KOLKATA: Sourav Ganguly hit a 54-ball 88 as a resurgent Kolkata Knight Riders bulldozed a hapless Deccan Chargers by 24 runs in their return-leg Indian Premier League match on Thursday

Ganguly blasted nine fours and five sixes and added 78 runs for the fourth wicket with David Hussey to take the Knight Riders to a competitive 181-6 at the Eden Gardens. The home team then returned to restrict the defending champions to 157-5 to climb up to the fifth place, just behind Rajasthan Royals with eight points from eight matches in the points table.

Chasing 182, opener Herschelle Gibbs hit 50 from 45 balls including a six and gave Knight Riders a run for their money before Shane Bond evicted the South African to script the turn around. Andrew Symonds hit a 37 ball 45 but 34 runs from the last over proved to be a bit too much for the Chargers.

Opting to bat, Ganguly set his home ground on fire standing tall among the ruins of Chris Gayle (four), Cheteshwar Pujara (17) and Manoj Tiwary (four). David Hussey gave a fine support to Ganguly with a 27-ball 31.

Deccan began all charged up scoring 23 runs in two overs. But Knight Riders got a breakthrough dismissing Adam Gilchrist (nine) but Gibbs continued his assault to keep the target within reach. Chargers were crusing along with 121-2 when Bond dismissed Gibbs immediately after reaching his half-century. Gibbs added 46 with Mohnish Mishra (29) for the second wicket and went on to add 44 with Symonds.

Soon the Chargers slipped to 125-4 with Rohit Sharma (two) bowled by Murali Kartik as the asking run-rate crept above 14 mark and Knight Riders only had to complete the formality.