Kolkata, April 16 (IANS) Nitish Rana cracked a fine half century while Andre Russell blasted a 12-ball 44 to propel Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to 200\/9 in 20 overs against Delhi Daredevils in an Indian Premier League (IPL) clash at the Eden Gardens here on Monday.
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\r\nRana (59) played a gem of an innings, selecting his shots with aplomb, as he hit five fours and four sixes to set up KKR's onslaught and allow Russell, who was dropped on 7 by Jason Roy, to go for the big shots from the word go. Rana took 35 balls for his 59.
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\r\nRussell hit six sixes in a three-over period where the hosts bludgeoned 54 runs before leg-spinner Rahul Tewatia (3\/18) put a lid on the proceedings by taking three wickets in the last overs and conceding just one run.
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\r\nRana and Russell stitched together a 61-run partnership in just 22 balls for the fifth wicket.
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\r\nTrent Boult started off with a maiden to give Delhi a good start. Lynn failed to get the New Zealand pacer away and took eight balls to open his account by hitting a six over midwicket off Chris Morris, who was returning to the team in place of Daniel Christian.
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\r\nBoult removed Sunil Narine in his next over with the West Indian -- sent back to open the batting -- showing his inability to deal with a bouncer by top-edging a short ball to Rishabh Pant who lobbed the ball only as far as Glenn Maxwell to complete the catch running towards first slip.
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\r\nUthappa and Lynn then joined hands for a 55-run stand for the second wicket before the former perished just after the Powerplay. KKR were 50\/1 when Uthappa skied a good length Shahbaz Nadeem delivery trying to slog sweep.
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\r\nNadeem took the catch without fuss, bringing captain Karthik to the crease.
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\r\nLynn, who was looking good for a big score, holed out to Roy at long on off Mohammed Shami who gave the Australian no room to free his arms.
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\r\nKarthik and Rana added another 28 runs for the fourth wicket before the skipper's indiscretion cost him dear.<\/p>\r\n\r\n