Rampant Royals win again

Table-toppers cruise to another victory

Last updated: 20th May 2008

Mohammad Kaif

Mohammad Kaif: Cultured

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Rajasthan Royals extended their lead at the top of the Indian Premier League with victory by six wickets over the Kolkata Knight Riders on Tuesday.

Kolkata were restricted to 147-8 on their home ground after being put into bat and it proved to be well short of par, as the Royals knocked them off with 3.3 overs to spare.

The Rajasthan reply was stuttering at 69-4 but India batsman Mohammad Kaif and countryman Yusuf Pathan held their nerve to carry their team across the line.

The Knight Riders had been undermined by some good bowling from Pakistan paceman Sohail Tanvir, who claimed 3-26, as wickets fell at regular intervals.

Sourav Ganguly (32) and Debabrata Das (31) both threatened to break away, but were dismissed in their prime and the innings failed to gain momentum thereafter.

Graeme Smith has laid the foundation for several of the Royals' innings during the tournament and once again he made a controlled 24 from as many balls, but when he was caught down the legside the Knight Riders saw their chance.

Shane Watson hit two fours and a six before Ganguly bowled him, but Das immediately went into overdrive, smashing 48 from just 15 deliveries including five fours and three sixes to put the game beyond the hosts.

Kaif played the more cultured innings, making 34 from 31 balls as the pair put on 81 in less than seven overs to complete a convincing win.