Durban, Apr 21: Kolkata Knight Riders thrashed Kings XI Punjab by 11 runs in a rain truncated Indian Premier League match here on Tuesday.

Kolkata Knight Riders skipper Brendon McCullum won the toss and elected to field first.

Kings XI, which had earlier lost its opening match to Delhi Daredevils, got a poor start when both opener Karan Goel lost his wickets early.

Irfan Pathan, who was promoted up in the order, hit some beautiful shots. He scored 32 runs off 17 balls.

After Pathan, Kumar Sangakkara (26 runs off 24 balls), Yuvraj Singh (38 runs off 28 balls) and Mahela Jayawardene (31 runs off 19 balls) played some beautiful shots and took their team’s score at a respectable total of 158.

Chasing a target of 159, the Knight Riders were 79 for one after 9.2 overs when rain interrupted the match.

Dropped twice, Gayle (44 not out) butchered the Kings XI attack during his 26-ball stay, hitting four sixes and two fours in the process. McCullum (21 runs off 16 balls) supported him well and added 57 runs for the first wicket.

Chris Gayle was declared ‘Man of the Match’ for his brilliant inning. (ANI)