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RR beat KKR by 3 wickets | Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, Highlights And Cricket Score 43th T20 Match - Commentary
Indian Premier League, 2019
Date: Apr 25, 2019 Start Time: 20:00 IST | 14:30 GMT | 20:00 LocalVenue: Eden Gardens, Kolkata
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Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals Highlights And Cricket Score 43th Match - T20 Commentary
Dinesh Karthik says he's happy to get some runs and contribute to the team's cause. Adds that as a leader, he wanted to lead from the front and face as many balls as possible, which was the reason why he promoted himself to the no.4 spot. Feels that as a team, they have to work with what they've got and give it their best no matter what.
176 is a stiff target but the ground here is small, the wicket is an excellent one to bat on. Also, Rajasthan do have a decent batting line up. Will they chase this down and give Kolkata their 6th loss in a row or will the home side end their win-less run? Join us to find out. For now, Dinesh Karthik, is up for an interview.
The Rajasthan bowling started off extremely well with Varun Aaron bowling an excellent spell first up. He was the pick of the bowlers as he finished with figures of 4-1-20-2. However, Rajasthan could not keep that going as after the 10th over, it was all Kolkata. Their bowlers were smashed to all parts of the ground and conceded 126 in the last 10 overs.
The visitors won the toss and elected to field! They got off to the best starts possible as they got rid of the openers within the Powerplay. Karthik then along with Narine first, got his eye in. Once he did so, he started playing his shots. Momentum then seemed to change as Gopal was taken for 25 in the 11th over. However, wickets at regular intervals, kept Kolkata in-tact but some fine hitting by Karthik, who fell 3 short of his ton, helped them score 75 in the last 5 overs which saw them get to a total which is just about par.
WHAT AN INNINGS FROM DINESH KARTHIK! He has single-handedly taken Kolkata to a total which is surely dependable. However, Rajasthan are surely not out of the game, they won't be too disappointed with how things are at the moment.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. No ton for DK as it is only a single, but 18 runs from the last over. KOLKATA FINISH WITH 175! A short ball and it is on the body, Karthik goes for the pull but mistimes it towards deep mid-wicket for a run.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! That is why he did not run! Karthik smashes this over the bowler's head for a biggie. 4 away now with one ball to go. Once again, it is poor from Unadkat, in the slot again and it is tonked over the long off fence. Will the Kolkata skipper get to his ton?
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. Straight towards the fielder and Karthik does not run! He now has 2 balls to score 10 for his ton. Slower ball and on the pads, Karthik looks to hit it over the square leg fence but it goes off the inner half towards deep square leg.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! Over long on! Into the 90s is Karthik. What a shot! Once again he is standing way inside his crease. Unadkat misses the yorker and turns out to be a hit-me ball. Karthik sends it into the long on stands. 11 runs from the first three balls.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! In the gap and a boundary! Unadkat goes full, Karthik uses the depth of the crease as he stands well in. It turns out to be a slot delivery and Karthik whips it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Jaydev Unadkat to Rinku Singh. Good length and angling into the batsman, Rinku goes for the heave but mistimes it towards long on for a single. The good thing for Kolkata is Karthik is on strike.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! Consecutive maximums! The last two balls ruin what was a top over till then. 16 from it in the end. Another short ball, this one had pace on it. Karthik seems to be ready for it. He is onto the back foot quickly and pulls it over fine leg for a biggie.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! SLAPPED! That shot just shows how strong Karthik is. This is short ball and it is a slower one outside off. Karthik waits for it and then muscles it off the back foot and over covers. It goes all the way.
Jofra Archer to Rinku Singh. Singh makes room and Archer bowls a yorker. Singh jams it out towards cover for a run.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Well stopped! Three singles now in the first three balls here. Karthik though would feel he missed out there. It is outside off, Karthik plays it late, trying to find the gap between backward point and short third man. Does not do so as the man in the former position does well to stop it with a dive.
Jofra Archer to Rinku Singh. Another single as Rinku works it through mid-wicket. Singles are something Rajasthan won't mind at the moment.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Down the leg side, Karthik flicks it down to fine leg and takes one.
Jofra Archer to bowl his last!
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. On a good length on middle, Karthik defends and takes a quick run. Another expensive over from Unadkat, 14 runs have come from it.
Rahane is taken off the field. He hurt his shoulder on the last ball, which is the reason for that. Hopefully it isn't too serious and he can come out to bat in the second innings.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. Dropped and FOUR! But that's such a difficult chance, unfortunate Rahane couldn't hold on. Slower short ball on middle stump, Karthik pulls it over mid-wicket. Rahane in the deep runs to his right, dives and gets his hands to it, but it doesn't stick. To add to his woes, it rolls away and touches the rope.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. WIDE! Bowls it wide outside off, Karthik lets it go.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. A dot now! Unadkat sees Karthik moving right across to play the paddle. He bowls it very full outside off. Karthik continues with the shot but does not connect. It hits the pads and rolls towards the left of the keeper. Karthik sets off for a run initially and so does Rinku Singh. Samson does well though to move towards the ball quickly and stop it with a dive. Karthik then sends Singh back who is halfway down the wicket. Samson in the meantime throws it to the bowler who collects it and has a shy at his end but misses.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! 4, wicket, 4 off the first three balls in this over. Poor ball with third man up. Short and wide outside off, Karthik cuts it through backward point and it is a certain boundary.
