Andre Russel bowled a brilliant spell of four for 20 as Kolkata Knight Riders defended 164 against Kings XI Punjab at Eden Gardens last night to go top of the IPL points table.

The West Indies all-rounder got two of the top three batsmen out in his first two overs before coming at the death to take two more as Punjab fell seven runs short, making way for Kolkata to go top of the table with 12 points from nine matches.

Russel also affected two crucial run-outs in the last over as the Punjab outfit remained rooted to the bottom of the table.

Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan, who was drafted in after being benched for two matches, was economical, giving away only 21 runs in his three overs. The ace all-rounder, however, didn't get a chance to bat as the bulk of the runs for KKR were scored by their two openers.

Half-centuries from Gautam

Gambhir and Robin Uthappa had given the hosts the perfect launchpad before being pegged back a little later in the innings.

Put into bat, the two-time former champions got off to a solid start with Gambhir (54 from 45 balls) and Uthappa (70 from 49 balls) setting up a firm foundation in a 101-run partnership from 13.3 overs.

It was their highest opening wicket stand this season, and third overall century partnership which put them in right stead but their star duo of Yusuf Pathan and Russell failed to bring up their last match's heroics to be content with a total which could have been much bigger.

KKR could score only 43 runs in the last five overs as Pathan and Russell managed just 27 runs together in 19 balls.

SCORES IN BRIEF

KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS: 164 for 3 in 20 overs (Uthappa 70, Gambhir 54, Pathan 19)

KINGS XI PUNJAB: 157 for 9 in 20 overs (68, Saha 24; Russel 4-20) Result: Kolkata Knight Riders won by 7 runs

Man-of-the-match: Andre Russel