Knight Riders Lift IPL Trophy for First Time

There was a lot of purpose and skill in the Super Kings batting, best exemplified by the two partnerships that helped the side post a competitive total.

At the start, it was Vijay and Hussey who, after a cautious start, opened up to put the Kolkata bowling to the sword with another wonderful exhibition of calculated hitting.

There were no wild slogs or unnecessary attempts at improvisation, but it was an attack that had some method as the duo batted with elan to post another half-century partnership.

The innings gained momentum whenf ast bowler Brett Lee and left-arm spinner Hassan were each hit for1 1 runs in the third and fourth overs. Thereafter, neither batsman was troubled by the Knight Riders bowlers, including Narine who was brought on for the fifth over.

The partnership flourished and raised visions of yet another big total when Vijay, the centurion in the previous game, holed out in the deep off seamer Rajat Bhatia in the 11th over.

In walked Raina and immediately forged an excellent stand with Hussey who celebrated his birthday with a half-century and seemed determined to stay on till the end.

Raina, struggling for runs this season, found his touch at the right moment and batted with rare freedom to pile on misery on the Kolkata bowlers none of whom made an impression.

Hussey, after battling on gamely despite looking rather tired in the extremely hot and humid conditions, departed in the 18th over missing out on a heave off Jacques Kallis to be bowled.

But the Super Kings were not quite finished yet as Raina and Dhoni (14 off 9) added 30 runs for the third wicket before the former fell to the last ball to a brilliant catch by Lee off Hasan.

By then, the damage had been done and the Super Kings batsmen yet again underlined their undoubted class to post a total that looked beyond Kolkata's reach, but was not to be as it transpired.