KXIP beat CSK by 4 runs | Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Super Kings, Highlights And Cricket Score 12th T20 Match - Commentary

Imran Tahir managed to get decent bowling figures amidst a run-riot and his two wickets in a way played a big part in stopping the home team's charge. Apart from him, all the bowlers suffered but at the death, they did a reasonable job. It's a batting paradise and Chennai will back themselves to chase down the target, they have made it a habit of overhauling big targets in this season. Punjab will feel that they are 15-20 runs short and will have to be extra active on the field. Let's hope for a good chase.

Not often you score 197 in a T20 game and still feel disappointed. Punjab will be at the moment. But first up, let's give credit to the Chennai bowlers. They pulled things back amazingly well after starting on a sorry note. It began in the worst possible manner for the touring team as the pair of Gayle and Rahul went berserk from the word go. They amassed 96 runs in no time before KL Rahul was sent back. Mayank Agarwal also cashed in on the start and scored brisk runs but then there came a period when he and Gayle departed. Chennai capitalized a bit and somewhat succeeded in stemming the flow of runs.

Dwayne Bravo to Andrew Tye. So just a couple to end this over! Which means just 4 from the last over and Punjab do not cross 200. It is a low full toss on middle, Tye hits it towards deep mid-wicket and runs two. PUNJAB FINISH WITH 197 ON THE BOARD!

Dwayne Bravo to Andrew Tye. Another dot! Once again it is the slower. Tye swings blindly but misses.

Barinder Sran is the next man in.

Dwayne Bravo to Karun Nair. OUT! Jadeja takes this one and Nair Holes out! He just had to go for it and perishes in the attempt to clear the ropes. It is the slower ball again on middle, Nair tries to clear the deep mid-wicket fence but does not get the desired distance. Jadeja there settles under it and takes it. So this is an excellent last over till now, 1,0,1,WK.

Dwayne Bravo to Andrew Tye. Followed by a single as Tye jams the yorker out towards long off for a run.

Dwayne Bravo to Andrew Tye. Slower ball on middle, Tye is deceived by it as he comes down the track and tries to go big but misses. A dot which is gold at the moment.

Dwayne Bravo to Karun Nair. Full and on middle, Nair whips it through mid-wicket for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Karun Nair. BRILLIANT EFFORT TO SAVE A RUN! Thakur bowls it on a length around off, Nair hits it over covers. It is not off the middle. Chahar from long off runs to his left, dives and makes a lovely stop. They go upstairs to check and he has done well. 13 from this over and 28 from the last two.

Andrew Tye is the next man in.

Shardul Thakur to Ravichandran Ashwin. OUT! The short ball does the trick. A bumper on middle, Ashwin goes back early and goes for the pull. He still could not get on top of the bounce as the gets a top edge. It goes high up in the air towards the leg side. Dhoni calls for it and completes the catch. So Ashwin walks back after hitting a maximum. Can they stop Punjab from crossing 200?

Shardul Thakur to Ravichandran Ashwin. SIX! JUST OVER! A bad delivery and it has been put away! This spoils the over. On the leg stump and on a length. Ashwin helps it on its way towards fine leg. The fielder there for a moment felt he had a chance but the ball goes over him.

Shardul Thakur to Karun Nair. Knuckle ball on middle, Nair mistimes his pull towards deep mid-wicket for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Ravichandran Ashwin. The batsmen have to hurry but the fielder fails to collect the ball. Full and on off, Ashwin drives it hard towards mid off and they set off for a run. The fielder there fumbles and the chance for a run out goes abegging.

Shardul Thakur to Ravichandran Ashwin. On a length around off, driven through covers for a couple.

Shardul Thakur is back on.

Dwayne Bravo to Ravichandran Ashwin. Fuller on middle, Ashwin drives it to long on for a run. 15 form this over, a very expensive one by Bravo.

Dwayne Bravo to Karun Nair. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.

Dwayne Bravo to Karun Nair. Fuller on middle, Nair works it towards mid-wicket and bags two.

Dwayne Bravo to Karun Nair. FOUR! Down the leg side a poor delivery. Nair makes him pay as he flicks it fine on the leg side and the ball races away.

Dwayne Bravo to Karun Nair. DROPPED AND SIX! But a very, very good effort! Another dipping full toss on middle. Nair this time picks it and lofts it towards deep mid-wicket. Jadeja runs to his left, stretches a hand out but can't hang onto it as it hits his hand and goes over the ropes. His momentum takes him over the ropes and he dashes with the advertising board. He might have hurt himself in the process.

