Brad Hogg, Robin Uthappa and Andre Russell lead Kolkata to a huge win

Opener Robin Uthappa and All Rounder Andre Russell starred as Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings by 7 wickets at the Eden Gardens. With this win, Kolkata get revenge of Chennai’s 2 run victory on their home soil a couple of days back. This win helps Kolkata to jump over Royal Challengers Bangalore with 9 points while Chennai Super Kings still stay at the top of the table with 12 points.

Chasing 166 to win, Kolkata started off in a brisk fashion as skipper Gautam Gambhir went after the bowling as he scored 19 off 16 balls before Mohit Sharma had him caught by Ashish Nehra at the third man region. Manish Pandey struggled a bit in his short stay at the crease that was ended by Pawan Negi caught by Ravindra Jadeja at deep square leg for just 3. Surya Kumar Yadav too didn’t last long as Kolkata were reduced for 57-3at the start of the tenth over with Robin Uthappa going strong at one end.

Andre Russell joined Uthappa in the crease and started to counter attack from the word go. He had no respite for the bowlers as he smashed them all over the park. Uthappa, on the other hand played a sensible knock and reached his fifty with a six straight over Ashish Nehra’s head. Russell too crossed the fifty run mark with two consecutive sixes off Dwayne Bravo. The duo safely carried their team home with just a ball to spare with an 112-run partnership off only 64 balls. Uthappa remained unbeaten on 80 off 58 balls with seven fours and a six while Russell was not out on a 32 ball 55 with 4 sixes and 4 fours. Negi was the pick of the bowlers with a spell of 1-23 in his four overs.

Put into bat, Chennai were off to a shaky start as they lost Dwayne Smith off the first ball of the innings before Brendon McCullum cut loose. Chennai lost Raina soon after and were placed at 62-2 at the end of five overs. It was when Brad Hogg came in and dismissed Brendon McCullum off his very first ball for 32 off just 12 balls before accounting for Faf du Plessis.

Piyush Chawla removed MS Dhoni and Chennai were in a spot of bother. Dwayne Bravo and Ravindra Jadeja did the repair works with a crucial 30 and 24 before Pawan Negi walked in and smashed a 13 ball 27 to take CSK to 165-9 at the end of 20 overs. Brad Hogg was the pick of the bowlers with a spell of 4-29 in 4 overs. Andre Russell was named as the Player of the Match.

Brief Scores: Chennai Super Kings 165 for 9 (Brendon McCullum 32, Pawan Negi 27, Brad Hogg 4-29) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 169 for 3 (Robin Uthappa 80*, Andre Russell 55*,Pawan Negi 1-23) by 7 wickets.