Quickly
Socially
Trending
Crypto
KXIP beat CSK by 6 wickets | Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab, Highlights And Cricket Score 55th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: May 05, 2019 Start Time: 16:00 IST | 10:30 GMT | 16:00 LocalVenue: Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali
Google Trends
Chennai Super Kings vs Kings XI Punjab Highlights And Cricket Score 55th Match - T20 Commentary
Thus, 171 to win now for the hosts. They should have a really good chance of getting there if they bat well as conditions do get better under lights. The pitch getting slower could be the only hindrance with a lot of good spinners in the Chennai outfit. Should be a good contest, we will be back in a bit for the chase...
Faf du Plessis says that he is disappointed not to get a century but reckons it was a good delivery on which he got out. On the pitch, du Plessis replies that it's a good deck and feels that they are about par on this wicket, probably 10 runs short. Adds that they have got a good bowling attack to defend it and hitting a good line and length is the key. Praises Ravichandran Ashwin for bowling well and hopes that Chennai's spinners will also do the same. Smiles and states that the conditions are hot but still it's a lot better than Chennai.
Coming to the bowling, Ashwin and co. would feel they have done a tremendous job pulling back things. Sam Curran was the pick of the bowlers, snaring 3 wickets while the skipper Ashwin himself bowled a really economical spell. Shami returned at the death to bowl a brilliant final over. Tye and the other Ashwin had a poor day in the field. All in all, though, the hosts would not be too disappointed. Time for an interview...
After being inserted to bat, Chennai once again got to a sedate start and lost Watson pretty early. That though was the only success Punjab had for a long time after that as Raina and du Plessis in the middle added 120 runs for the second wicket. They both reached their fifties and the South African was the more aggressive of the two. Raina departed soon after making his half ton but Faf continued and departed eventually just 4 short of a ton. The final few batsmen who came in, including MS Dhoni could not do much.
Just 28 runs off the last 4 overs, including just 5 runs off the last one and Punjab have finished really strongly here! They will be heading into the break with momentum and have a great chance to chase down this total, which at one stage even they would have felt would be more than 200! Once du Plessis and Raina fell, none of the other batsmen could even find the rope and that means that Punjab surely are chasing something 15-20 less than what Chennai would have liked them to.
Mohammed Shami to MS Dhoni. Terrific yorker by Shami, Dhoni can only manage to push it down to long on and they take a couple of runs. The throw from the deep was very poor. What a last over by Shami, just 5 runs from it along with a couple of wickets. Chennai finish on 170/5!
False start for Mohammed Shami. He pulls out at the last moment.
Mohammed Shami to Dwayne Bravo. Shami follows the new batsman down the leg side with a good length ball, Bravo jumps and helps it in front of square leg to hand the strike back to Dhoni for the last ball.
Dwayne Bravo walks out to bat now.
Mohammed Shami to Kedar Jadhav. OUT! One more wicket in the over and Shami is doing a great job here. A 145.8 kph delivery, landing on a length around off, Jadhav gives himself room on the off side and tries to hit it through the line. But he is beaten in pace and the off stump takes a beating. 2 runs and 2 wickets so far from the over.
Mohammed Shami to MS Dhoni. Goes fuller to Dhoni on middle and MS only manages to whip it towards deep mid-wicket for just a run.
Kedar Jadhav walks out to bat now but it will be MS Dhoni on strike as the batsmen crossed ends as the catch was being taken.
Mohammed Shami to Ambati Rayudu. OUT! Rayudu holes out! Shami angles in a length ball on middle and leg, Rayudu heaves it across the line over mid-wicket but doesn't have enough power behind it to clear Mandeep Singh in the deep. It falls straight down his throat and Chennai lose their fourth wicket.
Mohammed Shami to MS Dhoni. Change of pace first up. Slow and short outside off, Dhoni moves back and hits it down to long off for a run.
Mohammed Shami to bowl the final over.
Sam Curran to MS Dhoni. Back of a length and aimed at Dhoni's ribs, MSD looks to pull but can only manage a glove towards the on side. A single is taken which means he will be on strike for the final over. Excellent stuff from Curran, 11 runs at this stage is not that bad. He finishes with figures of 4-0-35-3.
Sam Curran to Ambati Rayudu. Quick single! Wide yorker outside off, Rayudu looks to cut the ball but gets an under edge towards the keeper. Dhoni has charged down from the other end and completes the run easily even as Pooran fires a direct hit with an under arm throw.
Ambati Rayudu is the new batsman.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. OUT! Oh no! Du Plessis will not get to his 100. He is floored by a brilliant yorker and sees his bails come off while he is down on the ground. Curran spears one on the base of the South African skipper, Faf looks to flick it away but the ball gets him on the toes. It then goes on to hit the off stump. FdP departs on 96 and that remains Chennai's highest individual score this season, even Watson made 96 in one of the earlier games. This wicket was Curran's third. He has done really well this year.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. SIX! Moves to 96! That has flown! A short length ball on middle, du Plessis stands tall and hoicks it deep into the stands at deep mid-wicket.
Sam Curran to MS Dhoni. Short of a length on top of off, Dhoni pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a run. Good stuff in the deep to keep that down to a single.
Sam Curran to MS Dhoni. Really full on the pads, Dhoni flicks it away past short fine leg. Did not get that off the middle so will pick up two runs as deep square leg mops up.
Ravichandran Ashwin to MS Dhoni. Rocks on the back foot to a short ball and strokes it to sweeper cover for one. Another tidy over by Ashwin, he ends his spell now with excellent figures of 4-0-23-0.
