Gujarat Lions moved one step closer to the playoffs of the Indian Premier League with a comprehensive six-wicket victory over the Kolkata Knight Riders at the Green Park stadium in Kanpur on Friday. The Lions chased down their target of 125 easily, subjecting the Knight Riders to their third loss in the last four games.

The unfancied Dwayne Smith broke the back of the much-vaunted Kolkata batting, picking up 4/18 in his four overs. Yusuf Pathan, with a run-a-ball 36, and Robin Uthappa (25 off 19 balls) were the only two batsmen who provided some resistance as Kolkata just about limped to 124/8.

Smith, however, could not transfer his form to his batting, getting stumped for a duck off the first ball of the innings. Brendon McCullum was also dismissed by Sunil Narine in the next over as Kolkata sensed an opening, but Suresh Raina (back after a paternity break) and Dinesh Karthik repaired the damage. Karthik was dismissed for just 12 but Aaron Finch steadied the chase with a 23-ball 26. Raina remained not out on a 37-ball 53 and guided the team to a very welcome victory, which took them to the second spot in the table.