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KKR beat RR by 25 runs | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, Highlights And Cricket Score Eliminator T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2018
Date: May 23, 2018 Start Time: 19:00 IST | 13:30 GMT | 19:00 LocalVenue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Highlights And Cricket Score Eliminator Match - T20 Commentary
Have Kolkata got enough? Perhaps it seems so after that initial start that they had. Rajasthan have nothing to lose and hence, might come all guns blazing. Surely promises to live up to the billing. Don't go anywhere, the chase is coming up shortly.
It began seeming like some wickets package, wherein Rajasthan picked up 4 within the first 8 overs. The tweakers shared the majority of the foils at that stage. But then that 55-run stand between Karthik and Shubman Gill rescued Kolkata and it was a perfect platform for Russell to do his thing. Two big overs from Jaydev Unadkat and Shreyas Gopal's last over seemed to be the ticket for the hosts' final flourish.
55 off the last 5 overs! Sometimes figures tell a story. Largely you felt Rajasthan held the noose but when Kolkata cut loose, they did it in a grand manner. Andre Russell gave them the final flourish. Although he fell one short of a top fifty, his innings meant that the hosts have a lot to play with. Before his cameo, Dinesh Karthik played the perfect foil to bail his side out of trouble, which they were earlier in the innings.
Michael Slater has Shubman Gill with him. The youngster says that he played a good part for his side. States that his skipper discussed with him about taking it deep. Reckons that it was a bit harder to face spin on that wicket. Praises Russell saying that he always does it for the team. Ends feeling having enough on the board.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. No, he can't! Excellent delivery to end the innings. A yorker on the stumps, Russell just digs it out to the off side. The bowler himself fields that and a run is taken. 169/7 is what Kolkata have.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. FOUR! Wonderful batting from this Caribbean! Full and just outside off, Russell makes room and just powers it past covers. No chance for long off to get anywhere near that. Moves to 48, can he get a 50?
Laughlin has to abort his run up for some reason.
Piyush Chawla comes in at 9.
Ben Laughlin to Javon Searles. OUT! Slower delivery undoes Searles! Length ball at 117.1 kph, Javon looks to go big. The ball takes the top edge and travels straight. Archer gets across from long off and takes a good running catch to his right. Perhaps Searles would've been better off giving the strike to his partner.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. This one is hit through mid-wicket but Russell just gets one.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. Good comeback. Full and straight on the pads, Andre fails to put it away. The ball hits the pads and creeps away to the keeper.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. FOUR! BANG! Hurled in line of the stumps, Russell makes room and smashes it to the on side. Bisects the gap between long on and deep mid-wicket and collects a boundary.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. WIDE! Another one, this time to the off side. Seeing Russell back away, Laughlin sprays it well outside off. The batter lets it be. Wide given, a bit harsh.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. WIDE! Hurled down the leg side, Russ misses the flick.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. Low full toss outside off, drilled through covers for one.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. SIX! What power does Russell have! Short length delivery, bowled from the back of the hand. Andre waits for it to arrive and smashes it over long off a la a forehand in tennis. Goes well over the rope.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. Well bowled. Yorker on off, dug back out towards the bowler.
Jofra Archer to Javon Searles. Short in length, pulled away in front of square on the leg side for one.
Jofra Archer to Javon Searles. Full and well outside off, just inside the tramline. Searles moves across and shapes to play the sweep. Misses. All he needs to do is give the strike back to Russell.
Jofra Archer to Javon Searles. Outside off, Searles fails to make contact with that one.
Archer back on.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. SIX! Top edge but it doesn't matter how the runs come! Short in length around middle and leg, Russell goes for the pull. He gets cramped for room but still continues with the shot. The ball takes the top edge and sails over the deep backward square fence. 14 runs and a wicket off this one.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. On a length at 134.1 kph. Russell goes back to cut but misses.
Ben Laughlin to Javon Searles. Full on the stumps, hit to deep mid-wicket for one.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. On a length around off and middle, helped away through square leg for one.
Ben Laughlin to Andre Russell. SIX! A wicket has just fallen but who cares? Certainly not Russell! A slower delivery on a short of a length. The batter just bludgeons it over wide long on for half a dozen.
Javon Searles in next. He joins another mate from the Windies in the middle.
Ben Laughlin to Dinesh Karthik. OUT! Timely breakthrough for Rajasthan! 50th T20 catch for skipper Ajinkya Rahane to see the back of his opposite number. Full and outside off, Karthik looks to smash it into orbit. That he does, but sans a lot of distance. Rahane backtracks from covers and takes a good catch tumbling backwards. End of a top knock from DK.
Ben Laughlin back on now.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. On a length around middle, worked away to the on side for one. 19 runs off this over, 33 off Jaydev's two.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andre Russell. Hit straight to the man at sweeper cover for one.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andre Russell. FOUR! Tracer bullet! Full and outside off, Russell uses all his might to smite it through covers. No chance for anybody to cut that off.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andre Russell. SIX! Just over! Russell stands tall and heaves it towards deep mid-wicket. Samson is stationed there. He backtracks and looks to take it with a leap but fails to reach that. The ball goes the distance and Unadkat isn't happy for some reason.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball. One run added to the total.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! 16th Indian T20 League fifty for Dinesh Karthik! The skipper has led from the front even tonight. He gets low to play the lap shot but gets a thick top edge. The ball sails over the fence right behind the keeper.
Jaydev Unadkat is back on.
The second strategic break of the innings! Kolkata were coasting with the Karthik-Gill stand, before the latter was dismissed. Now, they have a good platform to go all out in the last four overs. Rajasthan will look to concede as less as they can. Can they manage to keep KOL under 160?