Ravichandran Ashwin to MS Dhoni. Flighted and on off, MSD defends it back off his front foot.
Ravichandran Ashwin to MS Dhoni. Flighted and wide outside off, Dhoni reaches out for it and plays it straight to point.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Charges down the track and drives it through covers for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to MS Dhoni. Turns it with the spin on the leg side, finds the gap and runs across to the other end.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Flatter delivery, short and on middle, du Plessis moves back and punches it down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin comes back on now to bowl out.
Sam Curran to MS Dhoni. On the hips this time, Dhoni tucks it towards square leg. He declines the single as the ball goes straight to the fielder. 8 runs off the over and a wicket as well.
Sam Curran to MS Dhoni. Bouncer to welcome Dhoni! Just outside off, MS lets the ball go through to the keeper.
MS Dhoni arrives.
Sam Curran to Suresh Raina. OUT! Raina departs and that brings to an end the excellent partnership of 120! A short ball on middle and leg, Raina looks to pull it over short fine leg. The ball though is not timed too well and the catch is taken easily by Shami out there inside the ring. The stage has been set though and Raina has more than done his job here. Roars from the crowd at the end of the wicket, no prize for guessing why...
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. Shot! Equally good stop as well. A fuller length ball on middle, FdP whips it away to the right of long on where the fielder makes an excellent stop. Single taken. The 150 comes up!
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. SIX! What is that shot! A fuller length ball wide outside off, du Plessis reaches out and smacks it right back over the bowler's head. The sightscreen bears the brunt of that shot.
Sam Curran to Suresh Raina. Slower one on off, Raina looks to lift it over long on but fails to time it well. The ball goes on a few bounces to long on. Just a single to start off the over.
Sam Curran comes back on.
Andrew Tye to Suresh Raina. Bangs in a well-directed short ball, Raina tries to pull but fails to get much behind his shot. It rolls in the gap at mid-wicket and they cross. Back-to-back 18 runs over for Chennai, they are on the charge now!
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. Half-tracker once more, this one is pulled straight to Mandeep at deep mid-wicket for a run.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. Almost another boundary. Short and on middle, du Plessis pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket and it speeds through. Mandeep in the deep makes a sliding stop and then parries it to Curran who has come in from square leg. Only two results.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. SIX! This one disappears. Tye under tremendous pressure. He goes seam up this time but it's served on a length around middle, du Plessis makes room for the swing of his bat and dismisses it over wide long on.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Tye is not learning. He continues to drop it short in the batsman's half. This one is on middle and Faf powers his pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary. Great start to the over for Chennai.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Slapped away! A short delivery outside off, du Plessis skips down the track and clobbers it through extra cover for a cracking boundary.
Strategic break! This partnership between Raina and du Plessis has gone from strength to strength. It has set the stage for a grandstand finish and Punjab could end up chasing a really big total here by the looks of things. The hosts would hope that they can at least pick a few wickets to bring new batsmen to the middle. Also, Andrew Tye comes back on.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Driven through cover for a run. FdP keeps strike at the end of the 18-run over.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. SIX! This is even better! A flighted ball on leg, du Plessis runs down the track and also a bit to his left. He then gets under the ball and lifts it over long on. This is turning into a really expensive over from Murugan.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Second one of the over. Fuller on middle and leg, du Plessis runs down the track and hits the ball as straight as an arrow. The ball beats long on to the rope.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot through covers. One run added to the total.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Fifty for Raina! A gift to get there too. Shorter on middle and off, Raina stands back and pulls it wide of long on for a boundary. Beautifully bisects both the fielders in the deep to get to his 38th League fifty.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Flatter on middle and leg, Raina pulls it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs as the fielders in the deep do a partnership fielding.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 9 runs in the last two overs, slow going from Chennai.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Ashwin goes wide of the crease and serves a full ball on middle, du Plessis kneels down and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Beaten by a beauty! Ashwin dishes out a carrom ball just outside off, Faf picks it very late and ends up offering no shot. Just a late thought of playing inside the line was there.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Fires one in on middle, Raina stays back and punches it down to long on for one.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Tossed up ball outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Flighted and full outside off, Raina reaches out for it and strokes it to long off for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin comes back on. He has figures of 2-0-14-0 so far.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Raina works this one away through the leg side for another run. A good over for Punjab this, they need to build some pressure which possibly would then bring them a wicket.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. 100 comes up! A flatter one pushed through on middle, worked through mid-wicket by du Plessis for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. A lot straighter this time on middle, Raina works it through mid-wicket for a run by SR.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. This time Raina gets bat on ball and pushes the ball towards the other Ashwin at cover.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Beaten! A googly outside off, Raina had no idea about where that was going. Looks to push it through covers but is beaten by the turn.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Single and that is FIFTY FOR FAF! His 11th one in the Indian T20 League Flatter on the pads, flicked away for a single to get to his fifty! Excellent innings so far from du Plessis, Chennai would love a big one though.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. Slower again, full and on middle, du Plessis pushes it down the ground from the inner half of his bat. The long off fielder cuts it off and they pick a run.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. Beaten! Slower one at 111.4 kph, a touch short and on off, du Plessis tries his best to pull but is beaten for the lack of pace.
Andrew Tye to Suresh Raina. Digs in a short ball around leg, Raina shuffles across and glances it off his hips behind square leg. Takes a run.
Andrew Tye to Suresh Raina. NOT OUT! The ball has come off the bat. That is a wasted review. A really full ball just outside leg, Raina looks to flick the ball but gets hit low on the pads. Tye appeals but the umpire says no. He persuades his skipper to take that one up and Ashwin does so. The replays though show us that the ball has taken a good portion of the bat on its way through to the pads. Nothing going Punjab's way!
