IPL6: Kolkata thrash Rajasthan by 8 wickets

Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Rajasthan Royals by eight wickets at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday night with Yusuf Pathan finally striking form.

He delivered by scoring an unbeaten 49 but it was some exceptional bowling earlier that ensured their dominance to keep alive their slim hopes of qualifying for the playoffs.

Chasing a relatively small target of 133, Kolkata were home with nearly three overs to spare.

Pathan and Kallis shared an enterprising unbroken 88-run stand for the third wicket as Kolkata cruised to victory in the 18th over.

Pathan hogged the limelight with some power hitting smashing three boundaries and as many sixes during his 35-ball knock.

Kallis was not out on 33 from 30 balls cracking two boundaries and a six.

Manvinder Bisla set the ball rolling by contributing 29 off 25 deliveries with the help of four boundaries and a six.

Earlier, Kolkata bowlers maintained a tidy line never giving the Rajasthan batsmen to cut loose restricting the visitors to 132 for 5.

Sunil Narine, who was introduced late into the attack, was particularly impressive giving away only 20 runs from his four overs taking one wicket.

Rajat Bhatia was equally good claiming a wicket in his four-over spell conceding only 21 runs and Sachithra Senanayake bagging two wickets in his four overs.

Shane Watson (35, 35b, 4x4), Sanju Samson (40, 36b, 1x4, 2x6) and Owais Shah (24, 22b, 2x4) were the main contributors for Rajasthan but they kept losing wickets at regular intervals slowing down any momentum built during their innings.

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS INNINGS

Kolkata cruise to an easy victory. Shah Rukh Khan is seen celebrating. Certainly his presence inspired the home team to fire at Eden Grounds.

Just four needed. There's smiles already at the Kolkata dug out. But the day will belong to Pathan. He is just one run short of his half century. Kallis is on strike. Can Pathan get it?

Kolkata need 12 from 24 balls. Pathan's played a good knock. Will be happy for himself.

Kolkata need 19 from 30 balls. After 15 overs they are 114 for 2.

Kolkata are comfortably placed. Need 22 from 36 balls. they are 111 for 2 in 14 overs.

Partnership reaches 50. Kolkata are inching closer to victory. Need a comfortable 27 off 41 balls.

Pathan dealing in sixes. He's already got three. Kolkata are 100 for 2 in 12 overs.

Kolkata are 90 for 2 in 11 overs. Equation getting easier. They need 43 from 54 now.

Pathan's looking good. It's quite some time he's performed. Kolkata are 82 for 2 in 10 overs. 51 off 60 needed.

A six from Pathan and Kolkata are 65 for 2 in 8 overs.They now need 68 from 72 balls.

Yusuf Pathan comes in to bat

M Bisla c Rahane b Chavan 29 (25b 4x4 1x6)

Chavan provides the second break for Rajasthan. Kolkata are 55 for 2 in 7.1 overs.

Smooth sailing for Kolkata. They are 55 for 1 in 7 overs. Need 78 off 78 balls.

Wicket does not stop Kolkata progress. Eight runs comes off that over. Kolkata are 48 for 1 in 6 overs.

G Gambhir st Yagnik b Watson 12 (14b 1x4 0x6)

Brilliant ball from Watson. Gambhir completely misses it and Yagnik stumps him in a flash. Much needed wicket for Rajasthan. Kolkata are 41 for 1 in 5.3 overs.

Kolkata are going faster. Bisla dealing in boundaries. Kolkata 40 for no loss in 5 overs.

Bisla on a roll. Gets two boundaries off Watson. Kolkata are going strong with 35 for no loss in 4 overs. Rajasthan needs a wicket desperately.

Bisla gets a six and Kolkata are 25 for no loss in 3 overs.

It's another fine over for Kolkata. Things going pretty smooth for them. Kolkata are 15 for no loss in 2 overs. Rajasthan have to get a wicket if they are to make a contest of this match.

Good first over for Kolkata. They get eight runs off it.

