IPL PHOTOS: Raina leads Gujarat Lions to impressive win over Knight Riders

Scorecard

Gujarat Lions' captain Suresh Raina scored a brilliant 84 to help take his team past Kolkata Knight Riders' 187 and record only their second win this season of the IPL

IMAGE: Gujarat Lions' captain Suresh Raina scored a brilliant 84 to help take his team past Kolkata Knight Riders' 187 and record only their second win this season of the IPL. Photograph: BCCI

Suresh Raina played a captain's knock to guide struggling Gujarat Lions to a comprehensive four-wicket win over two-time champions Kolkata Knight Riders during their Indian Premier League match in Kolkata on Friday.

Chasing a challenging 188 set by KKR, Raina led from the front with a blistering 46-ball 84-run knock to set the platform for the much-needed win for Gujarat Lions.

Aaron Finch put on a 42-run first wicket stand to give the Lions an extraordinary start

IMAGE: Aaron Finch put on a 42-run first wicket stand with fellow opener Brendon McCullum to give the Lions an extraordinary start. Photograph: BCCI

Coming on to bat at the number 3, Raina took the attack to the opposition bowlers and decorated his innings with nine boundaries and four sixes to steer Gujarat Lions chase.

Rain had stopped play briefly but it had no effect on the match as the Lions chased down the target with ease.

Raina was ably supported by Brendon McCullum (33) and Aaron Finch (31) who stitched 42 runs off just 21 balls for the opening stand to get Gujarat Lions' chase off to a flier.

KKR's Manish Pandey takes a fine catch to send Suresh Raina back into the dug out

IMAGE: KKR's Manish Pandey takes a fine catch to send Suresh Raina back into the dug out. Photograph: BCCI

Down the order, Ravindra Jadeja remained unbeaten on 19 to finish off the proceedings for Gujarat Lions with a boundary in 18.2 overs.

Chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav (2/33) Nathan Coulter-Nile (2/41) picked up two wickets apiece for KKR.

Robin Uthappa was the star for Kolkata Knight with a quick-fire half-century

IMAGE: Kolkata Knight Riders' Robin Uthappa en route his quick-fire half-century. Photograph: BCCI

Earlier, Robin Uthappa cracked a brilliant half-century, while makeshift opener Sunil Narine struck a quick-fire 47 at the top of the order to guide Kolkata Knight Riders to 187 for five during their Indian Premier League match against Gujarat Lions, in Kolkata on Friday.

Uthappa made 72 off just 48 balls with the help of eight boundaries and two sixes to anchor the KKR innings

KKR's Sunil Narine goes for the big shot during his innings of 47

IMAGE: KKR's Sunil Narine goes for the big shot during his innings of 47. Photograph: BCCI

Before Uthappa’s blazing knock, KKR rode on Narine (42 off 17 balls), who played a short cameo to give his side a super start after being invited to bat.

Narine's breezy knock was studded with nine boundaries and a huge hit over the fence.

Gujarat Lions' Basil Thampi celebrates after cleaning up KKR's Manish Pandey