CSK beat RCB by 5 wickets | Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings, Highlights And Cricket Score 24th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2018
Date: Apr 25, 2018 Start Time: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Chennai Super Kings Highlights And Cricket Score 24th Match - T20 Commentary
Although the wicket of de Kock and Tahir's double strike pegged Bangalore back. But a brilliant cameo towards the end, first by Mandeep and then by Sundar, ensured Bangalore crossed the 200 mark. Chennai now have a big task on their hands. They do have an in-form batting line-up and the boundaries here are small. They have chased 200 once. Can they do it again? Join us for the chase to find out.
A power-packed batting display by Bangalore has come to an end. Their batting is their strength and it has come to the fore tonight. They were put into bat and right from the word go they started attacking. Kohli did fall early but then the two South Africans, AB de Villiers and Quinton de Kock, took charge. The two stitched a 103-run stand with both scoring half centuries. It was raining sixes while the two were out there and 220 looked possible.
Dwayne Bravo to Washington Sundar. FOUR! Brilliant finish to the innings! What a last over, wickets, a wide, maximum and a boundary. This one is short and outside off, Sundar cuts it through point and the ball races away. BANGALORE FINISH WITH 205!
Dwayne Bravo to Washington Sundar. 200 up! A low full toss on middle, Sundar drives it back down the ground and picks up two.
Dwayne Bravo to Washington Sundar. SIX! A much-needed one. Take a bow, Sundar. This is on a length around middle, it is the slower one. Sundar picks it and heaves it over the mid-wicket fence. One short of 200 now Bangalore.
Mohammed Siraj next in to bat.
Dwayne Bravo to Umesh Yadav. OUT! Third in the over for Chennai. This time it is not a run out. Once again it is the slower one on middle. Umesh swings but only manages to get more height than distance. Billings takes a couple of steps inside and pouches it.
Dwayne Bravo to Umesh Yadav. WIDE! Down the leg side and the umpire signals a wide.
Umesh Yadav is the next man in.
Dwayne Bravo to Washington Sundar. OUT! Another one bites the dust and another run out. Slower ball outside off, Sundar drives it towards wide long off. The batsmen complete one but Negi wants a second but is sent back by his partner. Jadeja fires a throw to Dhoni who takes the bails off. Negi is well short.
Washington Sundar walks out to the middle.
Dwayne Bravo to Pawan Negi. OUT! RUN OUT! Good work by Dhoni and Colin goes off the first ball of the last over. It is the slower one outside off. Negi is deceived as he tries to keep it out. Misses and the batsmen go for a run. Dhoni aims and hits bull's eye at his end and de Grandhomme is short. Chennai will be relieved to see the back of him as he could have made a difference in the last five balls.
Pawan Negi to bat next.
Shardul Thakur to Mandeep Singh. OUT! Finally, something to rejoice for Thakur. He strikes off his very last ball. It is the slower one but the length is better as it is fuller. Mandeep goes for the heave but mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket. Jadeja there settles himself under it and takes an easy catch. End of an excellent cameo by Mandeep and also the end of Thakur's spell. He ends with figures of 4-1-46-2.
Shardul Thakur to Mandeep Singh. WIDE! Thakur is feeling the pressure. This is way outside off and the umpire signals a wide.
Shardul Thakur to Mandeep Singh. SIX! Flat-bat slap! The slower short ball outside off, it sits up to be hit. Mandeep says thank you so much and hits it over the long on fence for a biggie. Second in the over.
Shardul Thakur to Mandeep Singh. Wide! This one is way outside off and the umpire signals a wide.
Shardul Thakur to Mandeep Singh. Wide outside off, Mandeep reaches out to it and flat-bats it towards long on for a couple.
Shardul Thakur to Colin de Grandhomme. Very full on off, Colin eases it down to long off for a run.
Shardul Thakur to Mandeep Singh. Slower ball outside off, Mandeep guides it towards point. The batsmen want two but have to settle for one.
Shardul Thakur to Mandeep Singh. SIX! What a shot! Thakur is leaking maximums today. A full ball outside off, Mandeep opens the face of the bat. It goes off the middle and over the rope. Starts the over with a biggie. Pressure on the bowler.
Shardul Thakur is back on.
Dwayne Bravo to Colin de Grandhomme. FOUR! Spoils the over! 9 from it. Full and on off, de Grandhomme has bludgeoned this down the ground for a boundary.
Dwayne Bravo to Colin de Grandhomme. Good running but poor fielding! A low full toss on middle, it is flicked towards deep square leg. The fielder is slow in throwing the ball to the keeper and the batsmen run two.
Dwayne Bravo to Mandeep Singh. DROPPED! But these have to stick. Full and on off, Mandeep hits it hard back towards the bowler. Bravo puts out a hand but cannot hang on to it. A run taken.
Dwayne Bravo to Mandeep Singh. Another dot! The seam up ball now around off, Mandeep swings but only connects with thin air. Got to keep your head, youngster. Turn the strike over to the man who can hit it long.
Dwayne Bravo to Mandeep Singh. Clever, very clever from Bravo. Now bowls the slower short ball outside off. Mandeep misses the pull. A dot.
Dwayne Bravo to Mandeep Singh. OVERTHROW! A yorker outside off, Mandeep jams it to the right of Dhoni. He dives and makes a stop. There is a chance for a run out at his end but the throw is poor. It goes down towards long on and the batsmen run an overthrow.
Dwayne Bravo is back on.
