Kochi outclass Kolkata

Register 17-run win in IPL.

KOCHI:

Kochi Tuskers Kerala survived an onslaught by opener Eoin Morgan to beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 17 runs in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Morgan’s 66 gave hope to Kolkata after they were reduced to 97 for three, in pursuit of 157. The England batsman put on 69 for the opening wicket with Jacques Kallis.

Raiphi Gomez and Vinay Kumar claimed two wickets each as Kochi registered their fourth win in nine games. For Kolkata, the defeat meant they are in second place behind Mumbai Indians.

Earlier, Kochi were spurred by Mahela Jayawardene’s half-century and a whirlwind knock by Brad Hodge to register a competitive total. The Sri Lankan made a 41-ball 55 before Hodge boosted the hosts with a quickfire 35.

Mumbai stay top

There was no respite for Pune Warriors after Mumbai Indians defeated the IPL newcomers by 21 runs. While Mumbai bagged their seventh win in nine games, Pune languish at the bottom with two victories.

Chasing a competitive 161-run target, Pune were rocked by the tournament’s leading wicket-taker Lasith Malinga, who finished with three for 25. Manish Pandey hit a 47-ball 59 to give Pune hope but wickets at regular intervals halted their progress. Robin Uthappa’s 34-run knock went in vain as Mumbai ensured they stay at the top of the IPL table.

Earlier, Tirumalasetti Suman ensured Mumbai reached a sizeable total. He hit 36 off just 16 balls to spearhead his team after Mumbai were off to a slow start.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 6^th, 2011.