Brad Hodge’s exploits down Knight Riders

Kochi's Brad Slams compatriot Brett Lee for 21 runs in last over to set up IPL debutants' victory over Kolkata Knight Riders

Brad Hodge's exploits down Knight Riders

Kochi's Brad Slams compatriot Brett Lee for 21 runs in last over to set upu00a0IPL debutants' victory over Kolkata Knight Riders

Kochi Tuskers Kerala batsman Brad Hodge of Australia slams compatriot
Brett Lee of Kolkata Knight Riders at the Jawaharlal Nehru International
Stadium in Kochi yesterday. pic/AFP

Hodge clobbered two sixes and two fours to finish on an unbeaten 35 off just 19 balls.

Kolkata Knight Riders' captain Gautam Gambhir conceded his side failed to put up a strong batting performance, but refused to be bogged down by the stunning defeat.

"We did not go wrong anywhere. I do not want to blame anyone. But we should have chased 156. Kochi bowled well and credit goes to Kochi as they stuck to the (right) areas," Gambhir, who was out for a first-ball duck, said after KKR slid to a 17-run loss.

"We need to move on from here. This (defeat) is part and parcel of the game. In the T20 format, one wicket can change the game. We need to concentrate on next couple of games," he said. Chasing 157, Kolkata were cruising at 69-0 but paceman Raiphi Gomez grabbed two wickets in two balls and Vinay Kumar sent back Morgan (66) and Yusuf Pathan in the 19th over to restrict the visitors to 139-7 at the Nehru Stadium.

The victory moved Kochi to fifth in the points table and brought them back into contention for a place in the knockout rounds, while Kolkata remained in second place with 12 points.

England's Eoin Morgan impressed among the Kolkata batsmen, hitting eight fours and two sixes in his 51-ball knock after Jacques Kallis made 45 opening the innings.

Gambhir refused to blame Brett Lee, who conceded 22 runs in the last over of the innings, for the defeat. "I do not want to blame anyone. It happens in cricket. He gave his best and bowled well in the last couple of games."

Brief scores: Kochi 156-5 in 20 overs (M Jayawardene 55, B Hodge 35 not out; J Unadkat 2-25) bt Kolkata 139-7 in 20 overs (E Morgan 66, J Kallis 45; R. Gomez 2-14, V. Kumar 2-28) by 17 runs.

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