Photographs: BCCI
Pune Warriors ended their nine-match losing streak and also defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders' play-off hopes with a seven-run victory in Wednesday's IPL match in Ranchi.
After being asked to bat first, Pune put up a competitive 170 for four and then restricted Kolkata to 163 for 7.
Earlier, Pune made a steady start as openers Aaron Finch (48) and Robin Uthappa (25) were involved in a 41-run stand.
Uthappa hit Laxmipathy Balaji for two sixes in the third over and completed 400 runs in this edition of the IPL.
Senanayake strikes
Image: Sachithra Senanayake celebrates with Manvinder Singh Bisla after dismissing UthappaPhotographs: BCCI
However, Uthappa, going for a big hit, was bowled by Sri Lankan off-spinner Sachithra Senanayake for 25 off 21 deliveries in the sixth over.
Finch hits breezy 48
Image: Aaron FinchPhotographs: BCCI
Pune Warriors captain Aaron Finch went on attack more as soon as he took strike. Hit hit Jacques Kallis for two consecutive sixes in the ninth over.
But just when he looked good for a big knock he was bowled by Lakshmipathy Balaji in the 13th over after scoring 48 off 32 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes.
Manish Pandey hoists Pune
Image: Manish Pandey drivesPhotographs: BCCI
Manish Pandey came up with an entertaining knock of 66 off 47 balls as the Kolkata bowlers were belted all over. He hit eight fours and six before being run-out by Jacques Kallis in the final over.
Yuvraj hits three sixes in quick 30
Image: Yuvraj SinghPandey was involved in a 65-run partnership for the third wicket off 40 balls with Yuvraj Singh, who was dismissed for 30 off the last ball.
Yuvraj, who took six balls to get off the mark, hit three big sixes to swell Pune's total considerably.
KKR make poor start
Image: Wayne Parnell (not in pic) bowls Jacques KallisPhotographs: BCCI
Kolkata's chase was far from ideal. They lost their top three batsmen, including skipper Guatam Gambhir, inside five overs and were struggling at 30 for three.
When Jacques Kallis was bowled by Wayne Parnell in the fourth over, for just 1, it was always going to be an uphill task for them.
Parnell cripples KKR
Image: Parnell celebrates Kallis's dismissalPhotographs: BCCI
After trapping Manvinder Bisla (1) leg before in the second over, Parnell castled Jacques Kallis (1) in his next, reducing the defending champions to 25 for 2 after four overs.
Yusuf Pathan's first IPL fifty in three years
Image: Yusuf Pathan celebrates his fiftyPhotographs: BCCI
Yusuf Pathan and Ryan Ten Doeschate (42 off 30) repaired the innings with a 98-run stand for the fourth wicket.
Pathan (72) registered his first IPL half-century in three years and almost steered KKR home with splendid hitting before he was out in bizarre fashion towards the end of the chase, becoming the first batsman in the IPL history to be given out for obstructing the field.
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