Rajasthan start with spin. Left-arm spinner Chavan bowls

RAJASTHAN ROYALS INNINGS

Dravid comes in and gets into the act immediately scoring a fine boundary.

O Shah b Kallis 24 (22b 2x4 0x6)

Kallis bowling the last over brilliantly. Picks Shah. and Rajasthan are just 126 for 6 in 19.2 overs.

Narine bowled his last over. Another exceptional one. Rajasthan are 123 for 5 in 19 overs. They need a big last over.

S Samson c Kallis b Bhatia 40 (36b 1x4 2x6)

Samson succumbs. Could not get the shot and holes one in the deep. Rajasthan are 117 for 5 in 17.4 overs. It's getting tough for Rajasthan

A nice cut from Shah and they finally get a boundary. Rajasthan are 115 for 4 in 17 overs. Three overs to go but Rajasthan need to do big hitting to finish with a good total.

Samson survives after Bisla drops it. Narine not happy at all.

Boundaries drying up there. Rajasthan are 108 for 4 in 16 overs.

Another great over from Narine. Only singles from that over. Rajasthan are 102 for 4 in 15 overs.

A well timed six from Samson and Rajasthan are 90 for 4 in 13 overs. The youngster is really looking impressive.

D Yagnik b Senanayake 10 (6b 2x4 0x6)

Senanayake gives a boundary in the first ball but quickly removes Yagnik. Rajasthan can't afford to lose many wickets at this stage.

Good over from Bhatia. Just giving away four runs. Rajasthan now need some big ones. They are 79 for 3 in 12 overs.

Yagnik begins with a boundary and Rajasthan are 75 for 3 in 11 overs.

S Watson lbw b Narine 35 (35b 4x4 0x6)

Narine strikes immediately. Watson is trapped. Fantastic bowling from the spinner. Rajasthan are 71 for 3 in 10.5 overs.

And that's Narine introduced into the attack.

Half way through. Rajastan are 71 for two but Gambhir still not got Narine into the attack. So that's four big overs coming up.

A six and a boundary and Rajasthan are 62 for 2 in 9 overs.

End of eight overs, Watson and Samson going good. But they need some big hits very soon. Just 47 runs losing two wickets.

Rajasthan are going slightly slower ensuring they don't lose anymore wickets. They are 34 for 2 in 6 overs.

Youngster Samson is in the middle

J Faulkner c Gambhir b Iqbal Abdulla 1 (4b 0x4 0x6)

Kolkata taste success again. Faulkner departs and Rajastan are 27 for 2 in 4.3 overs.

Watson continues his fine run. Cracks another boundary Rajastan are 26 for 1 in 4 overs.

A Rahane st Bisla b Senanayake 6 (10b 1x4 0x6)

Superb bowling from Senanayake. Rahane attempts a big one and is stumped. Rajastan are 20 for 1 in 3.1 overs.

Two boundaries from Watson and Rajasthan look in complete control. Kolkata need a wicket. Rajasthan are 20 for no loss in 3 overs.

Only three runs from that Senanayake's over. Watson taking it easy. Rajastan are 8 for no loss in 2 overs.

Rahane's boundary and Rajasthan are 5 for no loss in the first over.

Rahane and Watson open for Rajastan.

Playing XI:

KKR: G Gambhir (Captain), M Bisla, Y Pathan, J Kallis, E Morgan, D Das, R Bhatia, S Narwal, S Senanayake, Iqbal Abdulla, S Narine.

RR: R Dravid (Captain), A Rahane, S Samson, S Watson, S Binny, O Shah, D Yagnik, A Chavan, J  Faulkner, G Hogg, S Trivedi

Kolkata Knight Riders will be taking on third-placed Rajasthan Royals in Match 47 of IPL6 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Friday.

Placed seventh in the standings with three wins from ten matches, defending champions KKR are struggling to come to terms with their losses despite having a strong team.

Another loss can close the doors for KKR in this campaign.

Rajasthan Royals have won six of their nine matches this season and will be looking to continue their winning streak.
 

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