and he's done it! Pathan fires it on the blockhole, Ganguly digs it out to the offside and sets off for the single to seal the win
Kings XI vs KKR, 52nd match at Kolkata, IPL, May 25 2008 - Match Result
KKR won by 3 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
Ganguly walks back a hero in his home ground. Kolkata had only pride to play for and thanks to their captain, will go home happy with a consolation win. At least Kolkata sign off their IPL campaign with a victory in front of their fans. Well done to them.
Ganguly's innings aside, the unsung hero for Kolkata was Umar Gul. He walked in and slammed two sixes off his second and third deliveries. That really set Ganguly going at the other end as he smacked Chawla for 16 off 3 balls to upset the equation for Punjab. Kolkata managed a massive 73 off the last 5 overs as a result of that. They finish at No.5 in the points table, just behind the four semi-finalists.
Rohan writes: "That's a slap in the face of all who threw Ganguly out of the 1-day team. Dada the legend lives on."
Do stay on for the post-match presentation. It will be a tough choice between Gul and Ganguly for the Man of the Match.
Yuvraj: "We had the game in control till the last four overs. Positives - our fielding effort. Ganguly was superb. We're looking ahead to our next clash against Rajasthan, the best team in the competition."
Ganguly: "Gul came and asked me what to do and I just said 'stand still and keep swinging.' I settled down and when we needed 50 I knew we had a chance. The franchise supported us well. I hope we come back stronger next year."
Gul is the Man of the Match: I'm so happy with my performance. Next time hopefully Sourav will promote me (laughs). The crowd support was really fantastic."
I'd like to thank you all for joining us, with three matches happening at the same time. The cricket never stops. I enjoyed bringing this thriller to you. On behalf of Raymond, this is Kanishkaa signing off. Cheers!
wow! Pathan overpitches outside off, Ganguly makes just a bit of room, lofts through the line and effortlessly carts it over the bowlers head
Pathan makes frantic field changes
charges down the track, a high full toss, he pulls just over Sreesanth at midwicket, that was not called a no ball as he was well out of his crease
smart move so far! Pathan bowls from back of the crease, slides on the pads, Ganguly shuffles and whips it high over deep square leg
That could well be a smart move by Ganguly. 15 needed off the last over, anybody's game. All you superstitious ones do stay where you are!
he creams a full delivery to long-off, Ganguly wants to farm the strike and he refuses the single
the low full toss swinging away, Ganguly makes room and creams it hard to the offside, Yuvraj does well to cut that off at extra cover, that saves 3 runs for Punjab
VRV pulls back before delivery, anxious moments here folks
Ganguly suddenly eases the pressure! VRV errs by slanting it on his pads, he makes room and whips it wide of midwicket, the timing was good enough
Punjab claw back! He bowls it on a good length with good pace, Gul stays at the crease for the loft, he scoops it high in the air but doesn't get the desired elevation, Powar takes it easily at long-off
Fine leg is up, VRV should be careful here
fires it on the blockhole outside off again, this time he pushes it firmly to long-off, only a single this time
fires it on the blockhole outside off, he mows it across the line to long-on, they scamper for a couple
VRV Singh returns, 23 off 12, tension folks!
Sreesanth lets it slip out early and the ball slides on the pads, he shuffles just a touch and the ball clips his pads and beats the keeper and fine leg comfortably
Gul is really justifying his No.8 slot here! Sreesanth lands his slower ball on the half volley, he slogs across the line and carts it high over cow corner, super shot
bangs it in short, Gil stays at the crease and clubs it across the line, he picks his spot well as there is nobody patrolling deep square leg to cut it off
excellent slower ball again, Gul makes room but is foxed by the legcutter outside off, there was nothing he could do about that
good variation by Sreesanth as he bowls the slow bouncer, he makes room, plays too early and pulls it softly to short fine leg
38 needed off 17
Sreesanth comes back for a new spell, he lofts it high over mid-off but the ball just falls short of long-off
Now suddenly Kolkata have a decent shot at the target with 39 needed off 18
gets on his knee early and sweeps it square, Sreesanth picks it up
this one skids on him quick, he just manages to cover the line and fend it off, the ball nearly trickled on the stumps
pushes it flatter, outside off, he makes room and places it just wide of short third man
make that 28 off 5 balls! Chawla flights it on middle and leg, he stays at the crease and slog sweeps it over midwicket
Eden Gardens, Kolkata | |
Toss | Kings XI Punjab, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2007/08 |
Player Of The Match | |
Hours of play (local time) | 20.00 start, First Session 20.00-21.20, Interval 21.20-21.40, Second Session 21.40-23.00 |
Match days | 25 May 2008 - night (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Kolkata Knight Riders 2, Kings XI Punjab 0 |
Over 20 • KKR 175/7
KKR won by 3 wickets (with 2 balls remaining)