Rinku Singh is the new batsman in.
Jaydev Unadkat to Carlos Brathwaite. OUT! Unadkat has the last laugh! Another big-hitter walks back without making an impact. Unadkat sticks to bowling the slower balls. Brathwaite goes for the pull but does not get it off the middle. It has more air than distance and Rahane at deep mid-wicket takes a good catch diving forward.
Jaydev Unadkat to Carlos Brathwaite. FOUR! Not sure that shot was off the middle but Kolkata won't care. It is the slower one and it is on the pads, Brathwaite is already into his shot, the ball though hits the inner half and goes past short fine leg for a boundary.
Oshane Thomas to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! Takes full toll of the Free Hit, does Karthik. It is not right off the middle but enough to go over the fence. On the shorter side again, Karthik flat-bats it towards long on. For a second the man there feels he can stop it but the ball flies over him. The last ball spoils the over completely. 12 from it.
Free Hit coming up!
Oshane Thomas to Carlos Brathwaite. NO BALL! Oshane Thomas oversteps! Full on middle, Brathwaite drives it past the bowler towards mid on for a run. The next ball will be a Free Hit.
Carlos Brathwaite is the new batsman in.
Oshane Thomas to Andre Russell. OUT! No third time lucky for Russell as he holes out. Just wasn't timing the ball that well tonight. Oshane Thomas gets his man. It is short and outside off. Russell again looks to drag his pull shot but it goes right off the bottom part. Parag at deep mid-wicket takes it with ease. Huge wicket as Russell could have easily taken the game away from Rajasthan.
The physio is out. Russell needs some medical attention on that left wrist of his, which has been troubling him since a while this season. Hopefully some magic spray will be enough to get him playing a bit freely.
Oshane Thomas to Dinesh Karthik. Short of a length delivery on leg, Karthik pulls it through square leg for a run.
Oshane Thomas to Andre Russell. DROPPED AGAIN! Russell has another life! Smith can't believe it. Yes, this is a skier but it needs to be taken. Oshane goes short and on off, Russell looks to drag it over mid-wicket but only gets a top edge. It goes high up in the air towards point. Chopra the substitute, tries to get under it, he never seems comfortable and in the end grasses it. The batsmen take one. Seems to be Russell's night, will he make all these reprieves count?
Oshane Thomas to Dinesh Karthik. Cometh the hour, cometh the man! Fifty for Dinesh Karthik. The skipper, leads from the front in a game where they need to win and also, when they were in trouble. It is his 18th in this league. He needs to continue though. He guides this down to third man and takes the single to get to that milestone.
Oshane Thomas to Andre Russell. Russell gets into position and swings to hit it over mid-wicket. Does not connect it cleanly and it goes on the bounce to the fielder in the deep and a run is taken. He is down on his haunches as he completes the run. Maybe the wrist issue again. He is fine to continue though.
Oshane Thomas is back into the attack.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andre Russell. Well played in the end there! Another slower bouncer, Russell is completely foxed. He somehow manages to connect with his pull shot and it rolls through mid-wicket for a single. 15 from this over, Kolkata need a few more like this one.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. On a good length on off, Karthik taps it towards point. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the bowler's end but misses it. The batsmen take a quick run.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! That is a wonderful shot. Another six, this time it is Dinesh Karthik. Unadkat goes back to bowling a seam up delivery. Karthik stays inside his crease and whips it over the square leg fence for a biggie.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andre Russell. On the shorter side on middle, Russell pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andre Russell. Good comeback from Unadkat. Bowls a slower short ball outside off, Russell looks to pull but misses it.
Jaydev Unadkat to Andre Russell. SIX! That's out of the park! Russell has teed up here. Length ball on middle and leg, the big man makes room, adjusts and then gives it the full swing of the bat. Makes sweet connection and sends it into the mid-wicket stands.
Jaydev Unadkat is back into the attack.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. In the air... dropped! Stuart Binny is the culprit. How costly is this going to prove? You just can't drop Andre Russell and this was hit straight to him. Archer almost does what he was brought into the attack to do. He bowls this one short and it is the slower one. Russell waits for it and then cracks it uppishly and flat towards sweeper cover. Binny does get two hands to it but spills it. The batsmen take one.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. Just short! In the end, an excellent stop by Samson. Archer bowls it shorter in length and on off, Russell looks to power it but the ball goes off the inside edge to the left of Samson. He dives and collects it on the bounce to his left.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. On a length on off, the skipper guides it towards third man for a run.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. WIDE! First wide of the match. Short of a length delivery down leg, Karthik looks to pull but misses it.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Full on off, Karthik looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. Short delivery outside off, Russell looks to cut but gets a bottom edge on this one. It goes towards the off side for a run.
Jofra Archer to Andre Russell. On a good length on off, Russell defends it off the back foot.
