Kolkata Knight Riders went top of the Indian Premier League table with a crushing eight-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals.

The hosts’ decision to field first paid rich dividends as Lakshmipathy Balaji (three for 15) and Shakib Al Hasan (two for 21) - backed by a brace each of run-outs and stumpings - helped bowl Rajasthan out for a paltry 81.

Royals, to their credit, managed two scares in the run-chase but Kolkata captain Gautam Gambhir hit an unbeaten 36 off 35 - alongside Manoj Tiwary (30 off 26 balls) - as they registered a hat-trick of wins in the campaign so far.

Knight Riders paceman Balaji began the celebrations initially by bowling Shane Watson (11) while spinner Iqbal Abdulla had Amit Pauniker (15) stumped before effecting Faiz Fazal’s run out for three.

Things did not get any better with Abhishek Raut’s (11) run-out and just when Ashok Menaria had raised hopes via a 25-run stand with Ross Taylor (six), the latter found himself stumped.

With Rajasthan on 68 for five, the collapse showed no signs of ending as Balaji’s third over saw Ajinkya Rahane (six) castled and Menaria caught at third-man after his 21 off 17 balls.

The last three batsmen all failed to score as Shakib dispatched Amit Singh and Shaun Tait in back-to-back deliveries, leaving Brett Lee the task of ending things with Siddharth Trivedi’s scalp.

In reply, Knight Riders lost key-man Jacques Kallis in the first over causing Manvinder Bisla and Gambhir to adopt a patient approach before Bisla fell for nine.

Kolkata tottered slightly on 31 for two as Rajasthan managed some pressure on a slowing wicket.

But Gambhir’s tenacity - he and Tiwary combined for 54 - eventually won out as the left-hander fittingly hit the winning boundary for Knight Riders with 6.1 overs left.