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RCB beat KXIP by 4 wickets | Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore, Highlights And Cricket Score 8th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2018
Date: Apr 13, 2018 Start Time: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: M.Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru
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Kings XI Punjab vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Highlights And Cricket Score 8th Match - T20 Commentary
Bangalore will be relieved that their weakest suit which is bowling has done a tremendous job tonight. Washington Sundar also fulfilled his role superbly in the middle overs while Kulwant Khejroliya was also impressive in his spell. A target of 156 in front of a batting line-up that the home team possesses looks a tiny one. But, having said that, you cannot write off any team in this notorious format. Do join us in a short while for the chase.
Exceptional job done by the Bangalore bowlers. It was a speedy beginning by Punjab in the first two overs and it seemed that once again KL Rahul will run away with the show. But then Umesh Yadav struck thrice in one over and completely blew away the visitors' top order. There was a period when the visiting team consolidated through the partnership between Nair and Rahul but once that stand got broken, the floodgates opened. The wickets kept falling at regular intervals and had Ashwin not played a handy cameo, Punjab would have struggled to get anywhere near 150.
Washington Sundar gives a quick interview and says that they bowled well as a unit. Informs that last evening he was looking to flight the ball more but today he tried to keep it tidy and got a few wickets. He is pleased overall with his effort and considers it to be a 165-170 track. Is confident that it's a very much gettable target.
Chris Woakes to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. OUT! PUNJAB ARE ALL OUT FOR 155! Woakes with a lethal short delivery, it's around off and Mujeeb stays back to pull it across the line. He takes his eyes off the ball, a blind swing of the blade and it flies off the top edge. Sarfaraz Khan moves across and back from backward point to take the catch easily. Quinton de Kock was also interested there but once again the calling was clear.
Chris Woakes to Mohit Sharma. On middle, a fuller length delivery, Mohit gets it away from the inside half of the bat through mid-wicket for one.
Chris Woakes to Mohit Sharma. Wide! On a length and way wide outside off, Sharma lets it be.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mujeeb Ur Rahman. Full and flighted outside off, Rahman gets forward and pushes it with an angled bat to point.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the next batsman.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravichandran Ashwin. OUT! Stumped, second one for de Kock tonight. Yet another leg spinner by Chahal, he continued to toss it up. Ashwin once again was down the track in a flash, looking for a big shot. Was beaten by the sharp away spin and Quinton did the rest. It was referred upstairs and Ashwin was found short. A handy cameo by the Punjab skipper.
Stumping appeal is referred upstairs!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravichandran Ashwin. SIX! That's a tremendous shot by Ashwin. He is playing a gem here for his side! A leg spinner landing outside off, Ashwin shimmies down the track and bludgeons it straight down the ground for a biggie. Fine connection.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravichandran Ashwin. Dances down the track and works it wide of long on. Takes a couple, yes, Ashwin is in full throttle.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Mohit Sharma. Skidding down, Mohit fails to flick and it goes off his pads to square leg. A leg bye taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Ravichandran Ashwin. Flighted and full outside off, driven through covers for a run.
Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl.
Chris Woakes to Ravichandran Ashwin. It's been driven superbly through the covers. They pick up a single.
Mohit Sharma is in next.
Chris Woakes to Andrew Tye. OUT! Andrew Tye is out of here. He attempts to go downtown and clear the rope but fails to get it from the middle of the bat. That probably was a slower one by Chris. Andrew ends up skying it straight down the ground and Kohli moves across to his left from long on to grab the catch safely. Brendon McCullum was also in the vicinity but it seems the calling was loud and clear. Bangalore continue to chip away at wickets.
Chris Woakes to Andrew Tye. Wide called for height! Woakes digs in a short ball but it goes well over the head of the Aussie.
Chris Woakes to Ravichandran Ashwin. Well bowled. Woakes senses the movement from Ashwin who was shaping for a cute paddle scoop shot, probably. The Englishman smartly serves it full and outside off, Ashwin doesn't get the desired line and hence just at the last moment he keeps it out on the off side for one.
Chris Woakes to Ravichandran Ashwin. FOUR! The Punjab skipper continues to play delightful shots. Makes space by moving towards leg, receives a shortish delivery on the up and lofts it nonchalantly over extra cover for a boundary.
Chris Woakes to Ravichandran Ashwin. Play and a miss! Woakes bowls it full and wide outside off, Ashwin runs down the track and then tries to put bat on ball. Fails to do so.
Chris Woakes to Andrew Tye. Slower delivery, on the shorter side around middle and Tye pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Chris Woakes is back on.
Umesh Yadav to Andrew Tye. Hangs on the back leg and connects with this shortish delivery this time. Good placement too through mid-wicket and Mandeep does well to stop it before the rope. They take a couple. The fielder releases his throw towards the bowler's end where Kohli fails to back it up and they steal another run.
Umesh Yadav to Andrew Tye. A well-targeted short delivery, Tye tries to pull it but fails to connect.
Umesh Yadav to Ravichandran Ashwin. Once again a delivery which stops a bit on the batsman. Ashwin hits it aerially but safely down to long on for a run.
Umesh Yadav to Ravichandran Ashwin. An uppish shot on this occasion as Ashwin is early into the shot. It goes right through the gap at covers and it's good enough to fetch them a couple.
Umesh Yadav to Andrew Tye. Another off pace delivery, shortish and outside off, Tye punches it off his back foot through covers for a run.
