Gaji
Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir hit inspiring half-centuries to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to a nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Friday.
South African Kallis top-scored with a 65-ball 80 not out while skipper Gambhir made an unbeaten 75 off just 44 balls as Kolkata achieved a 160-run target with nine deliveries to spare for their second win in three matches.
The pair added 152 for the incomplete second-wicket stand to make sure an easy victory for their team.
Left-handed Gambhir, caught off a no-ball when on 66, broken one six and 11 fours, including four boundaries in an over from seamer Amit Singh. Kallis hit two sixes and seven fours in his third succeeding half-century.
It was the first beat in three matches for Rajasthan, led by previous Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne.
Kolkata spinners Yusuf Pathan (2-4) and Shakib Al Hasan (2-31) earlier shared four wickets to limit Rajasthan despite a 25-ball 35 not out by New Zealander Ross Taylor.
Off-spinner Pathan bowled previous India captain Rahul Dravid (35) and then held a return catch to account for Ashok Menaria (27) in the similar over to put pressure on Rajasthan.
Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib strike with his third release when he had opener Amit Paunikar (nine) wedged by Kallis.
He then got a big wicket when he bowled Australian all-rounder Shane Watson for 22, which came sour just 13 balls with the help of two sixes.
Watson recently smashed a record 15 sixes in his career-best 185 not out in the second one-day international alongside Bangladesh in Dhaka.
