Cricket: "Duckwoth-Lewis helps Kolkata Knight Riders Open their account"

Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 11 runs in a rain shortened match. Duckworth-Lewis came to the rescue of Kolkata as they were 11 runs ahead of what they scored at that time and were declared the winners. This was a setback for first series IPL semifinalist Punjab who have lost 2 matches in a row.

Kolkatta Knight Riders won the all important toss and choose to bowl first. Ishant sharma compliment it well by removing the dangerous Goel for a duck. Irfan was promoted up the order as a pinch hitter. He did his part by scoring a quick 32 of 17 balls which includes 5 hits to boundary and one over it. Ganguly was the wrecker in chief for Kolkatta who did a mini collapse by removing irfan and bopara in same over. Sangakkara and Captain Yuvraj stedead the ship with a 56 run partnership for 4th wicket and paved the way for Punjab. Punjab ended up scoring 158 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Kolkatta Knight Riders started it off brilliantly with two dangerous batsmen scoring 57 of just 5.3 overs. Inspite of McCullum falling to malik, gayle continued from where he left. When 9.2 overs were bowled rain came and it never went and all hopes of punjab were dashed with Duckworth-Lewis calculation as kolkatta were 11 runs ahead of what they should be and were declared the winners.

Man of the Match was awarded to CH Gayle for his gritty knock of 44 of 26 balls which included 2 hits to boundary and 4 over it.

Scores: Kolkata Knight Riders 79 for 1 (Gayle 44*, McCullum 21) beat Kings XI Punjab 158 for 6 (Yuvraj 38, Pathan 32, Ganguly 2-24) by 11 runs by D/L method