Robin Uthappa came back to haunt his former side as the Kolkata Knight Riders thumped the Royal Challengers Bangalore by 30 runs to storm into the playoffs of IPL 2014.
A packed crowd at the Eden Gardens were treated to some brilliant batting from KKR, with Uthappa and Shakib Al Hasan putting on a sparkling partnership to take their side to 195.
In reply, RCB never really looked like making a fist of the chase, with Sunil Narine in supreme form, as the Bangalore franchise finished on just 165 for five to suffer their eighth loss of the season and with it end all hopes of them making the playoffs.
"Our death bowling has cost us badly this tournament," a disappointed Virat Kohli said. "Tonight was another case where KKR bowled better than us. Uthappa batted well, but he was given balls in areas he wanted to hit.
"We haven't been consistent in the crucial moments and haven't contained our composure. We couldn't capitalise on our good start."
For Gautam Gambhir and KKR it is now all about concentrating on their final game of the regular season to try and sneak into the top two, before turning their attentions to the main phase of IPL 2014 – the playoffs.
"I think it was a very professional batting performance," Gambhir said. "Robin and Shakib batted beautifully, and we had the bowlers to defend it.
"I think 190 on any wicket is tough to chase, and on this wicket, it's especially difficult. All the bowlers did their job. On this wicket, it gets tough with Sunil and Morne [Morkel] in our ranks.
"We've got to keep looking forward, and hopefully we can keep winning for this fantastic crowd."
Uthappa's dream run in the IPL just goes on and on, with the opener showing some outstanding batting composure to guide his side to the big total, despite KKR losing three wickets relatively early. As long as Uthappa stays in this form, KKR, no doubt, will be a force to be reckoned with, and then some.
"It feels good to be contributing," Man of the Match Uthappa said. "I have got my plans worked out as far as opening is concerned. It is like bread and butter for me. When Shakib came in, I knew if I rotated the strike, we could get big runs in the end.
"I did not look at the scoreboard, I just kept batting and I was really glad to have Shakib at the other end. I knew I just needed to feed him the strike, he was going hammer and tongs at the spinners in the middle overs."
