All-round Kolkata see off Kings XI

The Knight Riders' batsmen backed up an excellent display in the field to help their side to a comfortable eight-wicket win over the Kings XI in Mohali on Wednesday.

The Knight Riders' batsmen backed up an excellent display in the field to help their side to a comfortable eight-wicket win over the Kings XI in Mohali on Wednesday.

Set a meagre 125 for the win following a disciplined bowling performance, Kolkata's openers Brendon McCullum and Gautam Gambhir put the foot down straightaway to make sure the hosts didn't get a sniff of victory.

Gambhir, in particular, took a liking to Praveen Kumar and Harmeet Singh and helped his side to reach 50 runs in just over five overs. He lost his partner McCullum (15) shortly after they reached that milestone as the New Zealander played a long-hop from Piyush Chawla straight to short fine-leg.

Manvinder Bisla (11) hit one six before he was bowled by Chawla, but skipper Gambhir kept his team on the front foot with a half-century from just 36 balls.

He finished not out on 66 from 44 balls and Jacques Kallis (30 from 23 balls) kept him company until they crossed the finish line.

It will be back to the drawing board for the Kings XI batsmen after their failed to capitalise on good knocks from captain Adam Gilchrist and Shaun Marsh.

Gilchrist made 28 before he was forced to retire hurt with a hamstring injury while Marsh hit 33 from 30 balls.

However, the rest of the batsmen never got going as Brett Lee removed Paul Valtathy early in the innings and then returned to get rid of Marsh. David Hussey was run out by McCullum while West Indies spinner Sunil Narine kept the hosts in check during the latter stages by removing Paras Dogra and Chawla cheaply

Although Gilchrist came back out to bat late in the innings and hit a six to finish unbeaten on 40, his side's 124 for seven was never going to be enough to trouble the Knight Riders' batsmen.

The victory helps Kolkata to move into third place on the Indian Premier League log with six points while the Kings XI remain third from bottom after winning only two of their five games.

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