Kolkata ride to easy win

Brad Hodge placed Kolkata on course for victory over Bangalore with 50 - a score matched by fellow opener Manoj Tiwary

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A proficient all-round display from Kolkata Knight Riders completed a facile seven-wicket victory over last year’s runners-up Bangalore Royal Challengers in Kolkata, to make it two wins from two in the Indian Premier League.

Medium-pacer Angelo Mathews claimed an outstanding 4-19 from four overs as the Royal Challengers were restricted to 135 for seven, 65 of those coming off Jacques Kallis’ blade.

Openers Manoj Tiwary and Brad Hodge each cracked an even 50, adding 101, before the Knight Riders overhauled the target with four deliveries to spare.

As against champions Deccan Chargers in the opening game two nights ago, Kolkata skipper Sourav Ganguly rang the bowling changes and it all clicked nicely.

IPL debutant Eoin Morgan - who had shown intent with a second-ball six - was bowled by former Middlesex team-mate Murali Kartik for 10 to leave his side 35 for four.

Kallis’ unbeaten 65 meant Bangalore were able to post a reasonable total, but Hodge and Tiwary quelled any hope the visitors had of victory.

After a circumspect start, Tiwary exploded into action, dispatching Kallis for two fours and six in his second over, and Hodge too had joined the party.

The Royal Challengers pushed the game to the final over with a late comeback, Roelof van der Merwe removing both openers, but the Knight Riders never lost control and Owais Shah hit the winning run - his second.