Umesh Yadav to Ravichandran Ashwin. Back of a length delivery on middle, a slower one, Ashwin goes back and works it wide of mid on for a run.
Strategic break. A flurry of wickets after the partnership between Nair and Rahul has pushed Punjab on the back foot. Washington Sundar was very instrumental with his excellent spell. The visitors still are going at a decent rate but don't have any power hitter left in the ranks. Let's see how they finish. Umesh Yadav has returned in the attack.
Washington Sundar to Ravichandran Ashwin. Loopy and outside off, Ashwin drives it through cover-point and collects another run. 5 from the over, 4-0-22-2 for Sundar tonight! Great spell.
Washington Sundar to Andrew Tye. Flighted and on middle, whipped down to wide long on for a run.
Washington Sundar to Ravichandran Ashwin. Played to the point region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Washington Sundar to Ravichandran Ashwin. Quicker one on off, Ashwin defends it off his front foot.
Washington Sundar to Andrew Tye. Goes hard at a full ball and swings it over mid-wicket. A single taken again.
Washington Sundar to Ravichandran Ashwin. Gets on the front foot and knocks it down to long on for a run.
Andrew Tye is the new batsman.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Axar Patel. OUT! Axar is a dead duck! What a waste of a review! Khejroliya spears in a full length ball around off, angling in, Axar is probably beaten for pace as he tries to flick. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal and the finger goes up almost immediately. That looked plumb in the first go but still Patel goes for the review. Three reds! No inside edge. Axar has to walk back.
DRS time once again. Axar Patel has taken it this time after being given out lbw. He looks plumb to the naked eye, to be honest. Only an inside edge can save him. Let's see...
Kulwant Khejroliya to Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin gets on the front foot again and drives it down to long on for a run.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Ravichandran Ashwin. FOUR! Glorious! Once again look at the timing and placement. Ashwin just strides forward and hits a length delivery on the up. Elegant timing and it speeds through covers for a boundary.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Axar Patel. On a length around off, Axar forces it down to long on for one.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Ravichandran Ashwin. Presses forward to play it straight but gets it away off the inside edge to fine leg. A single.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Ravichandran Ashwin. FOUR! Shot! Ashwin is known for timing his shots. Doesn't try to go hard at a short ball, just shuffles across and eases it wide of square leg for a boundary.
Washington Sundar to Ravichandran Ashwin. Flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket where de Villiers misfields and they steal a single. The South African however recovered quickly to have a shy at the bowler's end but misses. 9 runs and a wicket from the over!
Washington Sundar to Ravichandran Ashwin. Floated on middle, defended on the leg side.
Ravichandran Ashwin is the new batsman.
Washington Sundar to Marcus Stoinis. OUT! Stumped! A neat one by Quinton de Kock. Sundar is doing an excellent job for his skipper. He is usually seen doing the containing job with the ball but today he is bowling in the middle overs and expectations would have been about wickets from him. He is doing his job in the best possible way. Stoinis here once again gives the charge and aims to go big down the ground. But Sundar is quicker through the air this time and that brings the downfall of the Aussie. He fails to put bat to ball and de Kock takes no time in taking off the bails. Punjab continue to slip in their innings.
Washington Sundar to Marcus Stoinis. SIX! Clean hit! Stoinis gives the charge this time, fetches a full ball from outside off and goes through with his shot. Makes fine connection and it sails into the stand at long off.
Washington Sundar to Axar Patel. Driven towards the mid off region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Washington Sundar to Marcus Stoinis. Not out! It's missing leg. Sundar delivers it very full around middle and leg, Stoinis tries to sweep it across the line but misses. They appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. De Kock is convinced that it's hitting the stumps and hence Kohli goes for the referral. The replays roll in and it finds that the ball would have missed the stumps. Bangalore lose their review. Meanwhile, a leg bye has been added to the total as the batsmen crossed.
DRS time! A shout for an lbw is not given by the umpire and Quinton de Kock has convinced his skipper to take the referral.
Axar Patel walks in next.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Karun Nair. OUT! Karun Nair has been sent packing as well. Two wickets in two overs, that too of set batsmen, Bangalore are back on top once again. Another back of a length delivery by Khejroliya. He lands it around middle and it skids through after pitching. Nair hangs back to heave it over the leg side but fails to make any connection. It sneaks through to light the stumps. Big blow to Punjab, this.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Marcus Stoinis. Aerial but just short of deep square leg. Shortish and on middle, Stoinis swings it over the leg side, fails to middle it and it lands just in front of Mandeep Singh in the deep. A run taken.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Karun Nair. A delivery drifting down the leg side, Nair helps it through square leg and collects another run.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Marcus Stoinis. Keeps his length very full and the Aussie plays it across through square leg for one.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Karun Nair. Walks forward to a full ball and nudges it to the off side for a run.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Karun Nair. Beaten! Back of a length delivery around off, Nair tries to work it round the corner but it skids through to beat his bat and hit him on the body.
Kulwant Khejroliya is back on.
Washington Sundar to Marcus Stoinis. Stays back to a flatter delivery and keeps it out to covers. End of another impressive over by Sundar, 4 runs and a big wicket from it.
Washington Sundar to Karun Nair. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Washington Sundar to Marcus Stoinis. Uses his feet and sends it down to long on for one.
Washington Sundar to Marcus Stoinis. Goes on the back foot to a shortish ball and punches it square of the wicket on the off side for two.
Washington Sundar to Marcus Stoinis. Walks down to the pitch of the delivery and defends it back.
Marcus Stoinis arrives in the middle.
