Jadeja inspires CSK win

Kolkata: Chennai Super Kings made heavy weather of a small chase before Ravindra Jadeja's blitzkrieg powered the visitors to a four-wicket win over Kolkata Knight Riders in their IPL VI clash at Eden Gardens here on Saturday.

Chasing a paltry 120, the Super Kings found themselves in a tight corner when they were reduced to 89 for six in the 17th over. However, Jadeja (36 off 14) meant business and used his long handle to great effect to wrap up the issue for the Kings. Mike Hussey (40 off 51) played a sensible innings at the top to keep CSK in the hunt even thought wickets kept falling at the other end.

Earlier, the Kolkata Knight Riders frittered away a good start to be restricted to a modest 119 for nine after electing to bat. Make-shift openers Gautam Gambhir (25) and Yusuf Pathan (25) gave a flying start sharing 46 runs off just 35 balls. The batsmen committed hara-kiri of sorts as, from 46 for no loss; they slumped to 91 for eight in 15.5 overs. Jadeja returned with figures three for 20 while Ashwin scalped two wickets for 21 runs.

Brief scores: KKR 119 (Gautam Gambhir 25, Y Pathan 25, R Jadeja 3/20, R Ashwin 2/21) lost to CSK 124 for six wickets in 19.1 overs (M Hussey 40, R Jadeja 36 not out)