Strategic Break! Kolkata have done well to come back into the match and it has been the Karthik show all the way. Andre Russell has come in and will look to go for big shots. On the other hand, Rajasthan have picked the wicket of Sunil Narine but need the wickets of Russell and Dinesh Karthik to put more pressure on them. Also, Jofra Archer is back!
Varun Aaron to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! So 0,6,0,0,0,4 is how this over reads! Despite 4 dots, it still accounted for 10. Another poor ball, short and outside off, asking to be hit. Karthik does that as he slaps it square on the off side and bags another boundary. He is into the 40s. That is also, the end of Aaron's spell. A brilliant effort from him with the ball. His figures read 4-1-20-2.
Varun Aaron to Dinesh Karthik. Short delivery on middle, Karthik pulls it towards mid-wicket.
Varun Aaron to Dinesh Karthik. On a good length on middle, Karthik defends it off the back foot.
Varun Aaron to Dinesh Karthik. Excellent stop! Saves a certain boundary there does Samson. Aaron bowls the knuckle ball outside off, Karthik once again throws his bat at it, it takes the outside edge and Samson behind dives to his right and makes an excellent stop.
Varun Aaron to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! Outrageous this! How good are the bats these days? This is short and wide outside off, Karthik gets his bat to it, his one hand comes off as he plays the shot. The ball hits the middle and it sails over the point fence.
Varun Aaron to Dinesh Karthik. Crisply driven but to covers! Full and on off, Karthik strokes it but finds the fielder.
Varun Aaron to bowl out!
Oshane Thomas to Dinesh Karthik. On a length on middle, Karthik flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Oshane Thomas to Andre Russell. Length delivery on off, Russell plays it towards point for a run.
Oshane Thomas to Andre Russell. On a good length and outside off, Russell swings his bat wildly but misses it.
Oshane Thomas to Dinesh Karthik. On the shorter side, Karthik looks to pull but gets hit on the thigh pad. It goes towards square leg. The umpire gives it as a leg bye. The batsmen take a single.
Oshane Thomas to Andre Russell. Length delivery on off, Russell looks to go for the big shot but gets an outside edge. It goes towards third man for a run.
Oshane Thomas to Dinesh Karthik. Back of a good length outside off, Karthik taps it away on the off side. Single taken.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Short delivery on middle, the skipper pulls it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. On a good length on off, Dinesh defends it off the back foot.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. On a good length on middle, Karthik blocks it off his back foot.
Andre Russell is the new batsman in.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. OUT! Narine is out by a long, long way! This is the last thing Kolkata would have wanted. Just as they were starting to get on top, they have lost Narine and in a needless fashion. Karthik works this through mid-wicket. They take one and then go for a second. There is some confusion in between as Narine stops, he then continues. Aaron picks the ball up and fires it to Rahane who is at the bowler's end. He collects the ball and whips the bails off. An appeal and the umpire takes it upstairs. Replays show that Narine is way short. Also, replays show that, Narine was never looking for a second, he was jogging the first run. Karthik should have spotted that and should have never gone for the second. Also, Karthik himself did not ground his bat inside the crease which means, the first run also does not count. Poor cricket all around there from DK.
Is Narine run out? Well his body language does signal so. The umpire has taken it upstairs.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Full on off, Karthik drives it to mid off.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! Karthik is on the charge here. This is a fantastic shot. Didn't look like it would go all the way. Back of a length on the hips, Karthik moves inside the line and just flicks it over square leg for a maximum.
Jofra Archer is back into the attack.
Shreyas Gopal to Sunil Narine. SIX! Narine gets into the act now! 25 from the over. Releases all the pressure that was built. Sunil goes down on one knee and then hits the slog sweep. He nails it and it goes over the mid-wicket fence.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Sensible batting! Having got 18 from the over, Karthik nicely pushes it through covers and takes an easy run.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! Make that 18 from the 4 balls bowled! Karthik gets a gift this time and he puts it away. A full toss on off, DK strokes it through covers and the ball races away.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. MISFIELD AND FOUR! Poor, just poor from Binny. Whereas, for Kolkata, they now have 14 from the first three balls. It is full and on the stumps, Karthik whips it through mid-wicket. Binny in the deep looks to pick the ball up but fails to do so and lets it through for a boundary.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. FOUR! EDGY BUT KARTHIK WON'T MIND! 10 from two balls for him. This is tossed up nicely on off, it pitches and then turns away. Karthik looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes to the third man fence.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. SIX! Short ball and it has been hit into the stands. A much-needed biggie and it is also the first of the game. It sits up to be hit, Karthik goes back quickly and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence. This should get Karthik going, Kolkata will hope so.
Jaydev Unadkat to Sunil Narine. Bowls a bouncer, Narine does well to duck under it. Just 3 runs from the over.
Jaydev Unadkat to Sunil Narine. Bowls a sharp bouncer, Narine looks to duck but gets hit on the helmet. It goes towards point.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. Short again from Unadkat, Karthik looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes towards wide mid on where Gopal goes for the catch but it falls short of him.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. BEATEN! Beauty of a delivery. On a good length and outside off, Karthik looks to defend but misses it due to the away movement on this one.
