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KKR beat KXIP by 28 runs | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab, Highlights And Cricket Score 6th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: Mar 27, 2019 Start Time: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
Venue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Kings XI Punjab Highlights And Cricket Score 6th Match - T20 Commentary
A massive target is in front of Punjab but they would like to believe that they have the firepower in their batting to scale this down. For now, the hosts are the favourites and let's see what happens in the chase. Do join us in a short while.
Sunil Narine, who is up for a chat, says they started off well, Nitish played superbly in the middle and Russell did his job in the end. Reckons the wicket is a good one and they will have to bowl well. Mentions if Russell is at the crease anything is possible. Ends by saying there is not much spin at the start but as the match progresses, it will start to turn.
A perfect batting performance from Kolkata! Their openers set the tone by providing a blazing start and then the pair of Robin Uthappa and Nitish Rana capitalized. They put on a 110-run stand and after that Andre Russell provided the finishing touches. Punjab were hot and cold with their bowling effort. They pulled things back inside the Powerplay first and then in the middle phase, but only for a brief period. Andrew Tye and Hardus Viljoen stood out but they too proved expensive later on.
The Dre Russ show! Once again. Bowled on 3 but called a no ball for having an extra fielder outside the ring and the narrative changed completely after that! A big, big miss from Ravichandran Ashwin as a skipper, this. Andre Russell just unleashed after that and muscled a 17-ball 48 to power Kolkata to a gigantic score of 218/4!
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. FOUR! A boundary to end! What a shot, excellent innovation. Uthappa first looks to paddle but then sees the line is wide outside off. He adjusts and manages to guide it past point, away from third man for a boundary. 8 from the last one, a good one by Tye but it is Kolkata who will be happier at the moment. THEY END WITH 218!
Andrew Tye to Dinesh Karthik. Just a single! This is turning out to be a top over here! Karthik hits it flat and on the bounce to the long on fielder.
Dinesh Karthik is the new batsman.
Andrew Tye to Andre Russell. OUT! End of the destruction! Russell has been bounced out. A very good catch there by Agarwal. The bumper on middle, Russell goes for the pull but it hits the higher portion of the bat. For a second it seems that it would go all the way but Mayank at deep mid-wicket keeps his eyes on the ropes behind and then takes a well-judged catch. Russell walks off to a standing ovation, he has made Punjab pay for the reprieve they gave him.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. In the air... but safe! The slower bouncer and Uthappa is deceived. He looks to pull but only manages a top edge towards square leg for a run.
Andrew Tye to Andre Russell. Tye goes wide outside off, away from Russell's zone. He only manages a single as it is dragged down to long on.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. Uthappa does the right thing as he works it through mid-wicket and gives the strike over to Russell.
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. FOUR! Clobbered! He does not get a maximum but gets the next best result. A boundary. Full and outside off, Russell powers it through extra cover. Long off is very straight and he can't stop it. 25 from the penultimate over.
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. SIX! Three in a row! Another freebie by Shami. A high full toss this time and Russel easily clears the mid-wicket fence. Can he make it 4 in 4?
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. SIX! If you bowl him a full toss he will surely make you pay. That is humongous. Russell just bludgeons it into the mid-wicket stands. Consecutive ones. 200 up and 8 more balls to go.
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. SIX! You miss the yorker and Russell will deposit you in the stands. That is what happens here. Shami misses the mark by a little and Russell powers it over the long off fence.
Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa. Tries to pierce the gap through extra cover but mid off gets across to his left and keeps it to one.
Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa. Very good delivery! Another yorker outside off, Uthappa guides it through point and takes two.
Andrew Tye to Andre Russell. SIX! Russell has smoked this! Poor delivery this time. A length and in the zone for the West Indian. Russell clears his front leg and rifles it over mid-wicket for a biggie. 22 from the over, Kolkata powering ahead!
Andrew Tye to Andre Russell. FOUR! Edgy again! Tye delivers it short and on middle, from 'round the wicket, Andre winds up for a big heave across the line and top edges it behind. Rahul runs back but fails to stop it.
Andrew Tye to Andre Russell. FOUR! One brings two. Tye serves a shorter one outside off, Russell camps back and blazes his pull shot to the cow corner region for a powerful boundary.
Andrew Tye to Andre Russell. SIX! We've jinxed Tye! He gives away his first boundary. Unlucky though. A slower one, on a length around leg, Russell top edges his attempted big shot across the line and it goes all the way over fine leg for a maximum.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. Short in length this time, around off, Russell rocks back and pulls it over mid-wicket for a run. Don't want to jinx him but Tye has not conceded a single boundary.
Andrew Tye to Andre Russell. Yorker of the highest quality, following the batsman down the leg side, even the batsman of Russell's caliber can't do much. He only digs it out.
Andrew Tye is back on.
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. Just the single though from the Free Hit. A low full toss again and Russell only manages to hit it flat towards Tye at deep mid-wicket. He drops the catch but keeps it down to one. 10 comes from this over but it was an excellent one from Shami.
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. NO BALL! The Punjab players can't believe it! Shami has knocked over Russell with a top yorker but the umpire has signaled it a no ball just as Russell started to walk back. He spots there is an extra fielder outside the circle. How costly is this going to prove now? A Free Hit coming up.
BOWLED 'EM! No, wait, it is a no ball. Not for overstepping but for having only three fielders inside the ring. Andre Russell gets a reprieve...
Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa. A full toss this time, Uthappa hits it all along the ground. The square leg is back so only a run.
Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa. FOUR! A very good delivery but an even better shot! This is what dents the confidence of a bowler. This is very full and on the pads, Uthappa uses the depth of the crease and then flicks it through square leg for a boundary.
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. Another excellent low full toss, all Russell can do is hit it down to long on for a run. Punjab won't mind singles at the moment.
Mohammed Shami to Robin Uthappa. A good yorker on the pads, Uthappa works it through mid-wicket for a run.
