Mohali, May 3 (UNI) Riding on the brilliant unbeaten knock of 65 by Shubman Gill and his 62-run opening wicket stand with Chris Lynn (46) Kolkata Knight Riders emerged clear winners against Kings XI Punjab by seven wickets with two overs to spare in the 52nd crucial match in the Indian Premier League at the IS Bindra PCA Stadium here tonight.
KKR replied with 185 for 3 in 18 overs to Kings XI Punjab's total of 183 for six. Shubman Gill richly deserved the Man of the Match award.
It was KKR's sixth victory from 13 matches they have played so far. KKR moved up to fifth position with 12 points. KKR and Sunrisers Hyderabad have same number of 12 points. However, SRH have better net run rate of 0.653 while KKR have 0.173.
Shubman Gill and Dinesh Karthik stitched an unbroken 36 runs for fourth wickets stand. Shubman batted for 88 minutes and faced 49 deliveries for his undefeated knock of 65, studded with five fours and two sixes. Dinesh Karthik remained not out on 21 from nine balls.
Required to score 184 for victory, Kolkata Knight Riders were given a good start by openers Shubman Gill and Chris Lynn who put on 62 runs in 6 overs for the opening wicket stand. Andrew Tye broke this partnership as he accepted a return catch from Chris Lyn. His 22-ball 46 contained five fours and three huge sixes.
New comer Robin Uthappa and Shubman carried the total to 100 in 10.3 overs before Uthappa was caught by Mayank Agarwal and the bowler was captain Ravichandran Ashwin. Uthappa's 22 from 14 deliveries was studded with two fours and one six. Andre Russell and Shuman were associated in 50 runs partnership for the third wicket. KKR hoisted 150 in 14.5 overs. Russell was dismissed by Mohammed Shami who had the KKR batsman caught by Andrew Tye. Russell contributed 24 runs with the help of two fours and two sixes in 14 balls.
Earlier, reeling at 22 for 2 at the early stage of the innings, Kings XI Punjab recovered to 183 for 6. It was possible due to two brilliant knocks played by left handed Sam Curran who remained not out on 55 from 24 deliveries and Nicholas Pooran 48 from 27 balls. Mayank Agarwal (36) and Mandeep Singh (25) also made their contributions to help Kings XI gave a chance for their team for victory.
A 69-run association for the third wicket between aggressive Niicholas Pooran (48) and Mayank Agarwal and 38-run partnership for the fifth wicket between Mandeep Singh (25) and Sam Curran paved the way for the hosts to reach a respectable total. Sam Curran was also associated with an unbeaten 32 runs stand with Andrew Tye (0 not out). Sam Curran slammed the KKR bowlers for seven boundaries two effortless sixes and his striking rate was 229.6.
Left handed Nicholas Pooran and Mayank Agarwal propped up Kings XI Punjab who scored 84 for 2 after 10 overs, with a 62-run valuable partnership for third wicket. However, Pooran who displayed aggressive performance soon departed having caught by Sandeep Warrier of the bowling of Nitish Rana. Pooran played a 27-ball 48 aggressive knock which was studded with three four and four soaring sixes. Pooran and Mayank contributed 69 runs for the third wicket stand.
Mandeep Singh came in the middle to join Mayank Agarwal who was run out after scoring 36 runs from 26 deliveries. He executed two fours and one six before returning to the pavilion. left handed Sam Curran took the crease with Mandeep Singh.

Put in to bat after Kolkata Knight Riders winning the and decided to chase, Kings XI Punjab suffered an early jolt have lost opener Lokesh Rahul who was caught at mid-on by Chris Lynn of the bowling of new ball bowler Sandeep Warrier. Kings XI Punjab lost their first wicket at 13 with Rahul making just two runs.
Sandeep Warrier struck against and this time he dismissed opener Chris Gayle who was caught at square leg by Shuman Gill. Gayle departed having contributed just 14 runs and Kings XI Punjab were two down for 22 in 4.1 overs.
With Kings XI Punjab struggling at 22 for 2, left handed Nicholas Pooran joined Mayank Agarwal. Nicholas Pooran was an aggressive mood. Making his intentions clear, he dealt the the bowlers harshly.
While Kolkata Knight Riders made no change in their team, Kings XI Punjab have included Sam Curran and Andrew Tye to replace Mujeeb and David Miller.
Kings XI Punjab
Chris Gayle c Shubman Gill b Sandeep Warrier 14
Lokesh Rahul c Chris Lynn b Sandeep Warrier 2
Mayank Agarwal run out 36
Nichloas Pooran c Sandeep Warrier b Nitish Rana 48
Mandeep Singh c Robin Uthappa b Harry Gurney 25
Sam Curran not out 55
Ravichandran Ashwin b Andre Russel 0
Andrew Tye not out 0
Extras (lb 2, w 1) 3
Total (for 6 wickets, 20 overs) 183
Fall of wickets: 1-13, 2-22, 3-91, 4-111, 5-149, 6-151.
Bowling:
Sandeep Warrier 4-0-31-2
Harry Gyrney 4-0-41-1
Sunil Narine 4-0-29-0
Andre Russell 3-0-29-1
Piyush Chawla 4-0-43-0
Nitish Rana 1-0-8-1.
Kolkata Knights Riders:
Shubman Gill not out 65
Chris Lynn c and b Andrew Tye 46
Robin Uthappa c MayankAgarwal b B Ashwin 22
Andre Russell c Tye b Mohammed Shami 24
Dinesh Karthik not out 21
Extras (lb 2, w 5) 7
Total (for three wickets in 18 overs) 185
Fall of wickets: 1-62, 2-100, 3-150.
Bowling
Mohammed Shami 3-0-15-1
Arshdeep Singh 2-0-24-0
Ravichandran Ashwin 4-0-38-1
Andrew Tye 3-0-41-1
M Ashwin 2-0-24-0
Sam Curran 4-0-41-0.
UNI XC ASN 0012