Knight Riders belong to Kolkata and will get a lot of support from its people: Gambhir

After leading Kolkata Knight Riders to a massive win against Royal Challengers Bangalore, skipper Gautam Gambhir is now plotting revenge over Pune Warriors -- the side led by one of Kolkata's favourite sons Sourav Ganguly, says a report in The Indian Express.

Gambhir hopes that spectators would root for KKR in their match against Pune on May 5 despite Ganguly leading the opponents’ camp.

"The way we have played, I think Kolkata will get a lot of support from the people. It's Kolkata's team. No other team belongs to Kolkata. For me, it's KKR vs Pune Warriors. Whether the crowd supports us or not, KKR is a team of Kolkata. We play to bring smiles on the people of Kolkata. It's not about playing against individuals," Gambhir, who smashed a 51-ball 93 for his second Man-of-the-Match this season, said after their win last night.

Meanwhile, a report in The Tribune says for once Chris Gayle could not provide Royal Challengers Bangalore with an explosive and happy ending as he left himself too much to do against the Kolkata Knight Riders, here tonight. They ultimately lost the match by 47 runs as Gayle too was dismissed in the last over for 86.

“Chasing a daunting 191for a win, RCB started off on a horrible note as Yusuf Pathan struck in the first over itself to dismiss Tillekeratne Dilshan. Gayle was then joined by the out-of-form Virat Kohli and the two looked for momentum, but Kohli was sent packing by Kallis. The burly South African struck off the very next ball as he also dismissed AB de Villiers for nought. It was looking too much for even Gayle to accomplish from there on, as falling wickets and a rising run rate were going hand in hand. Sourabh Tiwary and Gayle tried to push on but the Knight Riders kept a tight grip on the proceedings with some intelligent bowling,” adds the report.

Meanwhile The Hindu writes that it was a stroll in the park for Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens here on Saturday. “Led from the front by Man-of-the-match Gautam Gambhir (93, 51b), the home team's 190 for four — its highest this season — proved too stiff for Royal Challengers Bangalore, which ended on 143 for six in 20 overs. Even a fighting knock of 86 (58b, 7x4, 6x6) by Chris Gayle failed to stop KKR from registering its fifth win in nine games and reach 11 points. RCB stayed on nine from nine matches. Gayle's knock took his total to 336 and earned him the Orange Cup for the highest individual total in this edition,” writes Hindu.

Chasing 191, Royal Challengers suffered a big blow when Tillakaratne Dilshan's heave off Yusuf Pathan's last ball of the first over landed in the hands of Rajat Bhatia. Gayle and Virat Kohli put on 32 before the latter fell leg before to Jacques Kallis for 18. A.B. de Villers departed the next ball.