Mohammed Shami to Andre Russell. A low full toss from around the wicket. Difficult to get those away. Russell powers it down to long on for a single.
Strategic break! Nitish Rana is gone after a blistering knock but Punjab just cannot afford to relax. Andre Russell has arrived and we all know he just thrives on starts like these. Kolkata will be thinking of a total around 200 and with Robin Uthappa there as well, it's certainly on. Punjab would try to limit the damage in the end overs. Mohammed Shami to bowl after the mini-break.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. FOUR! And it spoils what was a brilliant over. Still a good one though as only 6 came from it. A poor delivery to end. A full toss on the pads, Uthappa flicks it fine and fetches a boundary. Also, he brings up his 50 in style. 24th Indian T20 League fifty. He has been crucial in the no. 3 spot for Kolkata and he continues to show why. Needs to be there till the end though.
Hardus Viljoen to Andre Russell. This time Russell drops it towards cover and takes a run. Just two from this over so far. A ball to go.
Hardus Viljoen to Andre Russell. Good short ball and it is well-directed. Russell is hurried onto the pull shot. He misses. It hits his body and then lobs towards Rahul.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Full on off, Robin drives it straight towards the bowler. Tye misfields and the batsmen take a run.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Short and outside off, Uthappa looks to cut but misses it due to the away movement on this one.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. APPEAL FOR LBW! NOT OUT! Full toss on middle, Uthappa looks to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. Tye appeals but the umpire shakes his head. Good decision from the umpire as Ultra Edge shows that there was a clear inside edge.
Varun Chakravarthy to Robin Uthappa. No he can't as a single is taken through covers. But an excellent over by VC, just a single from it.
Varun Chakravarthy to Robin Uthappa. Shortish and outside off, Uthappa cuts it to point. 5 balls and no runs. Can Varun end with a maiden?
Varun Chakravarthy to Robin Uthappa. Another dot! This is flatter and outside off, this one turns back in. Uthappa looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
Andre Russell arrives to a huge cheer from the crowd.
Varun Chakravarthy to Nitish Rana. OUT! Chakravarthy strikes! His first in the Indian T20 League and that should make him feel a lot, lot better. Shows good courage here to toss it up on middle, it is the googly. Rana does not pick it and looks to hit it across the line but he only manages a top edge towards mid off. Agarwal at long off runs in and takes a very good catch. End of a mammoth 110-run stand off just 66 balls and an electrifying knock from Rana. Punjab will be relieved to see Nitish's back. Can the visitors now pull things back or will Kolkata capitalize on the foundation laid?
Varun Chakravarthy to Nitish Rana. A bit slower this time and it is outside off, Rana looks to hit it on the leg side but is beaten by the away turn. Good start to this over.
Varun Chakravarthy to Nitish Rana. This is fired outside off as he sees Rana goes for the reverse sweep. The batter misses.
Varun Chakravarthy to bowl.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. A couple to end another very expensive over! 20 from it as Uthappa flicks it through mid-wicket for a brace.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. WIDE! Looks to go full and down the leg side. RU looks to flick but misses. It has been wided.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Lovely effort in the field! Uthappa delightfully strokes it through cover-point. Another boundary seems to be on the cards but Agarwal runs to his left, dives and saves two for his side.
Hardus Viljoen to Nitish Rana. Now does the sensible thing as he pushes this good ball down to long on for a single.
Hardus Viljoen to Nitish Rana. FOUR! 4,6,4 in this over so far! Rana is in some form out there. Through the off side this time. Full and outside off, this is driven square on the off side. No chance for any fielder.
Hardus Viljoen to Nitish Rana. SIX! 10 from the first two balls! Short and outside off, Rana stands tall and then flat-bats it over the long on fence. Also, the 100-run stand is up. 200 now looks possible courtesy this stand.
Hardus Viljoen to Nitish Rana. FOUR! Easy pickings! Down the leg side and Rana flicks it past short fine leg for a boundary. 50 for Rana, back-to-back fifties for him. Another excellent innings.
Hardus Viljoen is back.
Mandeep Singh to Robin Uthappa. Misses out! Width on offer outside off, Uthappa tries to play the square cut but misses. 18 from the over. Just to play five proper bowlers backfiring on Punjab.
Mandeep Singh to Nitish Rana. The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
Mandeep Singh to Nitish Rana. SIX! This one is as flat as this pitch! Short and wide outside off, Rana reaches out for it and slaps it over the jumping deep cover fielder for a maximum. You just cannot afford to bowl that length, especially with that pace. Nitish is now the leading run-scorer this season.
Mandeep Singh to Nitish Rana. SIX! This one is high and handsome! Mandeep runs in from 'round the wicket and angles in a short ball on off. Rana stays back and launches it over mid-wicket for a biggie.
Mandeep Singh to Robin Uthappa. The line is straight this time, better line with all the protection on the leg side, Uthappa turns it off his pads to deep mid-wicket for one.
Mandeep Singh to Robin Uthappa. FOUR! Mandeep with his gentle speed dares to bowl it short and wide outside off. Robin attacks it with all his power and whacks it through point.
Mandeep Singh to bowl.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. A single to end another expensive over from Ashwin. 16 from it. Uthappa works this towards short fine leg and keeps strike. End of Ashwin for tonight, not a good day at the office for him. His figures read 4-0-47-0.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. Now drags this ball through mid-wicket for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. SIX! Into the stands! Second in the over! This is tossed up wide outside off. Rana gets to free his arms, he connects really well and it sails over long off.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. Looks to bowl wide outside off but bowls it outside the tramline. Pressure getting to the experienced campaigner as well.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. SIX! A gift but it still has to be put away! A full toss and Rana deposits it into the mid-wicket stands with a slog sweep. A maximum of Ashwin's each over seems to be mandatory tonight.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. Well played there! Uthappa has guided that late and off the stumps towards short third man for a single.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. On the stumps, Uthappa looks to make room and slap it but only manages an inside edge back to the bowler.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Just three from this one! Top stuff! Uthappa works it with the angle through square leg for a run.