Jaydev Unadkat to Sunil Narine. Short of a length delivery, Narine pulls it over mid-wicket for a run.
Jaydev Unadkat to Dinesh Karthik. On a length on middle, Karthik flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Jaydev Unadkat is into the attack.
Shreyas Gopal to Sunil Narine. EDGY FOUR! No, it is not a maiden. Narine gets off the mark in streaky fashion. Slightly and outside off, SN looks to cut but only manages an outside edge. It goes past the first slip fielder the ball races away to the third man fence. Still a top over though, 4 runs and a wicket from it.
Shreyas Gopal to Sunil Narine. Slightly short outside off, Narine looks to cut but mistimes it to covers. 5 dots, will this be a maiden?
Shreyas Gopal to Sunil Narine. A forward defense now from him. On off, it is kept out.
Shreyas Gopal to Sunil Narine. Outside off and Narine, strangely, makes a leave. Maybe he has come out with a different approach.
Strategic break. Rajasthan have done well to take three wickets and have bowled tight line and lengths to restrict Kolkata from scoring runs. Varun Aaron has taken two wickets and has applied the brakes on scoring. On the other hand, the hosts need big partnerships to make a comeback in the match and skipper Dinesh Karthik needs to fire big today. Also, Sunil Narine is the new batsman in.
Shreyas Gopal to Nitish Rana. OUT! Gopal gets his first and Rana, who had got a start, departs. It is another googly outside off, it is slightly shorter in length. Rana goes back and tries to cut but ends up hitting it uppishly to the man at point. Aaron takes it nicely. Kolkata slip further.
Shreyas Gopal to Nitish Rana. That turned and also skids through. The googly outside off, Rana watchfully lets it be.
Riyan Parag to Nitish Rana. Full on middle, Rana drives it towards mid on for a run. Despite going for a boundary, Parag has done well to come back and has given just 7 runs from the over.
Riyan Parag to Nitish Rana. Floated on off, Rana keeps it out.
Riyan Parag to Dinesh Karthik. Flighted delivery on middle, Dinesh flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single. The skipper gets off the mark after facing seven balls.
Riyan Parag to Dinesh Karthik. It was a carrom ball from Riyan Parag. Tossed up on middle, Karthik looks to defend but gets hit on the thigh pad.
Riyan Parag to Nitish Rana. Floated on middle, Rana flicks it towards mid-wicket for a run.
Riyan Parag to Nitish Rana. FOUR! Amazing shot. Short and outside off, Rana makes room and cuts it hard through point for a boundary.
Riyan Parag is on now!
Shreyas Gopal to Nitish Rana. Short delivery on middle, Rana pulls it through mid-wicket for a run.
Shreyas Gopal to Nitish Rana. Floated delivery on middle, Rana keeps it out.
Shreyas Gopal to Dinesh Karthik. Tossed up on leg, Karthik looks to play a reverse sweep but gets hit on the pads. It goes towards the leg side. The umpire gives it as a leg bye. The batsmen take a run.
Shreyas Gopal to Nitish Rana. Flighted delivery on leg, Rana sweeps it towards fine leg for a run.
Shreyas Gopal to Nitish Rana. Another googly on off, Rana once again keeps it out.
Shreyas Gopal to Nitish Rana. Tosses this one up on middle, Rana works it to mid-wicket.
Shreyas Gopal is on now!
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. On a good length on off, Karthik blocks it off his back foot. A top over from Archer, just 1 run from it. Kolkata are 32/2 after the first 6 overs. An excellent Powerplay for Rajasthan, they now have Kolkata under a lot of pressure.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Length delivery on off, Karthik taps it to point.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. Again on a good length on off, Dinesh defends it off the front foot.
Jofra Archer to Dinesh Karthik. On a good length on middle, Karthik blocks it off his back foot.
Jofra Archer to Nitish Rana. Length delivery on leg, Rana looks to flick but it goes off the glove down to fine leg for a single.
Jofra Archer to Nitish Rana. Very good delivery again! Length and around off, it pitches and then moves away. Rana hangs his bat out and gets beaten.
Dinesh Karthik is the new batsman in. Jofra Archer is into the attack.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. OUT! Aaron strikes again! This is just a top, top delivery. Unplayable! Aaron bowls the slower one and it starts from way outside off. It comes back in a long way and very late. Gill fails to adjust and ends up playing outside the line. The ball takes the inside edge and then hits the stumps behind. This is an excellent comeback into the team for Aaron. Because of him, Rajasthan are on top at the moment.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. Length delivery on middle, Gill flicks it to short mid-wicket where Ben Stokes does well to stop it.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. FOUR! You need not run for that, that has once again gone to the fence like a tracer bullet. Aaron bowls this where Gill loves it. Short and outside off, Gill cuts it past point. Boundary!
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. Bowls a good yorker on middle, Gill does well to dig it out and drives it back towards the bowler.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. Full on off, Gill drives it through point. The batsmen get two runs.
Varun Aaron to Nitish Rana. Short of a length delivery on leg, Rana pulls it towards fine leg for a single.
