By BV Swagath
Kolkata Knight Riders, the defending IPL Champions salvaged some pride by finally tasting their first victory of the CLT20 2012. The Knight Riders crushed Titans by a massive margin of 99 runs to end the latter’s winning streak.
Needing a massive 189 to win, Titans fell apart to get bowled out cheaply for 89 in 16.4 overs. Medium pacer L Balaji wrecked them apart with his 4 for 19 in 4 overs. Left-arm spinner Iqbal Abdulla and part-time leggie Manoj Tiwary picked up two wickets each.
Debabrata Das lifts KKR to 188: Kolkata Knight Riders are in the driver’s seat to taste their first victory of the tournament after posting a huge total of 188 for 5 against Titans at Newlands in Cape Town. It is a dead match for the KKR though as they are already out of the tournament.
Asked to bat first after losing the toss, KKR got a fine start from Manvinder Bisla (27 from 14 balls with 3 fours and 2 sixes) and Skipper Gautam Gambhir, who went onto score 44 (from 36 balls with 4 fours and a six). Brendon McCullum kept the momentum going with a 20-ball 36 (with 3 fours and 3 sixes) while Debabrata Das provided fireworks towards the end. Das scored a superb 43* from 19 balls with 6 fours and 2 sixes.
For the Titans, left-arm spinner Roelof van der Merwe bowled exceedingly well for his 4-0-18-2.