Defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders humbled Sunrisers Hyderabad by 48 runs in an Indian Premier League match at the Eden Gardens here Sunday.
The Sunrisers managed 132/7, chasing an imposing 181 of KKR. Gautam Gambhir (53), Jacques Kallis (41) and Eoin Morgan (47) were the main contributors in KKR's 180 for four. The home skipper was adjudged man of the match for his fine knock.
KKR, who met the Hyderabad franchise for the first time in their new avatar as Sunrisers Hyderabad, kept their impressive home record against them intact, winning four out of five matches. The other match was washed out. Sunrisers have won three out of their five matches.
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Playing their home match after losing two consecutive away games, KKR garnered much needed points to put back in track their title defence. They have won two of their four games.
Gautam Gambhir. Pic/ AFP
The Sunrisers started off solidly with explosive batsman Cameron White promoting himself up the order to partner Parthiv Patel. The duo put up the first 50 run opening partnership for the visitors in IPL-6.
However, the first wicket stand was broken at 57 when Patel 27 (31b 2x4 1x6) was castled by a Jacques Kallis delivery while trying to play an expansive shot.
Patel's exit from the pitch signalled a fall of wickets as both Cameron 34 (31b 2x4 1x6) and skipper Kumar Sangakara (2) departed in quick secession, leaving the visitors reeling at 71/3 in the 12th over.
With the asking run rate mounting with each passing over, the frail Sunrisers batting line-up wilted under pressure and threw their wickets away in their endeavour to score quick runs.
Sachitra Senanayeke with one for 18 off his four overs made an impressive IPL debut for KKR. Allrounder Kallis, who earlier impressed with the bat scoring 41, came out to torment the visitors this time with the ball.
Kallis' removal of both the dangerous looking openers derailed the visitors' run chase as they failed to sustain the momentum while the hosts tightened their grip in the match.
The burly South African came back in the penultimate over to get rid of Thisara Perera 36 (25b 2x4 1x6).
He finished with figures of 3/13 off his four overs.
Sunil Narine 1/31 and Rajat Bhatia 2/33 were the other wicket takers.u00a0
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