Dwayne Bravo to Ravichandran Ashwin. Slower ball on off, Ashwin defends it towards covers for a quick run.

Dwayne Bravo is back into the attack.

Imran Tahir to Ravichandran Ashwin. Just five form this one! A good passage of play here for Chennai! Ashwin works it with the angle through mid-wicket for a run. Tahir finishes his four overs. His figures read, 2 for 34.

Imran Tahir to Ravichandran Ashwin. The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.

Imran Tahir to Ravichandran Ashwin. Flatter on middle, Ashwin pushes it back to the bowler.

Imran Tahir to Karun Nair. Tosses it up on middle, it's driven down to long off for a run.

Imran Tahir to Karun Nair. Flatter on middle, punched through covers. The fielder misfields and concedes an extra run. Two taken.

Imran Tahir to Ravichandran Ashwin. Fuller on middle, worked through mid-wicket for a run.

Shardul Thakur to Karun Nair. Short and on middle, Nair mistimes his pull towards deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Shardul Thakur to Karun Nair. The batsman was beaten and missed the line of the delivery.

Shardul Thakur to Ravichandran Ashwin. On middle, Ashwin gets it off the inner half and through square leg for a run.

Ravichandran Ashwin walks out to the middle.

Shardul Thakur to Yuvraj Singh. OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! That is three wickets in the last two overs and Chennai are right back into the game. They have got Yuvraj who was looking good out there. Shorter in length outside off, Yuvraj once again tries to cut but the ball takes the faintest of edges and goes into the mitts of Dhoni. The players appeal and even before the umpire raises his finger, Yuvraj starts to walk. Good gesture by the batsman.

Shardul Thakur to Yuvraj Singh. Short and outside off, Singh cuts it towards point where the fielder makes a half stop by diving to his right and he saves two for his side.

Shardul Thakur to Karun Nair. Back of a length on off, Nair guides it down to third man for a run.

Shardul Thakur returns in the attack.

Imran Tahir to Karun Nair. Down the leg side, Nair flicks it fine on the leg side for a run.

Imran Tahir to Karun Nair. FOUR! Off the mark in style! This has been flicked beautifully. Tahir bowls it a touch fuller on middle, not the length on this wicket as Nair flicks it in the gap in the mid-wicket region for a boundary.

Imran Tahir to Karun Nair. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.

Imran Tahir to Karun Nair. No hat-trick as the ball is safely negotiated. The wrong 'un on off. Nair rocks back and punches it to covers.

Karun Nair walks out in the middle. He will face the hat-trick ball.

Imran Tahir to Aaron Finch. OUT! This is plumb! Two-in-two for Imran Tahir! Another first ball duck for Aaron finch! Imran bowls the googly on off, Finch tries to flick it but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Finch after a chat with his partner takes it upstairs. Replays roll in and it shows three reds. Another one bites the dust and Imran Tahir is on a hat-trick.

Review time! Has Finch been dismissed on the first ball yet again? He has been given LBW and he has take it upstairs.

Aaron Finch is the next man in.

Imran Tahir to Mayank Agarwal. OUT! In the air... taken! Mayank Agarwal departs in the pursuit to score quick runs. Tahir gets his first. He tosses this one up on off. Agarwal tries to clear long on but does not get the desired connection. He holes out to Jadeja over there who takes a good catch running to his left. A breezy innings by Agarwal comes to an end and Chennai need to keep chipping away at the wickets.

Dwayne Bravo to Yuvraj Singh. FOUR! Edgy but Yuvraj won't mind! Bravo bowls a yorker on off, Singh is a little late to get his bat down in time. The ball goes off the edge and beats the dive from Harbhajan Singh at short third man and into the fence. Bravo was appealing there as he felt that hit the boot but he was the only one doing so.

Dwayne Bravo to Yuvraj Singh. FOUR! In the gap! Yuvraj Singh looks at his best here today! Short and on middle, Singh rocks back and pulls it through wide long on for a boundary.

Dwayne Bravo to Yuvraj Singh. Another loopy full toss, Yuvraj this time flicks it in the gap through deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a brace.

Dwayne Bravo to Mayank Agarwal. Another single! So they are pulling things back a little here. Bravo bowls this on a length around off, Agarwal strokes it through covers for a run.

Dwayne Bravo to Yuvraj Singh. Pacey delivery on off, Yuvraj strokes it through covers and goes to the other end.

Dwayne Bravo to Mayank Agarwal. A loopy full toss on off, Agarwal might be surprised with it as he strokes it to long on for a run.

Dwayne Bravo is back on.

