BANGALORE, India - Seam bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji produced a superb spell of 4-18 as Kolkata Knight Riders beat Bangalore Royal Challengers by 42 runs in the Indian Premier League yesterday at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.
Balaji bowled an immaculate line to claim the important wickets of Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers to help restrict Bangalore to 9-123 after Kolkata had scored 8-165 in 20 overs.
South African Jacques Kallis had earlier removed big-hitting opener Chris Gayle and Cheteshwar Pujara to complete an all-round performance of 22 and 2-7.
Captain Gautam Gambhir (64) and Manvinder Bisla (46) were the other performers for Kolkata, who won their first game after two losses. Bangalore have one win and one loss.
Kolkata made a superb start after being put in to bat, but faltered in the latter half of their innings when a total of close to 200 looked likely.
After Kallis's steady innings was brought to an end by Bangalore captain Daniel Vettori, Gambhir and Bisla added 64 in less than eight overs.
Gambhir struck nine fours in 39 balls, the captain hitting pace bowler Harshal Patel for 15 in an over, including the lone six of his innings.
Bisla struck three sixes and two fours, the wicketkeeper-batsman using his feet well during his 29-ball innings.