Imran Tahir to Colin de Grandhomme. A double to end, only 7 from this over. Very full and on leg stump. Colin de Grandhomme works it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. No wickets for Tahir in this over and he ends with figures of 4-0-35-2. Two crucial wickets by him.
Imran Tahir to Mandeep Singh. Loopy ball on off, Mandeep eases it down to long on for a run. Only five singles from this over.
Imran Tahir to Colin de Grandhomme. Good stop! Colin drives it towards covers. The fielder there makes a half stop but can't stop the single.
Imran Tahir to Mandeep Singh. Fires it on off, Mandeep guides it towards short third man for a run.
Imran Tahir to Colin de Grandhomme. Floats it up on off, Colin drives it through covers for a run.
Imran Tahir to Mandeep Singh. A poor ball to bowl on the hat-trick delivery. Short and on middle, Mandeep pulls it to the man at deep mid-wicket for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Colin de Grandhomme. Flatter and outside off, Colin plays inside the line and gets beaten. 15 from the over, Bangalore needed this. Not a good comeback for Jadeja. This will probably be his last over.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. Cuts this one through cover-point and gets a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. FOUR! Smart, very smart! Now plays the reverse sweep, connects well and it goes over short third man for a boundary. So 14 from this over already.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. SIX! Almost an outstanding catch there by Billings in the deep. Singh goes for the sweep and connects well. It goes towards Billings who dives and stretches a hand out but it goes just over him.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. BEATEN! Flatter and on off, this too turns away sharply. Mandeep tries to defend but gets beaten.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. FOUR BYES! This was a corker of a ball! Pitches on leg stump and then turns square. Mandeep tries to play across the line but misses. The ball beats Dhoni and goes down to the third man fence.
Ravindra Jadeja back on.
Colin de Grandhomme is the next man in.
Second strategic break signaled!
Imran Tahir to Corey Anderson. OUT! Two-in-two for Tahir! Corey Anderson's struggle comes to an end. The googly does the trick this time. It is flatter and outside off, Anderson tries to force it through the off side but gets an outside edge which goes straight into the hands of Harbhajan at first slip. Once again excellent captaincy by Dhoni as he has a slip in place at this stage. Still looking for wickets and he has got two big ones in this over. Chennai fighting their way back and Bangalore now losing their way.
Mandeep Singh is the new man in.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. OUT! Tahir gets his countryman and the way he has celebrated this wicket says what this means to him. Excellent bowling and also smart field placement by Dhoni. He kept a deep cover for AB de Villiers and that is exactly where the catch has been taken. Loopy leg spinner outside off, De Villiers tries to clear the cover boundary but mistimes it towards that fielder. Sam Billings there comes running in and takes a good sliding catch. So a very good passage of play here for Chennai as they have both the set batsmen back in the hut. De Villiers walks back after another masterclass.
Imran Tahir to Corey Anderson. Crunched but straight to long on for a run.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. Goes for the slog sweep but gets it off the inner half towards fine leg for a run.
Imran Tahir to Corey Anderson. Another one which falls in no man's land! Anderson living dangerously here. He tries to flat-bat this but gets a top edge towards long on who collects it on the bounce. A run taken.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. Floats it up on off, De Villiers drives it through covers for a run.
Imran Tahir is back on.
Dwayne Bravo to Corey Anderson. Yes, it is! Second wicket-maiden of the innings. The slower ball outside off, Corey comes forward and tries to go big but misses. Brilliant over, Chennai needed this and they get it from their best bowler, Bravo.
Dwayne Bravo to Corey Anderson. Fuller again on off, Anderson jams it out towards point. 5 dots, can this be the second wicket-maiden over of this game?
Dwayne Bravo to Corey Anderson. A huge appeal but not given! What a delivery that by Bravo. The off pace ball, a dipping one and that completely foxed Anderson. It is a full toss but it dips. Anderson tries to keep it out but misses to get hit on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Looked very close.
Dwayne Bravo to Corey Anderson. Two dots to Anderson, three in the over so far. Fuller and on off, Anderson gets it off the outer half towards point.
Dwayne Bravo to Corey Anderson. A bouncer outside off, Anderson lets it be.
Corey Anderson is the next man in.
Dwayne Bravo to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Caught and bowled! Bravo provides the much, much-needed breakthrough. Boy, how much did they need this? The slower one does the trick. It is on the shorter side. De Kock is way early into the pull shot. It goes off the toe end and into the hands of Bravo who does not drop it. End of a magnificent 103-run stand. The platform is now laid for the rest to capitalize.
Dwayne Bravo is back on.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. The slower bouncer, good change in length and in pace. De Villiers waited for it and then tried to upper cut but misses. 20 from the over.
Shardul Thakur to Quinton de Kock. Wide outside off, de Kock slaps it through point for a run.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. Some reprieve for the bowler! A good ball, a yorker on middle. De Villiers gets it off the inner half towards mid-wicket for a run.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. SIX! Make that three in a row! This is the best of the lot. This is outside off on a fuller length. De Villiers lofts it over covers and the ball clears the fence with ease. 18 from the over so far, Thakur under a lot of pressure. 100-run stand is up.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. SIX! Consecutive ones! Fuller this time, this is right in the zone. De Villiers sends it over the long on fence. It is raining biggies here.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. SIX! De Kock brought his fifty up with a biggie. De Villiers does the same. His 25th in the Indian T20 League. This one is on a length around middle, De Villiers goes down on one knee and slogs it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Shardul Thakur is back on.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. SIX! No, he can't as de Kock deposits this one into the stands to bring up his fifty. This one is short and on middle, de Kock rocks back and pulls it over the square leg fence for a biggie. He raises the bat to acknowledge the applause from the crowd. It is his sixth in this league.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. A yorker wide outside off, de Kock tries to jam it out but misses. A good over till now, can he finish it well?