Review time! It is for an LBW against Suresh Raina. He was struck low on the pads by a yorker but the line looked outside leg to the naked eye. Was there bat too? Ravichandran Ashwin has taken it upstairs so we will find out...
Andrew Tye to Suresh Raina. FOUR! That outfield is so fast! A length ball on middle, Raina comes inside the line and glances that so delicately through fine leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and was not too far away from that one but he cannot reach the ball.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. Slower short ball on middle, du Plessis tucks it to mid-wicket for a run.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Quicker and fuller on middle, forced down to long on for a run. 11 from Murugan's first over.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Poor fielding from KL Rahul. He has let that one go through as he has slipped slightly. A flatter leg-spinner on middle and leg, Faf du Plessis whips it away through mid-wicket. Rahul in the deep comes to make a regulation stop but slips at the last moment and lets the ball under him. Reaches the rope.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. NOT OUT! Beauty of a delivery by Murugan though. He slows it up in the air and lands it full around off. Du Plessis stretches forward to play the slog sweep but it spins away slightly to beat the bat. Pooran is quick to take the bails off and appeals. The square leg umpire goes upstairs and the replays find Faf safely in. There was a moment when du Plessis did lift his back foot slightly while dragging it further inside the crease but there was never any doubt that he's easily in.
Stumping appeal has been referred upstairs. Not much excitement shown by the keeper. Let's see...
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! You got to love this shot. Fancy footwork once more from du Plessis. He is down the track in a flash and then hammers it over the bowler's head for a boundary. Nearly went all the way, just bounced inside.
Murugan Ashwin to Suresh Raina. The length is short again, landing on middle, Raina goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
Murugan Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. 50-run stand comes up! A flatter and shorter ball outside off, du Plessis drags his pull shot behind square leg and jogs across to the other end. A handy partnership this, coming at a good rate as well.
Murugan Ashwin is now on!
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. Short of middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a run by du Plessis. 12 off Tye's first over. Chennai are 79/1 at the halfway mark. The partnership has motored along to 49!
Andrew Tye to Suresh Raina. Flicked off the hips to deep mid-wicket for a run by Raina.
Andrew Tye to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Second one of the over. Wide outside off, with third man in. You are asking for trouble. Raina easily guides it through the gap between short third and backward point. The ball reaches the rope.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. Played through the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
Andrew Tye to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Shot! Over extra cover! A length ball outside off, the knuckle ball. Faf du Plessis is one of the best batsmen in the world and spots that one early. He lifts the ball with ease over covers. No chance for the fielder in the deep.
Andrew Tye to Suresh Raina. Starts off with one on length outside off, driven along the ground to long off for a single by Raina.
Strategic break! Chennai should be the happier team right now, given their top order problems this season. They have powered their way to 67 in 9 overs and are setting a good platform. They would love Raina and du Plessis both to continue. On the other hand, Punjab would love one or two quick wickets which will slow down things for the visitors. The pitch seems to be a really good deck to bat on without much assistance for the bowlers. Meanwhile, Andrew Tye comes onto bowl!
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. Fuller and on off, Raina nudges it down through mid on for a run. 10 from the over!
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. SIX! Raina goes big again. He charges down the track to a full ball in his half and smashes it over mid-wicket for a biggie. That's hit with the spin and clears the fence with ease.
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket.
Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis. Walks down to the pitch of the delivery and turns it through mid-wicket for one.
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. Aerial but just wide of the bowler. Quicker on off, stopping a bit onto the batsman, Raina punches it uppishly past the left side of the diving bowler to long on. A single taken again.
Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis. Flatter and on middle, du Plessis moves back inside the crease to hit it across the line but it takes the inside edge and rolls closely past the stumps towards short fine leg. A single is taken.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Worked away through mid-wicket for a run by FdP. Boundary off the first ball, 4 singles after that. Easily done by Chennai this over.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Flatter outside off, driven along the ground to long off by the southpaw for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Pushed back towards long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Play and a miss! Slower through the air outside off, du Plessis looks to cut but the ball keeps slightly low. He is beaten.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Flatter on middle, pushed towards long on for a run now. Good batting, a single after the boundary.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. FOUR! The outfield is electric here! That brings up 50 for Chennai. Around the wicket and outside off, Raina dabs it really late past first slip. The backward point fielder has no chance to even chase that ball.
Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis walks down the track and seeing that Brar shortens his length. The South African keeps it out to covers to end the over.
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. Turns it off his pads to mid-wicket and crosses for a run.
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. SIX! This will release all the pressure. Doesn't middle it too well but it has travelled the distance. Brar delivers it flat and wide outside off, Raina shimmies down the track and goes big down the ground. It doesn't fly from the meat of the bat but still has enough to clear long on.
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. Beaten! Arm ball on off, skidding away, Raina sticks back to play a late cut but is beaten.
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. Leans forward to a full ball outside off and drives it straight to the cover fielder.
Harpreet Brar to Suresh Raina. Flatter and shorter on off, Raina goes on the back foot and punches it back to the bowler.
Harpreet Brar is back on.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Worked away through mid-wicket for a run to end the Powerplay. Chennai are 42/1 at the end of it. One of their better Powerplays this year.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Good comeback! Shorter on off, Raina looks to cut but the ball goes off the under half towards the bowler.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. FOUR! Heaved away! A flatter one on off, Raina gets under the ball and pulls it over mid-wicket. That has to be fetched from the other side of the rope.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Suresh Raina. Flatter on the pads, Raina looks to whip it away but misses the ball. Hit outside the line of leg stump.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Shorter outside off, Faf pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Faf du Plessis. Flatter one on the middle and leg stump line first up, du Plessis pushes it back towards the bowler.
Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total. 7 runs and a wicket from the over.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Lovely footwork shown by the South African. He jumps out of the crease to make a length ball full and then drills it back past the bowler for a boundary down to long off. Excellent.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. Shortish and outside off, Faf slaps it through the line but finds extra cover.
Sam Curran to Suresh Raina. Sliding down the leg side, Raina helps it towards square leg and gets off the mark with a run.
Sam Curran to Suresh Raina. Nearly drags it on first ball. Curran delivers it on a good length outside off, Raina tries to play through the line but it catches the bottom edge and rolls behind to the keeper.
Suresh Raina, the evergreen Chennai man walks out at number 3 as usual.
Sam Curran to Shane Watson. OUT! The off stump goes cartwheeling! Curran strikes with a back of a length delivery around middle and off. It skids on with the angle and Watson camps back to play a late dab down to third man. But the Aussie is too late in doing that and the off stump is pegged back. Watson continues to play with Chennai's fans' emotions, his last five innings now read - 7, 0, 8, 96, 5. This is also Sam Curran's 50th T20 wicket.
Sam Curran to Shane Watson. A half-shout for a caught behind! Curran hurls in a short delivery down the leg side, Watson tries his best to pull it across the line but misses. Sam turns and appeals but the umpire stretches both his arms to signal a wide.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! That one is in the gap! Fuller on middle and leg, flicked away through mid-wicket. There were 3 fielders on the leg side and to still find the gap, CLASS! What was a good over until then ends up being an okayish one at the end.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. Another dot! On a length, Faf crunches the shot straight to cover.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis runs down the track once more and hits the ball towards mid off with a horizontal bat.
Mohammed Shami to Shane Watson. That was nippy! Slightly back of a length on middle and leg, Watson looks to pull it away but is late on the shot. The ball rushes through and gets him high on the thigh pad. The ball goes off towards the off side and the batsmen change ends. Leg bye signalled.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. Back of a length on top of middle, du Plessis dabs the ball to the left of point for a run.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. Good ball from Shami. Sees Faf du Plessis coming down the track and drags the length down. Faf can only keep it out towards cover.
Sam Curran to Shane Watson. Slower short ball this time, around middle and leg, Watson is early into his pull shot and hence misses. Gets hit on the body and the ball rolls near the surface. 9 from Curran's first over.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. Sam continues to drop it short and du Plessis has no issues in pulling it towards deep square leg for an easy run.
Sam Curran to Shane Watson. Back of a length delivery on middle, pulled again in front of square leg and the deep fielder made a sliding stop. One more run added to the total.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. Safely in! Fullish and on middle, du Plessis pushes it down towards mid on and scampers across to the other end as the fielder (Tye) scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. It's referred upstairs and the replays show that Faf is well in.
Direct hit at the non-striker's end as du Plessis dives in. It has been taken upstairs...
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. Curran goes short on this occasion, around off, Faf stands back and pulls it in front of square leg for a brace.
Sam Curran to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Starts his spell with a pitched up ball around off, du Plessis presents the straight face of his bat and forces it past his partner at the other end for a boundary down the ground at long off.
Pace from both ends now, Sam Curran comes on.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. Good running. A length ball on off, Faf du Plessis pats it towards point and sees Watson charging for the quick single. Easily completed in the end. 7 runs each off the first two overs.
Mohammed Shami to Shane Watson. Back of a length, cut away standing tall to deep third man for a run. That ball was travelling.
Mohammed Shami to Shane Watson. Good ball. Slightly back of a length and on top of off stump, Watson taps the ball to the off side and looks for a single but wisely decides against it in the end.
Mohammed Shami to Shane Watson. Off the middle but straight to the fielder. A length ball on off, Watson takes a nice stride ahead before punching the ball to mid off.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. On the hips this time, tucked away for a single to deep backward square leg.
Mohammed Shami to Faf du Plessis. FOUR! Du Plessis gets his first boundary now. Shami starts off with a poor length ball on the pads. It's easily flicked away through square leg and deep fine leg has no chance to come around and stop that.
Pace from the other end. Mohammed Shami to run in...
Harpreet Brar to Shane Watson. FOUR! That will make him feel a lot better. Flatter outside off, that little width is all that Watson needs. The ball pings off the middle of the bat and through cover-point for a boundary.
Harpreet Brar to Shane Watson. Fired in on off, Watson remains in the crease to keep it out, albeit a bit awkwardly.
Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis. Du Plessis gets another single as he works this flatter one on middle away through mid-wicket for a run.
Harpreet Brar to Shane Watson. Flatter on middle this time, Shane looks to defend but gets it off the inside half towards mid-wicket for a run. Lucky he got some bat on that one.
Harpreet Brar to Shane Watson. Tossed up on middle, Watson comes ahead and defends it back solidly towards the bowler.
Harpreet Brar to Faf du Plessis. Flighted on the middle and leg stump line, nudged towards wide mid on for a single by du Plessis. He and Chennai are away!
We are almost ready for the first ball. The two openers for Chennai, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis are out in the middle. Ravichandran Ashwin has given his final instructions to his side as they head to their fielding positions. The new ball is in the hands of the skipper but wait, he is not bowling! He tosses the ball to Harpreet Brar. Everything in readiness, let's play!
