The Knight Riders completed an incredible comeback to beat the IPL’s defending champs by 11 runs in Mumbai.

Having finished last in the 2009 IPL, Kolkata went into this fixture as underdogs. Their status was confirmed when Chaminda Vaas took two wickets with his first three balls to leave the Knight Riders battling for momentum.

The visitors lost two more sticks before Owais Shah and Angelo Mathews played some great cricket to first lay the platform, and then launch a counter-attack. The pair put on 130 for the fifth wicket, clouting 80 runs off the last six overs.

Although 162 seemed a modest total, it proved sufficient as Deccan proceeded to lose wickets cheaply. The Chargers started their innings well, but again the Knight Riders fought hard to reclaim the initiative.

Adam Gilchrist smashed 54 off 35 balls, an innings that included three fours and three sixes. Herschelle Gibbs weighed in with 19 before he tried to hit Charl Langeveldt for six and holed out to long off.

The loss of the two internationals stifled Deccan’s progress, as did the dismissal of Andrew Symonds. The local Indian players were equally guilty of poor shot selection, and what seemed like a doddle quickly became difficult.

Langeveldt picked up another wicket when he dismissed Vaas with a fantastic example of death bowling. The South African swing expert must be considered for the coming World T20, because he’s proved extremely difficult to hit.

Kolkata Knight Riders – 161-4 in 20 overs
Angelo Mathews 65*, Owais Shah 58*, Chaminda Vaas 2-22
Deccan Chargers – 150-7 in 20 overs
Adam Gilchrist 54, VVS Laxman 22, Herschelle Gibbs 19, Charl Langeveldt 2-26.
Kolkata won by 11 runs

For the full scorecard, click here.

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