Ish Sodhi to Andre Russell. Flatter outside off, cut away straight to backward point. 4-0-15-0 for Sodhi tonight.
Ish Sodhi to Andre Russell. Slow, loopy googly around off, turning in. Russell goes back to pull it away but gets beaten due to the lack of pace on that. Misses and gets hit high on the thigh. Hits the ground with the bat in frustration.
Ish Sodhi to Andre Russell. Test match stuff! Spinning delivery that pitches around leg and turns away from off. Squares Andre up completely and he gets it off the outside half of the bat to the off side.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Flatter and shorter on off, it spins away. Karthik looks to pull it but due to the spin away, he ends up getting it agriculturally towards long on for one.
Ish Sodhi to Andre Russell. Another away spinning delivery on a flatter trajectory outside off, Russ punches it through covers for one.
Ish Sodhi to Andre Russell. Nicely tossed up and landed around leg. The ball spins away. Russell treats it with respect and blocks it.
Ish Sodhi to bowl out now.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. This one is worked away through square leg to retain strike. 12 runs off this over.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. SIX! Humongous blow! Full and straight on the stumps, Russell clears his front leg and thumps it over long on for a maximum. Nice way to get going.
Free Hit coming up...
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. Another bumper on the stumps, Russ backs away and lets it be. The square leg umpire stretches his arm. No ball called for bowling the second bouncer in the over.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. Bouncer! Dre Russ is greeted with a short one. He moves away and lets it be.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. On a length around off, Russell backs away but then blocks.
Andre Russell is next in.
Jofra Archer to Shubman Gill. OUT! Archer has the last laugh, as he has the curry! On a length just outside off, Gill looks to back away and smash it. Gets a feather and Klaasen pouches it with ease. That ends the 55-run association with his skipper.
Jofra Archer to Shubman Gill. FOUR! Make that 24 from the last 7 balls. Hurled outside off, Gill just smashes it through covers for a boundary. No chance for anybody to stop that.
Jofra Archer is back for another spell.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! Another one in the over and that spoils Gopal's figures! Flatter and shorter on the stumps, quicker in pace as well. Karthik camps back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen. Brings up the 50-run stand between Karthik and Gill. 20 runs from this over.
Shreyas Gopal to Shubman Gill. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Shreyas Gopal to Shubman Gill. SIX! First biggie of the night from the youngie! Looped up outside off, Gill uses his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and smashes it high and long over long off. Gallant!
Shreyas Gopal to Shubman Gill. FOUR! Such deliveries ought to be punished. Short and wide outside off, Gill goes back and plays the cut shot. Beats backward point who moves to his right and puts in the dive.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Karthik pushes this towards point and gets across to the other end.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. 5000 T20 runs for Dinesh Karthik. He gets a flatter delivery on the stumps. Gets down on a knee and heaves it through backward square leg for a brace. Unadkat in the deep does well.
Ish Sodhi to Shubman Gill. Tossed up outside off, driven straight to covers.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Floated on the stumps, DK comes down the track and hits it down to long on for one.
Ish Sodhi to Shubman Gill. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Ish Sodhi to Shubman Gill. Kohli-esque screams my colleague here. Flighted googly around off and middle, Gill wrists it towards wide long on. Binny hares to his right and dives, to save a couple.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Lovely stroke just for one. Full and flighted ball outside off, Karthik hits it inside out all along the ground to wide long off.
Ish Sodhi to Shubman Gill. Served on the stumps, Gill works it away in front of square on the leg side for one.
Ish Sodhi back on.
Shreyas Gopal to Shubman Gill. Flatter delivery on middle, Gill works it towards square leg. He wants two and Karthik responds. But seeing the fielder from short fine leg get there, they abort the plan.
Shreyas Gopal to Shubman Gill. The batsman rocks onto the back foot and punches the ball.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Karthik lets this one turn, before working it away through backward square leg for one.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Flatter on off, defended back towards the bowler.
Shreyas Gopal to Shubman Gill. Tossed up full outside off, Gill scythes it down to long off for one.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Floated outside off, Karthik pushes it to covers for one.
Ben Laughlin to Dinesh Karthik. Edgy run again. Karthik looks to work it away to the leg side but gets it off the leading edge towards backward point for one.
Ben Laughlin to Shubman Gill. Full outside off, driven nicely through covers for one.
Ben Laughlin to Shubman Gill. FOUR! Not sure if it was intended to go there. On a length outside off, Gill looks to guide it. Ends up getting it off the outside edge towards third man. Sodhi yet again gets across and puts in the dive but fails to prevent the boundary.
Ben Laughlin to Shubman Gill. Fuller outside off, Gill drives it on the up to Gowtham at mid off.
Ben Laughlin to Dinesh Karthik. Outside off on a length, Dinesh glides it to third man for one.
Ben Laughlin to Dinesh Karthik. Begins with a length ball outside off, Karthik guides it fine towards third man. Sodhi does well in the deep with a slide to keep it down to a brace. It is checked upstairs and the umpires are happy with what they have seen.
Ben Laughlin's time to use the ball now.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Streaky single. Another loopy wrong one outside off, Karthik looks to drive it through covers but ends up getting an inside edge past the leg stick to short fine leg. A run taken.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Tossed up outside off, DK plays it to backward point.
Shreyas Gopal to Shubman Gill. Short in length this time, Gill hangs back and plays a cross-batted shot. The ball rolls to deep mid-wicket for one.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Flighted wrong 'un outside off, Karthik picks it up early. He taps it towards covers and rotates strike.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Flatter outside off, cut away to backward point for nothing.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! Deft. Floated up but on the pads, Karthik goes back and just manages to tickle it away fine. Short fine leg gives a valiant chase but comes second best.
