Gambhir struck seven fours off 46 balls as Kolkata scored 119-3 in 16.4 overs, replying to Pune's unimpressive 118-7 on a slow pitch at DY Patil Stadium.

Kolkata, which has never made the knockout stage in the IPL, is in a three-way fight for the remaining two slots up for grabs, along with Mumbai Indians and Kings XI Punjab.

Pune is out of contention.

Defending champion Chennai Super Kings and Royal Challengers Bangalore have already ensured playoff berths.

“I wanted to lead from the front as these two points were very important for us,” Gambhir said. “They had nothing to lose while we had everything to win for.” Gambhir and all-rounder Yusuf Pathan (29) took control of the chase with a 64-run stand for the third wicket after Manoj Tiwary had made a run-a-ball 24.

Pathan was out with only two runs needed for the win, hitting a full toss from left-arm pace bowler Wayne Parnell for former India captain Sourav Ganguly to take a fine catch running to his left.

Pathan, who had taken a couple of wickets earlier in the day, smashed one six and three fours during his 25-ball knock.

Earlier, the Pune batsmen failed to get any significant partnership after being asked to bat first at the DY Patil Stadium.

Captain Yuvraj Singh, coming in at No. 6, was the highest scorer with 24 off 26 deliveries with two fours. The left-hander was associated in a 34-run partnership with Sachin Rana, the highest of the innings.

Rana and Ganguly each scored 18 with the others mostly scratching around.

Pathan and Bangladesh captain Shakib Al Hassan performed well in the middle of the innings with their spin bowling, while pace bowler Lakshmipathy Balaji bagged two wickets in the only over that he bowled toward the end of the innings.

“I thought the toss was vital,” Yuvraj said. “The ball spun a lot in the first innings but it did not do so much later on.”

In the only match on Friday, Sachin Tendulkar-led Mumbai will host out-of-contention Rajasthan Royals, which will be captained by spin great Shane Warne for the last time. The Australian will retire from all forms of the game after the tournament.