Hardus Viljoen to Nitish Rana. What a stop! Can you guess who it is? Well, it is probably the last man to come to your mind - Chris Gayle. The length ball is guided nicely to the right of Gayle at point. The big man gets down quickly and keeps it down to one.
Hardus Viljoen to Nitish Rana. A good bumper on the body of the batsman, Rana looks to pull but misses. Two dot balls in a row, just one run from the over so far.
Hardus Viljoen to Nitish Rana. Short and outside off, Rana there decides late to upper cut it but misses.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Slower ball and on the pads, Uthappa looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. The ball rolls towards fine leg and the batsmen run a leg bye.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Goes full first up, Uthappa strokes it to covers.
Bowling change. Hardus Viljoen is back on.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. A single to end! 11 from the over. So all the pressure that was built in the last over has been eased off. Uthappa pushes this down to long on for a run. 89/2 at the halfway stage!
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. Very full again outside off, this is hit through covers for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. A low full toss and once again it is hit down to long on only for a run. 50-run stand up between the two. Not only they have steadied the ship but have now set the platform for the power-hitters to come.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. SIX! Slightly short and that has been powered into the stands. Rana transfers his weight onto the back foot and hits it over the long on fence.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. This is eased down to long on and the batters take one.
Strategic break. A mixed-bag for both teams. Kolkata have scored runs quickly and Punjab have also picked up a couple of wickets. The current partnership though will be giving headaches to Ravichandran Ashwin. Robin Uthappa, in particular, has looked in prime form and the hosts will be hoping for a big contribution from his bat. A vital middle phase coming up...
Andrew Tye to Nitish Rana. Ends it brilliantly! Bangs it short and on the body, Rana is surprised by it and ducks out of the way in the end. Just the 5 from Tye's second. Punjab needed a tight one as the last 3 leaked runs.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. Another slower one and another single as it is played towards cover. Just 5 from the over so far. Can he end it well?
Andrew Tye to Nitish Rana. Very, very good fielding there by Shami! This has been creamed through covers. It is flat, travelling and bounces just in front of Shami who is running to his left. He does well to get his body behind the ball and stops it. Saves three for his side.
Andrew Tye to Nitish Rana. A really good slower one there! It is slightly short and outside off, Rana looks to pull but is early into the shot. He misses.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. A full toss and Uthappa does not take toll of it. He may not have been expecting it, he strokes it down to long on for a run.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. This is angled into the batsman, Uthappa walks across and flicks it through mid-wicket. Calls for two and takes two.
Andrew Tye is back on.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. A dot to end! A good last delivery, slower through the air outside off, Rana goes after it but is beaten by the extra bounce. 11 from this over and after the loss of those wickets in quick succession, Kolkata have done well to recover.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. A low full toss on off, Rana strokes it nicely past covers and wide of long off for a couple.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. SIX! In the slot and that is out of here. Flighted ball and on off, Rana goes down on one knee and hits it over the long on fielder.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. Flatter and on the stumps, Rana goes back and pushes it to covers.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. The carrom ball from Ashwin on the stumps, Rana looks to sweep but it goes off the inner half. It is in the gap in the mid-wicket region. Shami (back on the field) does well to stop it with his leg. Two taken.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. Leading edge but a run! Uthappa looks to play across the line but closes the face of the bat early. He gets a soft leading edge towards point for a run.
Varun Chakravarthy to Nitish Rana. Two dots to end! Tosses this up on off, Rana drives it square on the off side but finds the fielder. So despite going for a couple of boundaries, only 9 from it.
Varun Chakravarthy to Nitish Rana. Good delivery! This is flatter and on middle, Rana defends it out.
Varun Chakravarthy to Robin Uthappa. A low full toss this time, Uthappa is happy to push it down to long off for a run.
Varun Chakravarthy to Robin Uthappa. FOUR! Second boundary in the over. This time through the right of point. Short and wide again, Uthappa says thank you very much as he cuts it for another boundary.
Varun Chakravarthy to Robin Uthappa. Flights this one and bowls it fuller. Uthappa looks to drive but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler.
Varun Chakravarthy to Robin Uthappa. FOUR! 29 from his first 7 balls. Poor start for the debutant. Another poor delivery this. It is short and outside off, Uthappa rocks back and cuts it past point. It races away to the fence.
Change in bowling! Debutant Varun Chakravarthy is back on. He conceded 25 in his first over, will he make a comeback?
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. Shout for an lbw! Not given. Ashwin hurls a flighted full ball just outside off, it skids back in after landing, Rana tries sweeping but misses. Ashwin appeals but the impact appears to be outside the line. Done with the Powerplay, Kolkata have got 53/2!
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. Flatter and on middle, stroked off the back foot to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. SIX! Uthappa has belted this one out of the park! He goes down on one knee to a full ball, fetches it from outside off and powers it over mid-wicket for a maximum.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. Beaten! A good delivery. This one goes straight on after landing wide outside off, Uthappa throws his bat at it and misses.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Nitish Rana. Full and flighted on off, Rana flicks it through mid-wicket and takes another run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to Robin Uthappa. Goes on the back foot and punches a shortish ball down to long on for a run.
Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl the last over of the Powerplay. Keep an eye on the non-striker!
Andrew Tye to Nitish Rana. Just short! A good slower one to end. It is on a driving length. Rana is a touch early into the stroke. He hits it uppishly but short of Gayle at covers. An excellent first over by Tye, just two from it.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. A quick single there! Fuller delivery on off, Uthappa leans into it and strokes it towards mid off for a single.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. Another dot! Uthappa drops this towards point and wants a run but is sent back.
Andrew Tye to Robin Uthappa. A change up by Tye. It is on middle, Uthappa looks to pull it hard but it does not bounce as much as he expected it to. It goes off the inner half to fine leg.
Andrew Tye to Nitish Rana. Some extra bounce there! Bends his back on this one. Rana is surprised by the extra bounce. He takes one hand off the handle as he tries to defend. It goes off the inner half and towards square leg for a run.