Shane Watson to AB de Villiers. In the air... safe! It is AB de Villiers' night tonight. The short ball on middle and it skids off the surface. De Villiers goes for the pull but mistimes it towards mid on. The fielder from long on comes charging in and collects it on the bounce. A run taken.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. Slants it across, on a good length, de Kock slogs it through mid-wicket, along the track for a single.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. Good shot by de Kock. Takes this on the full, fetches this from well outside off and works it through square leg. There are two men in the deep, who mop it up and throw the ball back in.
Shane Watson to AB de Villiers. Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, AB mistimes the heave towards long on for one.
Shane Watson to AB de Villiers. Wide! Darts it well outside off, too far out and across the tramline. It's signalled as a wide.
Shane Watson back on.
Imran Tahir to Quinton de Kock. Slower through the air on middle, de Kock flicks it towards square leg and the batsmen run two. 19 off the over, this is massive for the home side.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. Flatter on off, de Villiers whips it towards long on for a run.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. SIX! THIS IS OUT OF HERE! Oh my, what a hit! He once again goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it. The connection is so good that it has landed on the roof. The 100 is up for Bangalore and they are cruising along at the moment. Back-to-back maximums.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. SIX! These sweep shots are being used to the utmost effect. AB goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the square leg fence for another biggie. He moves onto 38 from 18.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. Shorter and the leg spinner. De Villiers goes back to cut but misses.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Cheeky, very cheeky! Goes down on one knee and reverse sweeps it. very fine through the off side and the ball races away. De Villiers is on song tonight.
Dwayne Bravo to AB de Villiers. Mistimed! Goes for the paddle but the ball goes off the toe end towards fine leg for a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Quinton de Kock. Another yorker. This is squeezed out to point. Raina there fields it and has a shy at the striker's end as the batsmen go for a run but he misses.
Dwayne Bravo to Quinton de Kock. One more yorker but this goes for runs! De Kock jams it out through cover-point and the batsmen run two. 50-run stand comes up between the two. They have to keep going if Bangalore are to score big.
Dwayne Bravo to Quinton de Kock. Another yorker and this time de Kock fails to jam it out.
Dwayne Bravo to Quinton de Kock. SIX! Slower ball and de Kock has picked the bones out of that one! Full and on off, de Kock waits for it and thumps it over the bowler's head for half a dozen.
Dwayne Bravo to Quinton de Kock. Starts off with a yorker outside off. De Kock tries to jam it out but gets beaten.
Dwayne Bravo is into the attack.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. Good fielding! De Villiers connects with the sweep shot. It goes towards deep square leg where the fielder makes a good stop with one hand. Two taken. Just five from Tahir's first.
Imran Tahir to Quinton de Kock. Tosses it up on middle, de Kock goes for the slog sweep but gets it off the inner half towards deep square leg for a run.
Imran Tahir to Quinton de Kock. Again makes room but again yorks himself. De Kock jams it out to covers.
Imran Tahir to AB de Villiers. Eased down to long off for a run.
Imran Tahir to Quinton de Kock. Comes down the track and yorks himself. He jams it out towards square leg for a run.
Imran Tahir to Quinton de Kock. Very nearly gets de Kock off his first ball! The leg spinner on leg stump, de Kock goes for the reverse sweep but misses. The ball goes agonizingly close and past the leg pole.
Imran Tahir is into the attack.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. A low full toss on the pads, de Kock flicks it down to long on for a run.
Shane Watson to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, de Villiers cuts it through point for a run.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. Walks down the track and slaps this through covers for a run.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. Once again a short ball outside off, it is the off cutter. De Kock once again tries to play the same shot he got a boundary with but this time gets beaten.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Cut away and into the gap! Short and a little outside off, not a good line with third man up. De Kock cuts it through backward point and the ball races away.
Shane Watson to Quinton de Kock. Good running! Length ball on middle, de Kock flicks it towards square leg. The batsmen complete one and seeing the fielder get to the ball slowly they go for the second.
Shane Watson is into the attack.
Strategic break has been signaled!
Ravindra Jadeja to Quinton de Kock. Goes down on one knee and sweeps it through short fine leg. Tahir in the deep does well to run to his left and keep it down to one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Quinton de Kock. Works it through mid-wicket with the turn and some good running gives the batsmen two.
Ravindra Jadeja to AB de Villiers. This one is driven through covers for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to AB de Villiers. SIX! All the way, this is incredible striking from AB de Villiers. Goes for the sweep, gets it off the middle and in the gap. It goes all the way over the square leg fence for a flat biggie.
Ravindra Jadeja to Quinton de Kock. Opts for the sweep shot and connects well but straight to the man at deep square leg for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Quinton de Kock. Flatter outside off, this one turns back in. De Kock tries to work it on the leg side but gets hit on the pads.
Ravindra Jadeja comes into the bowling attack.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. A dot to finish the Powerplay but a good over, 17 from it. A good first six overs for Bangalore as they are 52 for 1. De Villiers makes room this time but Harbhajan follows him, the batsman defends it.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Always tough for a spinner to bowl the final over of the Powerplay as Singh is feeling the heat here. De Villiers once again backs away. Singh bowls it fuller on off. De Villiers slices it over point for a boundary.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. SIX! Last over of the Powerplay and de Villiers making full use of it. He backs away and Singh bowls it a little too full on off. This time he goes against the turn and over covers for a maximum.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. Floats it up on middle, de Villiers flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.