Washington Sundar to Lokesh Rahul. OUT! KL Rahul departs. Poor guy misses out on a fifty today. Sundar with the breakthrough. KL tries playing the attacking shot as he swings his blade to heave it over the leg side. Sundar though has smartly pushed this one quicker through the air and it catches the top edge. Balloons in the air and Sarfaraz Khan settles underneath it at short third man. A big breakthrough for Bangalore as Rahul was looking in great touch. End of a 58-run stand too, Punjab would have hoped for more though. Anyway, this partnership has steadied the ship after a flurry of wickets inside the Powerplay.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. Big spin on this occasion for Chahal. Gets his leg spinner going from around middle, curling away, Nair rocks back and then lets it be. 10 from the over!
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. FOUR! Terrific shot! A flighted delivery, landing very full outside off, Nair brings out the reverse-batted shot and nails it wide of short third man. There was a certain amount of swag in that shot, Karun didn't even bother to run there. Knew he has played it to perfection.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. Eases a full ball down to long on for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. A miscued shot but it's safe! Rahul uses his feet to go inside out over covers but it turns a shade more to take the outside half of the blade. KL ends up slicing it over cover-point for a couple of runs.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. In the air, just short! Once again Nair is down on one knee with the slog sweep and doesn't bother to keep it down. It goes on one drop to the fielder at deep square leg and they take one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. Loopy and outside off, Nair kneels and sweeps it against the turn through square leg for a couple of runs. 50-run stand comes up!
Washington Sundar to Karun Nair. Flighted and on off, pushed to long off for a run. Good start for Sundar!
Washington Sundar to Karun Nair. Edgy! Flatter and quicker on off, Nair swings his bat across the line and gets it away off the outside edge. It rolls to short third man.
Washington Sundar to Lokesh Rahul. Knocks a full ball down through mid off for a run.
Washington Sundar to Karun Nair. Well fielded, de Villiers! Tossed up ball on middle, Nair takes a step down the track and whips it through mid-wicket. It races through and so does AB de Villiers from long on. He reaches the ball in a flash, puts in a slide and saves three runs for his side. What an athlete he is! His batting often overshadows the fact that he is an exceptional fielder.
Washington Sundar to Lokesh Rahul. Quicker through the air this time, it's full and fired on middle, Rahul helps it through square leg for a run.
Washington Sundar to Karun Nair. Straightaway Nair gives the charge and lofts a full ball over the bowler's head for a single.
Washington Sundar to have a go with the ball. A bit strange. He's normally used in the Powerplay. Not the case this evening.
Strategic break taken.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! A good over is ruined. Straighter and quicker on middle, Rahul gets forward and across before paddling it fine down the leg side. The keeper is beaten, so is the short fine leg fielder and it will be a boundary.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. Another run. Punched off the back foot to the right of wide long on.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. Quite slow through the air and turning away from around off, Rahul pushes it into the off side.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. Tossed up outside leg, spins as Rahul makes a little room. Comfortably punches it down to long on and crosses over.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. Drags the length back this time, Nair camps back and wristily plays it to long on for one.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. Fuller and straighter on middle and leg, easily worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. Wrists this length ball down the ground to long on and will keep strike with a single.
Chris Woakes to Karun Nair. Full and on middle and leg, flicked away through to deep mid-wicket for one run.
Chris Woakes to Karun Nair. Two runs taken. Whipped away through the vacant spaces in the mid-wicket area. The batsmen run well between the wickets.
Chris Woakes to Karun Nair. Wide! Down the leg side, the batsman tries to flick but misses.
Chris Woakes to Karun Nair. FOUR! Really well done. A confidence shot, that. Bumper from Woakes, Nair arches back and at the last moment, plays the ramp shot. Over the keeper's head and past the third man fielder for a boundary.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. Outside off, cuts it away nicely along the ground through point. One run taken.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. Length ball, tight line from Woakes. Keeps it quite close to off and doesn't allow room as Rahul can only play it back to him.
Chris Woakes will roll his arm over again.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. Works it away on the leg side, against the spin, for an easy single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! That's gone flat! Dropped short and on the pads, no way Rahul misses out on this. He pulls it over square leg for a maximum. There was a fielder positioned out there, but he could only watch it go over him. KL is in ominous form.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. Quicker through the air on this occasion, Rahul goes back and whips it through mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep takes a while to get to the ball, so the batsmen take two.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Karun Nair. Nice flight on this. Some air on this, landed on a driving length, Karun Nair plants his front foot forward and pushes it to long off for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. Slower through the air, on middle and leg, worked off the inner half through mid-wicket for a single.
Yuzvendra Chahal to Lokesh Rahul. Tossed up on middle and leg, Rahul comes down the track and looks to hammer it over the bowler's head, but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Yuzvendra Chahal is introduced into the bowling attack.
Umesh Yadav to Karun Nair. Takes the pace off this and bowls a slower yorker on middle, Nair opens his body up slightly and pushes it towards the covers.
Umesh Yadav to Lokesh Rahul. Quick single taken. Rahul taps this down in front of point scampers across to complete the run. The 50 is up for Punjab with that.
Umesh Yadav to Lokesh Rahul. On the shorter side of the length, close to off, Rahul off the outer half plays it square on the off side.
Umesh Yadav to Lokesh Rahul. Short and wide outside off, Rahul swings and Rahul misses. He'll feel he's missed out.
Umesh Yadav to Karun Nair. Dabs this short of a length delivery to the left of backward point and a quick single is taken.