Time for the break, the strategic one! This phase has belonged completely to Rajasthan. Steady inflow of wickets for them sees them in this position. The 14-run over from Unadkat, perhaps, is the only blotch on their bowling so far. The tweakers, too, have come into their own and are having fun while the ball turns. Kolkata need some serious batting to be done to see them out of this mush. Karthik and Gill are very much capable of this. With Russell and the likes to follow, they can still be hopeful of a good finish.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Tossed up outside off, driven through covers for a single.
Ish Sodhi to Shubman Gill. Floated in line of the stumps, Gill works it through mid-wicket to open his account.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Karthik goes back to this one and works it away to the leg side for one.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Another lovely googly. Karthik perhaps didn't pick it. He goes back to cut it but due to the spin inwards, ends up chopping on the track.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Slower through the air around middle and off, a bit of spin away. Dinesh goes deep in the crease and pushes it back.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Flatter outside off, Karthik cuts it through point and picks up two.
The young gun Shubman Gill is the next man in.
Shreyas Gopal to Chris Lynn. OUT! The fact that Lynn is not at his comfortable best against spin could now be written in bold letters. This dismissal adds fuel to the fact. Gopal dishes out another wrong one around off, it isn't too full in length. Lynn goes back to punch it. All he ends up doing is offer a straightforward catch to Gopal, who accepts it gleefully. Kolkata slide further.
Shreyas Gopal to Chris Lynn. Floated outside off, Lynn kneels to sweep but misses.
Shreyas Gopal to Chris Lynn. Yes-no call! Lynn lets it turn before bunting it towards covers. Karthik comes down the track in search of a run before aborting. Lynn turns and makes his ground, beating the wide throw from Tripathi.
Shreyas Gopal to Chris Lynn. Flatter on the stumps, worked away through mid-wicket for a couple. Brings up the 50 for Kolkata.
Shreyas Gopal to Chris Lynn. A googly outside off, Lynn lets it come on and pushes it towards mid off.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Tossed up around middle and leg, Karthik gets forward and works it towards short fine leg for one.
Double leg spin attack! Shreyas Gopal to have a go now. He's fresh from a match-winning spell against Bangalore.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Floated outside off, driven nicely to deep cover for one. A good start for Ish, just two from it.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Very full outside off, hit on the bounce straight to Tripathi at covers.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. Floated through the air outside off. Karthik looks to work it away to the on side but ends up pushing it back to the bowler.
Ish Sodhi to Dinesh Karthik. A bit of turn here. Karthik pushes it with that to covers. The man there dives and stops that. Good cricket all around.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. Short in length again, slapped to deep cover-point for one.
Ish Sodhi to Chris Lynn. Flatter and quicker on the stumps, pulled away straight to square leg.
The field would now be spread as the Powerplay is done. Ish Sodhi is brought on as well. Due to the bounce on the surface, it should be fun to watch this leggie, opines my colleague here.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. Full on off, pushed towards covers. A dot to end the over, 14 off it. But a saner 5 runs off the last three balls. Kolkata are 46/3 at the end of the Powerplay.
Jaydev Unadkat to Chris Lynn. Better. Full on off, Chris pushes it towards covers and gets to the other end.
Jaydev Unadkat to Chris Lynn. FOUR! Unadkat is travelling tonight. He delivers a slower one but there's enough width outside off. Lynn just picks it up and smashes it over covers for another boundary in the over. Jaydev needs to get his act together soon.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. Excellent effort from Stuart Binny. Karthik just opens the face of the bat and guides it towards short third man. Had he beaten Binny, it would've been a boundary. Not to be, just one.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! Delightful. Half-volley outside off, Karthik wastes no time in dispatching that. Leans forward and drives it to the right of covers and earns yet another boundary. He has moved to 13 off 5 already.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! What a welcome for Unadkat from Karthik! Angled full across the batsman, Dinesh gets his stride forward and drives it up and over covers. Earns a boundary for the effort.
Jaydev Unadkat is introduced into the attack now. He'll be bowling the final over of the Powerplay.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Good running. Floated full on the stumps, Lynn works it through square leg for a brace.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Served fuller around off, hit back uppishly to the bowler. Lynn needs to be careful against spin.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Thrown in at 104.3 kph, hit straight to the man at mid on.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Dinesh Karthik. Fired in at 96.6 kph. Karthik has enough time to clip it to deep backward square leg for one.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Floated around off, worked away through mid on to rotate strike.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Fuller on the stumps, dead-batted to the on side for nothing.
Leg slip in place now.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! Glorious way to get going. On a length around middle and leg, Karthik helps it away uppishly through square leg for a boundary.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Fuller around off, Karthik presents a straight face in blocking that.
Skipper Dinesh Karthik walks in next. He needs to bail his side out of trouble now. Remember, he has had an excellent season thus far.
Jofra Archer to Nitish Rana. OUT! Another one gone! Are we watching a wickets package here? Now the youngster Rana departs. He should have shown more patience to get set. Doesn't do so. Archer serves a length ball on the stumps, Nitish yet again looks to back away and hit it. Is deceived by the lack of pace and gets it off the inner half. Unadkat at mid on takes a couple of steps forward and takes it with ease. Lynn's first ball against Archer was similar, just that it didn't find the fielder then.
Jofra Archer to Nitish Rana. Back of a length delivery around off and middle, Nitish looks to back away and smash it. Is undone by the pace and just lets it be then.
