Kolkata Knightriders were taking on the Kings XI Punjab on their home turf, Eden Gardens. Kings who are coming from an emphatic win over the table toppers were eager to continue with their winning momentum. Murali Vijay who won his first match as a captain continued with his good luck, as he won the toss and chose to bowl first.

KKR had a quite start as the two openers got off cautiously on a track which was on a slower side and was offering some turn. The duo of Gautam Gambhir and Robin Uthappa played without taking any unnecessary risks. They took the singles and two’s to reach their respective 50’s. The two put a partnership of 101 runs from 81 balls when Gambhir 54(45) got out to a needless run out. Uthappa 70(49) followed the suite when he rushed out without hearing the call only to be caught short of his crease. Yusuf Pathan and Andre Russell tried to accelerate on the platform set by Gambhir and Uthappa but lost steam, in the end, thanks to some superb death bowling from KXIP bowlers to restrict KKR to 164/3.

The visitors started off poorly as the KKR pacers reduced them to a score of 13-3. Glenn Maxwell and Wriddhiman Saha steadied the ship and started rebuilding the KXIP innings. Maxwell got going with a couple of boundaries off Morne Morkel. He followed the same treatment with Brad Hogg who came in for an injured Sunil Narine. Just when it felt that Kings will cruise to another victory, Maxwell got out to a needless reverse sweep. KKR clawed back into the game by getting a couple of quick wickets and not letting the batsman score freely. Once again the pendulum swung in KXIP’s favour when Axar Patel blasted two into the stands to keep them in the hunt. With 12 runs required off the last over Andre Russell bowled brilliantly to defend it and take KKR home by 7 runs. KKR move to the top of the table with this win, knocking GL of their perch.