Umesh Yadav to Karun Nair. Doles out a full ball, attacks the stumps, Karun Nair drives it towards mid on. Straight to the fielder.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Karun Nair. Shaping away from outside off, it's run down to third man for a single.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Karun Nair. The batsman defends it from within the crease.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Karun Nair. FOUR! Exquisite! Full and just around off, Nair offers the full face of the bat and drives it past mid off for a boundary.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Lokesh Rahul. Quite full, outside off, driven towards mid off for a single.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Lokesh Rahul. Back of a length on the stumps, blocked off the back foot.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Whether wickets fall or not, it doesn't matter to him. He's going to continue with his shots. Short ball, Rahul moves a little inside the line and then pulls it over fine leg for a maximum.
Karun Nair is the next batsman in.
Umesh Yadav to Yuvraj Singh. OUT! BOWLED 'EM! Third of the game for Umesh Yadav. He's rattled the Punjab top order all on his own. What a ripper to dismiss Yuvraj Singh. Comes from around the wicket and angles in a length delivery on middle and off, Yuvraj looks to defend with minimal foot movement and misses. It goes off the pads and the stumps behind are shattered. Ooooffff... As if it wasn't already hot out there. Punjab in some trouble now.
Umesh Yadav to Yuvraj Singh. FOUR! It's just over the fielder. Had he been behind on the rope, would have been an easy catch. Short ball angling in, Yuvraj pulls it just over Sarfaraz Khan at deep backward square leg for a boundary.
Umesh Yadav to Yuvraj Singh. Length delivery on the stumps, kept out from within the crease.
Umesh Yadav to Yuvraj Singh. Full delivery outside off, Yuvraj takes a big lunge forward and drives it to short cover. No hat-trick for Yadav.
Yuvraj Singh is the next batsman to come out and he will face the hat-trick ball.
Umesh Yadav to Aaron Finch. OUT! Finch is gone! Big, big wicket for the home side. Umesh Yadav is on fire. And on a hat-trick too. Comes steaming in and angles in a back of a length delivery on middle and leg. The pace is too much and it does Finch in. His defense is beaten and the Aussie is rapped on the pads. Loud appeal and the finger goes up. Aaron takes the review, thinking the height will save him. But the replays crush his hopes. It's clipping the stumps, so the on-field call will stay.
Review taken. Umesh Yadav has caught Aaron Finch leg before and the umpire has given it out. Finch reviews after speaking with his partner. Height is the only thing that can save him. Could be high. Let's see...
Aaron Finch walks into the middle next. He's just returned after his marriage. The Aussie will be pumped to make a difference tonight.
Umesh Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. OUT! Edged and taken! Umesh Yadav gets the first breakthrough and the Bengaluru crowd erupts. Full ball on off, it moves away ever so slightly late and that does the trick. Agarwal looks to trash this down the ground but gets an edge, which Quinton de Kock behind the stumps takes superbly with a full stretch dive to his right.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Mayank Agarwal. Good attempt from Sarfaraz Khan! It fell painfully short... literally. Short on the body, Agarwal rises on his toes and pulls it over square leg. Khan out in the deep runs inside and then dives forward to take it, but it falls just short. In the process, he hurts his finger and looks to be down in pain. Single taken.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Mayank Agarwal. Slants a back of a length ball across, outside off, Mayank taps this down with an open face but can't get it past backward point.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Lokesh Rahul. Serves a length ball on leg, it zips off the deck a touch. Rahul tries to work it away on the leg side but misses and it goes off his thigh pad. Towards backward square leg and a leg bye is taken.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Mayank Agarwal. Full and just outside off, driven just wide of mid off for a brisk run.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Poor ball after a good start. The ground is anyway small, the runs are going to come off the bat as it is, no need to give freebies like this. Short ball down the leg side, Agarwal just has to tickle it fine to send it across the fine leg fence.
Kulwant Khejroliya to Mayank Agarwal. Length ball attacking the stumps, the batsman moves inside the line and works it to mid-wicket.
Kulwant Khejroliya is brought on to bowl.
Umesh Yadav to Lokesh Rahul. Another good over from Punjab. Umesh comes back relatively well after that hit on the first ball. Length ball around off, it's tapped into the off side.
Umesh Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. Full ball tailing back in, easily flicked away through square leg for one.
Umesh Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Beautiful! Too full, too straight and Umesh Yadav pays the price. Mayank Agarwal stays leg side and drives it hard past the bowler for a boundary.
Umesh Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. Touch short in length again, Mayank gets behind the line with a step across and pushes it towards mid on. Wants a quick single but decides against it.
Umesh Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. Just behind a length, around the off stump, Agarwal defends from the back foot towards mid on.
Umesh Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Raining boundaries at the Chinnaswamy already. Short ball, Agarwal swivels and just helps the pull over backward square leg. Times it well, over the infield and away to the boundary line. Super shot.
Umesh Yadav to bowl from the other end.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Boundary to end the over. 16 runs off it. Blazing start for Punjab. Rahul doing it again. He just works this shortish length ball past short fine leg and finds the fence with ease.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. Bangs in on a back of a length on off, he rises on his toes and taps it down with soft hands.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Two in two for KL. He's beginning like he did in the last game. Wasting no time at all. Straighter in line, length delivery on middle, Rahul stylishly flicks it high and mighty over mid-wicket for half a dozen. On a roll here.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Shot! It's gone all the way! Delicious hit from KL Rahul. It's on a length outside off, he has room to free his arms and so, he stands tall and smacks it over covers for a maximum.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. Lovely shape on that. On a good length, in the channel outside off, Rahul doesn't move his feet much and defends it right beside him on the off side.
