Quick half centuries from Brendon McCullum and Brad Hodge helped Kolkata Knight Riders to register a 7-wicket victory over Chennai Super Kings at Centurion on Monday (May 18). This is Knight Riders' second win in 13 matches and they are already out of the tournament. Chasing a mammoth target of 189 runs, Kolkata Knight pulled off a win in the last over of the match. Skipper McCullum played a brilliant knock of 81 runs from 41 while Hodge remained not out on 71 off 44 balls to guide his team home safely.

 

McCullum punished the Chennai bowlers to all parts of the park by hitting 10 fours and three sixes. McCullum and Hodge put on to a partnership of 90 runs for the second wicket. Both the batsmen were in attacking mood and after the dismissal of McCullum Hodge became even more aggressive. The Aussie batsman smashed four sixes and four fours in his brisk knock. Brad Hodge was nicely supported by Wridhimann Saha (25 off 13 balls). Needing six runs from the last over, both the batsmen helped Knight Riders to seal the victory.

 

Earlier, batting first Chennai Super Kings amassed a gigantic score of 188 runs for some spectacular performances by skipper MS Dhoni and Suresh Raina. Dhoni blasted 40 off 28 balls with 4 fours and one massive six while Raina scored 52 off 32 deliveries, hitting three fours and equal number of sixes. Apart from them, Parthiv Patel (25) and George Bailey (30) also played some good shots at the top order. Knight Riders' victory over Super Kings has given hopes to other teams for entering into semis. So far, only Delhi Daredevils have made into the semis while Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Rajasthan Royals and Royal Challengers are all in the run to enter into top four.