The Chris Gayle show was in full force at Eden Gardens with the explosive left-hander striking yet another half century as Kings XI Punjab brushed aside Kolkata Knight Riders to go top of the Indian Premier League table.

Kolkata batting first made 191 for 7 thanks to opener Chris Lynn (74 from 41 balls) and captain Dinesh Karthik who added 43 off 28.

Kings XI in reply raced to 73 without loss at the end of the first power-play before action was delayed for 90 minutes due to rain.

The visitors, set a revised target of 125 in 13 overs, coasted to 126 for one to complete a 9 wickets win via the Duckworth/Lewis method.

Gayle, who brought up his 50 in 28 balls, ended the run chase with a straight six to finish unbeaten on 62 off 38 deliveries – his third consecutive fifty-plus score in three games this season.

He was assisted by opening partner Lokesh Rahul who slammed 60 off 27 balls in their first wicket stand of 116.

West Indies spinner Sunil Narine was the lone wicket-taker for Kolkata while Jamaican Andre Russell bowled 1.5 overs before leaving the field with an apparent leg injury.

Kings XI Punjab now lead the table on 8 points from 5 games – 2 ahead of Chennai Super Kings and Sunrisers Hyderabad who have a game in hand.

The Knight Riders are also on 6 points but have played 6 games.