KKR post formidable 171/7 against Daredevils

Late cameos from Yusuf Pathan and South African all-rounder Johan Botha ensured defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders posted a formidable 171/7 against Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League (IPL) contest at the Eden Gardens here on Thursday.

For the hosts, Pathan top scored with 42 (24b, 3x4, 3x6), while Daredevils spinner Imran Tahir returned figures with 2/46 from his four overs.

Opting to bat first, Knight skipper Gautam Gambhir (12) fell early as Delhi old warhorse Zaheer Khan looked at ease swinging the ball both ways.

The home side reached 50 in the sixth over as opener Robin Uthappa carved Albie Morkel straight for a boundary.

However, Daredevils' leg-spinner Amit Mishra bowled two brilliant overs giving away just as many runs and picking up the wicket of the well-set Uthappa (32, 31b, 4x4, 1x6) who lived a charmed life after being put down twice on 15 and 24.

At the half-way stage the men in purple were 72/2.

Out of favour Indian all-rounder Yuvraj Singh struck in his very first over castling Manish Pandey (22, 19b, 1x4, 1x6) who tried to heave the left-arm off-spinner over mid-wicket. A few lusty blows from Yusuf Pathan and Piyush Chawla thereafter helped KKR reach the triple figure mark in 13.4 overs.

The Knights lost Chawla (22, 19b, 1x4, 1x6) and Andre Russell (5) soon after as visitors slowly clawed back into the game.

But Pathan and a few late boundaries from the bat of Botha (17, 5b, 4x4) made sure KKR post a formidable total on board as the last over yielded 18 runs for the home side.