Kolkata: Bisla, Morgan shine as Knight Riders notch up much-needed win over Punjab.
Manvinder Bisla and Eoin Morgan provided a lifeline to defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders as the home team cruised to a comfortable sixwicket victory over Kings XI Punjab in an Indian Premier League match here on Friday.
En route their third win in the cash rich league, KKR chased a target of 150 with 10 balls to spare courtesy an unbeaten 51 off 44 balls (3×4, 3×6) from Bisla and a smashing 42 off 26 balls (3×4, 4×6) by Morgan. The duo blasted 72 runs in just over seven overs to pave the way for a smooth victory.
The win takes KKR to six points but they remain in seventh position in the league table.
Having been dropped after their shocking four-run loss to the same side in the first leg, it was a redemption time for Bisla, who also shared a crucial 66-run partnership with Jacques Kallis (37).
It was Manoj Tiwarys absence because of a split webbing that paved the way for Bisla who showed glimpses of last year’s form.
For the Kings XI Punjab, Mandeep dropping Bisla when the right-hander had not even opened his account proved to be the big difference.
After being let down by Mandeep, Mahmood quickly turned the game around with two wickets from two balls when he bowled Gambhir and followed it up with an easy dismissal of an out-of-form Yusuf Pathan.
But for a change, the Knight Riders, who were tottering at 10/2, showed some fine application with Bisla grabbing the opportunity in his comeback match.
Bisla took the challenge as he counter-attacked Mahmood when he stepped out to hit a six. After returning with two wickets in first over, Mahmood conceded 12 runs in his second as the experienced Kallis too complemented well.
Bisla hit another six when he smashed Praveen over cover as the duo ensured a fine recovery stitching 66 runs for the third wicket.
Harmeet gave a crucial breakthrough after taking the prized scalp of Kallis (37) but Bisla remained unfazed at the other end as he built another partnership when he along with Morgan took the match away from Punjab.
That little bit of luck also aided the hapless Knight Riders when a Chawla delivery to Morgan kissed the leg-stump without dislodging the bail as the ball raced to boundary.
Knight Riders then took the attack to Punjab with Morgan enthralling the crowd with his reverse sweeps and lofted drives, while Bisla showed fine application.
Fouteen runs off Harmeet in the 13th over took the equation in favour of the home side as they needed 49 in the remaining six overs with seven wickets in hand.
Punjab had nothing going their way when Bhatt dropped a Morgan sitter at mid-wicket while Bisla went on to complete a deserving half-century.
Earlier, a quickfire 15-ball 28 not out by Gurkeerat Singh after the handy contributions from the middle order Manan Vohra (31), Adam Gilchrist (27), Mandeep Singh (25) and David Hussey (21) helped Punjab post a modest total.