Andrew Tye to Nitish Rana. Starts off with a short ball outside off, Rana evades it nicely.
Here comes Andrew Tye.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. SIX! A flat maximum! What a shot! Slightly short and width on offer outside off. Uthappa pounces onto it as he slaps it hard over cover-point. The connection is such that it carries all the way. A biggie to end the over.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Closer to the off pole this time and Uthappa strokes it to cover.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. That stayed low! Length and outside off, Uthappa looks to force it through the off side but misses.
Nitish Rana is in next.
Hardus Viljoen to Sunil Narine. OUT! In the air... taken! Both the openers are now back in the hut. Another skier has been pouched, this time by KL Rahul. Suddenly now, Kolkata are pushed on the back foot. It is once again the short ball which does the trick. It is on the body. Narine looks to pull but only manages a top edge. It goes behind Rahul who turns and runs across to his right, initially he seems to misjudge it but then takes it by stretching out his hands near short fine leg. Viljoen makes an impact straightaway and the bowling change has worked wonders here.
Hardus Viljoen to Sunil Narine. Slower ball but it comes out wrong. It is down the leg side and it has been wided.
Mohammed Shami is off the field and is replaced by Karun Nair. He seems to have hurt his fingers while attempting the return catch in his last over. Hoping, everything is fine with him.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Top fielding but can't stop the run! Uthappa just uses the pace and guides it towards cover-point. Karun Nair, the substitute there, dives to his left and stops it. The batsmen take a run though.
Hardus Viljoen to Robin Uthappa. Hits the length hard first up and it is outside off, Uthappa goes after it but misses.
Hardus Viljoen is on now.
Mohammed Shami to Sunil Narine. Play and a miss! Short and wide outside off, at 138.6 kph, Narine backs away to slap it through the line but misses. 8 runs and a wicket from the over.
Mohammed Shami to Sunil Narine. Dropped! A really tough one for the bowler. Short and on off, Narine stays back to flat-bat it down the ground but fails to connect properly. Still he hits it with a lot of power and Shami drops it in his followthrough. Would have been a great catch and even greater moment for Punjab to get both the danger men within two balls.
Robin Uthappa is the new man in.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. OUT! Shami gets his revenge! It's a brilliant catch from David Miller. A shortish ball again, it's around off, Lynn sticks back to power it across the line again but it catches the top edge and goes high up in the air. Miller calls for it from extra cover and completes the catch almost next to the pitch, to be precise. A big breakthrough, this.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. FOUR! Clubbed away! Nearly took the head of his partner at the other end. Shami goes short and wide outside off, Lynn packs a punch and powers it over Narine for a boundary at long on.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. Good line this time. Back of a length ball on off, not much width and Chris goes back to play it towards mid off.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. FOUR! Lynn joining the fun! A little bit of width on offer outside off, the Aussie latches onto it and slams it over cover-point for a boundary.
Varun Chakravarthy to Sunil Narine. SIX! Consecutive maximums! 25 from Varun's first over. Welcome to the Indian T20 League. Another delivery which is asking to be hit. Down the leg side, Narine whips it over the square leg fence for another biggie.
Varun Chakravarthy to Sunil Narine. SIX! He has picked the bones out of that one. That is colossal. Goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it. It is right off the middle and it sails into the mid-wicket stand.
Varun Chakravarthy to Sunil Narine. FOUR! Poor ball and put away! Short and on middle, Narine rocks back and pulls it all along the ground through mid-wicket. Long on runs to his left, dives but fails to stop it. 13 from the first 4 balls. Pressure on the debutant.
Varun Chakravarthy to Sunil Narine. DROPPED! A very, very difficult chance that! Another flighted delivery and it is full again. Narine this time looks to go to the left of the bowler. He hits it uppishly and powerfully. Varun sticks his hands out but fails to hang on. It goes wide of long on and the batters take two. That needed to stick and this time it did not.
Varun Chakravarthy to Sunil Narine. SIX! All the way! Narine does not want a sighter against the debutant. He straightaway goes after him, Varun is guilty of bowling it too full. Narine thumps it over the long off fence for a biggie. First of the game and Narine is off the mark in style.
Varun Chakravarthy to Chris Lynn. Lynn shuffles right across and then works it through mid-wicket for a single.
Debutant Varun Chakravarthy to bowl from the other end.
Mohammed Shami to Sunil Narine. A dot to end a very good first over by Shami. He bowls a rib-tickler to Narine. Sunil works it towards mid-wicket, wants a run but is sent back.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. Kolkata and Lynn are underway! Another length ball and on middle, Lynn looks to go downtown but only manages an inside edge towards fine leg for a single.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. A good delivery there! This one pitches around middle and then jags back in. Lynn looks to drive but ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. Gets bat to ball this time but finds the man at covers with a drive.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. Another scoring opportunity goes abegging! Down the leg side and Lynn for the second time in a row fails to put bat on ball. It brushes the pads and goes to the keeper who does not collect it cleanly but does not concede an extra run.
Mohammed Shami to Chris Lynn. Starts off with a ball on the pads, Lynn misses out on a scoring opportunity as he tries to flick but does not connect. It hits him on the pads.
We are all set for the action to begin. Andre Russell rings the bell and then, the umpires make their way out. The Punjab players are in a huddle. Now they make their way out to the middle. Behind them walk the Kolkata openers, Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine, who is back at the top of the order. Mohammed Shami will start the proceedings for the visitors. Here we go...
Ravichandran Ashwin starts off by saying they wanted to bowl first. Reckons the wicket might do a little upfront and ease off as the game progresses. Feels dew also might come into play later on. Informs they have quite a few changes as David Miller comes back in, Varun Chakravarthy is making his debut, Hardus Viljoen and Andrew Tye also come in. On the other hand, Dinesh Karthik also wanted to bowl first. He informs they are playing the same eleven.
