New Delhi:
Suresh Raina led from the front with a brilliant half-century under pressure as Gujarat Lions chased down a daunting target of 188 runs set by Kolkata Knight Riders at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium on Friday. Though the visitors lost six wickets in the process, they managed to beat the home team thanks to a brilliant half-century under pressure Raina.
The Gujarat captain scored 84 runs off just 46 balls and his efforts kept the target under reach throughout the innings.
Openers Aaron Finch and Brendon McCullum gave the visitors the start they needed by scoring 42 runs in first four overs. The game was also interrupted briefly due to rain.
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Earlier, Robin Uthappa slammed his second half-century of the tournament while Sunil Narine played a cameo at the top as Kolkata Knight Riders toyed with Gujarat Lions lacklustre attack to post a commanding 187 for five.
It was raining boundaries and sixes at Eden Gardens with Narine using his long handle to great effect. Narine played 42-run cameo knock that came off just 17 balls as he and skipper Gautam Gambhir put together quickfire 45 runs off 20 balls for the opening stand to get KKR off to a blazing start.
After Narine's departure, Uthappa, in his 50th appearance for KKR, made a feast of the lacklustre Gujarat Lions attack and smashed 72 runs in 47 balls with the help of eight fours and two sixes to post his second halfcentury of the season and 19th overall in IPL.
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Dropped on six by Aaron Finch at long on, Uthappa put together 69 runs off 49 balls with Gambhir (33 from 28 balls; 2x4s, 1x6). It was yet another insipid bowling display by Gujarat Lions as Raina (1/11), due to the lack of resources and was forced to bowl two overs.
(With inputs from PTI, more details awaited)
