Aussies kept quiet as Kings XI Punjab fall short
Knight Riders win through to Final
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Kolkata Knight Riders are through to the IPL 7 Final after a 28-run win over Geroge Bailey's Kings XI Punjab.
The match couldn't have started much better for Bailey and his pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson, the left-arm quick taking a wicket in his first over. All the more pleasing for Bailey after winning the toss and electing to chase on the rain reserve day.
However, Robin Uthappa's stunning run of form continued with 42 off 30 balls, including taking Johnson for 17 from his second over.
Johnson was much tighter on his return, conceding just three runs off the 19th over while he picked up a second wicket, Adelaide Strikers target Ryanten Doeschate caught on the fence for 17 attempting to loft a six.
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Johnson also displayed his fielding prowess in the final over when, on the run, he threw down the stumps at the non-striker's end from short fine-leg to dismiss West Indian Sunil Narine without facing a ball.
KKR managed a competitive 8-163 from their 20 overs, and with the ever present threat of rain having already briefly interrupted the Kolkata innings, Duckworth-Lewis looked set to have an impact.
Keeping on eye on the equations seemed to impact on the Kings XI Punjab batsmen.
Umesh Yadav took the first of his three wickets in the second over when Virender Sehwag cut straight into the hands of point.
Some tight bowling from Gautam Gambhir's side in the middle nine overs saw Kings XI yield just 24 runs while losing three crucial wickets, including star batsman Glenn Maxwell, who became Yadav's second victim, lbw for 6.
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The match got away from Kings XI from there. Bailey did his best to drag his side back into the contest, blasting 26 runs before he fell in the final over trying to pull of a miracle.
Kings XI finished top of the table after the IPL season and have a second chance to make the IPL final. They will face the Chennai Super Kings, who later beat Mike Hussey's Mumbai Inidians in an elimination final .