Oshane Thomas to Nitish Rana. Bowls full on the pads, Rana looks to flick but it goes off his pads. The umpire gives it as a leg bye. It goes towards fine leg for a run.
Oshane Thomas to Nitish Rana. FOUR! Poor line again and a boundary results. It is down the leg side, hurries Rana into the pull. You though need just a little connection and that is exactly the case. It brushes Rana's gloves and goes to the fine leg fence. Second boundary in the over.
Oshane Thomas to Nitish Rana. Again on a good length on middle, Rana keeps it out.
Oshane Thomas to Shubman Gill. On a good length on middle, Gill defends it off the back foot and takes a quick single.
Oshane Thomas to Shubman Gill. Full on middle, Gill drives it to mid off.
Oshane Thomas to Shubman Gill. FOUR! That has flown across the outfield! No chance for the third man fielder! Once again Thomas is guilty of providing width outside off. Gill guides it past point and the ball gets to the fence in a jiffy.
Varun Aaron to Nitish Rana. IN THE AIR BUT SAFE! Aaron bowls it on a good length on middle, Rana looks to defend but gets a leading edge as the ball straightens a touch. It goes towards point where it just falls short of the fielder. Another good over from Varun Aaron. Just 3 runs have come from the over.
Varun Aaron to Nitish Rana. EDGED BUT JUST WIDE! Don't think it would have carried too. Aaron bowls another excellent slower one outside off, Rana once again goes after it tentatively. An outside edge is produced. The ball though goes wide of Stokes at first slip. Third man does well to stop it with a dive. Couple taken.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. On a length on middle, Gill flicks it towards mid-wicket for a single.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. Good change in pace! It is the slower one and it is fuller on off, Gill seems to be deceived just a little but then at the very end, tamely pushes it back to the bowler.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. Continues bowling it on a length and around off, Gill once again keeps it out.
Varun Aaron to Shubman Gill. Gets some good bounce there! Lands it on a length and around off, Gill tries to defend and the ball hits him high on the bat and rolls towards point.
Oshane Thomas to Shubman Gill. On a length on middle, Gill flicks it through square leg for a run. 7 runs have come from the over.
Oshane Thomas to Nitish Rana. Length delivery on middle, Rana flicks it towards square leg for a single.
Oshane Thomas to Nitish Rana. Again short of a length delivery, Rana looks to play an upper cut but misses it due to the bounce on this one.
Oshane Thomas to Nitish Rana. FOUR! Talk about using the pace of the bowler, Rana did that extremely well there. There is a little width on offer outside off, Rana just opens the face of the bat and guides it nicely through point. The ball races away. Rana is off the mark!
Oshane Thomas to Nitish Rana. Short of a length delivery outside off, Rana looks to play an upper cut but misses it.
Oshane Thomas to Shubman Gill. On a good length on off, Gill drives it towards covers for a run and Shubman gets off the mark.
Oshane Thomas to bowl from the other end.
Varun Aaron to Nitish Rana. A top, top delivery to end an excellent first over by Aaron. He lands this on off and then it jags away. Rana has a tentative poke at it and gets beaten.
Varun Aaron to Nitish Rana. FOUR LEG BYES! Kolkata are underway! Errs in line there, does Aaron. He bowls it on the pads, Rana looks to flick but misses. The ball brushes his pads and races down to the fine leg fence.
Varun Aaron to Nitish Rana. Attacks the stumps again, Rana gets right behind the line and keeps it out.
Nitish Rana is the new batsman in.
Varun Aaron to Chris Lynn. OUT! LYNN CHOPS IT ON! Aaron draws first blood and that too on the third ball itself. He is pumped and why not? He has got the dangerous Lynn. This is probably the worst of the three deliveries he has bowled so far. This is short and wide outside off, Lynn throws his bat at it away from the body. He only manages an inside edge and the ball disturbs the furniture behind. Perfect start for Rajasthan after electing to bowl.
Varun Aaron to Chris Lynn. Another good delivery and good carry too! Back of a length and outside off, Lynn shoulders arms to it.
Varun Aaron to Chris Lynn. Excellent start by Aaron. He gets this one to come back in late, very late. It pitches on off and then jags back in. Lynn at the very end gets his bat down in time, it hits the inside edge and then onto his pads.
We are all set to begin. Carlos Brathwaite rings the bell and Rajasthan players make their way out in the middle. Chris Lynn and Shubman Gill will open the batting for Kolkata. Varun Aaron will start the proceedings for Rajasthan.
Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK/C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Carlos Brathwaite (IN FOR HARRY GURNEY), Piyush Chawla, Yarra Prithviraj, Prasidh Krishna (IN FOR KC CARIAPPA).
Rajasthan Royals (Playing XI) - Ajinkya Rahane, Sanju Samson (WK), Steven Smith (C), Ben Stokes, Riyan Parag, Stuart Binny, Shreyas Gopal, Jofra Archer, Jaydev Unadkat, Oshane Thomas (IN FOR ASHTON TURNER), Varun Aaron (IN FOR DHAWAL KULKARNI).
Kolkata skipper, Dinesh Karthik, says the surface has got a lot of grass covering and it should be good for batting and they have picked the team according to that. Mentions that they need to get the best out of the players who are doing well. Informs that they too have two changes as Prasidh Krishna and Carlos Brathwaite come in for Harry Gurney and KC Cariappa.
