Manoj Tiwary hit a superb 47-ball 75 to steer Kolkata Knight Riders to a 39-run win over Kings XI Punjab in Match 23 of the IPL 2010 at PCA Stadium in Mohali. Tiwary was ably assisted by his captain Sourav Ganguly who hit a composed half-century to boost Kolkata to 183 which proved beyond the reach of the listless Kings XI Punjab. Tiwary, who got to his second half-century of the tournament in 37 deliveries, blasted two sixes and two fours in the last over bowled by left-arm Irfan Pathan. Kings XI Punjab, in reply, could make 144/6. 
Aussie speedster Brett Lee played his first match. But he was hit for three fours in his first over by West Indies captain Chris Gayle. Kings XI Punjab tasted success in the third over when Gayle was dismissed. It was 45/2 with young Hardeep Singh being held at mid-on. Ganguly and Tiwary resurrected Kolkata Knight Riders innings with a 79-run stand for the third wicket. Ganguly completed his half century but was out at the same score, spooning a catch to long off. Leg spinner Piyush Chawla, who has been selected for the World Twenty20 championship, bagged the wicket of Australia hard-hitting batsman David Hussey, who was beaten in the flight to be bowled. Kings XI Punjab looked liked containing the Kolkata Knight Riders for a below 150 target. But Tiwary changed the script with his lusty hitting in the last two overs.
When Kings XI Punjab began the chase, Yuvraj Singh came out to open with Ravi Bopara. But Kiwi Shane Bond struck with the second ball of the innings to claim England opener Ravi Bopara. Yuvraj Singh (24 off 16 balls) struck three fours and one six before he was brilliantly caught by Manoj Tiwary at deep mid-wicket off Ajit Agarkar. The former Indian medium pacer claimed his second wicket and this time David Hussey held a low catch at mid-off to dismiss Manvinder Bisla. Playing in his first match, Agarkar captured two wickets in two overs. Mahela Jayawardene (16) fell to a poor shot to be bowled by his Lanka team mate Angelo Mathews. Skipper Kumar Sangakarra followed his former Lankan skipper, stumped while playing a clumsy pull shot for 30, and Kolkata Knight Riders were on course for victory.
Match report courtesy Adfactors PR.