Chris Woakes to Lokesh Rahul. Starts off with a fuller length delivery outside off, Rahul comes forward and defends it down in front of cover.
We're all set to get underway! Out come the openers, KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. The former is fresh from a scintillating knock in the first match where he stroked the fastest fifty in the League. Would love to perform against his previous team and make a statement. Chris Woakes to kickoff proceedings for the home team. Great crowd has come in, the atmosphere is electric. Let's play...
Ravichandran Ashwin says it's important to take it as it comes. Wants to put a good total on the board and then backs his bowling unit to defend it. States there's one change as Aaron Finch comes in for David Miller.
Virat Kohli says the pitch looks good as they had a few practice sessions here and feels chasing will be good. Mentions there are no changes in his team from the previous game.
TOSS - Bangalore win the toss and elect to field first!
PITCH REPORT - Michael Slater, reporting about the pitch, spots a good grass covering on the surface and states that the carry (to the keeper) will be good. Puts the stats in front that the average score batting first in the last season was a touch lower than the seasons before that. He says that Virat Kohli's absence at the beginning of the last season could be a reason for that. He ends reckoning that the bowlers could also be hopeful of some assistance if they land it in the right areas.
Hello, folks. We are all set for Match 8 of the Indian T20 League and Bangalore get ready to host Punjab at the M.Chinnaswamy Stadium. The hosts suffered a defeat in their opening encounter against Kolkata and that game in a way once again exposed their perennial issue - bowling. They return to the home comfort now and will hope to get their act together in front of their supporters. The visiting team, on the flip side, will be ecstatic after winning their first game comprehensively and would like to make winning a habit, something they have failed to achieve in the past. We are expecting a high-scoring humdinger, stay with us for all the action.
Done and dusted with this match. Super Saturday will bring a doubleheader your way. First up, Mumbai will be hosting Delhi at 1600 IST and then later in the evening at 2000 IST, Kolkata will lock horns with Hyderabad at Eden Gardens. We look forward to your company. Until then, it's goodbye and cheers!
Umesh Yadav is chosen for the Man of the Match award. His three wickets in one over certainly broke Punjab's batting and they never really recovered after the initial blows. The speedster will be pleased with his performance tonight and would like to continue with his fine form.
A defeat tonight but Punjab will not be too disappointed. They fought hard and took this game to the last over. Mujeeb Ur Rahman was impressive once again while the other spinners also did an effective job. Eventually, it was a case of not having much on the board. Something to ponder upon for them. Their batting which looked quite strong after the first game left them with a few questions tonight. Still, there is no need to press the panic button.
Ravichandran Ashwin's double blow in one over did give hopes to Punjab but AB de Villiers' presence in the middle made it tough for them to run through. The African star threaded another crucial stand with Mandeep Singh and also went on to score a sublime half-century. He though didn't last the distance, his knock made sure that Bangalore crossed the line safely.
Bangalore are off the mark! They have registered a rather easy win in the end to open their account. Their chase started on a sorry note as they lost Brendon McCullum off the second ball of the chase. Virat Kohli and Quinton de Kock then built a little partnership to take it forward but Mujeeb's magical delivery breached the defense of Bangalore skipper and Punjab sniffed a chance. However, the partnership between the South African pair, de Kock and de Villiers, kept the home team afloat.
Mohit Sharma to Washington Sundar. FOUR! BANGALORE WIN BY 4 WICKETS! A glorious cover drive to seal the deal. Mohit serves it full and wide outside off, Sundar reaches out for it and strokes it sweetly through covers for a boundary. Smiles return in the Bangalore camp as they taste their first success this season.
Ashwin very close there at mid on. Looking for a run out maybe. The batsman pulls out here as the bowler was about to bowl. The square leg umpire spots that the fielders were still moving. Hmm...reload.
Mohit Sharma to Washington Sundar. A slower delivery, landing on a length and outside off, Sundar throws his bat at it but fails to make any sort of connection. Looks at the umpire but it's not given a wide. Well inside the tramline.
Mohit Sharma to Washington Sundar. FOUR! This should do! Mohit is on the shorter side outside off, Sundar tries to slap it square of the wicket on the off side but it takes the outside edge and flies down to third man for a boundary. Just 1 more needed.
5 needed off 6 balls. Mohit Sharma to bowl it. Can he deny Bangalore a win?
Andrew Tye to Chris Woakes. Skiddy delivery, outside off on a length, Woakes flashes and misses. Excellent over, this. 4 runs and a couple of big wickets in it.
Andrew Tye to Washington Sundar. Shortish and on off, tapped down to covers for a run.
Washington Sundar is in next.
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. OUT! Not even in the picture! Mandeep is also out of here. Is there some twist in this game? Short in length and around off, Mandeep powers it across the line through mid-wicket and eyes the second run. Mayank Dagar (sub) is quickly to the ball and fires in an accurate throw to the keeper. KL Rahul makes no mistake in taking the bails off as Singh dives in. The decision is taken upstairs and the replay shows that Mandeep is well short.
Appeal for a run out, taken upstairs. Looks out. Let's see...
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. Goes for the yorker probably but ends up serving a pacey full toss on middle, Mandeep flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a couple.
Andrew Tye to Chris Woakes. A slower delivery on middle, Woakes helps it to mid-wicket and crosses.
