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Abu Dhabi: Punjab successfully defended a modest target of 132 against Kolkata to register their 4th win on the trot at Sheikh Zayed Stadium, Abu Dhabi on Saturday.
Glenn Maxwell and David Miller failed for the first time this season, but that didn't prevent Kings XI Punjab from extending their winning streak to four this year, and seven overall.
Sandeep Sharma had the new ball curling around, Akshar Patel showed why he is the most economical left-arm spinner in the tournament, Rishi Dhawan also kept it tight before the spearhead Mitchell Johnson finished off the job.
Kings XI Punjab remained undefeated in IPL 7 after beating Kolkata Knight Riders by 23 runs in a low-scorer at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on Saturday night. It was KXIP's fourth win in a row, while KKR suffered their second defeat in four matches.
Chasing a modest 133 on a slow pitch, KKR lost Manish Panday (8), captain Gautam Gambhir (1) and Jacques Kallis (9) in quick succession and they never recovered from there.
Gambhir's poor form now is a big concern for KKR. After three ducks in previous matches, today he managed to open to his account but that was all as he picked out Akshar Patel at mid-off off medium pacer Sandeep Sharma.
Last-match hero Chris Lynn's wicket in the 12th over for 13 was the end of all hopes for the Gambhir-led team. Suryakumar Yadav provided some scare to KXIP towards the end with a 34 off 17 but Sandeep removed him in 18th over to put his team back into the ascendency. Mitchell Johnson (2 for 22) bowled Umesh Yadav (2) to finish off KKR at 109 in 18.2 overs. For his match-defining bowling, Sandeep (3 for 21) was adjudged Man of the Match.
Earlier, Piyush Chawla, replacing last-match hero Vinay Kumar, unleashed a brilliant spell, putting KXIP's middle order under the pump. After being put in to bat by Gambhir, KXIP saw a different day - after three big chases prior to this match - and lost Cheteshwar Pujara and wicketkeeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha inside five overs with not much on the board.
Earlier, Kolkata Knight Riders have won the toss and have opted to field.
KKR brought in Piyush Chawla for seamer Vinay Kumar while Punjab went in unchanged.
Teams:
Punjab: Cheteshwar Pujara, Virender Sehwag, Glenn Maxwell, David Miller, George Bailey (Capt.), Wriddhiman Saha (wk), Akshar Patel, Mitchell Johnson, Rishi Dhawan, Lakshmipathy Balaji, Sandeep Sharma
Kolkata: Gautam Gambhir (Capt.), Jacques Kallis, Manish Pandey, Chris Lynn, Robin Uthappa (wk), Yusuf Pathan, Suryakumar Yadav, Morne Morkel, Piyush Chawla, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav.
Brief scores
Kings XI Punjab - 132/9 (Sehwag 37, Chawla 3-19, Narine 3-24)
Kolkata Knight Riders - 109 (Surya Kumar 34, Sandeep 3-21)
Result - Kings XI Punjab won by 23 runs
Points - Kings XI Punjab 2, Kolkata Knight Riders 0