Strategic break has been signaled! Chennai have got the wicket off Gayle but the runs are still flowing. They need more quick wickets if they are to make a comeback in the game. Whereas, Punjab will look to keep the momentum going and post something big on the board.

Imran Tahir to Yuvraj Singh. So a dot to end! Only seven off it, even after a maximum. Flatter on off, Yuvraj defends it off the back foot.

Imran Tahir to Yuvraj Singh. The googly outside off, Yuvraj cuts it to point.

Imran Tahir to Yuvraj Singh. SIX! ENOUGH, says Yuvraj. He gets it in his zone. Full and on off, it was turning back in. Yuvraj with the turn lofts it over long on for a biggie.

Imran Tahir to Yuvraj Singh. Tosses this one up on off, Yuvraj this time drives it back to the bowler.

Imran Tahir to Yuvraj Singh. Floats it up on middle, Yuvraj defends it off the front foot. He needs a sighter or two here.

Imran Tahir to Mayank Agarwal. Flatter on off, Mayank drives it down to long off for a run.

Imran Tahir is back on.

Shane Watson to Yuvraj Singh. Slower ball on off, Yuvraj works it to the man at mid-wicket. So end of a successful over for Chennai.

Shane Watson to Mayank Agarwal. On a length outside off, Agarwal guides it to third man for a run.

Shane Watson to Yuvraj Singh. On middle, Singh flicks it through square leg for a run.

Yuvraj Singh is the next man in.

Shane Watson to Chris Gayle. OUT! Watson gets the big one! They desperately needed this wicket. The delight on Watson's face says it all. He bangs it short and it is aimed at the body of the batsman. Gayle tries to help it on its way but mistimes it. The ball lobs towards Imran Tahir at short fine leg who takes an easy catch. End of a power-packed knock by Gayle. An excellent first game for him for Punjab.

Shane Watson to Mayank Agarwal. Length again on off, Agarwal pushes it through covers for a run. The ball is racing off the bat, looks like a belter.

Shane Watson to Mayank Agarwal. SIX! What a shot! He gets it in his zone, full and on middle. Agarwal clears his front leg and sends it sailing over the long on fence for a huge one.

Shane Watson is back on.

Dwayne Bravo to Mayank Agarwal. So a very good over from Bravo, just five from his first. Mayank walks across and works it around the corner for a run.

Dwayne Bravo to Mayank Agarwal. A dot now! Fuller on off, Agarwal square drives it towards point.

Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Slower ball on middle, Gayle eases it down to long on for another run. So 4 singles from the first 4 balls.

Dwayne Bravo to Mayank Agarwal. MISFIELD! On a length around off, Agarwal pushes it towards Watson at covers. He gets a bad bounce and hence misfields. The batsmen steal a single.

Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. A low full toss from wide of the crease. On off. Gayle drives it down to long off to change strike.

Dwayne Bravo to Mayank Agarwal. Starts off with a slower one outside off, Agarwal drives it through point for a run.

Dwayne Bravo is into the attack.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Played to the point region by the batsman. No run to end the over. Punjab are 115 at the halfway mark, looking on course for a total in excess of 200!

Harbhajan Singh to Mayank Agarwal. Swings his bat across the line and gets it away down to fine leg for one.

Harbhajan Singh to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! This is poor bowling from an experienced bowler. Short and wide outside off, Mayank has no qualms in slapping it through backward point for a boundary.

Harbhajan Singh to Mayank Agarwal. SIX! Great connection! Agarwal rushes down to the pitch of the delivery, gives it the full whack of his bat and clears long on with ease. He is carrying a strong domestic season form with him!

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Tickles it off his pads on the leg side, finds the gap and runs a single.

Harbhajan Singh to Mayank Agarwal. Tossed up ball on middle, forced down to long on for a single.

Shane Watson to Mayank Agarwal. Lands it on a length and outside off, Agarwal stays back and pushes it with an angled bat through cover-point for one. 6 from the over, 10 in the last two, some sanity returning for Chennai.

Shane Watson to Chris Gayle. Fullish and on off, Gayle calmly pushes it through covers and takes a run. Concentrating on the rotation of the strike, CG.

Shane Watson to Mayank Agarwal. Another short ball and this time it has been pulled through the gap at mid-wicket for a run.

Shane Watson to Mayank Agarwal. Back of a length ball angling into the batsman, Agarwal pulls but finds the only fielder inside the circle at mid-wicket.

Shane Watson to Mayank Agarwal. Mayank also looking to play his shots. He has a strong platform set and just needs to express himself. He receives a length ball on off and lifts it over covers for a couple of runs.

