Ganguly fires Kolkata to victory

Sourav Ganguly inspired Kolkata to a 23-run win over Deccan © Getty Images

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Sourav Ganguly was at his aggressive best as he led the Kolkata Knight Riders to a 23-run victory over the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League.

The former India captain fired 91 in 57 balls as the Knight Riders posted an imposing total of 204 for four.

He then took two catches and two wickets as the Chargers managed 181 for seven in reply.

Kolkata did not immediately get into their stride, losing Salman Butt early on for four.

Ganguly joined Aakash Chopra (24 from 23) in the middle and the pair added an unspectacular 69 for the second wicket.

Ganguly reached his second IPL fifty off 40 balls and upped the rate from there, even after Chopra was run out in a mix-up over a quick single.

He struck five maximums in his innings, treating the slow left-arm spin of Pragyan Ojha with particular disdain.

He was supported by David Hussey and the pair compiled a 102-run stand.

Ganguly eventually fell, caught at fine leg by RP Singh off the bowling of Paidikalva Vijaykumar, but Hussey continued where he left off, claiming his third half-century of the competition.

He was unbeaten on 57 off 29 balls when the Kolkata innings, boosted by four overthrows off the last ball, closed.

In reply Herschelle Gibbs managed just four before departing and when Adam Gilchrist (24 from 17) joined him, caught by Ganguly to give Ashok Dinda the first of his three wickets, the Chargers were on the back foot.

Ganguly struck to remove Scott Styris and Sanjay Bangar, taking the catch off Dinda to remove dangerman Rohit Sharma (33 off 24) in between.

The only bright spot for Deccan was an effervescent innings from Venugopal Rao.

He smashed an unbeaten 71 off 42 balls in reply, including 22 off one Murali Kartik over, but it was not enough.

The Chargers’ hopes of progression look virtually non-existent now - they have managed just two wins in nine outings.