Rajasthan skipper, Steven Smith, says it looks a nice wicket and he is happy to play on this wicket. Mentions that there have been positive signs, their top four is doing well with the bat and he hopes they can cash in tonight as well. Informs that there are two changes as Oshane Thomas comes in for Dhawal Kulkarni and Varun Aaron for Ashton Turner.
TOSS - Up goes the coin and it lands in the favor of Rajasthan. They will bowl first.
First 5 games - 4 wins. The next 5 - 5 losses. Everything seems to be falling apart for Kolkata and time too is running out for them. They need to get back to winning ways and that too quickly. They will be happy with the fact that they are facing a side who they have enjoyed good success in the recent past against and also, they will be playing this game under familiar conditions. They are up against Rajasthan for whom, each and every game is a do-or-die game. Both the sides will be hungry for a win here and we can surely expect an exciting encounter. Welcome to the coverage of match 43. Stay tuned for the toss in a while.
So Kolkata suffer their sixth consecutive loss of the season, while Rajasthan get level on points with them after this win. Things are getting intense now. Indian T20 League action continues as on Friday, Chennai host Mumbai at 2000 local (1430 GMT). Do tune in for that. Take care!
Man of the Match, Varun Aaron, says his fitness is good and it was just a case of the cramps. Adds that he had a little injury before, but he just caught the cramps because of dehydration. Feels that he didn't do too much wrong in the game he played earlier, but is happy he was able to contribute to the win tonight. Ends by saying that he dreams of playing for the national side and is working hard towards that goal.
Rajasthan skipper, Steven Smith, says they certainly made it difficult for themselves. Adds that they lost wickets in clumps but credits Riyan Parag for playing like a seasoned pro. Continues saying that Shreyas Gopal and Jofra Archer chipped in with handy contributions which is pleasing to see. States that there was a bit of grass on the surface, which is the reason why they went with the pacers. Reckons that the death bowling could have been better, but also applauds Dinesh Karthik for executing his shots very well. Feels that earlier they couldn't get over the line in close games, but is glad to be on the other end of the result this time around. Mentions that Ben Stokes and Jofra Archer won't be there from the next game as they return for national duty and he will himself leave after their clash against Bangalore.
Jofra Archer coming in for a chat as well says that he was just thinking to get bat on ball in the last over. Mentions that he is very excited to play for England but at the same time, he is disappointed he is leaving the Rajasthan team for this season. Further adds that they have a great bunch of boys and anyone who replaces him and Ben Stokes will do a good job. Ends by saying that he is grateful for Rajasthan taking a chance on him despite him not playing any international cricket so far.
Kolkata skipper, Dinesh Karthik, says he is disappointed as they had the game in the bag but could not get over the line. Mentions that they were looking to go full and on the stumps but the edges did not help and hence, the equation became easy. Further adds that the dew too did not aid their cause. States that he is happy with the way they fought but is disappointed with the result. Ends by saying that the mood is decent in the camp and he hopes they continue trusting him as a skipper but he is sad that they are struggling to win games.
Kolkata will be really disappointed that they couldn't get over the line. They reduced Rajasthan to 98/5 in the 11th over, with all of their experienced batsmen back in the dugout. What happened post that was something they'd have never imagined. The spin duo did its job, but the pacers couldn't back it up and they ended up leaking a lot of runs, resulting in the loss. What would upset them and Karthik in particular, is the fact that the Kolkata skipper powered his side to 175 with an amazing unbeaten 97. A sixth consecutive loss for Kolkata in this season. Not something they'd be pleased with.
A fantastic win in the end for the tourists, especially taking into account the position they were in after losing the best players rather early. The Powerplay belonged to Rajasthan despite losing Rahane just before its end, but post that, the tide completely swung in Kolkata's favour. Their spinners, Chawla and Narine, ran through the top order and allowed others to chip in and eat into the tail. All seemed lost but young Parag had other ideas in mind. He stitched a few solid stands but the main one came with Archer (Of 44) where they just scored freely. Parag departed, but Archer hung around and put the finishing touches on the win, with 4 balls still to spare.
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. SIX! Jofra Archer has won it for his side. Oh, this is sensational. Just sensational! He knocks this out of the park and finishes things off in style. Full delivery around off, Archer makes room and gets under this one. Launches it over the wide long off fence for half a dozen. RAJASTHAN WIN BY 3 WICKETS!
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. FOUR! Edged and away! The Rajasthan dugout holds its celebration. There's still some ways to go. Length ball around off, Archer throws everything at it and gets a thick edge. It goes over short third man and away for a boundary.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl the final over of the game. He has 8 runs to defend.
Andre Russell to Jaydev Unadkat. Full on the stumps, it's driven to mid on for no run.
Andre Russell to Riyan Parag. OUT! He's gone! How unfortunate. Kolkata needed this desperately and they've got the dangerman. Russell bangs it in short and angles it in on leg, Parag looks to pull but is off balance a bit. It goes off his glove and in the process, the batter knocking his bails off with his swinging bat. It's taken upstairs to check if it's a no ball or not for height and replays show it's fine.