Shane Watson to Chris Gayle. A full length ball angling away, Gayle pushes it with gentle hands to the off side and crosses.

Mayank Agarwal is the number 3 batsman. Bowling change as well, Shane Watson to operate now.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. OUT! Against the run of play, there is a fall of a wicket! Harbhajan will feel he is very lucky to have Rahul. A low full toss outside off, KL tries to pump it over extra cover but fails to get the desired elevation. Bravo inside the ring takes the catch over his head with a well-timed jump and celebrates in his trademark style. Chennai will like to regroup and pull things back now.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. From around the wicket, Bhajji bowls a quicker full ball on middle, Gayle eases it down to long on and rotates the strike.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Flatter and quicker, on the pads, Rahul nudges it through backward square leg for a run.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Floated one, full and on off, it's pushed back to the bowler. DOT BALL!

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. A little short and on off, Gayle gets back and hits it through cover-point for one.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Tossed up ball on middle, KL punches it down to long on for a run.

Harbhajan Singh is back on.

A much-needed break for Chennai. They will have to come up with some different plans for this pair. Punjab have raced to 92 without breaking a sweat and Chennai's bowling has been made to look like a club level one.

Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. SIX! Another clean hit straight down the ground, no bowler will be spared tonight, Gayle wants to make a statement here. Gets another one from the meat of the bat and sends it over the rope. 17 from this over.

Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. Spinning the other way, Gayle gets back and leaves it alone.

Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Hitting in the V and scoring boundaries after boundaries! A flighted ball again, full and on middle, Gayle clobbers it down the ground for a boundary. Fifty up for the Jamaican Giant, off just 22 balls. Brutal innings, this.

Imran Tahir to Lokesh Rahul. Flighted and full on middle, knocked down to long on for a run.

Imran Tahir to Lokesh Rahul. Flatter and a bit shorter around off, Rahul rocks back and cuts it square of the wicket on the off side. A sliding stop in the deep, cannot prevent the second run though.

Imran Tahir to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Errs on the first delivery itself, a juicy full toss on the pads and Rahul puts it away without any trouble to the deep mid-wicket fence.

Imran Tahir comes into the attack.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. A good delivery to end the Powerplay. A yorker in the blockhole, credit to the bowler for executing his skills under so much pressure. Gayle digs it out to the off side. 22 from the over, 75 in the first six!

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. SIX! Go fetch that! Chahar roams in the zone near Gayle's hitting area. The southpaw latches onto it and sends it packing over long off for another biggie in this over. He has gone bonkers.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Wide called for height! Chahar switches to round the wicket and bowls a wide bouncer. Too high and the square leg umpire stretches his arms. The fear of the bowler to get anywhere near Chris is unreal.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. FOUR! The crowd is having a ball, Gayle is punishing Chahar here. A length ball outside off, angling away, Gayle punches it down the ground and gets another boundary at long off.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Nicely picks the slower delivery this time, it's on the shorter side and Gayle just helps it around the corner. Two fielders give the chase but fail to pull it back.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. SIX! The Jamaican is in the mood. He stands back, fetches a length ball from around off and muscles it over mid-wicket for a 91m monster.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.

Deepak Chahar into the attack. Change of ends for him.

Shardul Thakur to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Boom! Back of a length delivery on middle, Gayle eases himself on the back foot and pulls it with great power through mid on. The fielder gives the chase but the ball wins the race. 14 from the over, 50 up for Punjab in no time!

Shardul Thakur to Lokesh Rahul. That's nice too. Hits a length ball through cover-point for a single. Wants the second but it's not on.

Shardul Thakur to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! That's the shot of a batsman in prime form! Mohit drops it short and around off, Rahul pulls it fantastically in front of square leg and gets a boundary.

Shardul Thakur to Chris Gayle. Pitches it full and on middle, Gayle clips it through square leg and takes a run.

Shardul Thakur to Chris Gayle. Just ahead of a length outside off, Gayle swings and misses this time.

Shardul Thakur to Chris Gayle. EDGED AND FOUR! A full length delivery outside off, Gayle tries to drill it through covers but it takes the outside edge and flies through the gap between the keeper and wide first slip fielder for a boundary.