Chris Woakes is the new batsman.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. OUT! Against the run of play, there is a wicket. All too late? Tye delivers a short ball outside off, de Villiers hangs back to whack it over point but fails to give it the full whack of his bat. Ends up giving a simple catching practice to Karun Nair at deep cover-point. 10 needed off 11 balls. The game more or so is in Bangalore's bag and they will hope that the batsmen remaining will do the job.
Andrew Tye to bowl.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. Good delivery, finally. Close to the blockhole, de Villiers digs it out in front of square leg for a run. 12 from the over, 10 needed off 12 balls.
Mohit Sharma to Mandeep Singh. Slower ball, Mandeep tries to heave but fails to middle. It goes off the inside half and rolls through square leg for a single.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. Fullish and outside off, hit down to long off for a single.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. A slower delivery, on a length and outside off, de Villiers shuffles across and smacks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. SIX! Out of here! AB wants to end it quickly now. He strides forward to a length ball and hammers it over the bowler's head for a monstrous biggie. Brings up his fifty in some style, 23rd in this League. Bangalore motoring! New ball please...
Mohit Sharma to Mandeep Singh. Too full and wide outside off, Mandeep squeezes it through covers for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to AB de Villiers. SIX! That's colossal! Mujeeb errs and drops a short delivery on off, AB camps back and hoists it handsomely over long on for a maximum. 19 from the over, 22 needed off 18 balls. This game has tilted in favour of Bangalore.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to AB de Villiers. SIX! A mishit but it has still gone all the way! Flighted full ball around off, de Villiers probably tries to hit it across the line but it takes the top half of the bat and flies over wide long off for a biggie.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mandeep Singh. Forces a full ball back towards the bowler who collides a bit with the non-striker and it goes through. They cross for a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mandeep Singh. FOUR! Excellent shot by Mandeep! He picks the shorter delivery early and immediately goes deep inside the crease to make room for the swing of his bat. Makes rocking connection with his pull shot and fetches a boundary at deep mid-wicket.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to AB de Villiers. Once again it's flatter and shorter outside off, de Villiers rocks back and rockets it over extra cover. Goes safely to the fielder in the deep and they cross.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Mandeep Singh. Flatter and shorter outside off, Mandeep punches it to extra cover and scampers across for a quick single. A good accurate throw, the keeper breaks the stumps but AB was safely in by then.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl his last over. 1 for 10 so far from him. Can he finish on a high?
Strategic break. 41 needed off 24 balls. One name standing in between Punjab and win - AB de Villiers. Get him and this game in all likelihood will be yours. That's easier said than done. We are in for another close finish.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. In the air...safe! Fails to time it neatly. A length ball outside off, AB hits it aerially over extra cover and it falls safely in the deep. They take two runs. The second could have been tight had the throw been a little better.
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. Fullish and on middle, Mandeep drills it to long on for a run.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. Sliding down the leg side, de Villiers tries to flick but misses. It goes off his pads and Rahul runs across to his left to stop it with a dive. Cannot prevent the leg bye.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. Misses out on a full toss. It's wide outside off, AB chases this but only manages to dig it out back to the bowler.
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. Slower short ball has been pulled across the line. Finds the gap and a single is taken.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. Full and outside off, de Villiers walks forward and strokes it through point for a run.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. A low full toss on middle, de Villiers hits it firmly to long on for a single.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. FOUR! What were the fielders doing? De Villiers has fired a full ball through mid-wicket and it races away. Karun Nair from deep mid-wicket moves across to his right, Marcus Stoinis runs across to his left from deep square leg, both leave it for each other and the ball happily goes on to meet the fence. Poor, very poor. Not accepted at this level.
Mohit Sharma to Mandeep Singh. Slower delivery, on the shorter side around middle, Mandeep pulls it in front of square leg for a run.
Mohit Sharma to Mandeep Singh. A length ball around off, too close to cut but Mandeep still tries do so and gets a bottom edge.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. Once again de Villiers walks across the stumps to a fuller length ball and forces it down to long on for a single.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. Well stopped in the deep! A low full toss outside off, AB shuffles across the stumps and drills it down the ground towards long on. Mayank Agarwal makes a nice sliding stop and parries it to Aaron Finch (coming in from long on). The Aussie sends the ball back in play and they collect a couple.
Mohit Sharma is back into the attack.
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. Soft hands. A length ball on middle, Mandeep plays it gently towards mid-wicket and straightaway calls for two. The bowler runs after it but cannot prevent the second run. Well done.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. Shouts of catch it, doesn't carry, doesn't go for a boundary either. Full and on middle, AB lofts it over mid on for a single.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. Slower one this time, a bit short and outside off, AB is deceived and mistimes his punch to mid off.
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. Lands it on a length and outside off, Mandeep pushes it through covers and collects a single.
Andrew Tye to AB de Villiers. Full again, around off, de Villiers drives it nicely down to long off for a single. He is timing his shots very well.
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. Fuller and angling into the batsman, Singh is on the front foot as he nudges it down to long on for a single.
Andrew Tye to Mandeep Singh. Wide! Not a good start. Tye slips a length ball down the leg side, Mandeep lets it go to the keeper.
Andrew Tye is back on.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Short and outside off, cut straight to point to end the over.
Axar Patel to Mandeep Singh. Goes back and punches it with the spin to sweeper cover for one.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Driven towards the mid off region. One run added to the total.
Axar Patel to Mandeep Singh. The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. One run added to the total.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Patel keeps it flat and quick, around off, de Villiers drives it through covers for a run.
