Kings XI blown away by Gayle

Kolkata Knight Riders secured a comfortable victory over last year's semifinalist Kings XI Punjab in the fifth game of the DLF Indian Premier League at Kingsmead here on Tuesday, winning by 11-runs in the Duckworth-Lewis system. Chasing 159 in 20 overs, Knight Riders were 79 for one in 9.2 when rain stopped play.

Along with former captain Sourav Ganguly who bowled superbly to finish with two for 24 in four overs, Chris Gayle (44 not out, 26 balls, two fours, four sixes) was in the forefront of Knight Riders campaign to shrug off the defeat by Deccan Chargers in their opening game. Gayle ensured that Knight Riders were ahead on the Duckworth-Lewis rule with his blazing batsmanship.

Left-arm pace bowlers Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Abdulla will testify that Gayle was at his belligerent best but he played the steadying hand, too after Brendon McCullum fell in the sixth over. His switch between attack and percentage cricket was so seamless that the Kings XI Punjab side was unable to find a way past his defence.

Earlier, Kings XI Punjab made 158 for six in its 20 overs after Sourav Ganguly turned in a memorable display with the ball. Coming on to bowl at a time when Irfan Pathan had celebrated his elevation to No. 3 with some lusty blows, Ganguly bowled with a lot of guile - something he had always done on seaming tracks during his international career.

His double strike, sending back the dangerous Irfan Pathan and Ravi Bopara in the seventh over the innings left Kumar Sangakkara and Yuvraj Singh to first play the defensive role and then gain momentum. They added 56 runs for the fourth wicket but it was a useful cameo by Mahela Jayawardene that lifted Kings XI Punjab to a fighting score.

For the first time in six games, spinners played a minimal role with Chris Gayle and Murali Kartik but then this is Kingsmead, arguably the fastest and bounciest track in the competition. Well as men like Ishant Sharma, Ashok Dinda and the Portugal-born Australian Moses Henriques bowled, it was Ganguly's effort that will remain etched in the minds of the fans here as much as Gayle's batting before the rain came down.