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This is an archive article published on April 19, 2008

Knight Riders humble Royal Challengers

McCullum's unbeaten century helped Kolkata Knight Riders inflict a humiliating defeat on Bangalore Royal Challengers.

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Brendon McCullum’s incredible unbeaten century coupled with decimating fast bowling helped Kolkata Knight Riders inflict a humiliating 140-run defeat on Bangalore Royal Challengers in the opening match of the Indian Premier League here today.

Put in to bat, the Kolkata team scored a massive 222 for three and then skittled out their opponents for a paltry 82 to begin their campaign in the Twenty20 extravaganza in style.

McCullum produced a scintillating 73-ball knock of 158, which happens to be the highest individual total in T20 games.

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The Kiwi wicket-keeper batsman single handedly took the Kolkata team past 200-run mark, punishing all the bowlers mercilessly before a packed house.

McCullum’s innings was studded with 13 sixes and 10 fours as he scorched the Chinnaswamy stadium with his amazing stroke-play.

The Bangalore team’s run chase was far from ideal as skipper Rahul Dravid (2) was the first to depart when teen sensation Ishant Sharma knocked over his stumps in the second over of the innings.

The Bangalore top-order collapsed like a house of cards as their batsmen buckled under pressure.

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Jacques Kallis hit the first boundary of their innings off Ajit Agarkar in the fifth over but only to be dismissed on the next ball, handing a simple catch at mid-on to Murali Kartik.

No top-order batsman from the Vijay Mallya owned team could reach the double-digit mark against a disciplined fast bowling.

Agarkar was the pick of the bowler as he accounted for three batsmen giving away 25 runs in his quota of four overs.

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