Axar Patel to Mandeep Singh. Shortish and fired on middle, hit firmly through mid-wicket for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to AB de Villiers. Flatter and going down, de Villiers helps it off his pads to short fine leg.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mandeep Singh. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Mandeep Singh. No hat-trick! Fourth time in two days that a bowler has been denied a hat-trick. A leg spinner attempted by Ashwin but it's too full and on off, Mandeep pushes it back safely.
Mandeep Singh to face the hat-trick ball.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Sarfaraz Khan. OUT! Ashwin did it with the bat, Ashwin is doing it with the ball. An inspirational skipper is on a hat-trick. A flighted delivery around off, not spinning much, Sarfraz plays inside the line and tries to guide it down but ends up handing a straightforward catch to Nair at first slip. He shows great reflexes as he snaps a good low catch and straightaway runs in joy. The crowd has gone silent. It can sense the opposition team clawing its way back in the match.
Sarfaraz Khan arrives in the middle.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. OUT! Bowled 'em! Ashwin finally gets his man. He keeps bowling quicker and flatter through the air and this time it has breached de Kock's defense. De Kock is down the track, tries to keep it out but fails. It goes right through to disturb the stumps. A big wicket for Punjab, they have broken a dangerous-looking partnership which threatened to run away with the game.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Skidding down the leg side, de Kock fails to get it away off his pads.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Quicker full outside off, driven towards covers.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. In the air...three fielders converge but it falls safely right in the middle of them. A tossed up ball outside off, de Kock gets down on one knee to slog it across the line but gets a big fat top edge. It loops in the air towards mid off, the bowler runs after it, so does the extra cover fielder, the long off fielder has also sped forward but the ball lands safely. Quinton riding his luck. A single taken.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Neatly placed this time. Axar continues to fire it in. Lands it around middle and de Kock reverse sweeps it wide of short third man for a boundary.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. A conventional sweep this time, finds the gap through backward square leg for a couple.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. Flatter and on off, de Kock plays the reverse sweep but finds short third man.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Stays on the back foot and punches it down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. On the pads and de Kock nudges it straight to short fine leg. 12 from the over!
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Another boundary in the over. Ashwin bowls this one with a round-arm action, it's slower through the air but lands full around middle and leg. De Kock kneels and sweeps it past Yuvraj at short fine leg.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Quicker one again, around middle and leg, de Kock helps it off his pads to square leg.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. SIX! That's a clean strike! Ashwin bowls it quicker through the air and fires it full on middle, Quinton shimmies down the track and dispatches it over long off for a biggie.
Ravichandran Ashwin to AB de Villiers. Flighted and on middle, AB this time eases it through mid-wicket to rotate the strike.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up ball on middle, easily worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin is back into the attack.
Strategic break time. 89 needed off 66 balls and Bangalore will feel they have the game in their hand in spite of losing two wickets. The current pair holds the key though for them. Punjab will know that if they get rid of AB de Villiers immediately after this break, they will have a chance.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Tossed up ball outside off, defended off the front foot to end the over. Just 3 from the over.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Presses forward and defends it back towards the bowler.
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Safe! A run out isn't too far away when de Villiers is in the middle. He drives a full ball through covers and rushes back for the second run. It's a direct hit at the bowler's end. The umpire goes upstairs but the replays find that de Kock was well safe there.
Appeal for a run out! Taken upstairs...
Axar Patel to AB de Villiers. Short and on off, de Villiers plays a cracking square cut but finds the fielder.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. NOT OUT! Umpire's call! A nicely tossed up delivery, landing full around off and spinning back in, de Kock takes his front leg forward and tries to flick it on the leg side. But he is beaten by the spin and gets hit on the front pad. They appeal but the umpire shows no interest. Ashwin consults his keeper before going for the DRS. The replays roll in and they find the impact to be slightly outside off. Punjab don't lose a review though.
Appeal for an lbw. Not given and Ashwin takes the referral after consulting his keeper.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. Almost strikes first ball yet again. Fires in a quicker delivery, around leg, de Kock moves back to work it on the leg side but gets a soft leading edge. It nearly carries back to the bowler.
Axar Patel is back on.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. FOUR! Blazed away! Mohit is on the shorter side outside off, AB rocks back and pummels it through covers. There is a fielder in the deep but he had no chance of cutting it off. That was ferociously struck!
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. On a length around off, angling in, AB plays from the back foot to mid-wicket.
Mohit Sharma to Quinton de Kock. Nicely done. De Kock plays it from the back foot to covers and steals a single.
Mohit Sharma to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Easy pickings! Wrong line by Mohit. He has fine leg up and bowls a shortish delivery around leg, de Kock turns and smashes it towards Yuvraj at short fine leg who misfields and lets it through to the boundary. Aging Yuvi was late in getting down there.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. Good length delivery on middle, de Villiers punches it down the ground to long on for a run.
Mohit Sharma to AB de Villiers. SIX! AB has welcomed Mohit in grand style. A short delivery around off, de Villiers quickly rides the bounce and dismisses it over mid-wicket for a maximum. Pressure immediately on the bowler.
Mohit Sharma to operate now.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to AB de Villiers. Uses his feet this time to smother the spin and forces it down to long off for a run.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to AB de Villiers. Big spin this time, from around off, de Villiers goes very deep inside the crease and keeps it out at the last moment towards covers.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. This time finds the gap past the mid-wicket fielder and collects a single.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up ball on middle, turned on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Cracking shot! Flighted full delivery landing outside off, de Kock skips down the track and whips it across the line through mid-wicket for a cracking boundary. Not sure he picked the variation there but had the spin properly covered.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to AB de Villiers. Flighted and full on middle, de Villiers is in no rush and easily works it down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to AB de Villiers. Bowls it full and on middle, AB eases it down to long on and keeps strike. 41/2 in the Powerplay!
