Images: Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Daredevils

Sourav Ganguly continued his fine form, hitting a half-century to give Kolkata Knight Riders a good start against Delhi Daredevils in Kolkata, on Wednesday.

Gambhir's gamble of giving the new ball to Daniel Vettori backfired as Ganguly hit him for three boundaries in the second over of the innings.

Ganguly made 56 from 46 deliveries, hitting eight fours and one six, and added 94 runs for the opening wicket with Chris Gayle.

Photographs: IPL/Getty Images

Gayle began cautiously before breaking the shackles in Amit Mishra's second over, hitting him for a six and two boundaries.

The West Indies opener smashed Rajat Bhatia over long-on for his second six but dragged the very next ball onto his stumps to be bowled for a quick 40 from 21 balls.

Brendon McCullum, playing in his first match of the tournament, failed to fire with the bat.

The former Kolkata captain made just six before he was run out by Bhatia as Kolkata were reduced to 111 for three in the 14th over.

Angelo Matthews (46 off 28) and Manoj Tiwary (26) provided the boost in the final overs as the duo put on an unbroken stand of 70 in 41 balls for the fourth wicket to take Kolkata to a huge 181 for three in their 20 overs.

It was Ashok Dinda, who gave Kolkata an early wicket, when he bowled David Warner.

The Delhi opener was troubled by Dinda throughout the over with his fast short deliveries aimed at his body before he was bowled for a duck in the first over of the innings.

Just when it looked Delhi Daredevils were running away with the match, Ganguly brought Kolkata back with the wicket of Gautam Gambhir.

Gambhir, who made a quick 47 from 29 balls, tried to steal a quick single but was caught short by Ganguly's direct from mid-off.

Gambhir and Virender Sehwag had rallied Delhi after an early wicket as they added 99 runs in 58 deliveries for the second wicket.

Sehwag got a lifeline when Iqbal Abdullah dropped him at deep midwicket off Ajantha Mendis.

The batsman expressed his gratitude by smashing Sourav Ganguly over long-off for his second six.

The Delhi opener reached his seventh IPL fifty with a boundary off Mathews. Coming off 34 balls, it was his slowest fifty in the tournament.

Ajit Agarkar claimed the big wicket of Sehwag for 64 from 40 deliveries when he bowled him with an inswinging delivery.

Sehwag's wicket saw Delhi lose their way before finishing on 167 for eight in 20 overs to lose the match by 14 runs.