Shardul Thakur is into the attack now.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Sublime! What timing on that cover drive. Wow, KL Rahul is looking in great touch yet again. Just leans into the shot and strokes it past the mid off fielder. No stopping this one. Punjab are away in style.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Uses his feet to come down the track and drives it through the line. Finds Jadeja at covers.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! A poor delivery by the off spinner, fails to land it and Rahul cashes in on the full toss. Hammers it through covers, finds the gap and fetches a boundary.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Down the leg side, quietly nudged towards square leg for one.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. SIX! Start the motor, Gayle is about to fly! Harbhajan slows this one in the air and lands it full around off, Gayle dismisses it from his presence as he sends it packing over long off.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Gayle waited for this the entire over from Bhajji. Gets one this time, it's short and wide outside off, the West Indian whacks it through cover-point.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. On a length this time, outside off, Rahul punches it from the crease but finds the cover fielder. 5 from the over, a good one by Deepak.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Went to the fence in the blink of an eye! A short delivery, on middle and leg, KL Rahul walks forward a bit and pulls it with utmost disdain to the deep backward square leg fence. With some movement on offer, Chahar should concentrate on bowling full.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. A touch short and around off, Gayle places his shot in the gap on the off side and crosses for a run.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Chahar once again goes very full, a wide yorker in fact, Gayle tries to dig it out but misses.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. A swinging delivery, curling away as it lands very full outside off, Gayle tries to put bat on ball but fails.

Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. The bowler feels the pressure with Gayle in front. Slips a length delivery way wide outside off. Not given a wide. Very close to the tramline, that.

Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Harbhajan serves a loopy delivery, landing on middle, KL comes down the track and pushes it back to the bowler.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. A little short this time, on middle, Gayle goes back and helps it in front of square leg for a run.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Tossed up and outside off, Gayle defends it from the crease to the off side.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Uses his feet to get down the track and hits it down to mid on.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. A slider this time, around middle and off, Gayle defends it from the crease.

Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. FOUR! A gentle push from the giant batsman and it has gone for a boundary. Flighted and full outside off, a good cover drive from Gayle, that.

Chris Gayle is on strike!!! Harbhajan Singh to bowl from the other end. A slip in place.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Take that for a reply! A full swinging delivery outside off, Rahul strides forward and unfurls a beautifully timed and placed cover drive for a boundary.

Physio comes out. Not sure what help he can offer at this time. Just catch your breath back and wait for the pain to go, KL.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Ouch, that would have hurt! Chahar delivers a sharp delivery, 141.7 kph, on the shorter side around middle, Rahul tries to pull but is beaten for pace. Takes a blow on the box and is down on his haunches in pain. One of those moments when everyone sees the funny side apart from the one who has got hit.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Beauty! There is something for the pacers. Movement again as it lands on a length outside off, Rahul tries pushing it through the line but gets beaten on the inside edge.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Chahar overcompensates his line this time, goes straighter and it's clipped to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Just one ball is enough for a sighter! Rahul leans into a length ball this time and powers it over covers for a boundary. Virender Sehwag at the dugout cannot stop himself from whistling.

Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Promising signs first up. Hint of swing there as it lands on a length around off, Rahul watchfully defends it back.

Time to play the game! Chris Gayle and KL Rahul walk to the centre. The West Indian giant would like to make a statement here. Deepak Chahar to begin proceedings with the ball. A slip in place. Here we go...

Ravichandran Ashwin says that it's very early in the tournament and they are treating this match as a normal one. Axar Patel misses out as he has a niggle and Barinder Sran replaces him. Big roar from the crowd as Ashwin mentions that CHRIS GAYLE is also playing today in place of Marcus Stoinis.

MS Dhoni says the wicket looks good and feels dew can be a factor and hence chasing is better. Informs about the forced change, Suresh Raina ain't fit and is replaced by Murali Vijay. Smiles and says that they are a team of over-aged boys and they have to keep themselves fit. Repeats the cliched line that it's all about the process.

Toss - Up goes the coin, Ravichandran Ashwin calls it wrongly and CHENNAI WILL FIELD!

The Men in Yellow are coming on the back of two close wins. Dwayne Bravo in one and Sam Billings in the other got them over the line but as it is said, with good there is something bad. Injuries to some of the players have hampered their winning combination and all eyes will be on who gets the nod in this clash in place of Suresh Raina. Still they have enough firepower in their ranks and it would require something spectacular on Punjab's part to topple the in-form looking Chennai side. Stick with us to see who gets lucky at the toss.

It's time for the second match of the evening. Punjab are all set to host the men from Chennai in what promises to be an exciting clash. The ex-Chennai lad, R. Ashwin will be up against his former side and it would be interesting to see how he fares tonight. He has been really good with his captaincy so far and the fact that his side thrashed Delhi in their opening encounter in Mohali should boost them all the more. However, they would be vary of the fact that they slipped massively in the previous encounter after an electric start and would look to avoid it this time around.