Kolkata: Former Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene scored a brilliant 110 off 59 deliveries (14x4, 3x6) to end the losing streak of Kings XI Punjab, who recorded an eight-wicket over Kolkata Knight Riders in Match 34 of IPL 2010 at Eden Gardens here today.
Jayawardene upstaged Chris Gayle's blistering 42-ball 88 (6x4, 8x6) for Kolkata Knight Riders.
Set a big 201 runs for victory, the Kings XI Punjab successfully managed to chased down the target set by Kolkata Knight Riders with ten balls to spare. This was the second win for Kings XI Punjab from nine matches after having lost seven this season.
Kolkata Knight Riders, who have had a bumpy ride so far in this tournament, thus suffered their fifth defeat. They have eight points from nine matches. Irrespective of the win, Kings XI Punjab lie at the bottom of the table with four points from nine matches.
But it was Jayawardene’s day. The classy batsman, who was originally not in the team but was drafted into the team after a last-minute injury to Australian opener Shaun Marsh, was all grace and timing. Opening the innings, he tore apart the Kolkata Knight Riders attack. It was Jaywardene at his best.
Jayawardene became the second Sri Lankan after Sanath Jayasuriya to score a century in the Indian Premier League and also second centurion for Kings XI Punjab team. Jayawardene had two important partnerships on his way to the match-winning knock.
After opener Manvinder Bisla was out for 18, Jayawardene was associated in a 98-run partnership in 53 balls with his skipper Kumar Sangakkara, who made a 22-ball 38. After Sangakkara’s exit, Yuvraj Singh (33 not out off 16 balls, 2x4, 3x6) and Jayawardene frustrated the home team crowd with an unbeaten 55-run stand in 4.4 overs as the Kings XI Punjab finally tasted victory.
Kolkata Knight Riders were to rue a costly dropped catch when spinner Murali Kartik grassed Jayawardene at point, when the batsman was on 51. The bowlers, too, disappointed as they did not hit the right length.
Earlier, riding on Gayle's hurricane knock, Kolkata Knight Riders coasted to 200/3. If Murali Vijay was the toast of Chennai Super Kings in Saturday’s match, it was the turn of Gayle to take Eden Gardens by storm.
The West Indies captain finally found his form and he exploded in style. Skipper Sourav Ganguly and Gayle shared 56 runs for the opening wicket before the former was caught and bowled by Ravi Bopara for 36 (31 balls; 5x4) in 7.2 overs.
The big-hitting Gayle walloped four sixes in Bopara’s third over. Gayle’s breezy innings finally ended when Bopara held a skier at long on off Theron. Gayle and Manoj Tiwary were involved in a 101-run stand for the second wicket.
Tiwary, too, made a good contribution. He made 32-ball 35. Tiwary was caught splendidly by substitute fielder Mohammad Kaif at long on off left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan. Kolkata Knight Riders posted their highest score at Eden Gardens, bettering their previous best 181/6, scored against Deccan Chargers.
Kings XI Punjab bowlers fail to impress again. Bopara proved expensive (3-0-43-1) Leg spinner Piyush Chawla went for 26 runs in two overs. There was no place for Australian fast bowler Brett Lee, who was hammered by Robin Utthapa of Royal Challengers in the last match. Off-spinner Powar was the best bowler, conceding just 23 runs.