Harbhajan Singh to AB de Villiers. SIX! What a way to get off the mark, what a shot! Comes down the track, goes with the spin and hits it over the long on fence. The fielder was back on the rope but de Villiers didn't care.
Harbhajan Singh to Quinton de Kock. Loopy ball on off, it turns away. De Kock tries to go over the off side but the ball goes off the inner half towards long off for a run.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. Yes, it is one! Brilliant by Thakur. He lands this one on a length around off, de Villiers tries to guide it through backward point but finds the fielder there.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. Swing and a miss! De Villiers has had enough of sighters as he goes across the line to this ball on off. He misses, however, and the ball goes just over the off pole. No runs till now off the over, can this be a wicket-maiden?
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. A similar length to the last ball. De Villiers once again times it towards mid on for no runs.
Shardul Thakur to AB de Villiers. Length ball on middle, de Villiers times it towards mid on.
AB de Villiers walks out to the middle.
Shardul Thakur to Virat Kohli. OUT! The change of ends for Shardul Thakur has worked wonders! A HUGE wicket as Kohli walks back dejected. Chennai needed this. Kohli walks down the track and Thakur bowls this on a length. Kohli tries to go over mid on but does not get the elevation. He hits it flat towards him. Jadeja there dives to his left, a little forward and takes a very good catch. Thakur is pumped up and so are the Chennai players.
Shardul Thakur to Virat Kohli. On middle, Kohli flicks it towards square leg.
Change of ends for Shardul Thakur.
Harbhajan Singh to Quinton de Kock. Harbhajan does not toss it up this time as he fires it outside off. De Kock chops it to covers. So even though a maximum came in the over, just 7 came off it.
Harbhajan Singh to Quinton de Kock. SIX! Uses his feet and uses it well! De Kock comes down the track to this flighted ball. He gets to the pitch of it and deposits it into the long on stands.
Harbhajan Singh to Quinton de Kock. Flatter this time on off, de Kock cuts it to point.
Harbhajan Singh to Quinton de Kock. Not afraid to toss it up is Harbhajan. He does it outside off, de Kock chops it to point.
Harbhajan Singh to Virat Kohli. Loopy ball once again on middle, Kohli drives it down to long on for a run.
Harbhajan Singh to Virat Kohli. Tosses this one up on middle, Kohli drives it back to the bowler.
Harbhajan Singh is into the attack.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. A single to end an expensive over! 15 from it as Kohli taps this length ball on off, towards covers for a run.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Outstanding effort from Billings but all in vain! This is also timed exquisitely by Kohli. Fuller and on the pads, Kohli flicks it through mid-wicket. Billings there makes good ground to his left and then dives to push the ball back in. It is rolling back towards the rope as he gets up and once again tries to pull it back. The umpires are not sure whether he has done it cleanly and they go upstairs. Replays show the ball just touches the rope and the boundary is signaled.
Deepak Chahar to Quinton de Kock. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. They pick up a single.
Deepak Chahar to Quinton de Kock. SIX! That is out of here! Right in the zone of de Kock. Full and on middle, the batter moves his right leg out of the way and sends it sailing over the long on fence for a biggie. First of the game.
Deepak Chahar to Quinton de Kock. In the air... but it lands safe! Excellent stop in the end by MS Dhoni. This one is a short ball on middle, de Kock goes for a pull but gets a top edge. It goes high up in the air towards fine leg but it lands safely. Dhoni hares after it and does really well to pull it back inside just before it crosses the rope. Brilliant by the Chennai skipper, not a lot of men would have got to that. Saves two for his side.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Another single! Once again a good delivery is converted into a single. Such is the class of the guy, he won't have a lot of dots to his name. This time he guides it towards point and gets to the other end.
Shardul Thakur to Virat Kohli. Length again on off, Kohli taps it towards covers and gets to the other end.
Shardul Thakur to Virat Kohli. Back of a length on off, Kohli defends it solidly. This is the length he should be bowling. The last two balls were a little too full.
Shardul Thakur to Virat Kohli. Once again right off the middle. He looks in great touch. Fuller and on off, Kohli leans into it and strokes it through covers. The ball races away but there is a man in the deep who keeps it down to two.
Shardul Thakur to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Up and over! Once again a little too full and the batsman takes full toll of it. Fuller on off, Kohli lofts it over mid off and the ball races away.
Shardul Thakur to Quinton de Kock. De Kock is on the charge here as he walks down the track. He tries to flick but the ball takes the inner half and goes down to fine leg for a run.
Shardul Thakur to Quinton de Kock. Goes full and wide outside off, de Kock tries to go through the off side but gets it off the inner half back towards the bowler.
Shardul Thakur to bowl from the other end.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Length again on off, Kohli watchfully pushes it to covers.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Goes back to bowling on a length on off, Kohli defends it onto the ground.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. FOUR! No swing this time and it becomes too easy for Kohli. Chahar goes fuller on the middle pole looking for some swing. There ain't any and Kohli flicks it over mid-wicket for the first boundary. He is off the mark in style.
Deepak Chahar to Virat Kohli. Length on middle, Kohli flicks it to the man at mid-wicket.
Deepak Chahar to Quinton de Kock. This one comes back in from outside off. De Kock drives it towards mid off for a run. Good confident start by Quinton and Bangalore are underway.
Deepak Chahar to Quinton de Kock. Shape for Chahar. He has been getting it in almost every game and he gets it here too. Fuller and it swings away from off. Quinton lunges and drives it to cover-point.
