No luck for Gayle

KOLKATA, India (CMC):

West Indies captain Chris Gayle continued his erratic preparation for the World Twenty20 Championship later this month when he made a two-ball duck for the Kolkata Knight Riders in the Indian Premier League yesterday.

Batting at an unfamiliar number three, Gayle was bowled by left-arm seamer Kamran Khan in the third over without scoring as Kolkata slipped to 22 for two in pursuit of 133 for victory at Eden Gardens against Rajasthan Royals.

But former India captain Sourav Ganguly reeled off an unbeaten 75 from 50 balls with 11 fours and two sixes, as Kolkata reached their target in the 17th over to win by eight wickets.

Contribution

Gayle did not bowl during the Royals innings as the visitors chose to bat on winning the toss and posted 132 for nine off their allotted 20 overs.

His only contribution to the Rajasthan's demise was a catch at mid-off where he was forced to run back before snaring Abhishek Raut for two at 103 for six in the 16th over.

Australia's Shane Watson slammed 44 from 26 balls to top score for the Royals.

An IPL record, unbeaten third-wicket stand of 111 by Ganguly and Cheteshwar Pujara who scored 45 form 38 balls, then gave Knight Riders a mathematical chance of reaching the semi-finals.

Gayle will lead West Indies in the April 30 to May 16 tournament in the Caribbean.