PUNJAB XI - Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Andrew Tye, Harpreet Brar (IN FOR ARSHDEEP SINGH), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami.
CHENNAI XI (UNCHANGED) - Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir.
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni says that in spite of being in the playoffs nothing really has changed and he feels it's their last opportunity to sort out all their issues before the next stage begins. Informs that they are unchanged from the last match.
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin says that they have played on most of the wickets here. He tells us that this is the second one on this particular surface and that the pitch could be slightly on the slower side considering it is a day game. Ashwin states that every game you play is important for the franchise and that lots of players want to play well and be counted, especially the youngsters. He tells us that one needs to be really good against Chennai if you want to beat them and doing that gives a lot of confidence. Informs us that they have a solitary change which sees Harpreet Brar come in for Arshdeep Singh.
Toss - Up goes the coin, MS Dhoni calls it wrongly and PUNJAB WILL FIELD!
PITCH REPORT - Mpumelelo 'Pommie' Mbangwa is the pitch expert today and he says it is really hot out there in the middle. He informs us that the curator watered the surface 2-3 hours before the game and rolled it then, such is the heat. He reckons that it is a good surface, hard one and more than decent for batting, especially in a day game. We are told that the average score here batting first is 172, but Mbangwa feels that both teams would want to have more than that today. He signs off by saying that chasing would be the way to go here, despite having to field in the scorching sun!
Hello and welcome everyone. It's the last day of the league stage in this year's Indian T20 League. Two games lined up for Sunday and both are very significant. First up, Punjab, who still have a slim outside chance of getting to the playoffs, are hosting Chennai at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. The tourists are safely through but would like to win this game to confirm their top two finish. For the hosts, it's a very interesting situation to be in. If they win by a margin which actually is quite unimaginable, they can still get into the top four and in case of a loss, the wooden spoon is waiting for them. All to play for and we are expecting a cracker on this sultry afternoon. Stay tuned for the pitch report and the all-important toss...
That's all we have from this game. But don't go anywhere as the battle for the fourth spot is still on. Kolkata are taking on Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium and a win will hand them the ticket to the playoffs. Hyderabad will be closely watching this game too. Switch to the concerned tab and follow all the updates. Cheers!
KL Rahul is the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award. He starts by saying that he was holding himself back till the last game as his role was to bat out 20 overs. Adds that sometimes you have to alter your game and play according to the situation. Feels that his strike rate has dropped a bit but he succeeded in winning more games for his side this season.
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin says that it wasn't easy for them but adds that they never got outplayed in any game this season, apart from Hyderabad. Further says that they lost the Powerplay battles this season. Mentions that they have not qualified but wants to build on the performance this season. States that the auction is where most battles are won. Thanks the coach for all the support and feels that they need to have a long term vision for the franchise.
KL Rahul is the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award. That's all we have from this game. But don't go anywhere as the battle for the fourth spot is still on. Kolkata are taking on Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium and a win will hand them the ticket to the playoffs. Hyderabad will be closely watching this game too. Switch to the concerned tab and follow all the updates. Cheers!
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni credits Gayle and Rahul for their knocks and praises Punjab's bowling as well. Admits that Chennai were not up to the mark in the Powerplay. Is happy that they managed to stretch the game to as long as possible. Mentions that they wanted to win the game but after the kind of start Punjab had, the 14.2 overs factor played in his mind. Lauds his bowlers for bowling the last 8-9 overs well.
Chasing a stiff target, Punjab got off to a rollicking start. KL Rahul batted like a train on fire and completed his fifty off just 19 balls. That set the tone for the chase and scared Chennai who were in danger of getting dropped to number two in the points table, had Punjab overhauled the target in 14.2 overs. Harbhajan Singh, who took a real hammering in his first spell of 2 overs, returned with a bang to pick three wickets and put brakes on the home team's charge. His spell meant that Chennai kept the top spot even though they lost the game by a handsome margin.
A convincing win for Punjab to end their season. They have avoided the wooden spoon and it has landed in the bag of Bangalore. This victory will please the home team as it has come against one of the top teams of the league. Earlier, powered by the century stand between du Plessis and Raina, Chennai posted 170 on the board. Faf missed out on his ton while the visiting team didn't get going in the death overs and fell around 15-20 runs short.
Imran Tahir to Sam Curran. FOUR! All over, PUNJAB WIN BY 6 WICKETS with two overs remaining! Tahir serves it very full and on off, Curran goes hard at it and thwacks it down the ground for a boundary.
Imran Tahir to Mandeep Singh. Shortish and on middle, Mandeep hops back and punches it down to long on. Nothing fancy, they are doing it in singles.
Imran Tahir to Sam Curran. Forces a full ball down the ground to long off for a single.
Imran Tahir to Sam Curran. A flatter one on off, Curran should have been forward but then decides to defend it from the back foot.
Imran Tahir to Sam Curran. Shortish and on off, Curran punches it off his back foot but finds covers.
Imran Tahir to Mandeep Singh. Flighted one, full and on off, Singh knocks it down to long off for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. Flighted and full on off, Mandeep drives it through wide mid off for a single. 5 more needed.
Ravindra Jadeja to Sam Curran. Short and outside off, cut through cover-point for one.
Ravindra Jadeja to Sam Curran. Action replay of the previous delivery. Once again Sam has hit a short ball back in the direction of the bowler.
Ravindra Jadeja to Sam Curran. Quicker one on off, punched back towards the bowler.
Sam Curran is in next.
