KOLKATA — Defending champion Kolkata Knight Riders crushed Sunrisers Hyderabad by 48 runs in an Indian Premier League match at the Eden Gardens here Sunday. The Sunrisers managed 132-7, chasing an imposing 181 of Knight Riders. Gautam Gambhir (53), Jacques Kallis (41) and Eoin Morgan (47) were the main contributors in Kolkata's 180 for four. Playing their home match after losing two consecutive away games, Knight Riders garnered much needed points to put back in track their title defense. They have won two of their four games. The Sunrisers started off solidly with explosive batsman Cameron White promoting himself up the order to partner Parthiv Patel. The duo put up the first 50 run opening partnership for the visitors. However, the first wicket stand was broken at 57 when Patel 27 was castled by Jacques Kallis. His exit signalled the fall of wickets. There could not have been anything more bizarre scripted in a T20 contest and the IPL 2013, provided another first to history. Two needed off the last delivery, Ravindra Jadeja cut uppishly and was smartly taken at third man, the Royal Challengers Bangalore dug-out and fans breaking into frenzied celebrations, only to see the wind being knocked off their lungs, in the most crudest of manner. Umpire Choudhary signaled a no ball and along with it a victory for Chennai Super Kings after the batsmen had run a single! Yes, RP Singh had over-stepped the line. It was an unbelievable end to a contest that saw the scales tilt either way after Bangalore had posted 165 and had Chennai Super Kings trailing on run-rate for most of the chase. Brief Scores: Royal Challengers Bangalore 165-6 (AB de Villiers 64, Kohli 58, Chris Morris 3-40). Chennai Super Kings 166-6 (Ravindra Jadeja 38, Ravi Rampaul 3-31). Pak umpire to appeal A Pakistani umpire suspended for four years on corruption charges plans to appeal against the ban. The Pakistan Cricket Board banned Nadeem Ghauri Saturday for agreeing to “extend undue favors for material gain” during a sting operation by an Indian television station last year. “It's a one-sided decision and I am not happy with this decision,” Ghauri said. Ghauri said he was heard only once by the PCB's inquiry committee and never had the chance to appear before the integrity committee, which imposed the ban. — Agencies