Jofra Archer to Nitish Rana. Shot. Rana stands tall and punches it through the off side. The ball finds the gap between cover and cover-point. Rana gets a brace for that.
Jofra Archer to Nitish Rana. Archer runs in from round the wicket and lands it outside off. Rana shoulders arms to let that go.
Two slips in place. Rahane has switched on his Test match mode, it seems. Good to see, no doubt.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Slight confusion but no harm done. Lynn taps this one off the back foot towards backward point. He wants a run but doesn't get a response from his partner. Sent back in time though.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. FOUR! Hammered! Floated outside off on a fuller length. Lynn gets his front foot out of the way and smashes it through covers. Nobody stood a chance of cutting that off.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Flatter on middle, pushed towards mid on for nothing.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Quicker one outside off, hit straight to the man at covers.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Nitish Rana. Off the mark right away. Rana drives this fuller one outside off through covers to get to the other end.
Nitish Rana is next in. There's a silly point in place now. Test match in colored clothing?
Krishnappa Gowtham to Robin Uthappa. OUT! Gowtham is having a fine, fine time this season in the Indian T20 League. Now he nets the big fish Robin Uthappa. A good player of spin, Gowtham deceives him with the pace here. Slows it through the air and lands it in line of the stumps. Uthappa looks to work it to the leg side and only manages to spoon an easy catch off the leading edge back to the bowler. Gowtham gobbles it up and the disappointment on Robin's face is writ large. Kolkata two down, early in the piece.
Jofra Archer to Robin Uthappa. Quick run. Uthappa taps this one in front of cover-point for one to retain strike.
Jofra Archer to Robin Uthappa. Extra bounce. Hurled on a length around off, it bounces more and hits high on the bat. Goes straight to backward point.
Jofra Archer to Robin Uthappa. On a length around middle and leg, Uthappa misses the flick and gets it off his pads to square leg.
Jofra Archer to Robin Uthappa. WIDE! And again! Bowled down the leg side, the batter misses the flick.
Jofra Archer to Robin Uthappa. WIDE! Jofra needs to get his line right. Spears this down the leg side, Robin misses the flick.
Jofra Archer to Chris Lynn. On a length around middle and leg, worked away towards square leg for one.
Jofra Archer to Chris Lynn. WIDE! Archer angles this down the leg side, Lynn looks to smash it away. Doesn't make any contact and it is wided.
Jofra Archer to Robin Uthappa. Uthappa works it round the corner for a single.
Jofra Archer to Chris Lynn. Almost a wicket straightaway! Archer begins with a slower full one outside off. Lynn looks to go big over mid on. The bat turns in his hands and he gets it off the inner half towards wide mid on for one. On another night, it could've gone straight to hand.
Jofra Archer to bowl from the other end.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Robin Uthappa. Four Byes! Floated outside off, Uthappa tries to play the reverse sweep but misses. He gets beaten on the leg side. Klaasen fails to collect that one and the ball rolls away to the fence behind. Decent start for both sides.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Should do better, Gowtham. This one is smashed right back to him but he fails to stop that. Parries it to long on and that allows Lynn to open his account.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Chris Lynn. Slower through the air around off, Lynn looks to work it away to the on side. Ends up getting a leading edge towards covers. No run there as the fielder does well to stop that with a slide.
Interesting. A slip and a short leg in place for Lynn.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Robin Uthappa. Flatter on middle, Uthappa works it away through backward square leg to get off the mark.
Robin Uthappa walks in next. Coming in as soon as the third ball, he has an opening task at hand.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Sunil Narine. OUT! Gone next ball! Goodbye, thanks for coming, says Gowtham, who has the last laugh. He tosses this one up outside off, Narine fails to abstain from coming down the track. Does so and misses the ball completely. As easy as stumpings come, Klaasen takes it and whips the bails off to start the celebration for Rajasthan.
Krishnappa Gowtham to Sunil Narine. FOUR! Runs straightaway! Banish all the talks of an off spinner being effective against left-handers to the trash. That's how Narine dealt with this one. Flatter outside off on a shorter length, Sunil stays back and smashes it through covers for a boundary. Whatta start!
The clock ticks 7 in the evening and it's time to get going. Ajinkya Rahane rings the iconic bell at the Eden Gardens to signal the start of the proceedings. Slam-bang time as Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn are set to smash the ball to all parts. Krishnappa Gowtham will make use of the new ball. Interesting. Lynn was taking strike first but seeing the ball in Gowtham's hand, the southpaw decides to face the first ball. Here we go...
Chris Lynn is caught up on the sidelines by Graeme Smith. He says that although he has butterflies in his tummy, he is looking forward to this game. States that it becomes a bit easier as he has played all the games this season. Reckons that the next step for him is to score more than 75 runs and play those match-winning knocks. Concedes that they are quite superstitious and have a team dinner the evening before and not talk much about the game.
Ajinkya Rahane, captain of Rajasthan, reckons that the wicket looks damp because of the rain last evening. As a result he wants to make use of the conditions first up. Adds that it doesn't matter who bowls or bats first. States that they don't want to change a winning combination and chooses to keep his batting position a secret.
Dinesh Karthik, the Kolkata skipper, says that it should be a good contest as it is a knockout scenario and there is no scope for errors. Announces that they are going unchanged. Reckons that the crowd always supports them and it should be the same tonight.
TOSS - It's time for the spin of the coin. Karthik has it and Rahane calls Tails. It lands in favour of Rajasthan and they WILL BOWL FIRST.
PITCH REPORT - Michael Clarke observes that although it is dry, there's a good covering of grass. Hence, reckons that it should be good for batting. Adds quickly that the bowlers shouldn't lose heart and it has something in it for them as well.
