Blackcaps all-rounder Kyle Jamieson has shone with bat and ball in the Indian Premier League, as his Royal Challengers Bangalore side strolled to a 38-run win over Kolkata Knight Riders in Chennai.
Winning the toss and batting first, Bangalore made an impressive 204/4 in their 20 overs, built on scores of 78 from 49 balls by Australian Glenn Maxwell and an unbeaten 76 from 34 from South Africa's AB de Villiers.
Promoted up the batting order to No.6, Jamieson came in at the end to finish with 11 not out from only four balls, including a four and a mighty six clubbed down the ground off the bowling of Harbhajan Singh.
Jamieson and de Villiers added an unbeaten partnership of 56 runs in only 20 balls, with the South African batsman contributing 43 from 14.
But come time to bowl, Jamieson showed why the Royal Challengers paid $2.86million for his services at this year's player auction.
Opening the attack, Jamieson struck in his first over to remove the dangerous Shubman Gill, who fell to a brilliant diving catch by Australian Dan Christian at mid-on, out for 21 from nine.
With the required run rate forcing Kolkata to take more risks, Jamieson struck again in the 18th over, taking out the stumps of Bangladesh's Shakib al Hasan, who walked across and was bowled around his legs for 26 from 25.
Jamieson finished his day's work with the wicket of Australia's Pat Cummins, caught behind by de Villiers for six, as the Kiwi got his revenge, after having his previous ball hammered into the stands.
Jamieson finished as the pick of Bangalore's bowlers, taking 3/41 from three overs. Indian duo Harshal Patel (2/17) and Yuzvendra Chahal (2/34) also chipped in with wickets.
Bangalore remains unbeaten so far in the 2021 season, with three wins from three to sit atop the table.
Kolkata sits in sixth place, with one win from their first three matches. Neither of the Knight Riders' Kiwi contingent has played a game of this season's IPL, with both Lockie Ferguson and Tim Seifert yet to receive a chance.
Former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum is Kolkata's coach.
