Punjab see off tame Knight Riders (IPL - 22nd Match - KXI Punjab v Kolkata KR)

Kings XI Punjab recorded a comfortable victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Saturday, winning by nine runs after an early Kolkata collapse.


Having made 178 for six off their 20 overs, Punjab soon began dismantling the Kolkata batting order. Sourav Ganguly went for just five, caught at third man off Sreesanth, and Mohammed Hafeez quickly followed for 13 when he was bowled by Irfan Pathan.


When Hodge was trapped lbw for just one, Kolkota were floundering at 25 for three and it got worse as Debabrata Das fell victim to Sreesanth for 5.


Kolkata were scratching out runs, mainly in singles, but it was clear by the mid-point of their innings that the required run rate - hovering around 18 - was out of reach.


David Hussey (71) and Saha (59no) restored some pride with a sixth-wicket partnership of 104, but it was too little too late.


Punjab set themselves up for victory with a scrappy innings.


Shaun Marsh was the high scorer with 40, but it was the quick-hitting of his team-mates that was the secret to Punjab's success.


James Hopes smashed four fours from the first 11 balls his faced on his return, but was caught by Brad Hodge from the 12th.


Kumar Sangakkara came in but was soon struggling after swinging awkwardly at a delivery, and he retired hurt in the sixth inning.


Yuvraj Singh followed with an explosive but brief appearance, hitting 14 off three balls before he was stumped off the next delivery for 17.


Wicketkeeper Prasanta Saha claimed another victim, stumping Marsh, soon after.


Ganguly saved Umar Gul for the later stages and got quick reward as he got the wicket of Mahela Jayawardene, out for 10 off Gul's second delivery. The paceman surrendered only one run from an excellent first over.


After receiving treatment, Sangakkara re-emerged but saw his partner Karan Goel run out for six.


Sangakkara was eventually bowled by Gul, but ended a dogged effort with a respectable 28.


Piyush Chawla came into swing the bat with free abandon, and he accounted for 20 of the 21 runs Punjab scored off the final over, reaching his total of 21 off just seven balls.