Ravindra Jadeja to Nicholas Pooran. OUT! Against the run of play, Jadeja has dismissed Pooran. He dishes out a flatter and shorter delivery outside off, Pooran camps back to play the square cut but it takes a thick outside edge and settles into the gloves of Dhoni. The keeper just tosses the ball up in celebration, Jadeja turns back to put in a formal appeal and then Pooran is seen walking back.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. Flatter and shorter on middle, punched down to long on for a run.
Strategic break!
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. Short outside off, cut by the left-hander towards short third man. Dot ball, a rare one. Punjab need 8 runs off 24 balls now at 2 runs per over!
Imran Tahir to Mandeep Singh. Punched back down the ground for a single by Mandeep.
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. Flighted outside off, driven through mid off for a single by the southpaw.
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. SIX! That has gone out of Mohali! A leg-spinner on middle, Pooran pulls it way into the stands over deep mid-wicket. This is striking of the best quality! 10 runs needed now.
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone. Fired in really full on off, Pooran looks to drive but fails to put bat on ball. Dhoni misses the ball too and the ball goes to the rope for four byes.
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. Pooran comes down the ground and looks to hit this one but gets an outside half towards short third man.
Imran Tahir comes back on now. 2-0-21-0 so far.
Ravindra Jadeja to Mandeep Singh. Flatter on middle, pulled away through square leg for a couple of runs by Mandeep. 13 runs off it. Just 20 needed now.
Ravindra Jadeja to Nicholas Pooran. Cut away to deep point for a run.
Ravindra Jadeja to Nicholas Pooran. FOUR! Bludgeoned down the ground! A flatter one on off, Pooran pulls this one and finds the long on boundary on a bounce. This is some hitting!
Ravindra Jadeja to Nicholas Pooran. Pushed away towards short third man this time by the southpaw.
Ravindra Jadeja to Nicholas Pooran. Wide outside off, Pooran looks to cut. He gets an under edge to the keeper. 14.2 done and the target not done! That means that Chennai will be in the top 2!
Ravindra Jadeja to Nicholas Pooran. SIX! Humongous! A flatter one on middle and leg, Pooran lifts the ball clean as a whistle over wide long on. The fielders are mere spectators. Brilliant shot.
Ravindra Jadeja to bowl now.
Dwayne Bravo to Mandeep Singh. A low dipping full toss on middle, it's clipped down to wide long on for a couple of runs. The throw comes from the deep, Bravo tries to collect it and collides with Pooran. No harm done. 12 from the over, 33 needed off 36 balls.
Dwayne Bravo to Nicholas Pooran. Another good looking drive from Pooran's bat, this time it has gone straight to the cover fielder for a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Nicholas Pooran. FOUR! Crunched! Bravo goes full again, it's wide outside off, Nicholas reaches out for it with his long hands and thumps it through covers.
Dwayne Bravo to Nicholas Pooran. Dropped by Vijay (sub)! Bravo delivers it full and outside off, Pooran drives it in the air towards point where Vijay puts down a sitter.
Dwayne Bravo to Nicholas Pooran. Four running runs! Bravo pitches it up and outside off, Pooran drives it through extra cover and Jadeja chases it down from long off. He fires in the throw at the bowler's end, misses the target and it races towards the fence. Jadhav does well to pull it back but is holding his left shoulder. Not looking good, he is heading off the field. Four runs in total added to the total.
Dwayne Bravo to Mandeep Singh. A low full toss down the leg side, it's helped to fine leg for a run.
Harbhajan Singh to Nicholas Pooran. SIX! That ends up deep in the stands. A flatter one on middle, Pooran rocks back and pulls this one. That ball keeps travelling. Ends up in the crowd somewhere. Harbhajan ends with figures of 4-0-57-3 but only 16 runs came off his last two overs along with all the wickets.
Harbhajan Singh to Nicholas Pooran. Cut away but straight to the backward point fielder. Good timing on that ball.
Harbhajan Singh to Nicholas Pooran. Wide! Bowled way outside off, wided.
Harbhajan Singh to Nicholas Pooran. Flighted outside off, driven to cover by Pooran.
Harbhajan Singh to Mandeep Singh. Fired in quicker on middle, punched back down to long on for a run.
Mandeep Singh walks out at number 5.
Harbhajan Singh to Mayank Agarwal. OUT! Harbhajan has his third! A poor delivery to get a wicket though. A short one on middle and leg, Agarwal looks to pull it away but finds deep backward square leg to perfection. Jadeja out there takes the catch with his safe pair of hands and Punjab are losing their way slightly here. What a comeback from Bhajji though, he had 0/41 off his first 2 and now has 3/49.
Harbhajan Singh to Nicholas Pooran. Short outside off, Pooran pulls this ball to the right of long on for a run.
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. Quicker one in the line of the middle stump, Pooran moves back inside the crease and punches it down to long on for a run.
Imran Tahir to Mayank Agarwal. The ball has been square driven by the batsman. They have run through for a single.
Imran Tahir to Mayank Agarwal. Shortish and outside off, Mayank mistimes his horizontal bat shot. It goes back to the bowler off the bottom half of his bat.
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. A juicy full toss outside off, Nicholas reaches out for it and strokes it to deep cover. Rayudu mops it up and they take a single.
Imran Tahir to Nicholas Pooran. Flatter delivery on the pads, Pooran hits it straight to mid-wicket.
Imran Tahir to Mayank Agarwal. Starts a new spell with a flighted full ball on off, Agarwal pushes it through the gap at covers for a run.
Imran Tahir is back on.
Harbhajan Singh to Mayank Agarwal. Pulled away again but it goes to deep mid-wicket for a single this time. 7 runs and 2 wickets off this over for Harbhajan!
