Kolkata Knight Riders later defeated Rajasthan Royals for the second time this season, winning by eight wickets with more than six overs to spare in Kolkata.

Delhi's James Hopes (13 not out) struck a six and a four off Jessie Ryder in the final over after Aaron Finch (25) and Venugopal Rao (31) helped narrow down the chase.

“It's a happy moment for us, finally we have a win,” Daredevils captain Virender Sehwag said.

The Warriors batted first after losing the toss, scoring 187-5 with captain Yuvraj Singh hitting an undefeated 32-ball 66 and then taking 4-29.

Daredevils finished with 190-7 in 19.2 overs following a middle-order wobble after David Warner (46) and Sehwag (37) provided a 75-run start.

Daredevils needed a daunting 41 off the final 18 deliveries but Finch hit two successive sixes off Shrikant Wagh in the 18th over and Rao struck a six and a four off Yuvraj in the following over to set up the exciting finish.

Both batsmen fell to Yuvraj.

Ryder hit five sixes and five fours in a 27-ball 60 for the Warriors and began the innings by blasting Rao for two successive sixes. He was caught in the deep after charging spinner Shahbaz Nadeem, but Yuvraj kept the run rate up with five sixes and four boundaries.

Lakshmipathy Balaji took 3-15 and Bangladesh spinner Shakib Al Hasan chipped in with 2-21 to help Knight Riders bowl out former champion Royals for 81 in 15.2 overs.

Put in to bat, Royals began badly following early strikes by Balaji and spinner Iqbal Abdulla and two run-outs. Yusuf Pathan had the dangerous Ross Taylor stumped for 6, and Balaji returned to dismiss Ajinkya Rahane and Ashok Menaria in quick succession.

Shakib then sent back Amit Singh and Shaun Tait for ducks off successive deliveries.

Knight Riders lost Jacques Kallis for a duck but skipper Gautam Gambhir hit 35 and put on 54 runs with Manoj Tiwary (30) as they blasted 21 off a single over from Tait to race to victory.

“Getting the opposition out for 81 was a fantastic effort,” Gambhir said. “You cannot take any game in this format lightly. Once you get the momentum, it is important to continue. Once we got Brett and Shakib in our team, and Balaji, it is a fantastic attack.” On Monday, Kochi Tuskers Kerala play reigning champion Chennai Super Kings.