Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell struck belligerent fifties after veteran Brad Hogg’s four-wicket haul to help Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) return to winning ways with a seven-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in a thrilling Indian Premier League match in Kolkata on Thursday.
Playing the formidable CSK for a second time in two days, KKR, who lost by two runs chasing 135 in the first leg clash, had a stiffer target of 166 to chase at the Eden Gardens after skipper Gautam Gambhir won the toss and once again opted to field.
Chasing the target, KKR found themselves in a familiar position as they were reduced to 57 for three. But last season’s top run-getter Robin Uthappa finally came good to steer the chase with a 58-ball unbeaten 80, his 14th IPL fifty and first in this season. He struck seven boundaries and one six during his knock.
Uthappa found a perfect ally in West Indian Russell who blasted 59 off 32 balls as the duo put together an unconquered 112 runs off just 62 deliveries for the fourth wicket to avenge their loss in Chennai few days back.
By virtue of this win, KKR (8 points) moved past Royal Challengers Bangalore (7) to the third spot in the table but CSK remained at top with 12 points.
But the defending champions started their chase in a terrible fashion.
On a day when it was required for their batsmen to seize momentum given by Hogg’s incisive four for 28-run brilliant spell, their misery continued after skipper Gautam Gambhir’s (19), Manish Pandey’s (3) and Suryakumar Yadav’s (2) early dismissals.
Debutant Ronit More took an impressive catch on the edge of the third-man boundary to dismiss Gambhir off Mohit Sharma (1/22).
As KKR went into a shell and with the asking rate going up, Dhoni smartly brought in his inexperienced duo of Pawan Negi and More, who did not disappoint either by dismissing Pandey and Suryakumar Yadav respectively.
But Uthappa and Russell ensured that the packed house did not leave the stadium disappointed.
Uthappa brought the crowd back on their feet when he slammed Ashish Nehra over his head and followed it up with two fours in over 15 in which the veteran Indian seamer leaked 15 runs.
Scores
Chennai Super Kings: 165 for nine in 20 overs (Brendon McCullum 32, Dwayne Bravo 30; Brad Hogg 4/29).
Kolkata Knight Riders: 169 for three in 19.5 overs (Robin Uthappa 80 not out, Andre Russell 59 not out; Mohit Sharma 1/22)
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