Knight Riders power to seven-wicket win

Kolkata Knight Riders produced an all-round performance to score a convincing seven-wicket victory over Bangalore Royal Challengers in the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens here Sunday.

After restricting Royal Challengers to 135 for seven, Knight Riders reached the target with four balls to spare, with openers Manoj Tiwari (50) and Brad Hodge (50) sharing a 101-run stand.

It has been a promising start for the Knight Riders, who finished at the bottom of the table last year. They have now beaten defending champions Deccan Chargers and runners-up Royal Challengers in successive matches.

In their first match against Deccan Chargers in Mumbai, Knight Riders had to fight back to win a close encounter. But in front of the huge local support Sunday, Knight Riders Sunday were clinical in their performance.

Knight Riders captain Sourav Ganguly's decision to put the opposition to bat was backed by the bowlers as they never allowed a partnership to flourish.

Sri Lankan Angelo Mathews took four wickets, giving away just 19 runs while left-arm spinner Murali Kartik took two for 22.

Jacques Kallis, opening the batting for Royal Challengers, made an unbeaten 65 off 52 balls with seven fours and a six. But with no support from the other end, they were quickly reduced to 35 for four.

Rahul Dravid (21) and Robin Uthappa (20) gave Kallis company for some time but both gave their wickets to Mathews.

Knight Riders made a good start to the chase with Hodge and Tiwary taking it away from the Royal Challengers.

The two combined to score 101 off 11.4 overs before Ganguly struck a 22-ball 23.

Tiwary took the attack to the opposition, hitting six fours and two sixes. Hodge played the role of a second fiddle, taking 45 balls for his half century that came with seven fours.

Though the match was stretched till the last over, the Knight Riders were in no real danger and comfortably crossed the victory line.

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