Kolkata keep hopes alive with 6-wicket win over Punjab

Adam Gilchrist and Danny Morrison sporting a moustache ahead of the toss in match number 35 of the sixth edition of the Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Friday, April 26, 2013.

Kings XI Punjab skipper Adam Gilchrist did find some form with the bat, scoring a run-a-ball 27. Gilchrist, though, was dismissed by Rajat Bhatia in the 10th over.

Right-handed number three batsman Manan Vohra top scored for the visitors, his 31 was punched with three fours and a six.

Jacques Kallis was the best of the Kolkata bowlers on the day, giving away just 14 runs in his 4 overs and picking up important wickets of Mandeep Singh (25) and David Hussey (21).

Laxmipathy Balaji, Sarabjit Ladda and Rajat Bhatia too played a supporting role to Kallis as their disciplined bowling kept the Kings XI Punjab innings in check.

Kings XI Punjab owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta having a chit chat with actor-director Farhan Akhtar during the mid-innings break at the Eden Gardens on Friday, April 26, 2013.

Gautam Gambhir, after hitting 2 fours in the Kolkata innings, fell to the swing of Azhar Mahmood - the ball hitting his pads and rattling his stumps, giving Kolkata an early jolt in their chase of 150-run target.

Azhar Mahmood was on a hat-trick as he removed pinch-hitter Yusuf Pathan on the first that he faced - Kolkata in the doldrums at 10 for 2 inside 2 overs.

Jacques Kallis transferred his good form with the ball to the batting crease as well, consolidating the innings along with Manvinder Bisla and sharing 66 runs for the third wicket. Kallis' 37 came in 33 balls and was laced with 6 hits to the fence. Laying the foundation for the run-chase helped him secure the man-of-the-match award as well.

Once Kallis departed, it was Eoin Morgan, who showcased his skills as an unorthodox and dangerous batsman, hammering 42 runs in just 26 balls. Morgan shared a quickfire 72-run stand with Bisla, hastening the completion of the run chase.

Manvinder Bisla once again showed why he is such a dangerous batsman right at the top of the order and he repeated his performance in the final of the 2012 edition, that gave Kolkata Knight Riders the coveted IPL title for the first time. On Friday, Bisla hit three fours and three huge sixes and mixed caution with aggression in his responsible yet enterprising unbeaten 44-ball 51.