Kolkata end losing streak

Australia batsman Brad Hodge led Kolkata to a surprise victory over Chennai with a superbly-paced unbeaten innings of 71

Buy this photo

Skipper Brendon McCullum and Brad Hodge hit sizzling half-centuries as Kolkata Knight Riders recorded an improbable seven-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in the Indian Premier League.

Suresh Raina had bludgeoned 52 off 37 deliveries and captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni added an unbeaten 40 off 28 as the Super Kings posted a formidable 188 for three.

McCullum replied in blistering fashion, smashing 81 off just 48 balls, a knock which kept the Knight Riders up with the asking rate.

Hodge then weighed in with an unbeaten 71 to get his side over the line.

McCullum had signalled his intentions immediately, smashing Albie Morkel for consecutive fours in the first over.

The South Africa all-rounder’s second over proved more expensive, with McCullum clobbering him for a six and two fours.

Sudeep Tyagi, who conceded only one run in his first over, was hit for four boundaries and a six off consecutive deliveries in his third over as the Chennai attack leaked runs.

McCullum struck a total of 11 boundaries and three sixes, but the Kolkata again looked in danger of throwing away a winning hand when McCullum and David Hussey fell in quick succession.

Hodge, however, played a composed innings and together with Wriddhiman Saha (25 not out) ensured a last-ball victory for Kolkata.

Chennai had rested opener Matthew Hayden and brought in George Bailey, the Tasmanian ensuring a flying start in the company of Parthiv Patel.

The pair added 59 for the first wicket before Parthiv was run out for 25.

Bailey continued to plunder runs and had made 30 at quicker than a run a ball when he was dismissed in the same fashion as his opening partner.

The scoring rate dipped, but only briefly as Raina and Dhoni took charge. Raina quickly closed in on a half-century, hitting off-spinner Ajantha Mendis for consecutive sixes in his third over.

He then reached the landmark with another six off Ashok Dinda, but perished while attempting one heave too many.

Dhoni maintained the Chennai run-rate through a combination of big hits and sharp running, while Morkel finished off the innings with a flourish by blasting two sixes and a four off consecutive deliveries in the final over.