AN all-round display from the Kolkata Knight Riders took them to a seven-wicket victory over last year’s runners-up the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the Indian Premier League in Kolkata.
Medium-pacer Angelo Mathews (pictured) claimed an outstanding four for 19 as the Royal Challengers were restricted to a mere 135 for seven, 65 of those runs coming from Jacques Kallis.
Openers Manoj Tiwary (50) and Brad Hodge (50) cracked half-centuries and added 101 for the opening wicket as the Knight Riders overhauled the target with four deliveries to spare.
The Knight Riders were in control from the outset with Charl Langeveldt striking in his second over with the new ball, getting rid of opener Shreevats Goswami (eight). Then, as against champions Deccan Chargers in their opening game, captain Sourav Ganguly made the bowling changes and it all clicked nicely.
Mathews struck in his first over to remove Manish Pandey for a seven-ball duck, left-arm spinner Murali Kartik snared Virat Kohli (two) in his first over and struck again to send back debutant Eoin Morgan – who had shown intent with a second-ball six – for 10.
The Royal Challengers managed a measly 24 from the first six overs and had slumped to 35 for four when Kallis found support in Rahul Dravid (21) and the tempo lifted briefly.
Mathews, however, returned to get Dravid out and the Sri Lankan all-rounder then snared Robin Uthappa (20) and Roelof van der Merwe, effectively snuffing out any hopes of a recovery from the Royal Challengers.
Kallis reached his half-century in 47 deliveries, but despite his heroics his team had a below-par total to defend. Openers Hodge and Tiwary scaled that target down to a mere 35 from 8.2 overs with a blistering opening wicket stand which yielded 101.
After a circumspect start, Tiwary exploded into action, dispatching Kallis for two boundaries and a six in his second over. Dale Steyn was treated with similar contempt and Anil Kumble was hammered for consecutive boundaries in his first over – the last of the powerplay, by which time Hodge too had joined the party.
The Royal Challengers pushed the game to the final over with a late comeback, but the Knight Riders never lost control. (Eurosport)