Dinesh Karthik has been instrumental in leading Kolkata, which has a good mixture of youth and experience alike. His leadership and finishing prowess has won praises galore. But it all boils down to the result tonight, whether the legend would continue to grow or whether it'll settle aside for the time being. Talking about Ajinkya Rahane's men, they didn't let the absence of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes affect them in their must-win game and pretty much the same team should take the field even in this clash. Remember, there's rain predicted in the later part of the game. Hence, that will be a factor when the captains come together for the toss. Stay tuned as there's more to follow.
Closer, we get closer to the end of yet another season of the Indian T20 League, when the title of the clash reads 'Eliminator'. Sad? Needn't be. Be happy that over the past month and a half you were entertained to the core. We are sure glad to have you with us once more for the Kolkata-Rajasthan clash from the Eden Gardens. In the league matches, the east-based team got the better of the west-based one on both the occasions. Although the word 'revenge' is seldom used in sport, Rajasthan will know the importance of a win tonight. One thing is for sure, we're all set for an action-packed evening.
Hyderabad now have their opponents. They will be facing Kolkata in Qualifier 2 on 25th May at 1900 local (1330 GMT) at Eden Gardens. The task won't be an easy one by any means for Kane Williamson and his merry men, given they will be facing Kolkata in their backyard. Rajasthan crash out, but they will feel proud for having got this far without key players. They will try to come back stronger next time. Anyway, join us on Friday, to find out who joins Chennai in the final. Later!
Man of the Match, Andre Russell, states it's been a hectic time for him and his side but they have pulled through every single time. Feels that keeping a clear head is the most important thing and then it's just a matter of believing in your ability. Says that he backs himself when he swings his bat hard, so despite the fact that he got it off the toe end one time during his knock, he knew it would sail over the fence. Ends by saying that every game has been a final and the game against Hyderabad will be crucial, so is happy that they will be playing in front of their home crowd.
Dinesh Karthik says winning 4 matches in a row is great and a real turning point for his side. Credits Shubman Gill for playing fluently under pressure and Andre Russell for providing a good finish. Is happy with his batsmen for putting up a good enough score on the board. Praises his bowlers, in particular his spinners, for performing consistently throughout and standing up when counted. Remains humble when his captaincy is praised and says he just wants to do better and better for the team.
Ajinkya Rahane says they are disappointed at the loss, especially after the way they started with the ball. Reckons that chasing such a target, that too with wickets in hand, should have been gettable but Kolkata knew the conditions and bowled well. Credits the spinners for choking the runs in the middle and then the pacers for backing them up at the death. Mentions that when he and Sanju Samson were batting, the plan was to bat deep and then try to finish it off, but unfortunately it didn't end up happening. Applauds that everyone worked hard and did a fantastic job through the season, but there is room for improvement, particularly in the batting and fielding departments.
Rajasthan will be wondering where the game slipped away from them. One would feel the partnership between Samson and Rahane was on the slower side which didn't take care of the required rate and that in a way cost them. Right then, that's the end of the season for Rajasthan. They did a brilliant job by reaching this stage and somewhere the likes of Jos Buttler and Ben Stokes were sorely missed today.
Kolkata will be pleased with this win. The scoreline suggests an easy victory but it wasn't. They were under the pump while batting as they were reduced to 51/4 in no time and found it extremely tough to deal with the guile of the Rajasthan spinners. Dinesh Karthik's captain's knock and Andre Russell's blitzkrieg powered them to 169 and eventually, it proved to be more than enough. Also, credit to the Kolkata spinners. Piyush Chawla and Kuldeep Yadav were clinical on a helpful pitch, and Prasidh Krishna once again impressed with his smart execution.
Patience is the mother of all virtues! Kolkata showed plenty of it when the partnerships at the top of the Rajasthan innings were growing and eventually it paid off. After a quickfire beginning, the visitors were on course but the wicket of Rahane hurt their charge. Sanju Samson played a sublime knock but got out at the wrong time when the asking rate was pretty demanding. The batsmen who followed never got going and failed to do what Andre Russell did for Kolkata in the death overs.
Prasidh Krishna to Krishnappa Gowtham. FOUR! Boundary to finish the innings. Gowtham pulls this short ball across the fine leg fence, but it won't matter. KOLKATA WIN BY 25 RUNS! A comprehensive victory in the end for the hosts, did quite well with the ball.
Prasidh Krishna to Heinrich Klaasen. Yorker fired in on the stumps, drilled to long on for a run.
Prasidh Krishna to Krishnappa Gowtham. Well-disguised slower one, full outside off, Gowtham is low to swing across the line but ends up spooning it off the splice just in front of short third man. Single taken.
Prasidh Krishna to Krishnappa Gowtham. Not a wide called. Krishnappa walks a step across as Krishna slips it down the leg side. The umpire remains unmoved for some reason.
Prasidh Krishna to Krishnappa Gowtham. Aiming the base of off stump, lofted over the cover region for a double.
Prasidh Krishna to Krishnappa Gowtham. Length delivery in the channel outside off, Gowtham winds up to go big downtown but fails to connect. All but over now, it seems.
Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen. Short ball in line of the stumps, a big pull and a miss from the batsman. 34 off the final over. Rajasthan need 6 maximums to win this.
Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen. Klaasen has flicked the ball off his pads. They manage to come back for the second.
Andre Russell to Krishnappa Gowtham. Four singles off four deliveries. Dre Russ feels no pressure, does he? Terrific bowling, this. Angles in a length delivery on middle and leg, Gowtham swings and gets it off the inner portion first onto his pads, then in front of mid-wicket for a run.
Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen. Keeps it full again, close to off, it's smacked down towards wide long off for another one.
Andre Russell to Krishnappa Gowtham. Two off the first two. Full on off stump, Gowtham drives this off the outer half behind point and takes one.
Andre Russell to Heinrich Klaasen. Just the one. Full just outside off, Klaasen throws everything he has at it, only to get an inside edge to Lynn at backward square leg. One run taken.
Andre Russell to bowl now.
Krishnappa Gowtham is the new man in.
Prasidh Krishna to Stuart Binny. OUT! Binny departs! Krishna delivers a dipping full toss in the line of the stumps, Stuart goes down to sweep but is a bit early into it. As a result, his bottom hand comes off the handle and he spoons a simple catch to Chris Lynn at backward square leg. Probably the pressure got to him, he walks back without disturbing the scoreboard.
Prasidh Krishna to Stuart Binny. Second dot in a row. Talk about holding his nerve under such pressure. Well done. Varies the length again and bangs it in short, Binny misses his pull shot.
Prasidh Krishna to Stuart Binny. Dot ball. Superb. Scrambled seam, a yorker outside off, Binny crouches and tries to steer it with an angled bat, but fails to do so.
Prasidh Krishna to Heinrich Klaasen. Full outside the line of off stump, a mishit towards extra cover. Brisk single taken. Excellent bowling, was almost in the blockhole, that.
Prasidh Krishna to Heinrich Klaasen. Quicker this time, 141.2 kph, just outside off, Klaasen swings and gets it off the inner half through mid-wicket. Has no hesitation to call for the second and come back for it too.
Prasidh Krishna to Heinrich Klaasen. No wide! This is interesting. Seemed like it went well across the tramline. Full and well outside off, Klaasen swings and misses without moving at all.
Prasidh Krishna to have a go with the ball once more.
Piyush Chawla to Heinrich Klaasen. Knocked to long on for a single. Rajasthan need 43 to win in 3 overs. Needless to say, Klaasen has to go berserk.
Stuart Binny to bat next.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. OUT! The set batsman has been sent back. Piyush Chawla gets the all-important breakthrough. The quicker leg break, doesn't turn much and Samson goes back to pull. Lofts it over wide mid on, lot of height, not enough distance, and it's taken by Searles out in the deep after moving to his right. Game changer?
Piyush Chawla to Heinrich Klaasen. Short and wide, cut square of the wicket on the off side for one.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Fifty for Sanju Samson, his 3rd of the season and 10th overall in the League. He flicks this full ball in front of square leg and jogs over to the other end. Has been a solid knock so far, but needs to finish it off.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. FOUR! Full toss and that's pummeled! Perfectly in the gap too. Superb shot. Outside off, Samson smashes it through the covers, beating the man in the deep. Moves to 49 with that.
Piyush Chawla to Heinrich Klaasen. Drifting in on middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket by leaning forward. Comfortable single taken.
Piyush Chawla is back.
Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen. Forces this quicker one through to long off and crosses over.
Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen. FOUR! Innovative, yet expected from someone like Heinrich Klaasen. Sees the flight and instantly preps himself for the reverse paddle. Lofts it over Chawla at short third man and beats him to the rope.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Plays with the spin as he turns it square on the leg side. To the man in the deep and a single is earned.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Spinning in, on middle and leg, Samson attempts to work across the line but misses and gets hit high on the pads.
Sunil Narine to Heinrich Klaasen. Uses the depth of the crease to go back and then offers a solid punch down to long on for one run.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Short, flat and on leg, pulled away aerially on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. Easily worked away to long off for a run. A good over and a terrific spell from the chinaman comes to an end. He finishes with figures of 4-0-18-1.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Gets off the mark by flicking this away off his pads for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Loopy and full outside off, pushed off the front foot to cover.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Shout for a leg before, shut down by the umpire. Lands it on leg and it turns away, beats the edge and catches Klaasen on the back pad. Loud shout, but it's missing the off stump.
Kuldeep Yadav to Heinrich Klaasen. Beaten! Kuldeep has his tail up. Lands this on off and makes it to spin away from Klaasen. He hangs his bat out and gets beaten.
Heinrich Klaasen walks in next.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. OUT! KULDEEP STRIKES! A wicket right after the strategic break. The partnership is broken, just what Kolkata needed. The set Rahane is gone. Bit unfortunate in the way he's dismissed to be honest. Tossed up from Yadav, Rahane is down to sweep but gets it off the toe end back to the bowler who gobbles it up.
Kuldeep Yadav brought back into the attack.
Strategic break. This partnership between Rahane and Samson is worth 62 now. They're set and need to step it up. A wicket now and Kolkata are on top. A superb finish awaits us.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Touch slower through the air, in line of the stumps, blocked stoutly by Samson. 61 needed in 36 now.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. SIX! That's outta here! Superb shot from Sanju Samson. Short again, there to be hit and Samson obliges. Rocks back and muscles the pull over the mid-wicket boundary for a maximum.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Missed out! Half-tracker from the spinner, Samson is onto his back foot in a jiffy and goes for the big pull. Makes no connection whatsoever and gets rapped on the thigh pad.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. The carrom ball, around off, Samson picks it up late and chips it back safely towards Narine.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Positions himself perfectly behind the line and blocks it out safely.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. On a flatter trajectory, fuller in length, pushed back to the right of the bowler.
Sunil Narine returns to the attack.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Pulls this short ball through mid-wicket. Well wide of the fielder in the deep, so two for the batsmen.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Cleverly takes the pace off this and bowls it just outside off, Rahane swings across the line and misses it altogether.
