Spinner Narine makes star turn in KKR win

Mumbai: Kolkata Knight Riders' mystery spinner Sunil Narine did the star turn again as they beat Mumbai Indians by 32 runs in a crucial IPL V encounter yesterday.

Batting first, KKR managed a modest 140 for seven wickets on a difficult track, but the hosts were found wanting — getting out for 108 with five balls to spare.

Narine claimed four for 15, which included the wicket of master batsman Sachin Tendulkar (27), while Shakib Al Hassan and Iqbal Abdullah also claimed a wicket apiece.

Meanwhile, Delhi Daredevils batsman Mahela Jayawardene said the team's focus has not changed despite the spot-fixing allegations as regards some players. No Delhi player has been associated with the inquiry but five others have been suspended by the BCCI after they were named in the sting operation by a news channel for being ready to indulge in spot-fixing.

"We will have to wait and see. Nobody is guilty until proven. We will have to wait for the decision after the inquiry and then only we can come to some conclusion. Right now our focus is to finish in the top two. Nothing has taken the focus away from us. Once the inquiry is over, then we can have some explanation," Jayawardene said on the eve of the match against Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Consistent selection

Delhi are the first team to secure a berth in the play-offs but the elegant Sri Lankan batsman said the team will continue to fight hard in the remaining matches and also refrain from drastic experimentation.

"This is something we will discuss with the management. But there won't be much experimentation. We have been consistent with our selection and it has worked for us. There will not [be] many changes but maybe some," he said.

"One of our aims was to qualify for the play-offs. And now we want to finish in the top two to have that advantage. The next two games are important for us. There are certain areas we want to improve in."

Jayawardene though was not worried over the inconsistency of the team's middle order. "If you see, the top-ten batsmen in IPL are either openers or number three batsman. Naman [Ojha] played well yesterday [Tuesday] and then Irfan [Pathan] finished the match."

Brief Scores: KKR 140/7 off 20 overs (M.Tiwary 41, R.P. Singh 2/33) vs Mumbai Indians 108 all out in 19.1 overs (S. Tendulkar 27; S. Narine 4-15). KKR won by 32 runs.