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Fires in a flatter ball on middle and leg, de Kock helps it in front of square leg and crosses.
Ravichandran Ashwin to AB de Villiers. Knocks a full ball calmly down to long on for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Gets on the front foot and drives it through mid off for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Once again the line is around leg as it lands full, Quinton advances down the track and flicks it over mid-wicket for a boundary. Good use of the feet.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Flatter and quicker around leg, skidding in, de Kock tries to work it on the leg side but misses.
Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl the last over of the Powerplay.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to AB de Villiers. Pushes this one quicker through the air, around middle and de Villiers helps it to mid-wicket. Excellent over, just one run off it and a massive wicket.
In walks AB de Villiers. A slip in place.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Virat Kohli. OUT! Gone right through Kohli to rattle the stumps. Mujeeb is up and running in celebration. This must be the most prized wicket of his career so far. He has hunted down the big fish with a clever off spinning delivery. Lands it full and outside off, Kohli gets forward to drive it through the line without accounting for the spin and it sneaks past his blade to disturb the stumps. Body blow to Bangalore, 123 more needed off 91 balls.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Virat Kohli. Once again Kohli stays back footed and keeps a shortish ball out towards mid-wicket.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Virat Kohli. Gets on the back foot and plays it down to point.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. That's an interesting shot! A tossed up ball landing full on middle, de Kock gets down on one knee and spoons it over the keeper. So much work for a run.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up ball outside off, de Kock sweeps it nicely but finds the short fine leg fielder.
Andrew Tye to Virat Kohli. Angles in a full ball on middle, Kohli plays it down towards mid on. De Kock was interested in a run but was sent back.
Andrew Tye to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Kohli is not holding back here! A length delivery outside off, Virat strides forward and drives it on the up. Places it to perfection through extra cover and earns himself a boundary.
Andrew Tye to Quinton de Kock. Fullish and on middle, de Kock plays a nice looking straight drive which is cut off by the mid off fielder. They cross for a run in the meantime.
Andrew Tye to Virat Kohli. Keeps it short and on middle, Kohli helps it away in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.
Andrew Tye to Virat Kohli. Bowls it straight and on a length, Kohli defends it off his back foot.
Andrew Tye to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Tye is welcomed with a boundary. Not an ideal line first up, it's short and also sliding down the leg side. Kohli stands back and puts it away to the fine leg fence.
Pacer time! Andrew Tye is introduced into the attack.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. Quicker through the air, lands it on middle, de Kock defends it off his back foot.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Virat Kohli. Strays on the pads again, Kohli works it to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. Skidding down the leg side, de Kock fails to work it off his pads. They collect a leg bye.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. Gets back to play the cut but is cramped a bit. Only manages to keep it out on the off side. Another dot ball.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Quinton de Kock. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to Virat Kohli. A flick of the finger by Mujeeb as he serves a full delivery outside off, Kohli eases it off his front foot to long off for a run.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman to bowl now. Spin after spin after spin. Ashwin is in no mood to feed the batsmen pace.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. A front foot defensive shot by Quinton to end the over.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Nicely done! Ashwin gives this one air again but lands it too full outside off, de Kock strides forward and drives it crisply through covers.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Quinton de Kock. Tossed up this time, full and around off, de Kock defends it off his front foot. A slip is there for any edge.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Virat Kohli. Quicker and flatter on middle, punched down to long on for one.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Virat Kohli. Flatter and on middle, pushed off the back foot to mid-wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Virat Kohli. FOUR! A dropped catch there, but too harsh to call it so. Ashwin serves a flighted ball around off, Kohli decides to play a late cut but it takes the outside edge, goes quickly to Rahul who fails to grab it. The ball deflects off his gloves and races away to the third man fence.
Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl from the other end.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. FOUR! Not a good way to end the first over. Short in length and wide outside off. De Kock hangs back and cuts it fiercely though point for another boundary. 10 off the first over for Bangalore.
Axar Patel to Virat Kohli. This one is flicked away to the on side for a single.
Axar Patel to Virat Kohli. Flatter outside off, punched to covers.
Axar Patel to Virat Kohli. FOUR! Misfield! The home team skipper doesn't need such gifts. Drives it square on the off side. The ball rolls towards Mujeeb at point, who lets it through. Kohli opens his account with a boundary.
The Bangalore skipper, Virat Kohli strides out to the middle. He needs 51 more to get to 4500 runs in the Indian T20 League. Is this the innings? A SILLY POINT IN PLACE! Interesting captaincy from Ash.
Axar Patel to Brendon McCullum. OUT! Punjab are flying, already! The big-hitting (potentially) batter from the Kiwi land is outta here! Flatter delivery outside off, McCullum makes room and looks to slap it away over point. Ends up hitting it straight to Mujeeb at that position. He accepts it gleefully to start the celebrations. A blob for Brendon then.
Axar Patel to Quinton de Kock. Off the mark straightaway! Flatter delivery on middle and leg, worked away through square leg for one.
Back for the chase. Bang bang time? Brendon McCullum and Quinton de Kock are out with the blade. A required rate under 8 isn't too taxing these days. Axar Patel has the white rounded object in hand first up. One slip in place. Here we go...