Jaydev Unadkat is the new man in.
Something's being checked here. Think it's to check if it's a no ball or not. Could be a decisive factor as Parag has knocked his own bails off with his bat. Let's see here...
Andre Russell to Riyan Parag. SIX! Riyan Parag playing some amazing shots here. He gets some good power behind this. Slower in pace, on a back of a length outside off, Parag muscles this towards wide long on. It seems Brathwaite out in the deep might catch this, but it goes just over his leaping attempt.
Andre Russell to Jofra Archer. On the fuller side of the length, it's hit to mid off. The batsmen don't think twice and charge to the other end.
Andre Russell to Riyan Parag. Parag drives this full ball outside off through to sweeper cover and crosses over.
Andre Russell to Jofra Archer. Shortish on middle and off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Andre Russell back into the attack.
Prasidh Krishna to Riyan Parag. SIX! That's right off the middle. Is this where the tide turns in Rajasthan's favour? Short of a good length in line of the stumps, Parag swings across the line and nails the heave perfectly. It goes sailing over the square leg stands for half a dozen. 13 off the over. 18 runs needed in 12 balls.
Prasidh Krishna to Riyan Parag. Play and a miss! Fuller length ball wide outside off, Parag loses his balance as he tries to reach out and hit it away. Fails to make any kind of connection.
Prasidh Krishna to Riyan Parag. FOUR! Lucky runs for Parag and Rajasthan. They won't mind this at all. Fuller length ball around off, Parag throws his bat at it and gets an inside edge which goes past the leg stump and away to the fine leg boundary.
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. Full toss well outside off, hit through to sweeper for a single.
Prasidh Krishna to Riyan Parag. Full again, angling in on middle and leg, drilled away wide of mid on for another brisk single.
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. Good stop from Narine. Full delivery attacking the stumps, Archer smashes it towards mid off where the fielder moves to his left and stop it with his foot. The batsmen take a run.
Prasidh Krishna back on now.
Sunil Narine to Jofra Archer. Archer swings his bat across the line and helps the pull in front of square leg for a single. 15 runs off the over, Narine doesn't end his spell well. 31 runs needed in the last three overs.
Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag. Stays on the back foot and punches it through to sweeper cover for a run.
Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag. FOUR! 13 already off the over. Rajasthan doing well here. Quick and on the leg stump line, Parag tickles it fine down the leg side and finds the fence.
Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag. Goes with the spin and works it through mid-wicket for a brace.
Sunil Narine to Jofra Archer. Leading edge but safe. Quick, flat and short on middle and off, Archer closes the face early and it pops off the edge safely in the cover area.
Sunil Narine to Jofra Archer. SIX! That's gone flat! What a start to the over from Archer. Short, quick and outside off, Archer plants his front foot forward and hammers it straight back over the bowler's head for a biggie. This is the boundary scored off Narine's spell so far.
Sunil Narine to bowl out.
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. The attempted yorker, angling in on middle and leg, it's turned behind square leg for one.
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. FOUR! That's hit really well. Back of a length into the body, Archer stands tall and heaves it aerially, flat through mid-wicket. It's placed nicely in the gap and that's a boundary.
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. Wide! Banged in short but it's too short, wide called by the umpire.
Prasidh Krishna to Jofra Archer. Just ahead of a length and Archer meets it with the full face of the bat.
Prasidh Krishna to Riyan Parag. Full ball attacking the stumps, Parag works it to the right of the bowler and takes a quick single.
Jofra Archer is next in to bat.
Prasidh Krishna to Shreyas Gopal. OUT! Gopal holes out and that should be it for Rajasthan. Should be. Fuller length ball just outside off, the batsman clears his front leg and attempts to go big downtown. He doesn't time it at all, and hands a simple enough catch to Gill running in from the deep.
Prasidh Krishna to Riyan Parag. Good length delivery in the channel outside off, it's punched wide of cover for a run.
Strategic break. Rajasthan need 54 in 30 balls, and this would be in reach, if they had wickets in hand. Seems a difficult task for them now, unless Gopal and Parag say otherwise. Kolkata will still feel confident, knowing that a single wicket at this point will be enough. Also, Prasidh Krishna is back on to bowl.
Nitish Rana to Shreyas Gopal. FOUR! Three in a row. Gopal doing a terrific job by going after the part-timer. Some flight on this one, Shreyas Gopal drives it sweetly and times the drives through the covers well. Wide long off tries to cut it off by moving to his left, but it's too good for him. 13 runs off the over.
Nitish Rana to Shreyas Gopal. FOUR! Another short ball, another poor ball and that's another boundary. Too straight in line, Gopal pulls it through square leg and beats the man in the deep.
Nitish Rana to Shreyas Gopal. FOUR! Too much width on offer, short and flat outside off, Gopal sticks on the back foot and cuts it hard through point for a boundary.
Nitish Rana to Shreyas Gopal. Gives the charge and looks to smack it down the ground. Doesn't time it quite well. Rana moves swiftly to his right and stops it nicely.