Harbhajan Singh to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! The hat-trick ball goes to the fence. Mayank Agarwal gets off the mark in style. Short and flat on middle, Agarwal pulls it away easily for a boundary. Bisects the deep fine and deep square leg fielders with ease.
Mayank Agarwal walks in next. He will face the hat-trick ball.
Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. OUT! 2 in 2! Gayle to depart now, Harbhajan has his number for the sixth time in T20 cricket. A flatter one on middle, Chris looks to go really big but does not get the elevation with his swing. The ball travels with pace but straight to long on where the substitute fielder, Dhruv Shorey takes the catch with ease. Harbhajan is elated and is on a hat-trick now! Punjab now will have to rebuild with two new batsmen out in the middle.
Nicholas Pooran is the new man in.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. OUT! Harbhajan returns in the attack and has taken his revenge. Went for 40-plus in his first two overs and this will make him feel a lot better. Dhoni also flashes a smile. A flatter off spinner around off, not turning much, Rahul skips down the track to heave it across the line but it takes the top edge and balloons in the air towards covers. Tahir settles underneath it and does the rest. End of a 108-run stand.
Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Flatter on middle and leg, helped away to deep mid-wicket for a run by the big Jamaican.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Outside off, punched off the back foot through covers for a single by Rahul.
Harbhajan Singh comes back onto bowl now.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. On the hips, whipped away through square leg for a run by Rahul. 6 runs off this Bravo over. Punjab are 106/0 at the halfway mark and need just 65 in the back 10.
The seam of the delivery seems to be coming off... the umpire cuts it and gives it back to Dhoni.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Low full toss outside off, driven down the ground to long off for a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Beaten! On a length outside off, Gayle looks to drive that one by leaning ahead but the angle of the delivery causes the ball to whiz past the outside edge.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Wide! Another one wayward outside the off stump. Given as a wide again.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. Good ball. Rahul backs away and Bravo follows the batsman. Bowls it on the hips of Rahul who works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Low full toss outside off, driven along the ground to long off for a run by the southpaw.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Bowled outside off again, Bravo times this to point.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Wide! Bravo bowls this really wide outside off, well away from the tramline.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Just one word - Wow! KL Rahul, you beauty. The 100-run stand also comes up. Chahar over-corrects his length this time and bowls it fuller and outside off, Rahul throws his heart and soul behind it and spanks it over the bowler's head. Nearly carries all the way. The umpire goes upstairs and then signals a boundary, it just bounced inside the line. 10 from the over, Deepak Chahar has bowled out, 4-0-28-0, decent figures, considering the onslaught.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Wrong length from Chahar, it's short and on middle, Rahul shimmies down the track and pulls it powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Lands it on a good length around middle and off, Gayle stays back and forces it down to long on for one.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Angles in a full ball on middle, it's knocked down to long on for a run.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. A low full toss on middle, Rahul drives it straight back and the ball goes on to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Gayle then tries to get back inside the crease and Chahar jokingly pulls his leg, something we see a lot in Kabaddi. Good to see players having a fun moment amidst so much pressure.
Deepak Chahar to bowl out.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. Full and down the leg side at 132 kph, Rahul clips it behind square leg for a run. 5 from the over and Chennai would like to pull things back after the strategic break.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. A length ball angling away from the batsman, Gayle gently taps it down to covers for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. An overpitched ball on middle, Rahul whips it across the line through mid-wicket. Faf du Plessis circles around it from long on and keeps the batsmen down to just a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. A low full toss this time, around off, Rahul pushes it back to the bowler.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Fullish and wide outside off, Gayle stretches out to keep it in the gap on the off side and picks up a run.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. Bravo continues from 'round the wicket to the right-hander. Serves it on a length around middle and Rahul works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Strategic break! Much-needed break for Chennai. They have been slaughtered so far here by Rahul and Gayle. They need a wicket to slow down this carnage or they are in real possibility of going to the second place. If Punjab get 86 runs in the next 44 balls, Delhi will go to the first position on basis of net run rate. Punjab though are coasting and would love to do the same, even Delhi would love them to do so. It is Bravo to continue...
Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. SIX! 16 runs off the last 3 balls of this over! A flighted googly on middle, Gayle waits and middles the ball. When he swings like that and middles them too, there is only one result. It ends up in the stands over long on. Huge over again, 17 runs off Tahir's first.
Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. SIX! Flat six! A flighted ball outside off, Gayle smashes it right past the bowler to his right and hits the sightscreen. What power!
Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Full toss and faster in speed this time. It is punished though. Gayle powers this through covers and pushes the ball wide of long off for a boundary.
Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. Howzzat! Loud appeal but not given! A leg spinner on a shorter length and slower pace. Gayle looks to pull it way over deep mid-wicket. He misses and gets hit on the pads but that ball has spun too much and got him outside the line of leg stump. Good decision.
Imran Tahir to Chris Gayle. Flatter on the pads, Gayle paddles it towards short fine leg.
Imran Tahir to Lokesh Rahul. Crunched away! A flatter outside off, Rahul cuts it away to deep point for a run.
Imran Tahir comes into the attack right after the Powerplay!
