Kallis, Gambhir power Kolkata to victory

CRICKET: JAIPUR, India, April 16 (AFP) - Jacques Kallis and Gautam Gambhir hit impressive half-centuries to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to a nine-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in the Indian Premier League on Friday.

South African Kallis top-scored with a 65-ball 80 not out while skipper Gambhir made an unbeaten 75 off just 44 balls as Kolkata achieved a 160-run target with nine deliveries to spare for their second win in three matches.

The pair added 152 for the unfinished second-wicket stand to ensure an easy victory for their team.

Left-handed Gambhir, caught off a no-ball when on 66, cracked one six and 11 fours, including four boundaries in an over from seamer Amit Singh. Kallis hit two sixes and seven fours in his third successive half-century.

It was the first defeat in three matches for Rajasthan, led by former Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne.

Kolkata spinners Yusuf Pathan (2-4) and Shakib Al Hasan (2-31) earlier shared four wickets to restrict Rajasthan despite a 25-ball 35 not out by New Zealander Ross Taylor.

Off-spinner Pathan bowled former India captain Rahul Dravid (35) and then held a return catch to account for Ashok Menaria (27) in the same over to put pressure on Rajasthan. Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib struck with his third delivery when he had opener Amit Paunikar (nine) caught by Kallis.

He then got a big wicket when he bowled Australian all-rounder Shane Watson for 22, which came off just 13 balls with the help of two sixes.

Watson recently smashed a record 15 sixes in his career-best 185 not out in the second one-day international against Bangladesh in Dhaka.

Rajasthan Royals: 159-4 in 20 overs (R. Taylor 35 not out, R. Dravid 35, A. Menaria 27, S. Watson 22; Y. Pathan 2-4, Shakib Al Hasan 2-31) lost to Kolkata Knight Riders 160-1 in 18.3 overs (J. Kallis 80 not out, G. Gambhir 75 not out) by nine wickets.