We are all set for the action to begin. The Chennai players and the umpires make their way out to the middle. Quinton de Kock and Virat Kohli will open the innings for Bangalore, while Deepak Chahar will take the ball first up for Chennai. Here we go...
Virat Kohli starts by saying the crowd will also be behind them and they are looking forward to some good cricket. Mentions they want to take it one game at a time now and they would want to carry forward the momentum from the last game. Informs they too have two changes as Colin de Grandhomme and Pawan Negi come in for Manan Vohra and Chris Woakes.
MS Dhoni says it looks a good surface but it feels a little damp. He reckons defending will be difficult. Mentions there is equal support for them here in Bangalore and the crowd is fantastic. Informs there are two changes as Karn Sharma and Faf du Plessis make way for Imran Tahir and Harbhajan Singh.
TOSS - Chennai win the toss and they opt to bowl first.
The visitors on the other hand, are coming on the back of two consecutive victories. They would look to make it three here today. Also a win for them will take them to the top of the table. This one promises to be an intriguing clash as both have star-studded line-ups. Stay tuned for the toss in a while.
Hello and welcome to game no. 24 and it is a clash between two heavyweights of the tournament. Chennai will be taking on Bangalore at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium. The home side is in the bottom half of the table, whereas the visitors are up at second place. The hosts are eager for a win. They do have momentum on their side and Virat Kohli will hope for it to continue.
So that is it from this game. Another cracking encounter and Chennai win their third game in a row. For Virat Kohli's men, it keeps getting tough as they suffer their fourth defeat in their 6th game. The Indian T20 League continues tomorrow as Hyderabad take on Punjab in the former's den at 2000 IST (1430 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!
MS Dhoni is given the Man of the Match as he rolled back the years and scored a match-winning 70 from just 34 balls.
Once again the Bangalore bowling failed to stand up in the death. Umesh Yadav was impressive first up and Yuzvendra Chahal spun a web around the visitors' batsmen in the middle. The two finished with combined figures of 8-0-49-3. They got no support from the rest as all the others were taken to the cleaners. Also the dropped catch of Ambati Rayudu cost them a lot as he added 21 runs after that. All in all, they suffer another defeat and this one is a game they might have felt they could have won.
Chasing a massive target of 206, Chennai got off to the worst start possible. They lost Watson in the first over itself. Rayudu and Raina did try and counter-attack but three wickets in quick succession saw Chennai staring down the barrel at 74/4. But then, Dhoni and Rayudu joined forces. They paced the chase extremely well and stitched a 101-run stand off just 54 balls. Both got to their half tons before the latter was run out leaving the Men in Yellow needing another 31 in 13. Then came out Bravo and he along with Dhoni finished it off with their skipper hitting the winning runs.
Phew! What a game, this Indian T20 League is throwing thrillers after thrillers and this is surely one of the best of this season. Take a bow, Dhoni. Take a bow, Rayudu! What an innings by the two. They came out when Chennai were down and out and have taken their side through to the top of the table.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. SIX! Dhoni finishes it off in style! The best finisher, you bet he is. What a shot. What an innings. Vintage Dhoni is what he witnessed here. This is full and outside off, Dhoni shuffles across even before the ball is bowled, gets underneath it and smashes it into the mid-wicket stands. No reaction from him after that maximum, he is cool and calm as he receives a big hug from Bravo who comes rushing towards him as CHENNAI WIN BY 5 RUNS!
Corey Anderson to Dwayne Bravo. A single! This is short and outside off, Bravo cuts it to deep point for a run. 5 from 3 and Dhoni is on strike. Excitement at the highest level.
Corey Anderson to Dwayne Bravo. SiX! 10 from the two balls. It is not Dhoni, it is Bravo doing the job. 6 more needed from 4 balls. This is short and outside off once again. Bravo rocks back and hits it over covers, the place where he loves to go for a biggie.
Corey Anderson to Dwayne Bravo. FOUR! Ideal start! Anywhere will do. 12 needed from 5 balls. Chennai are now favourites I feel. Short and outside off, Bravo goes for the pull but gets a top edge which evades the diving keeper and into the fence. Pressure, pressure on the bowler now.
16 in the last over needed. Can arguably the best finisher in the game do it? He is not on strike though at the moment. Bravo is as Corey Anderson will bowl the last over. Can he keep his cool? Let us wait to find out...
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Good delivery to end the over. Yorker on off stump, Dhoni digs it out back down the track and hits the stumps at the other end. It ricochets off them and rolls towards long on. Two runs taken.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Wide! Three in a row! Short of a length outside off, Dhoni swings and misses. But it's gone from the other side of the tramline. Still one delivery left.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Wide! Another wide. Pressure on Siraj. Spears a yorker wide outside off, across the tramline. Dhoni lets it be.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Wide! Banged in short but it's too short, the umpire raises his arms sideways. MS still has the opportunity to finish this over well. Or will he want to take a single and keep strike for the final over? Knowing him, he could do either.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. SIX! He didn't even get properly under that but it still travelled the distance. Low full just outside off, Dhoni throws the kitchen sink at it and slices it over backward point for a biggie. Last ball, Dhoni needs to find the boundary.
Mohammed Siraj to Dwayne Bravo. High full toss on the stumps, Bravo swings and gets an inside edge onto his body. It rolls over on the off side for a run. The umpire doesn't signal a no ball, doesn't think it's too high.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Terrific bowling. Exceptional. Darts in a yorker wide outside off, Dhoni can only slice it out to point. Single taken.
Mohammed Siraj to Dwayne Bravo. Quite full on off, drilled to long off for just a single. Siraj has started this over well.