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Beaten! Quicker delivery, a touch short and outside off, Gayle tries powering it over the leg side but fails to make any connection. 8 from the over, 68/0 in the Powerplay and it's a rocketing start from the home team.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Another wide! It appears to be a plan to bowl wide to Gayle. But at the moment Bravo is not managing to keep it inside the tramline.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Wide! Bravo tries to stay away from Gayle's hitting zone but ends up serving it too wide outside off.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. Driven towards the mid off region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Dwayne Bravo to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR LEG BYES! Bravo decides to come from 'round the wicket and serves a good length delivery down the leg side. Rahul though fails to flick, it takes his pads and runs fine down the leg side for a boundary.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Very full and wide outside off, Gayle reaches out for it and digs it out towards point for one.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. Swing and a miss! Back of a length delivery outside off, angling away from the batsman, Gayle winds up for a big shot across the line but fails to make any connection.
Dwayne Bravo to Chris Gayle. The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
Dwayne Bravo is into the attack.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Really full outside off, Rahul jams the ball away towards cover-point. Just 3 runs off this over, a quiet one.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Good fielding in the deep by Jadhav! A length ball on middle, Rahul hits this one wide of long on. The fielder in the deep runs to his left. Kedar pushes the ball in, in the nick of time and saves two runs for his side.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Ouch! The throw hits Gayle and Gayle bulges into the umpire. Also, that would have been out had the ball hit the stumps! A length ball outside off, pushed wide of mid off. Gayle decides to risk taking the single this time. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. The single is completed.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Slower one outside off, cut off the back foot but finds the fielder in the cover region again.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Punched off the back foot but straight to cover. A length ball outside off, Gayle stands tall in his crease before playing the shot.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Slower ball on the pads, Gayle works the ball towards the short fine leg fielder.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Fifty for Rahul in just 19 balls, his 16th in the League. Wow, he has reached the milestone in the blink of an eye. Quicker and fuller delivery outside off, Rahul latches onto it and sends it packing over wide long off for a sixer. This is the third fastest half century this season. 41 in 2 overs from Harbhajan, he is a marked man.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Appeal for an lbw! Not given. Tossed up ball landing outside off, Rahul goes down and across to play the slog sweep but misses. He seems to have got hit on the pads, they appeal but the umpire disagrees. The bowler wants it to be reviewed but Dhoni gestures that it hit Rahul's gloves. The replays confirm the same.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! 18 in the last over by Harbhajan and it's 18 already in this over with two balls to go. Full delivery, flighted and on off, Rahul dances down the track and lofts it over mid off for a maximum. 50 up for Punjab. A good catch there by the ball boy.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries. Bhajji continues to be on the shorter side, it's around middle and off, Rahul rocks back to make room and muscles it over mid on.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Turbanator under pressure. He drops it short and on off, Rahul attacks it with all his power and pummels it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. MISFIELD, FOUR! A low full toss on off, Rahul forces his drive in the direction of Bravo at mid off and sets off for a run. Seeing that, the West Indian tries to attack the ball but then fails to pick it up. It goes right through and reaches the fence behind.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Another slower bouncer outside off, Gayle lets the ball go. Dhoni does not stop it properly as the ball goes off his pads but does not concede any run there.
Deepak Chahar to Chris Gayle. Slower bouncer attempted but the ball does not rise at all. Gayle waits for the ball before easing it towards backward point.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Short of a length on middle, jabbed away to deep mid-wicket for a run off the back foot.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Poor ball and dispatched! A short length ball on the hips, Rahul swivels and pulls this wide of short fine leg for a boundary. Easy pickings.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Slower one, really full on off. Rahul backs away and hits it towards cover.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. FOUR! Brilliant shot! A yorker on the pads, flicked away past short fine leg. There is no chance for deep square leg to stop that one, brilliant timing.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. Knocks a full ball down through mid on for one. 18 from Harbhajan's first over!
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! Brilliant shot from KL Rahul. Prior to this delivery, Harbhajan wanted to go from 'round the wicket but Dhoni advised him not to. The offie then serves an off spinner around off, turning back in, Rahul goes down and across before slogging it behind square leg for a maximum.
Harbhajan Singh to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! High and handsome! Width on offer outside off, Rahul moves back to make more room and powers it over covers for a biggie. Excellent connection.
Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Skidding down the leg side, Gayle fails to flick and it goes off his pads towards short fine leg. They steal a leg bye. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Harbhajan fails to collect it also and it travels towards long off after getting deflected. An overthrow is on offer but it's not taken.
Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. Flighted and full outside off, Gayle drives it with good timing but finds the cover fielder.
Harbhajan Singh to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Gayle is off the mark with a boundary. Harbhajan delivers a quicker one on the pads of the batsman, Chris gets back and flicks it in the gap between square leg and short fine leg for a boundary.
Harbhajan Singh to share the new ball.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. SIX! No, it will not be a maiden. The last ball travels into the stands. A short one from Chahar on off, Rahul stands and pulls this deep over mid-wicket. Huge!
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Fuller on the pads, Rahul flicks the ball towards mid-wicket. 5 dots! Will it be a maiden?
Some problem with the seam of the ball... They are continuing with it for now though.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Slightly fuller on middle this time, Rahul times this one nicely as well but fails to find the gap as he hits the ball to mid on.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. On a length outside off, defended towards cover.
STAT - In case Punjab score this total in 14.2 overs or fewer, Chennai's NRR will go under that of Delhi's and they will drop down to second place.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. Shot! That sounded brilliant off the bat but you do not get runs for the sound. A length ball outside off, Rahul takes a stride ahead before crunching his drive straight to extra cover.
Deepak Chahar to Lokesh Rahul. On a length outside off and some shape away from the right-hander, Rahul covers the swing and defends the ball.
We are back for the second innings. The Men in Yellow are in a huddle as the Punjab openers walks out to bat. Chris Gayle and KL Rahul it will be as usual. Deepak Chahar has the new ball in hand. Let's play...