IPL 2010: Knight Riders signs off with consolation win

McCullum and Ganguly guide their team home with a steady opening stand

A steady 97-run opening-wicket stand between skipper Sourav Ganguly and Brendon McCullum gave Kolkata Knight Riders a launching pad for its comfortable nine-wicket win against Mumbai Indians in the final league match of the DLF IPL-III at the Eden Gardens here on Monday. It was KKR's first win against MI in six meetings.

Set a target of 134, KKR reached 135 for one in 17.3 overs to register its biggest victory in terms of wickets. McCullum remained unbeaten on 57 (56b, 8x4) and David Hussey was not out on 20. Ganguly, the lone man dismissed, scored 42 (36b, 4x4, 2x6).

Mumbai Indians rested five of its regulars, including Sachin Tendulkar, Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh.

Opting to bat, it found the going rather difficult on a slow pitch as Shane Bond struck two early blows, removing Aditya Tare and Shikhar Dhawan cheaply. The third wicket pair of Saurabh Tiwary and J.P. Duminy played sensibly to keep the scoreboard ticking.

The pair was separated when Duminy played across to left-arm pacer Jaidev Unadkat and was bowled for 19.

Saurabh and Duminy added 63 in 60 balls. Tiwary too left at the same score, taken by McCullum at long-on off Kartik for a well compiled 46 (37b, 4x4, 1x6).

KKR conceded only 20 runs in the six overs from 10th to 15th that put the brakes on MI's efforts to accelerate the scoring.

Thereafter, captain Dwayne Bravo, Rajagopal Sathish and Stuart Binny left in quick succession trying to force the pace.

Late charge

A late charge by Ambati Rayudu for a 15-ball 27 livened up play and also enabled MI to reach 133 for eight wickets in 20 overs — its lowest against KKR.

Kartik, who was the pick of the bowlers with figures of two for 20, was adjudged the Man-Of- the-Match.

Shane Bond also got two wickets for 24 runs. Dinda, Unadkat and Tiwary claimed a wicket apiece.

The scores:

Mumbai Indians: A. Tare c Kartik b Bond 1 (3b), S. Dhawan c Saha b Bond 10 (11b, 1x4), S. Tiwary c McCullum b Kartik 46 (37b, 4x4, 1x6), J.P. Duminy b Unadkat 19 (27b, 2x4), R. Sathish c Kartik b Tiwary 11 (11b, 1x4), D. Bravo st Saha b Kartik 5 (9b), A. Rayudu (run out) 27 (15b, 3x4, 1x6), S. Binny c Ganguly b Dinda 8 (5b, 1x4), R. McLaren (not out) 0 (2b); Extras (b-2, lb-2, w-2) 6. Total (for eight wkts., in 20 overs) 133.

Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-14, 3-77, 4-77, 5-89, 6-111, 7-126, 8-133.

Kolkata Knight Riders bowling: Bond 4-0-24-2, Dinda 4-0-20-1, Unadkat 4-0-27-1, Ganguly 1-0-13-0, Kartik 4-0-20-2, Hussey 2-0-14-0, Tiwary 1-0-11-1.

Kolkata Knight Riders: S. Ganguly c Bravo b Sathish 42 (36b, 4x4, 2x6), B. McCullum (not out) 57 (56b, 8x4), D. Hussey (not out) 20 (14b, 1x4, 1x6); Extras: (lb-2, nb-5, w-9) 16. Total: (for one wkt., in 17.3 overs) 135.

Fall of wicket: 1-97.

Mumbai Indians bowling: Murtaza 4-0-27-0, Fernando 3-0-31-0, McLaren 3-0-26-0, Bravo 2-0-7-0, Binny 1-0-9-0, Duminy 2.3-0-22-0, Sathish 2-0-11-1 .

When Big B was mistaken as Shah Rukh Khan

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan was in for a surprise at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport recently when an uniformed officer mistook him for actor Shah Rukh Khan.

The 67-year-old actor was on his way back to the country when he was mobbed at the airport and had to oblige them with autographs. But he was in for a shock when he was mistaken for King Khan.

Recounting his experience, Bachchan wrote in his blog, "Airports are strange places. KLIA is no different from any airport where the staff would immediately recognize any celebrity, except a few exceptions. They mob and ask for pictures and stuff... I oblige... it makes them happy.

"They seem to be obsessed with our cinema and with our artists. One today, uniformed and medalled, walked past me in the crowded duty free, turned back after expressing some recognition and smiled - 'hello .. Mr ShahRukh Khan'," Bachchan wrote.

The veteran actor, one of the most famous Bollywood faces abroad, did not know how to react and is still in two minds whether he should take it as a compliment or not.

"I am still debating in my head whether I should take this as a compliment or not. For the official to find absolute dedication in his name giving, sends me a healthy feeling. I shall remain with it...," he wrote.

Shahrukh Khan showered with flowery words by Priyanka Chopra

Priyanka Chopra, the 2000 Miss World and one of the leading ladies of the present Bollywood recently received the National Award for her stellar performance in Madhur Bhandarkar’s film ‘Fashion’. And her co-star from ‘Don’ Shahrukh Khan had lavished bucketfuls of praise on Piggy Chops.

And, the suave and super hot actress whose killer looks in ‘Pyaar Impossible’ failed to draw in the audience, showers flowery words for the King Khan. She says in his eulogy,

“I have been very vocal about my feelings for Shah Rukh Khan. I can’t tell you how proud, excited and humbled I am that he called me a ‘Shero’. Especially since he is someone I have admired from a very young age. Praise coming from someone I idolise means a lot more to me. It feels even better because when you are self made, you are constantly looking for someone to say that you are doing the right thing. The fear factor is huge, you keep asking yourself, ‘Am I going the right way?’ I have no formal training. I don’t know films up, close and personal. My schooling has been my career. When compliments like this and awards happen, it just gives me the signal that I am headed in the right direction. I’m going to find my feet soon”

Well, the Shero looks really sultry in a golden swimsuit near the blue sea. And besides SRK, even Aishwarya’s hubby Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham would vouch for that. What say folks?

Shahrukh Khan, Karan Johar, Priyanka, Hrithik-Raining of Bollywood stars at IPL 3 Award show

The Badshah of Bollywood-Shahrukh Khan and his alleged best friend cum brother Karan Johar will come together to host the IPL Awards night.

Shahrukh’s team Kolkata Knight Riders failed to give good performance in IPL 3, even after consulting astrologers and changing jersey colors. Hopefully this awards show will help the Khan to forget his not so old wounds.

Since Shahrukh is famous for poking fun at even himself which is indeed a rare quality, we are watching with bated breathe if he makes any mention of the dismal performance of his team at the awards.

According to latest reports, the category of awards will include IPL Jury Awards, Viewers Choice Awards, Statistical Awards, The IPL Captain’s Award, Best Commentator, Most stylish player, then the Winner’s Awards and Awards for best batting and bowling, etc.

The judges will include people who have established themselves in the arena of sports and will include Sunil Gavaskar, Harsha Bhogle, Lalit Modi, Brian Lara, Javagal Srinath and the umpire Samuel Taufel.

If Shahrukh is there, can the Bollywood brigade be left far behind? Bollywood will unleash its star power with powerpacked and energetic performances by celebrities like Priyanka Chopra, Shilpa Shetty, Hrithik Roshan etc.

A.R.Rahman will also woo the audience with a magical live performance.