Andre Russell to Sanju Samson. Extra bounce for Russell once again. Short of a length on off, Samson is taken by surprise and ends up spooning a leading edge towards cover. Single taken.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Works it off his pads, in front of square leg and changes ends.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Kicks off the deck a bit as Dre Russ bangs it in a little short, on the body. Rahane works it through mid-wicket and runs the first one hard. As a result, is able to come back for the second.
Andre Russell to Sanju Samson. Back of a length delivery cutting back in, Sanju works it through the vacant spaces in the mid-wicket region. One run to the total.
Andre Russell brought back on.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Googly outside off, quicker in pace once more, Samson ends up chopping the cut shot off the inner half towards backward point. A run collected and that's the end of the over.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Slightly quicker through the air, quite full on the stumps, dug out back to the bowler.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Chawla keeps tossing it up there, Samson brings the wrists into play as he whips it through the mid-wicket area. A couple of runs taken on this occasion.
Piyush Chawla to Ajinkya Rahane. Singles coming easily here for Rajasthan. Another one to long on for one more.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Down the ground again, but on the other side this time. Driven through mid off for a single.
Piyush Chawla to Ajinkya Rahane. Chawla loops it full so Jinx walks down the track and works it to long on for one.
Piyush Chawla back on.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Leans ahead and knocks the full ball to long off for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Hangs back and keeps it out off the back foot.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Spinning away from around off, just behind a driving length, Rahane hangs his bat to defend and gets beaten.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. Top edge and just over DK! Kuldeep bowls this slower through the air and it's fuller in length, Samson is down to sweep but gets an edge over the keeper's head. Single taken.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Tossed up delivery outside off, a lot of flight on this, Rahane drags the sweep to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Javon Searles to Ajinkya Rahane. Risky single! That's not needed actually. A slower length ball outside off, Rahane guides it straight to short third man and looks for a run. Rahul responds immediately and rushes across. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses as Tripathi dives in. 87/1 at the halfway stage, Rajasthan need 83 more for a win.
Javon Searles to Sanju Samson. Good length ball outside off, a mistimed punch shot towards extra cover for a run.
Javon Searles to Sanju Samson. FOUR! Nicely placed this time! Short and wide outside off, Samson goes chasing after it and steers it through the big gap between backward point and short third man.
Javon Searles to Sanju Samson. Back of a length ball outside off, it's punched on the up but straight towards point.
Javon Searles to Sanju Samson. SIX! Samson is in the zone! This is how he was batting at the start of the season. Lost his touch midway but seems to be gaining it back when it matter the most. A length ball in his half and he flicks it nonchalantly over mid-wicket. Effortless.
Javon Searles to Ajinkya Rahane. Short in length and outside off, Rahane camps back and slaps it to sweeper cover for a single.
Javon Searles is introduced into the attack.
Strategic break. Rajasthan have got off to a fantastic start. Ajinkya Rahane is doing well in anchoring this chase while Sanju Samson is showing glimpses of gaining his lost touch back. The Kolkata spinners have proved futile so far on a supporting pitch. Still, their performance will hold the key in the coming overs. 96 needed off 66 balls.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. FOUR! Good calculative shot! The ball is spinning away from the batsman, it's on the fuller length and Samson lofts it with the turn. A fine inside out shot and it goes over extra cover and then beats the fielder in the deep.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Loopy and full outside off, it's driven through covers for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Strides forward to a full ball and drives it back to the bowler. Kuldeep moves across to his right to stop the ball.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Beaten! Rahane fails to pick the variation. This one spins away from him but he plays for the inward spin. Ends up getting beaten comprehensively.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. Slows this one up in the air and lands it full around middle, Samson clips it in front of square leg and rotates the strike. This is smart batting.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. FOUR! Bang! Short in length and on middle, spinning back into the batsman, Samson immediately rocks back and pulls it firmly to the deep mid-wicket fence. No chance for the fielder in the deep.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. EDGY FOUR! Quicker one, a bit short and outside off, Rahane gets back to cut but it takes the outside edge of the bat and flies closely past the keeper's gloves to the third man fence. Sensibly played out the over and got 10 from it as well.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Soft hands this time as Samson tickles it through mid-wicket for a run.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. This one spins away from around off, Samson hits it against the turn and finds the gap at mid-wicket. Once again they run aggressively and take a brace.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Whoa! Turn and bounce into the batsman, Samson tries to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit high on the thigh pad.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Gets back and works it with the spin to deep mid-wicket. Good running between the wickets fetches them a couple of runs.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. Off spinner landing a bit short around off, Rahane goes back and punches it to deep cover for a run.
Sunil Narine is back on.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. Floated and full on middle, once again Sanju goes with the spin and sweeps it fine down the leg side. The fielder there makes a tumbling stop as the batsmen take a couple of runs.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sanju Samson. Turning away from the batsman, Samson drives with the spin but finds the cover fielder.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Walks forward a bit and drives it down to long off for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Flighted full ball around off, turning away from the batsman, Rahane gets forward to defend but misses and is hit on the back leg. They appeal but nothing from the umpire. Clearly the impact is outside off and is missing the off stump as well.
Kuldeep Yadav to Ajinkya Rahane. Flighted and full outside off, Rahane watches the line closely and lets it be.
Kuldeep Yadav to roll his arm now.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. End of the Powerplay overs, Rajasthan are 51/1!
Piyush Chawla to Ajinkya Rahane. Skidding back into the batsman from around off, Rahane punches it down to long on for a run.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. They pick up a single.
