Mumbai (IANS) Kolkata Knight Riders moved a step closer to qualifying for the playoffs with a convincing 32-run win over Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL) at the Wankhede Stadium here Wednesday.

Put in, Knight Riders recovered from a poor start, and crucial innings from Manoj Tiwari (41), Gautam Gambhir (27) and Yusuf Pathan (21 not out) helped them achieve a modest total of 140 for seven in 20 overs.

Tight bowling by the Knight Riders and a mesmerizing spell of spin bowling by West Indian Sunil Narine (four for 15) helped his team bowl out Mumbai for a paltry 108.

Jacques Kallis (2-32) too played a key role as he removed Kieron Pollard and Dwayne Smith off successive balls to put Kolkata in the driving seat. Lakshmipathy Balaji also picked up two wickets giving away just 11 runs from his four overs.

This win took the visitors to second place in the table with 19 points while Mumbai are just one point behind with both teams left with a single match.

The hosts chasing a moderate total were immediately put under pressure by disciplined bowling by Kolkata. South African Herchelle Gibbs was the first one to go, trapped in front of the wicket by Iqbal Abdulla.

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New Delhi (PTI) In the wake of suspension of five domestic players and allegations about players being paid ‘black money’, the Indian cricket board may have a separate auction for the uncapped domestic players in the coming seasons of the cash-rich IPL.

It is learnt that at least three franchises during their meeting with the BCCI top brass have requested them to have either ‘open auction’ or a separate auction exclusively for uncapped domestic players in order to avoid any confusion.

“The brand gets affected by these allegations and the best way to do it is by having either open auctions or an exclusive auction for uncapped domestic players. We have already intimated our feelings to IPL Governing Council in this regard. They have assured us that the matter would be seriously considered,” an IPL team official said on Wednesday.

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London (ANI) Kings XI Punjab captain David Hussey has defended his Indian Premier League (IPL) team following allegations of corruption during the tournament, and insists he would be disappointed if any player from his team is found involved in it.

Amit Yadav and Shalabh Srivastava, two of the five players suspended by the Indian cricket board (BCCI) following a television sting, are contracted to the Punjab IPL team, but have not played in the ongoing tournament.

“Everyone in my team, everyone in Kings XI Punjab as a brand, plays with utmost integrity, and if any print or TV media tries to write differently or say something differently about my team, then I will be very disappointed,” The News quoted Hussey, as telling to media in Delhi.

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