April 22 (CRICKETNMORE) - Suresh Raina played a captain’s knock to guide the Gujarat Lions to their second win in IPL 2017. Raina scored 84 from 46 balls and powered his team to a 4-wicket victory at Eden Garden in Kolkata on Friday.
Kolkata Knight Riders - 187/5 in 20 Overs
Put into bat, Kolkata post 187/5 in 20 overs. Sunil Naraine who was sent to open the innings justified the captain's decision by smashing a career-best 42 off 17 balls which includes 9 fours and 1 six. All of his runs were scored in boundaries. Robin Uthappa remained the top scorer for his team with 48 balls 72. Gambhir also contributed with 33. For Gujarat, Praveen Kumar, Faulkner, Basil Thampi and Raina picked up a wicket each.
Gujarat Lions - 188/6 in 18.2 Overs
Brendon McCullum and Aaron Finch gave blazing start to the team. They both added 42 in 3.3 overs before Finch departs for 31. Raina came to join Mccullum (33) and took the match away from Kolkata. He scored all round the wickets and ensured the required run-rate remained under control. His innings of 84 included 9 fours and 4 sixes and was dismissed with score 180 on board. Ravindra Jadeja (19* from 13 balls) completed the formalities and took their team across the line with ten balls to spare.
Nile and Kuldeep Yadav took 2 wickets each for Kolkata.
Brief Scores
Kolkata Knight Riders: 187-5 (Robin Uthappa 72, Sunil Narine 42, Gautam Gambhir 33) lost to Gujarat Lions: 188-6 in 18.2 overs (Suresh Raina 84, Brendon McCullum 33, Aaron Finch 31, Kuldeep Yadav 2-33, Nathan Coulter-Nile 2-41)
Man of the Match: Suresh Raina
Sahir