Photographs: Getty Images
Kolkata Knight Riders registered their second victory on the trot after a comprehensive victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore by seven wickets in the fourth match of the Indian Premier League in Eden Gardens on Sunday.
The Knight Riders started the damage early with Charl Langeveldt sending back opener Sreevats Goswami for 8 in the third over of the match.
Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews took it from there and struck of just the third delivery of his spell, Manish Pandey (0) was bowled all ends up.
Mathews was in the thick of things and went on to finish with figures of 4 for 19.
Kartik cracks Royal Challengers' middle-order
Image: Murali Kartik is ecstatic after dismissing Manish PandeyIt looked like Wasim Akram's job as bowling coach was indeed paying dividends as the Kolkata bowlers ripped apart Royal Challengers' batting line-up, picking wickets at regular intervals.
After the initial breakthroughs, spinner Murali Kartik also joined the party picking two quick wickets. He first had Kohli (2), who danced down the track only to hand Mathews an easy catch on the boundary.
Englishman Eoin Morgan (10), who was one of the expensive buys this season, failed to live up to his billing and was the next to go as he was bowled by Kartik.
Kallis props Challengers' total
Image: Jacques Kallis sends one to the boundaryRoyal Challengers' opener, South African Jacques Kallis, who struck an unbeaten 65, was the only saving grace. While wickets were tumbling at the other end, Kallis kept his cool and didn't fear to take his chances.
He was partnered by Rahul Dravid and Robin Utthappa for some damage control.
However, they didn't last long and it looked like a one-man battle from here on as Kallis almost single-handedly pushed the Challengers' total to 135-7.
Tiwary-Hodge give KKR perfect start
Image: Manoj Tiwary plays a classic cover driveChasing 136 for a victory, the Knight Riders got off to a blazing start. Openers Brad Hodge (50 off 45) and Manoj Tiwary (50 off 29) cruised to 85 for no loss in 10 overs.
After treating the bowlers of the likes of Kallis and Anil Kumble with disdain Tiwary was finally caught and bowled by Roelf van der Merwe.
Ganguly takes KKR to doors of victory
Image: Brad Hodge wallops one to the boundaryComing in to bat at No 3, Ganguly then joined Hodge in the middle. He was dropped by Goswami on nought and brought them to the doors of victory.
In the meanwhile, Hodge completed a half century but was soon out off the bowling of van der Merwe.
Ganguly then followed Hodge into the pavilion but no more damage was done and Cheteshwar Pujara hit the winning runs for the Knight Riders with four balls to spare.
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