TOSS - Punjab win the toss and they elect to field first!
PITCH REPORT - Michael Clarke says this seems to be a very good surface. Further adds there is even covering of grass. Reckons the pacers should get some good carry and the deliveries from the spinners may slide on. Ends by saying the limelight will be on the two West Indians, Andre Russell and Chris Gayle.
Hello, folks! It's time for the clash between Kolkata and Punjab at the iconic Eden Gardens. One team won due to the muscular knock from Andre Russell while the other team won courtesy a smart yet controversial 'Mankading' move from Ravichandran Ashwin. Both have tasted success early and would be eyeing to build momentum. Plenty of power-packed entertainers to take the field this evening and we are expecting a mouth-watering contest. Stay tuned for updates...
That is it from this game! 2 in 2 for the hosts, whereas, the visitors suffered their first defeat of the season. Indian T20 League action continues on Thursday as we have two different teams battling it out. Bangalore host Mumbai at 2000 local (1430 GMT). Till then, take care and goodbye!
Man of the Match, Andre Russell, says he is happy to keep winning cars and all the awards. Mentions he is very pleased to get Gayle's wicket as everybody knows how devastating he can be. States Gayle is still the bigger hitter compared to him. Jokingly thanks the guy who was the extra fielder outside the ring. Further adds he believes that was an important moment in the game as it does not happen everyday. Ends by saying he makes sure he has a clear head, the jump he does before he bats, a couple of swings is a part of his warm-up.
Kolkata skipper, Dinesh Karthik, says it is a very good start and just what they wanted but there is still a long way to go. Credits the way Nitish and Uthappa played. Appreciates the effort from the bowlers also. Adds that Narine's injury was the reason Nitish opened last game, he was fit in this game and hence he was given his position back. Ends by saying playing away is a challenge and they will try and do their best.
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin, replying to that no ball incident, says that it is the small things which cost you the game in this format and they have to be more aware. Mentions he takes the blame on himself for that no ball. Further adds Varun Chakravarthy was playing his first game and he will improve as time goes on. Credits the way Mayank Agarwal batted. Mentions that the Mohali wicket suits them and adds that they played 4 games there last year and won all of them. Hopes to continue that good run.
Earlier in the match, Kolkata were put to bat and they performed brilliantly. Every batsman contributed to the cause and once again it was Andre Russell who provided the kick with his swashbuckling knock in the death overs. He got a reprieve due to a silly mistake from Punjab (bowled off a no ball as there was an extra fielder outside the ring) and his knock eventually proved to be the differential factor. With the ball also, Kolkata were nearly there. Although they conceded too many runs, they made sure to chip in with some tidy overs in between. Once again it was Andre Russell who picked up a couple of crucial wickets and proved his worth as an all-rounder in the team.
A comfortable win in the end for Kolkata! After they posted a gigantic total on the board and removed KL Rahul and Chris Gayle cheaply, they always were ahead in the match. Mayank Agarwal and David Miller did try to revive the chase with a handy 74-run partnership but the required rate kept mounting and never allowed them to gain any control. Towards the end, Mandeep Singh also played some shots but still Punjab fell short by 28 runs.
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. A dot to end the game! Short and outside off, it is slapped hard to covers. The fielder fumbles but a run is not taken. Customary handshakes taking place as KOLKATA WIN BY 28 RUNS!
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. Another couple! A googly and this is cut through point for two.
Piyush Chawla to Mandeep Singh. The quicker one and this is stroked down to long on for a single.
Piyush Chawla to Mandeep Singh. FOUR! Just beats the man at short fine leg. Mandeep plays the scoop. Hits it nicely and just about clears Lynn. 50-run stand up.
Piyush Chawla to Mandeep Singh. Another googly and once again it is picked, Mandeep works it through mid-wicket and a run is taken.
Piyush Chawla to Mandeep Singh. FOUR! Short and on middle, Mandeep goes back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. Uthappa there tries to stop it but fails to do so.
Piyush Chawla to bowl the last over.
Lockie Ferguson to David Miller. Clever change in pace to beat the bat. Lockie serves it outside off, Miller swishes and misses. Lets out a big grunt after missing out.
Lockie Ferguson to David Miller. SIX! Fine shot! Ferguson lands it on a fuller length around middle and leg, Miller makes room and smacks it over cover-point for a biggie.
Lockie Ferguson to David Miller. Fifty up for Miller, 9th in this League. Ferguson cuts down on his pace and delivers a length ball around leg at 125.7 kph, Miller works it in the gap on the leg side for a couple.
Lockie Ferguson to Mandeep Singh. Goes blockhole, Ferguson. Singh squeezes it out back past the bowler for a run at long off. 50 needed more off 9 balls.
Lockie Ferguson to Mandeep Singh. FOUR! Mandeep receives a short delivery outside off and steers it past the diving backward point fielder for a boundary. More than fours, Punjab need sixes.
Lockie Ferguson to David Miller. A fine yorker around leg, Miller backs away a bit and then has to dig it out on the leg side. Only a run.
Lockie Ferguson to David Miller. Wide! Ferguson speeds in from around the wicket and bowls a full ball down the leg side, Miller tries flicking but misses.
Prasidh Krishna to Mandeep Singh. FOUR! Good shot! Krishna bowls a short ball on middle, Singh arches and then upper cuts it just over the leaping keeper and into the third man fence.
Prasidh Krishna to David Miller. Good delivery again! The effort ball on the body of the batsman. Miller is once again late on the pull shot. He mistimes it towards the vacant mid-wicket region. Kuldeep runs to his right and keeps it down to one.
Prasidh Krishna to David Miller. Bowls it on the pads, Miller is a touch late in the flick. He misses and gets hit on the pads. He may have been expecting a slower ball there as the last one was a seam-up delivery.
Prasidh Krishna to David Miller. FOUR! Straight as an arrow! No fielder had a chance there. A low full toss and Miller powers it down the ground.
