehwag (64: 6x4, 3x6).
In the end, Kolkata Knight Riders defended their score of 181-6 in fine style. Delhi Daredevils went down by 14 runs.
Sehwag and his skipper Gautam Gambhir (47: 29b, 6x4,1x6) raised hopes with a 99-run stand. But Gambhir's dismissal, thanks to Ganguly's brilliance, derailed the chase.
From 99-1 in 10.3 overs, Daredevils slipped to 152-8 in the 19th over as the young pair of Ashoke Dinda (2-21) and Iqbal Abdulla (1-28) put new life into Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaign. Ajantha Mendis came in at a crucial stage to pick 2 for 22.
The Knight Riders picked up two points to bring their campaign back on track and log 10 points, whereas Daredevils remained static at the second position.
Earlier, Ganguly led from the front for the home team. He teamed up with Chris Gayle to provide a swift start to the Kolkata Knight Riders justifying the decision to bat first.
Ganguly (56: 46b, 8x4, 1x6) and Gayle (40: 21b, 5x4, 2x6) together laid the perfect platform for the big-hitters in the middle-order.
Brendon McCullum, playing his first game of IPL 2010, made a brief appearance. But it was the late flourish from Angelo Mathews (46: 28b, 3x4, 2x6) that gave the innings momentum. Knight Riders scored 55 in their last five overs. Manoj Tiwary was able support for Mathews as the duo added 70 runs in 6.5 overs.
In the end the raucous home crowd was treated to a vintage dada performance – as a player and triumphant leader with characteristic intensity.
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