Powered by a brilliant five wicket haul from Sunil Naraine, Kolkata Knight Riders restricted Kings XI Punjab to 134/9 in a IPLV encounter at the Eden Gardens here today. The young West Indian rattled team Punjab by claiming half of their side for 19.
The touring team started with a new opening combination of skipper Adam Gilchrist (5) and Mandeep Singh. The change, however, failed to get them a positive start as the Australain, who has been in poor form in this edition of the cash-rich league, failed again.
The former Kangaroo wicket-keeper's 10-ball struggle at the crease was ended by spinner Sunil Naraine. His departure brought in-form Shaun Marsh(1), but he could not replicate his match winning performance against Pune Warriors India and became the second victim of the Carribean.
The young West-Indian spinner broke the defence of Marsh with one that tossed up around the middle stumps and drew forward the left-hander.
Singh in company of seasoned campaigner David Hussey steadied Punjab's ship and 52-run association for the third wicket.
Previous match hero Shakib Al Hassan broke their stand by claiming Singh, who was looking good at 38. The ex-KKR player miscued a slog-sweep and holed out to Ryan Ten Doeschate at midwicket. His 34-ball effort was studded with three sweetly-timed boundaries and a huge six.
{{/usCountry}}Previous match hero Shakib Al Hassan broke their stand by claiming Singh, who was looking good at 38. The ex-KKR player miscued a slog-sweep and holed out to Ryan Ten Doeschate at midwicket. His 34-ball effort was studded with three sweetly-timed boundaries and a huge six.
{{/usCountry}}KXIP suffered another setback immediately when Hussey (32) fell short of his crease, courtesy a huge confusion with non striker Paras Dogra.
Some useful contribution from Piyush Chawla(13) and Harmeet Singh(14) towards the end of their innings gave Punjab a total of some respect.
The Trinidadian after scalping two in his first spell returned to victimise Bipul Sharma, Praveen Kumar and Harmeet Singh to complete his first five wicket haul in his maiden IPL campaign. Rajat Bhatia also chipped in with two vital wickets.
The touring side went into the match without Paul Valthtaty, the breakthrough performer of the previous year, while KKR missed the service of Laxmi Paty Balaji due to a groin injury.