Mohammed Siraj to Dwayne Bravo. Precious, precious dot ball. Siraj lands it on a length outside off, Bravo has a wild swing at it but misses. The slight away movement did the trick.
Corey Anderson to Dwayne Bravo. The batsman has punched that ball through the off side. They pick up a single.
Dwayne Bravo walks into the middle next. 31 runs in 13 balls. He can't afford to take time to settle in. Has to go for it from the first ball.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. OUT! Ambati Rayudu has been run out! Can this be the game changer, can this be the moment which turns the tide in Bangalore's favor? It is that man who dropped Rayudu who scores a bull's eye to get him run out. A yorker outside off, Rayudu jams it out towards point. Yadav there dives to his right and fumbles. The batsmen go for the second. Umesh picks the ball up and scores a direct hit at the striker's end. Rayudu dives in an attempt to get in. The players appeal and the umpire goes upstairs. Replays show that Rayudu is well short. He is given his marching orders and he is dejected. Nevertheless an excellent innings by him comes to an end and also the 101-run stand.
Direct hit and Bangalore seem to have got Rayudu! A run out appeal at the striker's end has been taken upstairs. BIG MOMENT IN THE GAME!
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Just over the man! Short and outside off, Rayudu this time cuts it over the point fielder. There is no one in the deep there and the ball races to the fence.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. Length outside off, guided towards point for a run.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. SIX! Fifty for MS Dhoni and it has come off just 29 deliveries. His 19th and what a shot to bring it up. Rolling back the years, this was vintage MSD. Full and on off, Dhoni powers it over the sightscreen for a maximum. Job not done though.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. WIDE! This is way outside off, the pressure is getting to Anderson. He is trying to bowl to his field but this time bowls it a little too wide and the umpire stretches his hands.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. Just short! Short and wide outside off, Rayudu reaches out for it and hits it towards sweeper cover who collects it on the bounce. A single taken.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. FOUR! He can't! Dhoni uses all his experience, keeps his cool and guides it in the gap between backward point and short third man for a boundary. 10 from the over. 45 from 18. He moves on to 48.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. Another single! Can he finish this over well? Rayudu guides it towards sweeper cover for a run.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Good length on off, Dhoni opens the face of his bat and guides it towards short third man for a run. This has been a good over so far.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Fuller and outside off, Dhoni drives it square on the off side. De Grandhomme in the deep seems to have done well to keep it down to two. They go upstairs to check and it is fine.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. Good yorker, all Rayudu can do is hit it towards long off for a run.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Back of a length on off, Dhoni guides it towards point and says Rayudu you take him on.
Strategic break signaled!
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! Back-to-back and these maximums will be hurting Yadav the most. What a hit. This is fuller on off, Rayudu walks across and hits it over the mid-wicket fence this time. 55 now needed in 24.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! Flat and all the way! Short again and outside off, Rayudu hits it over covers and the ball has just cleared the rope.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. Wide! This one is way outside off and the umpire signals a wide.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. Short and wide, slashed out towards third man for a run.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. DROPPED! How costly will this prove? Umesh Yadav is the culprit. This went a million miles up in the air but it still should be taken. On a length around off, Rayudu tries to go big but mistimes it high up in the air towards covers. Yadav there settles himself under it but fails to hang on. Is that going to cost Bangalore the match? Rayudu is in sublime form.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. Wide outside off, Rayudu swings and misses. A dot, very precious at this stage.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. That has been smashed down the ground but good captaincy by Kohli as he is very straight at long off. It is only a run.
Corey Anderson is back into the attack.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Length again on off, Dhoni pushes it towards covers for a run. 9 from this over. 71 needed from the last 5. Possible? Surely with the way the two out there are batting.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. A dot! This is on a length around off, Dhoni defends it.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. Goes fuller and outside off, Rayudu swings hard but gets it off the inner half towards long on for a run. 8 from the over so far.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! He will surely be happy with that shot! He comes down the track and also makes room. Slaps it over the cover boundary for a biggie.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. Slower bouncer and Rayudu lets it go. He is not happy with himself.
Mohammed Siraj to MS Dhoni. Short and wide outside off, Dhoni guides it towards sweeper cover for a run.
Mohammed Siraj returns to the attack.
Pawan Negi to Ambati Rayudu. So it stays 19 from the over as this one is a dot! Slower through the air outside off, Rayudu swings but does not connect. He once again wants a wide but the umpire does not give it.
Pawan Negi to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! Rayudu gets into the act! He brings his 16th fifty up with a biggie. Negi goes short and it is very slow. Rayudu has all the time in the world to rock back and pull it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 19 from the over so far. Also the 50-run stand is up. The job is not done, however, they need to keep going.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. Flatter and outside off, it turns away. Dhoni goes for the cut but gets an outside edge towards short third man for a run.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. Nicely bowled! Slower through the air on off, it turns away. Dhoni tries to guide it to point but misses.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. SIX! Two in two! MS Dhoni on the charge. Once again right in the slot. Full and on middle, Dhoni deposits it over the long on fence for a biggie. 87 from 40.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. SIX! Welcome back into the attack, Negi! This is very full and in the slot. Dhoni smashes it straight back over the bowler's head for a maximum. Perfect start to the over, can they make this a huge one?
