Kolkata - Kochi Tuskers Kerala pulled off a stunning six-run win against favourites Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling Indian Premier League match on Wednesday.
Ravindra Jadeja struck an 18-ball 29 with three sixes and a four to take Kochi to 132-7 before Kolkata were restricted to 126-9 off 20 overs on a slow Eden Gardens track.
Kolkata, leading the points table before this match, lost quick wickets in their chase and could never recover from the early setbacks despite a fighting 46-run knock by Manoj Tiwary.
Jadeja impressed with the ball as well, picking up two wickets including the key scalp of Tiwary.
It was Kolkata's second defeat from five outings and Kochi's third win from as many games.
Spinners Yusuf Pathan and Shakib Al Hasan earlier shared six wickets after Kolkata skipper Gautam Gambhir won the toss and elected to field.
New Zealand star Brendon McCullum (23) and Mahela Jayawardene (25) gave Kochi a steady start, putting on 49 runs for the opening wicket.
It was Bangladesh left-arm spinner Shakib who gave Kolkata a key breakthrough when he had McCullum caught by Eoin Morgan while Pathan accounted for Jayawardene, Brad Hodge and Parthiv Patel in quick succession.
Brief scores:Kochi Tuskers Kerala 132-7 in 20 overs (R. Jadeja 29, M. Jayawardene 25; Yusuf Pathan 3-20, Shakib al Hasan 3-28) beat Kolkata Knight Riders 126-9 (M. Tiwary 46; R.P. Singh 2-25, R. Jadeja 2-25) by six runs.