Piyush Chawla to Ajinkya Rahane. Gets back to a shortish ball and strokes it on the off side for one.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Goes on the back foot and punches it towards mid on for a run.
Sanju Samson is in next.
Piyush Chawla to Rahul Tripathi. OUT! Fine return catch by the leggie! A flatter googly, landing full and on middle, Tripathi gets forward to defend but ends up chipping it back off the higher part of his blade. Chawla reacts quickly to his right and plucks the ball from thin air. Finally a breakthrough for Kolkata! 123 needed off 89 balls.
Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi. Shortish and on middle, helped behind square leg for a run.
Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi. Oh yes, a big inside edge spotted! Bad review by Kolkata. Narine flicks it on a length around middle, it straightens a bit after landing as Tripathi tries to work across the line. He seems to have missed it to get hit on the back pad. They put in an unsuccessful appeal. Karthik and Narine have a chat and go for the referral. The replays detect a big chunk of wood.
LBW appeal! Not given. Karthik has a chat with his bowler and takes the referral. Is there an inside edge?
Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi. SIX! Another clean strike! Tripathi delivers another blow. Picks on the off spinner this time, kneels and slogs it handsomely over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi. SIX! That's gone all the way! Tripathi takes on Narine. He goes down on one knee to a carrom ball around off and smokes it over long off for a biggie.
Sunil Narine to Rahul Tripathi. Spin and bounce into the batsman from around middle, Tripathi fails to work it away.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. Once again spinning back into the batsman, Rahane this time works it in front of square leg for a run.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. Spinning down the leg side, Rahane tries to flick but misses.
Sunil Narine into the attack.
Prasidh Krishna to Rahul Tripathi. Play and a miss! Short and wide outside off, Tripathi initially shapes up for the square cut but then pulls his bat back.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. Goes full this time around off, Rahane bunts it down to mid off and scampers across to the other end.
Prasidh Krishna to Rahul Tripathi. A touch short again, around off, Tripathi moves back and taps it down on the off side. It rolls in the gap at cover-point and they switch ends.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. Shortish and on off, it's been quietly worked in front of square leg for a run.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! This has been a brilliant start for Rajasthan! Prasidh struggling with his length. Pitches one short and wide outside off and Rahane flat bats it over point. Nearly goes all the way.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! Just back of a length around off, Rahane turns a bit inside the crease and nails his pull shot to the deep mid-wicket fence.
Piyush Chawla to Rahul Tripathi. Googly around off, spinning back in, Tripathi gets back and keeps it out on the off side.
Piyush Chawla to Ajinkya Rahane. Flatter and on middle, helped on the leg side for a run.
Piyush Chawla to Ajinkya Rahane. MISSING LEG! Very good use of the review by Rajasthan. Chawla once again a bowls a googly on the shorter side. It's just outside off and turning down the leg side as Rahane fails to work it away across the line. He is hit on the pads, they appeal and the umpire raises his finger. To be honest, that looked to be missing leg to the naked eye. Rahane opts for the referral and the replays find that it's going down.
Appeal for an lbw, up goes the finger and Rahane takes the referral. Looks to be missing leg. Let's see what the replays say...
Piyush Chawla to Ajinkya Rahane. Another googly by Chawla but it's on the shorter side outside off. Rahane goes back and easily places it square of the wicket on the off side.
Piyush Chawla to Rahul Tripathi. Turning down the leg side, it's on the pads and nudged in front of square leg for a run.
Piyush Chawla to Rahul Tripathi. FOUR! Welcome, Chawla! Floated full outside off, Tripathi gets to the pitch of the ball and smashes it through covers for a boundary.
Piyush Chawla is into the attack now.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. Serves this one from wide of the crease and angles in a length ball on off, Rahane defends it from the crease.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. Stays back footed and plays down a length ball to the off side.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! Brilliant shot! A length ball around off, Rahane does well to close the face of his bat at the right time. Manages to middle it superbly and it races away through mid-wicket.
Prasidh Krishna to Rahul Tripathi. Mistimed shot! Krishna follows the batsman down the leg side with a good length ball, Tripathi is cramped for room and somehow keeps it out. It comes off from the upper half of the bat and goes a bit aerially towards mid-wicket. They cross.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. Back of a length ball outside off, Rahane flashes his bat at it and it flies off the outer half of the bat to third man. The fielder in the deep collects it on one bounce and they cross.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. Slants in a length ball on off, Rahane defends it back.
Andre Russell to Rahul Tripathi. Lands it on a good length around off, some extra bounce, Tripathi gets on his toes and defends it back watchfully.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Angles in a full ball on middle, 139.6 kph, Rahane helps it off his pads to mid-wicket and takes a single.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. SIX! Up and over! Fine connection. It's short and wide outside off, Ajinkya stays on the back foot and slams it over point for a biggie. Good positive beginning from him.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Pacey one, on a length around middle, Rahane turns it off his pads to mid-wicket.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Mistimed shot! Short in length and wide outside off, Rahane stands tall to cut but gets an under edge behind. It goes on the bounce to the keeper.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. In the air... lands safely! Russell speeds in and bowls a very full delivery down the leg side. Rahane tries to flick but closes the face of the bat early. It flies off the leading edge and goes over the cover region as two fielders go after it. A couple to get underway!
We're back for the chase! 170 needed off 120 legal balls for Rajasthan. They allowed the game to slip away a bit after a brilliant start with the ball. Now, the onus is on their batsmen to overhaul this challenging total. Goes without saying that the start will be very vital. Ajinkya Rahane is back opening the innings and he is accompanied by Rahul Tripathi. Kolkata beginning with the pace of Andre Russell. Here we go...