Pawan Negi is back on.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. Flatter on off, Dhoni pushes it towards covers for a run. End of Chahal's spell. He has once again been outstanding as he finishes with figures of 4-0-26-2.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. WIDE! This one is! This is slightly wider and Dhoni lets it be.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Fires it on the pads, Rayudu works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Loopy ball outside off, Rayudu lets it be. He thinks it is a wide but the umpire does not signal one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. In the air... on the bounce! Heart in mouth moment for Chennai fans. Fuller and on middle, Dhoni mistimes it up in the air towards long on who collects it on the bounce. A run taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Floats it up on middle, Rayudu drives it down to long on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. Down the leg side, Dhoni fails to flick and it goes off the pads and towards short fine leg for a leg bye.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. Fuller on off, Dhoni pushes it down to long off to keep strike. 11 from the over, still below the required rate.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. SIX! HUGEE! It shows 87 meters but it looked a lot more. This is fuller on middle by Anderson, right where Dhoni wants it. He sends it over the long on fence for a huge one. 106 needed in 49.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. NOT OUT! Missing off! It was the slower one by Anderson on off, Rayudu goes down on one knee and goes for the sweep shot. He misses to get hit on the body. Anderson appeals and the umpire shakes his head. They go for the review and replays show that it is missing off and the sole review has been lost.
A late review by Kohli. Rayudu has been given not out but Kohli has taken it upstairs. Missing off or maybe going over.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. Length again on off, Dhoni pushes it towards cover for a run.
Corey Anderson to Ambati Rayudu. Length ball on middle, Rayudu guides it towards point for another run. Singles is something Virat won't mind.
Corey Anderson to MS Dhoni. Full and wide outside off, Dhoni drives it square on the off side for a run.
Corey Anderson is into the attack.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. A dot on the Free Hit! Smart bowling. Sees Rayudu covering the stumps and fires it on middle. Ambati misses the sweep and it hit on the pads.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. NO BALL! A spinner just cannot overstep, not from where he runs in to bowl. This one is flatter on middle, Rayudu pushes it back to the bowler. This could spoil a good over. A Free Hit coming up.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. On the pads, worked around the corner for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. Flighted on middle, Dhoni nudges it to mid-wicket.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. Brilliant placement by Dhoni and equally well ran. This is slower through the air on leg stump. Dhoni tucks it towards backward square leg and bags a brace.
Yuzvendra Chahal to MS Dhoni. Short and down the leg side, Dhoni paddles it fine down the leg side. Sundar makes good ground to his right and keeps it down to two.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Slower through the air on middle, Rayudu works it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. Quicker on the stumps, Dhoni keeps it out. We are now at the halfway mark. Another 123 runs needed.
Pawan Negi to Ambati Rayudu. Rayudu uses his feet now but Negi shortens his length. Ambati adjusts and drives it through covers for a run.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. Uses his feet again and hits it down towards long on for a run.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. SIX! Into the crowd! Dhoni gets off the mark with half a dozen. He shimmies down the track, gets to the pitch of it, goes against the turn and clears the mid-wicket fence with ease.
Pawan Negi to MS Dhoni. Flatter on the stumps, Dhoni pushes it to covers.
Pawan Negi to Ambati Rayudu. Fuller on the pads, Rayudu works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Pawan Negi is back on.
MS Dhoni makes his way out to the middle.
Strategic break signaled!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravindra Jadeja. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Chahal is spinning a web around the Chennai batsmen. He gets his second. This is flatter and outside off, it turns back in sharply. Jadeja chooses the wrong ball to cut as it beats him and hits the off pole. Another one bites the dust and the move to send Jadeja up the order backfires. Chennai need another 132 in 66.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravindra Jadeja. Down the leg side and the umpire signals a wide.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Driven through the covers by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. BEATEN! This one drifts into the batsman first. It pitches and then spins away. Rayudu tries to keep it out but gets beaten.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! What a shot! Not much wrong with the delivery but such is the form of Rayudu. This one is tossed up outside off. Rayudu plants his front foot towards the ball and he goes over the cover boundary for a biggie. They have to keep doing this.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Loopy ball on off, it turns away. Rayudu tries to go through covers but gets it off the inner half back to the bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. That has stayed low! He fires this one on middle on the shorter side. Rayudu tries to pull but misses to get hit on the pads. There is a muted appeal but the umpire shakes his head.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Whips this one through mid-wicket for a single. So just five from Yadav's last. He finishes with figures of 4-0-23-1.
Umesh Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. Shorter in length again on the body. Jadeja works it down to fine leg for a run.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Shorter in length on middle, Rayudu works it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Umesh Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. Comes down the track and cuts it hard towards sweeper cover for a run.
Umesh Yadav to Ravindra Jadeja. Length again on off, Jadeja defends it back to the bowler.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Good length on off, Rayudu pushes it towards mid on for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Whips it against the spin through mid-wicket for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Fires it on the pads, Rayudu plays it to the right of the bowler.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ambati Rayudu. Loopy ball on middle, Rayudu defends it onto the ground.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravindra Jadeja. Tucks it around the corner with the turn for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja walks out to the middle.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Sam Billings. OUT! STUMPED! Beautifully bowled! Turn and he hits the right length. Slower through the air on middle, this one turns away after pitching. Billings uses his feet but does not get to the pitch of the ball. He is beaten by the turn as he tries to work it on the leg side. Misses and the keeper does the rest. Billings walks back cheaply and Chennai are in trouble here.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Sam Billings. FOUR! Swept and swept fine! He got out to Ashwin in one game playing this shot but he connects well this time. Goes down early on one knee and sweeps it fine past the keeper for a boundary.
Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack.
Umesh Yadav to Sam Billings. Just five from the last over of the Powerplay and also a wicket as Billings guides this one down to third man for a run. Chennai are 55 for 2 after the first six. They need another 151 in 84.
