IPL 9: Table-toppers Kolkata survive Pune scare in narrow two-wicket win

The sensational run of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) continued in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after Gautam Gambhir's men survived a frantic chase that saw them lose five wickets for just 45 runs before pulling off a narrow two-wicket win over Rising Pune Supergiants (RPS) at the Maharashtra Cricket Association stadium on 24 April.

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Suryakumar Yadav (60) and Yusuf Pathan (36) laid the foundation of Kolkata's run-chase, but it was Umesh Yadav (7) who undoubtedly got his side over the line in the final over. The visitors, who were chasing a moderate total of 160 runs, achieved the target with three balls to spare.

Pune's bowling unit, which initially looked good in their defence, succumbed to the pressure in the death overs of the match. Albie Morkel, who conceded 12 runs an over, proved to be a tad too expensive for Dhoni's liking, while frontline spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had a forgetful outing with figures of 0-21 in two overs.

Kolkata got off to their worst start in the IPL this season, losing their trusted opening pair of Robin Uthappa (0) and Gambhir (11) for just 31 runs. Uthappa, who has been pivotal for KKR this year, was rapped on the pads by Morkel on the very first delivery of the innings.

Captain Gambhir, the leading run-scorer for Kolkata this season, was outdone by Manoj Tiwary's brilliance in the field while going for a second run. The early dismissals of their consistent performers posed a stern test for Kolkata's middle-order as Dhoni's men fancied their chances in the game.

Reeling at 31/2, Suryakumar and Shakib Al Hasan tried to get their run-chase back on track but Rajat Bhatia (2-19), arguably Pune's best bowler in the match, bowled the Bangladesh all-rounder to provide a crucial breakthrough to his side.

Desperate for a partnership, Suryakumar and Pathan added 51 runs for the fourth wicket to rescue Kolkata in their run-chase. Suryakumar smashed six fours and two sixes in his 49-ball innings, while Pathan appeared in his old swagger hammering two fours and two sixes in his knock off 27 balls.

But, just when it seemed that the duo would take the game away from the opposition, Bhatia struck in the 15th over to send Pathan back in the hut, while Suryakumar was dismissed by Murugan Ashwin on a deceiving googly in the 16th over.

At a score of 119/5, the Shah Rukh Khan co-owned team needed 42 runs from the last four overs when the much drama ensued. Andre Russell (17) smoked two towering sixes off Ankit Sharma in the 17th over, but he was soon dismissed by Thisara Perera to the sheer joy of the crowd.

With 18 runs to get from 12 balls. Rajagopal Sathish (10) deposited Morkel's slower delivery back into the stands, but he was cleaned up in a space of two deliveries. Kolkata needed seven runs off the final six deliveries when Piyush Chawla (8) went for the nonsensical big shot, only to lose his wicket in the end.

It finally came down to the muscular Umesh who cleared his frontleg to heave Perera's slower delivery over long-on for a massive six as the Kolkata dug-out erupted in joy after witnessing a close and intense finish to the pulsating clash.

Earlier, Ajinkya Rahane (67) and Steve Smith (31) anchored the innings for Pune, while a late surge in the last five overs - where Dhoni (12-ball 23) and Morkel (9-ball 16) helped them score 60 runs - ensured a competitive total for their side.

Kolkata's spin trio of Shakib (1-14), Sunil Narine (1-32) and Chawla (0-26) made the life difficult for the opposition batsmen. The three spinners bowled a total of 19 dot balls against Pune.

Despite being tied on eight points with Gujarat Lions, Kolkata - who have won four out of their five games - are placed at the top of the table on the basis of a superior net run-rate. For Pune, their IPL journey has been far from ideal this season as they languish at the seventh spot with four consecutive losses in five matches.