Prasidh Krishna to Mandeep Singh. A full toss but PK gets away with it as Mandeep drives it towards cover for a run.
Prasidh Krishna to Mandeep Singh. A change up to start with. It is outside off. Singh looks to pull but misses.
Prasidh Krishna is back on.
Lockie Ferguson to Mandeep Singh. Looking London, Talking Tokyo! A short ball on off, quite pacy, Mandeep winds up for a big pull shot on the leg side but is hurried up due to the excessive pace. It takes the bottom half of his bat's blade and speeds to deep point for a run. 15 from the over. 67 needed off 18 balls.
Lockie Ferguson to Mandeep Singh. Takes the aerial route and lofts a length ball over covers for a couple.
Lockie Ferguson to David Miller. Full toss sliding down the leg side, Miller pulls it fine down the leg side for a run.
Lockie Ferguson to David Miller. FOUR! Ferguson changes his plan for Miller. Switches to around the wicket and hurls a slower short ball outside off. Not a good idea with third man inside the ring. David just rocks back and picks the gap past that in-ring fielder for a boundary.
Lockie Ferguson to Mandeep Singh. Goes very full and outside off, Singh backs away and squeezes it through cover-point for a run. 75 needed off 22 balls.
Lockie Ferguson to Mandeep Singh. SIX! Good start to the over! A sharp delivery but there is plenty of width on offer outside off. Mandeep exercises his arms and dispatches it over long off for a biggie.
Lockie Ferguson is back to bowl at the death.
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. NOT OUT! Nothing on Ultra Edge, a big gap between bat and ball and the on-field call has to be overturned! Good use of the review there and Punjab's glimmer of hope survives to fight another day. Chawla once again sticks to the line outside off. Miller looks to slap it hard. He seems to have missed it. Karthik takes it and appeals. The umpire agrees. Miller reviews and replays show that there is no bat involved.
Appeal for a caught behind! Dinesh Karthik is very sure. The umpire raises his finger. David Miller has taken the referral...
Piyush Chawla to Mandeep Singh. Another single as this is worked through mid-wicket for a run.
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. Fires this one outside off, Miller swings but it goes off the inner half towards long on for a run.
Piyush Chawla to Mandeep Singh. The googly and Mandeep picks it, he flicks it through square leg for a run.
Mandeep Singh is the new batsman. His job will be to give maximum strike to David Miller.
Piyush Chawla to Mayank Agarwal. OUT! Mayank has been cleaned up by Chawla! The googly does the trick. We feel Mayank did pick it and hence goes for the slog sweep. The ball though does not bounce a lot, goes under the bat and knocks the leg stump out. Chawla breaks the 74-run stand and a set batsman is back in the hut. A good innings by Agarwal but he had a lot to do and perishes in an attempt to do so.
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. Well bowled! Sees Miller shuffle right across so bowls it wide outside off. Miller hits it to sweeper cover for a run.
Strategic break. The current partnership has somewhere given hope to Punjab. The equation still is a daunting one - 86 off 30 balls. As long as Miller is there, the danger is also there. Mayank Agarwal has also looked in great touch and if these two last the distance, we are in for a thrilling finish. Sit back and enjoy the ride. Piyush Chawla to bowl...
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. A single to end! Miller hits it through covers for a run. 9 from this one but still not good enough.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. FOUR! Lovely shot! Miller uses his feet, Kuldeep tries to outsmart him by firing it in. Miller does well to get bat to it, he does even better to get it past cover. Russell runs to his right and seems to have pushed it back in. However, replays show that he was in contact with the ropes and the ball at the same time. Boundary.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. Flat-bats this down to long on for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. In the air... dropped! Rinku Singh is the culprit but it is a very good effort. Agarwal comes down the track and looks to hit it against the turn. It was the googly. He ends up slicing it towards cover-point. Rinku, the substitute there, runs to his left, dives but can't hang on to the catch. Couple taken.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Hits this nicely but finds the man at deep mid-wicket. Only a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. This is flatter and on middle, Miller pushes it back to the bowler.
Kuldeep Yadav to have another go. DK wants wickets. 95 needed off 36 balls. This kind of equation has been achieved in the past.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. No boundary, only a couple to end as this is hit nicely towards long off. The fielder there makes a diving stop and saves two.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. A dot now! So need to score a boundary on the last ball. Slower short ball on middle, Agarwal looks to upper cut but misses.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. Another couple as this is worked in the gap in the mid-wicket region. Need one boundary at least, two balls to go.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. 50 for Agarwal, his 4th in this league. A very good innings from him. Wickets kept falling at the other end but he has continued to score freely. Needs to stay there till the end though. He works this through mid-wicket and bags two.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. Short and outside off, Agarwal looks to upper cut but misses.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. A slower ball and it is very full, Mayank does well to work it in the gap at the mid-wicket region for two.
Andre Russell is back into the attack. He has picked a wicket every over. Will he strike again?
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. A double to end! 10 from this over and 39 from the last 3. This is pulled powerfully towards deep mid-wicket. Kuldeep there misfields and concedes an extra run.
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. Another dot as this one is slapped hard towards cover.
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. Flatter and outside off, Miller mistimes his cut to cover.
Piyush Chawla to Mayank Agarwal. Another googly and Mayank this time fails to put bat on ball. It hits the pads and rolls towards square leg. A leg bye taken.
Piyush Chawla to Mayank Agarwal. SIX! Shot Mayank! Brings up the 50-run stand, this stand is just about keeping the hopes alive for the Punjab dug out. This is shorter and it is the googly. MA picks it and he pulls it over the square leg fence for a flat six.
Piyush Chawla to David Miller. Starts off with a slider outside off, Miller hits it through covers for a single.
Piyush Chawla to bowl for the first time.
Sunil Narine to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Last one got power, this one has finesse. Mayank allows the ball to turn back in from outside off and then at the last moment deflects it past short third man for a boundary. 19 from the over, 113 needed off 48 balls.
