Kolkata: Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan stitched the highest partnership for the fifth in IPL to resurrect Kolkata Knight Riders against Gujarat Lions in Match 38 of Indian Premier League at the Eden Gardens. The hosts were in deep trouble at 24/4, but a brilliant partnership of 134 runs off only 88 balls from both all rounders took the total to 158/4. Yusuf remained not out on 63 runs off 41 balls with 7 fours and a six. Shakib played a blinder of 66* from 49 balls with four six and fours. Praveen Kumar was the most successful bowler for the Lions taking two wickets for 19 runs.
Veteran Praveen Kumar gave Lions a double breakthrough getting rid of in form Gautam Gambhir and Manish Pandey in his second over. Kumar bowled Gambhir round his legs for 5 and induced an edge from Pandey for a duck to send Knight Riders on the back foot at 15/2.
Kulkarni got in the act too getting rid of Uthappa for 14 runs. Knight Riders were in deep trouble at 21/3 after 3.3 overs. The Mumbaikar who went for two exquisite cover drives from Uthappa in his first over did got rewarded for maintaining a disciplined line outside off stump.
Suryakumar Yadav, who was promoted ahead of Yusuf Pathan did not last long. He was brilliantly caught at slips by Raina off Smith to send the hosts reeling at 24/4 after 5.5 overs.
Pathan scored his first runs with a boundary. Knight Riders finished the power play at 28/4.
Shakib got a life on 4 runs as he was dropped by Tambe at the boundary off Kulkarni . Knight Riders was 33/4 at that stage.
The Bangladesh all rounder flicked Smith off his pads to pick up his first boundary. Yusuf Pathan sent left arm spinner Shivil Kaushik for a straight six and followed it up with a boundary. Knight Riders was 57/4 at half way stage.
Yusuf steered Ravindra Jadeja to bring up his third boundary. Knights were 64/4 after 11 overs. He scored another boundary pulling Tambe to mid wicket. The hosts were 74/4 after 12 overs. Pathan slashed Jadeja for another boundary to take Knight Riders to 83/4 after 13 overs. The Baroda all rounder cut Jadeja for his sixth hit to the fence. Knight Riders were 98/4 after 15 overs.
Shakib who looked to play in, cut loose as he sends Bravo into the stands for his first six.
Pathan brought up his half century by pulling Bravo to the square leg. He took 31 balls to reach the milestone with 6 fours and a six.
Shakib hit Bravo for consecutive sixes off Bravo in the 18th over. He made the most of the dropped chance as he brought up his fifty with a boundary off Praveen Kumar. He displayed some brilliant improvisation towards the end of the innings. The left hander pulled Bravo for a huge six towards mid wicket. Knight Riders ended their innings at 158/4.
Earlier Gujarat Lions won the toss and chose to field first. Lions made one change with Pravin Tambe coming in for Pradip Sangwan. The hosts though went in with the same team.