Knight Riders post 150/7 against RCB

Kolkata Knight Riders recovered to score 150 for seven after Varun Aaron's three-wicket burst in their Indian Premier League (IPL) match against Royal Challengers Bangalore here today.

RCB's Aaron finished with impressive figures of 3/16, while Chris Lynn (45) and Jacques Kallis (43) were the major contributors with the bat for KKR.

Sent into bat, Kolkata Kinght Riders were off to another disastrous, losing skipper Gautam Gambhir for duck for the third straight time in the ongoing seventh edition of the cash-rich event.

An 80-run second-wicket partnership between Kallis and Lynn ensued, before three quick wickets pegged the former champions back.

Robin Uthappa (22) boosted KKR's run rate with a couple of sixes, but could not last till the end. It was then left to Suryakumar Yadav (24 not out) to take KKR to a decent total.

The only difference with Gambhir's dismissal this time around was that he was out for a golden duck, trapped in front of the wicket by a fast and full Mitchell Starc delivery off the third ball of the innings.

Albie Morkel struck in the next over as Manish Pandey's leading edge was easily taken by Virat Kohli at point, leaving KKR struggling at 10 for two in the second over.

When the 24-year-old Lynn walked into bat, KKR were in a spot of bother, but that did not show in the manner the Aussie straightaway went about his task.

RCB's move to introduce Muttiah Muralitharan into the attack in the seventh over backfired, as the Sri Lankan veteran was smashed for two sixes by Lynn in his first over.

Kallis swept Muralitharan over deep square leg after Lynn whacked Yuzvendra Chahal for a maximum over deep midwicket, where Starc completed the catch only to touch the ropes.

The association was brought to an end after Aaron's re-introduction. With the spinners going for runs, bringing back the pacer proved to be a successful move. Lynn's flat-batted hit failed to clear A B de Villiers at long-off.

Lynn struck three sixes and as many fours in his 31-ball knock at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Next man-in Yusuf Pathan lacked discretion, evidenced by his irresponsible shot off only the second ball he had faced. The result was a simple catch for Kohli at mid-off, the successful bowler being Aaron.

Having used quite a few deliveries, Kallis fell while going for a biggie against Chahal.