Sunil Narine to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Bang! Turning out to be a very useful over for Punjab! Flatter and fuller outside off, Agarwal latches onto the room and spanks it past the bowler for a boundary down the ground.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. Full and on middle, flicked down through wide mid on for a run.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. FOUR! Brute power! Narine drags his length short and drops it on middle, Miller goes deep inside the crease and powers his pull shot through mid-wicket.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. SIX! Bashed! Narine pitches it up and around off, as they say for Miller, if it's in the arc, it's out of the park. This is what happens here. Miller attacks it and sends it packing over the bowler's head for a maximum.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. Beaten! Turning away from the left-hander, Miller pushes inside the line and misses.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. DROPPED! Ferguson drops a sitter! Miller once again goes for the sweep shot. This time though he hits it flat towards deep backward square leg. Ferguson there goes for the reverse cup but fails to hang on. He though does well to recover and push it back in before it crosses the ropes with an acrobatic dive. The umpires go up to check and the replays show he has done well. Just a single. A reprieve for Miller. We saw what Russell did when he got a life, Miller will have to better that effort here.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. SIX! HUGE! That has gone a long way back! It also makes a cracking sound off the bat. Brings the slog sweep out. Connects extremely well and hits it into the mid-wicket stand.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Almost chops it on! This is slower through the air on off, Miller makes room and then looks to cut. Too full for that shot. He only manages a bottom edge, onto his pads and then it goes agonizingly close past the leg pole.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. A little too short and it is the googly! Agarwal picks it but hits it against the turn through mid-wicket for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. This is way too wide outside off. Wided.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Very full on the pads, difficult to get under this one. Miller whips it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Gives it air and lands it on middle, Miller strokes it back to the bowler. A dot to begin this over.
Sunil Narine to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Gets one this time but still, only 7 from the over. This is down the leg side, Agarwal sweeps it through square leg. The fielder, Rana, in the deep runs to his right, dives but fails to stop it.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. Just a single again! Boundaries are what Punjab need but they are not getting it. Miller hits this one nicely but straight towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
Sunil Narine to Mayank Agarwal. Mayank eases it down to long on for a single.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. Brings the sweep shot out and hits it towards square leg for a single.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. BEATEN AGAIN! This is quicker and shorter outside off, Miller wants to cut but does not connect.
Sunil Narine to David Miller. Turn straightaway! This is flatter on off, it pitches and turns away. Miller looks to drive but gets beaten.
No respite for Punjab. In comes Sunil Narine to bowl.
Strategic break. Kolkata comfortably on top. Chris Gayle, KL Rahul and Sarfaraz Khan, all known for big hitting, are already removed and Punjab are staring down the barrel. David Miller is capable of hitting big but the required rate has jumped to 13.54 and it's not going to be easy against the quality and variety that the home team has in its bowling attack.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Now dances down the track and hits it hard towards long on for a run. 9 from the over but it is still below the run rate needed.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. FOUR! Swept and swept nicely! This is tossed up on middle, Miller goes down on one knee and sweeps it in the gap at the mid-wicket region. Boundary. Need a few more.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Played to mid-wicket region by the batsman.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. Picks the googly and then pushes it through covers for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. This is wide outside off, it is left alone. Wided.
Kuldeep Yadav to David Miller. Gives it a lot of air and bowls it on middle, Miller eases it down to long off and gets to the other end.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. This one is slapped through covers and a single is taken.
Andre Russell to David Miller. On a length and this one zips of the surface after pitching. Takes the inside edge of Miller's bat and then onto his pad.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. The slower ball and it is down the leg side, Agarwal waits for it and works it towards fine leg for a single.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. Russell has his tail up here. Bends his back and bangs it short. Agarwal evades it.
David Miller's turn to bat.
Andre Russell to Sarfaraz Khan. OUT! Russel gets another one! The slower ball does the trick for him this time. Sarfaraz was completely foxed there. It is down the leg side. Khan is way too early in his shot as he tries to hit it towards fine leg. Only manages a top edge which lobs towards the left of Karthik. He runs there and takes it. He then points towards the bowler so surely there was some planning between the two. Kolkata right on top here. 159 runs more needed off 75 balls.
Andre Russell to Sarfaraz Khan. FOUR! Like that! A top shot that. Length and outside off, Sarfaraz once again just uses the pace of the ball and guides it past point. The outfield is lightning quick and it reaches the fence in a jiffy.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. Back of a length on middle, this is worked towards mid-wicket for a single. They need to get going here, singles won't do the job for them.
Andre Russell is back on.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. Excellent start by KY. Only 4 singles from this over. The last ball has been hit down to long off for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sarfaraz Khan. Now fires this full and on the stumps, Khan jams it out towards long on for a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sarfaraz Khan. Clever bowling! Kuldeep knows Sarfaraz wants to sweep so he is bowling it quicker and outside off. Khan looks to cut but misses.
Kuldeep Yadav to Mayank Agarwal. Another googly and it is short and outside off, Mayank hits it through covers and takes a single.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sarfaraz Khan. Edgy runs! The googly from Kuldeep and Sarfaraz looks to sweep against the turn. It goes off the top edge towards third man for a run.
Kuldeep Yadav to Sarfaraz Khan. Flatter and outside off, the batter slaps it through covers for a run.
Prasidh Krishna to Sarfaraz Khan. Strokes it in the gap on the off side for one. 51/2 in the Powerplay, they needed way better than this effort!
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. Played to the point region by the batsman. They crossed.
Prasidh Krishna to Sarfaraz Khan. Pushed to the cover region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
Prasidh Krishna to Sarfaraz Khan. Gets forward to a full ball and blocks.
Prasidh Krishna to Sarfaraz Khan. Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
What happened there? Dinesh Karthik and Robin Uthappa are having an animated chat with the umpires. All the Kolkata players have surrounded there. Not sure what's the issue... Now we know! After the last ball, the fielder threw it casually over the bowler and Russell didn't back it up at mid on as he probably lost the ball in the floodlights. The ball went past the rope. So, it's 5 runs on 5.1. The argument that DK was putting was that the ball became dead once the run was completed and it should not have been counted as overthrows. Anyway, let's move on.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. Goes short and follows the batsman. MA drops it towards cover and crosses. Do read the next update for all the drama that followed...