Umesh Yadav to Sam Billings. A good follow-up delivery to the last one. He lands it on a length around off, Billings keeps it out.
Umesh Yadav to Sam Billings. PEACH! This one lands on a length around off, it jags back in sharply. Billings is cut into half as he tries to defend. Michael Clarke on air reckons the pitch has really quickened up now.
Umesh Yadav to Sam Billings. FOUR! Off the mark with a stylish flick! On the pads, wrong line. Billings flicks it over the square leg fielder and the ball races away.
Umesh Yadav to Sam Billings. Howzaaat? The answer to that question is not out. Fuller and swinging back in. Billings misses the flick to get hit on the pads. The players appeal but the umpire shakes his head. Going down leg.
Sam Billings is the next man in.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. OUT! Leading edge and gone! Yadav gets the breakthrough! This is fuller on leg stump. Raina tries to work it on the leg side but he closes the face of the bat a little too early. The ball takes the leading edge and goes into the hands of Mandeep Singh at point. He accepts a regulation catch. Raina never looked comfortable out there and he is walking back.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Straight as an arrow! End of an excellent over. 15 from it. This one is short and on middle, Rayudu dances down and slaps it straight down the ground for a boundary. 50 up within the Powerplay. GAME ON!
Mohammed Siraj to Suresh Raina. Raina once again moves away. Siraj follows him and Raina flicks it towards deep square leg for a run.
Mohammed Siraj to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Premeditated and he gets the desired result. Short and outside off. Raina makes room and steps down. He slaps it through covers for another boundary.
Mohammed Siraj to Suresh Raina. Wide! Down the leg side and the umpire signals a wide.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. Attacks the stumps, Rayudu guides it down towards third man for a run.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. FOUR! Short and on middle, Rayudu rocks back and also shuffles across. He picks his spot as there is no fielder in the deep on the leg side. He pulls it over square leg and the ball races away.
Mohammed Siraj to Ambati Rayudu. Back of a length on off, Rayudu defends it down onto the ground.
Mohammed Siraj is into the attack.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. Cut into half! Raina once again backs away. Umesh follows him. Raina tries to keep it out but it goes between bat and pad and to the keeper. A dot to end but a good over for Chennai.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Not convincingly played but still gets a boundary! Raina backs away and Umesh bowls it short. Raina pulls it through wide mid on and the ball races away to the fence. 11 from the over so far. Can Chennai finish it well?
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Length ball outside off, Rayudu guides it down to third man for a run.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Good bowling! Cramping the batsman for room by attacking his body. Rayudu defends it onto the ground.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Short and wide and Yadav gets away with that one as Rayudu misses the cut.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! Dealing in maximums, is Rayudu! This is on his pads, he nonchalantly flicks it over the square leg fence and the ball carries over the fence.
Washington Sundar to Ambati Rayudu. A single to finish! 14 from it. Works this through mid-wicket to retain strike for the next over.
Washington Sundar to Ambati Rayudu. Fires it on off, pushed back to the bowler.
Washington Sundar to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! This is even better than the last one. Loopy ball on off, Rayudu waits for it and lofts it over the bowler's head for another biggie.
Washington Sundar to Ambati Rayudu. SIX! Right into the crowd! What a shot! Comes down the track and seeing that, Sundar shortens his length. Rayudu still goes ahead with the pull and he connects well. The ball goes sailing over the mid-wicket fence.
Washington Sundar to Ambati Rayudu. Flatter on off, Rayudu guides it to covers.
Washington Sundar to Suresh Raina. Flicks it with the angle through square leg for a run.
Washington Sundar is into the attack.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. Short now and Raina awkwardly pulls it towards mid-wicket to keep strike. A good first over by Yadav comes to an end.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. A good delivery but no foot movement by Raina almost brought about his wicket. Fuller in length and outside off, swings away a touch. Raina rooted to his crease tries to keep it out but gets beaten.
Umesh Yadav to Suresh Raina. Good length and outside off, Raina guides it to point.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Hesitation but safe in the end! Rayudu once again taps this length ball towards covers. He sets off for a run. Raina at first hesitates but then goes for it. The fielder underarms a throw at the striker's end with a dive but misses. Had he hit, it would have been close.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Length again on off, Rayudu pushes it towards point.
Umesh Yadav to Ambati Rayudu. Good length on off, Rayudu guides it towards point.
Umesh Yadav to bowl from the other end.
Suresh Raina walks out to the middle.
Pawan Negi to Shane Watson. OUT! Negi has the last laugh. He draws first blood! Not the best of deliveries but he will take it. This one is short and on middle. It skids through. Watson goes for the pull but mistimes it towards Siraj at mid on who takes it. An early wicket for Bangalore, just what they needed. The dangerous Watson is walking back.
Pawan Negi to Shane Watson. SIX! Watson now gets into the act! Negi tosses this one up and bowls a little too full. Watson reaches out for it and tonks it over the long on fence for a biggie.
Pawan Negi to Shane Watson. Short ball and Negi there is lucky to get away. Watson mistimes his pull towards square leg.
Pawan Negi to Ambati Rayudu. Comes down the track and drives it towards deep extra cover for a run. Rayudu too is off the mark now.
Pawan Negi to Ambati Rayudu. Loopy ball on middle, Rayudu keeps it out.
Pawan Negi to Shane Watson. Chennai are underway straightaway! Negi tosses this one up. Watson strokes it towards long off for a run.
We are back for the chase. The Chennai openers, Shane Watson and Ambati Rayudu, make their way out to the middle. The former will take strike and he will face Pawan Negi. Here we go...