Bangalore: Man mountain from Jamaica Chris Gayle smashed his second half-century of the season to help Royal Challengers Bangalore record their third win as the hosts beat holders Kolkata Knight Riders by eight wickets in the Indian Premier League (IPL) game here yesterday.

It was a Ugadi gift by 33-year old Gayle, who unleashed a typical blitz (85 not out, 50b, 4x4, 9x6) as Royal Challengers replied with 158 for two in 17.3 overs to Knight Riders’ total of 154 for eight.

Even that Kolkata score was possible mainly due to an attacking 59 off 49 balls by skipper Gautam Gambhir. He, however, was a helpless spectator along with his teammates as Gayle unleashed his onslaught.

The successful Royal Challengers chase was built around two entertaining partnerships. Gayle and captain Virat Kohli (35) put on 63 for the second wicket and that took the game away from Knight Riders.

On Kohli’s departure, Gayle and AB de Villiers (22no) took the team over the finish line with an 83-run stand for the unfinished third wicket.

Barring off-spinner Sunil Narine, who conceded only 17 runs in his four overs, the rest of the Knight Riders bolwers hardly looked the part once Gayle got going.

Earlier, Knight Riders, though scoring at a fair clip, could never really collar the Royal Challengers’ attack and it was left to Gambhir to hold the innings together while other batsmen, notably Jacques Kallis (16), Yusuf Pathan (27) and Manoj Tiwary (23), chipped in.

The second half of the Knight Riders innings was rather disappointing as wickets fell in a heap, with Rudra Pratap Singh picking up three cheap wickets. Vinay Kumar also stuck to his task well to come away with two for 36, including the wicket of Kallis, who never looked assured during his brief stay.

The Royal Challengers’ chase began on the wrong foot, with opener Mayank Agarwal (6) falling in the third over.

The dismissal brought together the two in-form batsmen. Kohli opened the fireworks with a series of shots, but it was not long before Gayle joined the orgy of big hitting. Ryan McLaren was first to feel the heat as he went for 22 runs and later Pradeep Sangwan was struck for 19 as RCB raced along.

However, the partnership was broken when Kohli holed out off Lakshmipathy Balaji. Sparks flew as Kohli and his Delhi mate Gambhir had a verbal exchange as the two walked towards each other rather menacingly before being separated.

Thereafter, Gayle took control, smashing Kallis for 18 runs, including two sixes, and finishing the game with two massive sixes off Balaji.