Prasidh Krishna changes ends.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. Another single to end a successful over by Russell. This is worked around the corner for a run.
Andre Russell to Sarfaraz Khan. Sensible batting! Follows the boundary with a single towards cover.
Andre Russell to Sarfaraz Khan. FOUR! Clever shot! Short and on middle, Sarfaraz at the very end arches his back and then upper cuts it. Uses the pace of the bowler and fetches a boundary in the fine leg region.
Andre Russell to Sarfaraz Khan. Length delivery around middle, this one comes back in a little. Khan looks to flick but misses to get hit high on the pads.
Sarfaraz Khan is in next.
Andre Russell to Chris Gayle. OUT! In the air... taken! Russell gets the big man. Did it with the bat first and now with the ball. Too quick this for Gayle. It is short and on the body. Gayle looks to pull but the ball hurries onto him. It hits the higher portion and then balloons back over the bowler's head. Now there are two fielders going after it, one from mid off and the other from mid on. No calling between the two. However, they avoid the collision and Prasidh from mid off takes it. Russell strikes straightaway and now chasing this target is going to be an uphill task for the batters to come.
Andre Russell to Mayank Agarwal. A good length delivery on off, Agarwal waits for it and then guides it down to third man for a run.
Andre Russell has the ball in his hands now.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. SIX! This is right off the middle and it goes all the way! Gayle may have been expecting a pacy short ball and he gets it. He smokes it over the long on fence. 10 from the last two balls and 11 from the over in total. 24 from the last two.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. FOUR! Just over! The slower one almost does the trick. It is short once again, Gayle this time swings a little too early. It goes off the bottom part of the bat but over the mid on fielder and into the fence.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. This is excellent pace bowling here! Varying his line, length, pace. Brilliant! Goes for the yorker now. Gayle though is up for it as he jams it out.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. The off pace delivery on middle, Gayle gets right behind the line and blocks it out.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. WIDE! Down the leg side, Gayle misses the flick. The ball swings after it passes the batsman. Karthik does well to collect it to his left.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. The last one was at 142.5 kph and this one is way slower. It is short and Gayle is completely foxed. He is way too early in the pull and misses.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. Pace, swing, just too good that! Length and this one straightens after pitching on middle, Gayle is squared up as he tries to defend and gets beaten.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! A boundary to end! Three in this over. A full toss this time and Agarwal puts it away as he flicks it through mid-wicket.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. Good delivery! Sees Mayank make room so slows it up. Agarwal does not pick it and in the end plays no shot to the delivery outside off.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. On the shorter side, Agarwal gets on top of the bounce and defends it onto the ground.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. Looks to find the gap through the point region by opening the face of the bat at the very end but could not.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! This time through the off side. Makes room does Agarwal and opens up the off side. Hits it through covers and the ball races away. Back-to-back boundaries.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. FOUR! Beautiful shot! Just eased it there. Shuffles across and then works it through square leg. The ball races away.
Prasidh Krishna to Mayank Agarwal. Down the leg side, Agarwal looks to flick but misses. Good carry to Karthik but it is a wide.
Lockie Ferguson to Chris Gayle. A length ball on middle and off, blocked from the crease. What an over! Just a run and a big wicket of KL Rahul from it!
Lockie Ferguson to Mayank Agarwal. Room on offer outside off, Agarwal guides it down to third man for a run.
Mayank Agarwal is the new man in.
Lockie Ferguson to Lokesh Rahul. OUT! Pressure was building and KL Rahul succumbs. Ferguson ups his pace and delivers a length ball on off at 145.9 kph. Rahul backs away to play a lofted shot over the cover region but fails to time his shot properly. His bat turns in his hands and the bottom hand also comes off as he ends up chipping a straightforward catch to Kuldeep Yadav at mid off. Big loss for Punjab.
Lockie Ferguson to Lokesh Rahul. Sharp delivery, short and wide outside off, Rahul tries his best to play the square cut but misses. Three dots. Pressure mounting.
Lockie Ferguson to Lokesh Rahul. The pace remains the same but the line becomes middle and leg. Rahul flicks but finds mid-wicket.
Lockie Ferguson to Lokesh Rahul. Starts with a full ball on off, at 143.7 kph, Rahul gets forward and drives it back to the bowler.
Who will bowl from the other end? Sunil Narine? Nopes. Dinesh Karthik is starting with pacers here. The Kiwi, Lockie Ferguson to bowl from the other end.
Prasidh Krishna to Chris Gayle. Boundary or miss! Once again a short ball on middle and off, Gayle tries to pull but fails to connect. 11 from the first over, a good beginning from Punjab.
Prasidh Krishna to Chris Gayle. EDGY FOUR! The third man fielder was a bit square and it has raced away. Shortish ball outside off, once again Gayle reaches out and tries to punch it over the off side probably but gets a thick outside edge.
Prasidh Krishna to Chris Gayle. Swing and a miss! This is how he bats. Width on offer outside off, Gayle throws his bat at it but fails to connect.
Prasidh Krishna to Chris Gayle. SIX! Gayle is off the mark with a maximum! Prasidh commits the mistake of bowling short and wide outside off, Chris stays back calmly on the back foot and just uses the pace to loft it over third man.
Prasidh Krishna to Chris Gayle. Back of a length ball on off, Gayle goes on the back foot and taps it down to point.
Prasidh Krishna to Lokesh Rahul. Starts with a length ball on middle, Rahul gets back and works it through mid-wicket for a run. Punjab are underway, they need 'only 218' more.
Back for the run chase! Chris Gayle and KL Rahul are the openers for Punjab. They need a big Powerplay to stay on track in this match. Prasidh Krishna to kick off proceedings. Here we go...