Royals crushed as Riders hit top spot

The hosts’ decision to field first paid rich dividends as Lakshmipathy Balaji (3-15) and Shakib Al Hasan (2-21) – backed by a brace each of run-outs and stumpings – helped bowl Rajasthan out for a paltry 81.

Royals, to their credit, managed two scares in the run-chase but Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir hit an unbeaten 36 off 35 – alongside Manoj Tiwary (30 off 26 balls) – as they registered a hat-trick of wins in the campaign.

Knight Riders paceman Balaji began the celebrations initially by bowling Shane Watson (11) while spinner Iqbal Abdulla had Amit Pauniker (15) stumped before effecting Faiz Fazal’s run out for three.

Abhishek Raut’s (11) and Ross Taylor (six), quickly followed with Ajinkya Rahane and Menaria also falling cheaply

The last three batsmen all failed to score as Shakib dispatched Amit Singh and Shaun Tait in back-to-back deliveries, leaving Brett Lee the task of ending things with Siddharth Trivedi’s scalp.