KKR win against lacklustre KXIP

Mohali: Kolkata Knight Riders snapped out of their three-match losing streak on Saturday night in fine style.

Led from the front by skipper Sourav Ganguly and Manoj Tiwary, Knight Riders made the most of the decision to bat first.

For the hosts Kings XI Punjab, their fifth loss dented their campaign in IPL 2010. But it was all Knight Riders at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday night as they pocketed two points.

Tiwary’s late charge and Ganguly’s experience ensured that Knight Riders ended at 183-5 in their 20 overs.

The Kings XI Punjab chase never really took off as they lost by 39 runs. This was the second biggest loss for any side in IPL 2010.

When the chase began, Ravi Bopara was trapped in front off the second ball by Shane Bond. Then the experienced Ajit Agarkar struck crucial blows in his first game.

Agarkar first claimed opener Yuvraj Singh, who seemed to be in a hurry and then also got rid of the threatening Manvinder Bisla.

With the asking rate going up all the time skipper, Kumar Sangakkara and senior pro Mahela Jayawardene tried to press their case, but it was too little too late.

Sangakkara (30) and Jayawardene (16) added 38 runs for the fourth wicket. But the Knight Riders bowled intelligently and the home team struggled to force the pace. The pace attack was in top form and the spinners controlled the middle overs.

The effort on the field backed up Knight Riders’ batting show. After Chris Gayle fell early, Ganguly joined forces with Tiwary.

Together the Bengal duo added 79 runs for the third wicket. Ganguly (50: 40b, 6x4, 1x6) fell trying to increase the scoring, but Tiwary carried on.

Tiwary’s late charge, including 21 runs off the last over by Irfan Pathan, pulled the Knight Riders away from a par score. Tiwary’s unbeaten 75 included eight boundaries and two sixes.

Tiwary successfully negotiated comeback man Brett Lee to take the sting out of the Kings XI Punjab attack.

Tiwary played a part on the field as well picking up a Karbonn Kamaal catch and coming up with some useful saves. In the end it was a Tiwary show which ensured the Knight Riders move to Delhi with smiles and a win.