Chris Gayle struck a superb 96 to help Royal Challengers Bangalore to a three-wicket victory over defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders at Eden Gardens.
Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir ensured his side made a solid start to the match with 58 at the top of the order, but Bangalore took wickets at regular intervals to prevent the hosts from setting an even bigger total.
However, Andre Russell managed to hit six boundaries in an unbeaten 41 from just 17 deliveries to guide his team to 177-6 from their 20 overs.
Morne Morkel took the crucial wicket of Virat Kohli (13) with just 29 on the board in the fifth over, but Kolkata simply had no answer for the power of Gayle.
The West Indies opener needed just 56 balls to score 96 before being run out in the 19th over with Bangalore just eight runs short of their total.
AB de Villiers had scored a vital 28 earlier in an innings which saw just three players reach double figures, and it was left to Harshal Patel and Abu Nechim to guide Bangalore over the line.
Callum Mulvihill
