Gambhir, Uthappa lead Kolkata to commanding win

Kolkata is yet to lose a match, chasing at Eden Gardens, since 2012, and a 108-run stand between Gautam Gambir and Robin Uthappa - the most prolific pair in the Indian Twenty20 competition this season - helped the home team maintain their winning streak, with a commanding seven-wicket win over Delhi that cemented their credentials as league leaders on Friday.

Having been put in to bat first, Delhi was off to a flier, with Sanju Samson leading the way by targeting the seamers. He added a quick fire 38-ball 60 before he departed in the 14th over. His innings gave Delhi the impetus to post a respectable 160 in their 20 overs. Kolkata needed to score at eight an over from the onset to complete their seventh win in nine matches, but opener Sunil Narine's departure in the second over meant that the onus of steadying the innings fell on Gambhir and Uthappa's shoulders.

The duo did so effectively and ensured that Delhi remained wicketless for the next 11 overs. Their 108-run partnership came of just 66 balls and guided Kolkata to a commanding position. While Delhi's batsmen had struggled against spin, Gambhir took on the spinners and slammed Amit Mishra for two boundaries in his first over. Uthappa then tore into Morris at the other end. In eight overs, Kolkata had knocked off half the runs. Uthappa finally departed for a 33-ball 59, which included five fours and four sixes, while Gambhir remained unbeaten and took his side over the line with 22 balls to spare.