Gambhir guides KKR to win over Sunrisers

Kolkata Knight Riders cruised to a convincing eight-wicket success against Sunrisers Hyderabad, as Gautam Gambhir's strong Indian Premier League form continued in style.

In KKR's two previous matches this season, the skipper had made scores of 38 not out and 64, and he made a superb unbeaten 90 from 60 deliveries here as the visitors eased to their victory target of 143 with 10 balls to spare.

Tight bowling from the Knight Riders had restricted Sunrisers to 142-7, Umesh Yadav taking 3-28 while Sunil Narine, back with a remodelled action after his suspension, returned a tidy 0-26 from his four overs.

After falling to 50-4, Sunrisers were grateful to a partnership of 67 between Eoin Morgan (51) and Naman Ojha (37) as they were able to reach a competitive total.

But it was one that was made to look meagre by Gambhir, whose opening partner Robin Uthappa made 38 in a first-wicket stand of 92 that set the foundation for a comfortable chase.

After the hosts lost their first four wickets cheaply, Morgan and Ojha set about a rebuilding job, before the stand was ended in sensational fashion.

Ojha lofted Morne Morkel down to long-on, where Andre Russell took a stunning one-handed catch and then with his momentum set to carry him over the boundary, flicked the ball up for Piyush Chawla to juggle and hold on.

Morgan was next to go, having struck three fours and two sixes, before Gambhir and Uthappa set about chasing down their target.

Uthappa's innings was ended when he was trapped lbw by Ashish Reddy (1-14), but Gambhir's progress continued unchecked and he lofted the winning runs through wide-long on, his 13th boundary to go with a solitary maximum.