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A blistering unbeaten half-century from Kolkata Knight Riders all-rounder Yusuf Pathan secured a five-wicket Indian Premier League victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore despite yet another classy innings from Virat Kohli.
Both sides had suffered back-to-back defeats before Sunday's match at M Chinnaswamy Stadium and it was two-time champions Kolkata who returned to form to go second in the table.
Lokesh Rahul and the prolific Kohli made 52 apiece as Royal Challengers posted 185-7, but Pathan clubbed 60 not out off only 29 balls and Andre Russell smashed a quickfire 39 after taking 1-24 as KKR got home with five balls to spare.
Chris Gayle (7) launched Morne Morkel for six but was out from the next ball on his return from paternity leave, but Rahul and Kohli combined for a 84-run stand for the second wicket in just 10 overs.
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Rahul was the chief aggressor, flexing his muscles with great effect to clear the ropes twice and hit a further six boundaries in a rapid 32-ball knock before Piyush Chawla (2-32) got rid of the opener and AB de Villiers (4).
The impressive Morkel (2-28) struck again to dismiss Kohli, who has now made four-half centuries and one hundred in seven IPL innings, and Shane Watson (34 from 21) chipped in before Stuart Binny smashed 16 from three balls in the last over.
Binny sent Robin Uthappa (1) on his way in the first over, but Pathan took charge after Gautam Gambhir (37) was dismissed and combined for a 96-run stand with Russell in only seven overs to set up the victory.
Pathan smashed three sixes, while West Indies all-rounder Russell launched four maximums in his 24-ball knock as Tabraiz Shamsi was taken for 51 from his four overs.