Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) benefited from a record fifth-wicket stand in the IPL, but were still beaten comfortably by Gujarat Lions.An unbroken partnership of 134 between Shakib Al Hasan and Yusuf Pathan proved in vain as Gujarat Lions returned to winning ways in the Indian Premier League with a five-wicket victory over Kolkata Knight Riders.
Shakib and Yusuf contributed respective unbeaten innings of 66 and 63 to ensure the Knight Riders recovered from 24-4 to set a target of 159.
However, that proved well within Gujarat’s reach, Dinesh Karthik striking 51 and Aaron Finch adding 29 from just 10 balls as the Lions eased home to end a three-match losing streak.
The Lions move back to the top of the table as a result of their success, leapfrogging Kolkata and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Praveen Kumar (2-19) gave Gujarat a positive start, removing Gautam Gambhir (5) and Manish Pandey (0) in the third over, and things soon got better for the visitors at Eden Gardens.
A third wicket arrived when Robin Uthappa (14) was caught down the leg side off Dhawal Kulkarni and Suresh Raina then took a spectacular one-handed catch at slip to account for Suryakumar Yadav (4) off Dwayne Smith’s bowling.
Faced with an awkward situation, Shakib and Yusuf responded superbly – the latter initially exhibiting greater aggression.
Shakib raised his own tempo in the closing overs, striking four sixes off Dwayne Bravo as a new record was set for the highest fifth-wicket stand in the IPL.
Yet Gujarat were always on track in reply, Smith and Brendon McCullum making 27 and 29 respectively prior to Karthik’s 29-ball knock, which featured eight fours and one maximum.
Finch provided additional impetus with a flurry of boundaries, while Ravindra Jadeja (9 not out) finished things off with a slog-swept six at the end of the 18th over after Karthik and Finch had fallen with the winning line in sight.(Sportsmax.com)