Nitish Rana to Riyan Parag. Sliding in on middle and leg, a little shorter in length, Parag goes back and works it in front of square leg for one run.
Nitish Rana to Riyan Parag. Full delivery outside the line of off stump, Parag prods forward and pushes it on the off side.
Nitish Rana is called on to have a go with the ball.
Andre Russell to Shreyas Gopal. FOUR! He's found the gap well. Extremely full and just outside off, Gopal drills it through extra cover and finds the fence with ease.
Andre Russell to Riyan Parag. Punched off the back foot by the batsman. The batsmen have run through for a single.
The physio is out to have a look at Parag after he copped a blow on the helmet. Hopefully, he's fine.
Andre Russell to Riyan Parag. BOOM! Parag has been hit right on the badge. Nasty this one. Russell did not like being hit for a boundary on the last ball. He steams in and bangs it short. Parag looks to pull but is beaten by pace and the ball hits the helmet. Parag takes it off, good gesture by Lynn as he asks him if he is fine.
Andre Russell to Riyan Parag. FOUR! Excellently played! Shuffles right across at the very end and then paddle scoops it through to the fine leg fence. Parag holds the key here.
Andre Russell to Shreyas Gopal. Goes fuller this time around off, Gopal slices it through cover-point and takes one.
Andre Russell to Shreyas Gopal. Russell bangs it on a length around middle, Gopal tries to defend but the ball hits the higher portion of the bat and lobs back but short of the bowler.
Andre Russell with the ball again.
Piyush Chawla to Riyan Parag. Just short! Chawla almost ended his spell with another. The googly again on off, Parag goes back and pushes at it with hard hands. The ball goes back uppishly towards PC who dives forward to take it but collects it on the bounce. Nevertheless, a top spell by Piyush comes to an end. He went for only 20 and took 3 wickets in his 4 overs.
Piyush Chawla to Riyan Parag. A back foot defense! This is porbably what Binny should have done. Parag is happy to play Chawla. He goes back and blocks it out.
Piyush Chawla to Shreyas Gopal. The googly and Gopal picks it. He works it through mid-wicket, a misfield there and a run is taken.
Shreyas Gopal is the next batsman in.
Piyush Chawla to Stuart Binny. OUT! Binny holes out! Once again, the shot can surely be questioned. This is Chawla's last over, you would probably think about playing him out but no, Binny has different ideas. He brings out the slog sweep but does not get it right off the middle. It goes straight to Rinku Singh at the mid-wicket fence. Half the side back in the hut for the visitors and Kolkata are into the bowling all-rounders. 78 in 45 needed.
Piyush Chawla to Stuart Binny. A short delivery on off, Binny just keeps it away on the leg side and looks for a single. Karthik runs to his right and saves the run. A dot ball in the end.
Piyush Chawla to Stuart Binny. Plays the paddle sweep, nice and fine on the leg side, couple taken.
Carlos Brathwaite to Riyan Parag. FOUR! Top edge and a boundary! Once again we see the last ball spoiling the over. 11 from it. Short and on the body, Parag is a touch late in the pull shot. A top edge is induced which goes for a one-bounce boundary in the fine leg region.
Carlos Brathwaite to Stuart Binny. A length delivery on leg, Binny hits it towards square leg for a run.
Carlos Brathwaite to Stuart Binny. WIDE! Carlos drifts down the leg side.
Carlos Brathwaite to Stuart Binny. A back of a length delivery on off, Binny flicks it towards the square leg and runs for a single. The fielder throws at non-stiker's end which results in an overthrow for an extra run.
Carlos Brathwaite to Stuart Binny. Carlos bowls this on off, back of a length delivery. Binny looks for a drive but fails to connect the bat to it.
Carlos Brathwaite to Stuart Binny. Full on leg, Binnny plays it to mid-wicket.
Carlos Brathwaite to Riyan Parag. A back of a length delivery on leg, Parag flicks it towards the mid-wicket for a single.
Carlos Brathwaite to Riyan Parag. WIDE! Carlos bowls this down the leg side. Wide signaled.
Carlos Brathwaite to Riyan Parag. A false start by CB. He bowls it down the leg side and it has been wided.
Carlos Brathwaite is back on!
Piyush Chawla to Stuart Binny. A quicker one on leg, fuller length. Binny keeps it away.
Piyush Chawla to Stuart Binny. SIX! Binny has nailed the slog sweep. Into the stands. Goes down on one knee and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence.
Piyush Chawla to Stuart Binny. A flighted delivery on off, Binny looks for a paddle but gets a bottom edge.
Piyush Chawla to Stuart Binny. Back of a length delivery on leg, Binny defends it on his back foot.
Piyush Chawla to Riyan Parag. Full on leg, Parag flicks it towards the square leg region for a single.
Stuart Binny to bat next.
Piyush Chawla to Ben Stokes. OUT! There goes Ben Stokes and probably now. Rajasthan's chances of chasing this down, look very slim. Not sure if this shot was needed by Stokes. They got 11 from the last over. Also, with Chawla bowling so well not sure he needed to take him on. Stokes makes room and then looks to power it over long on. It seems for a second as it would go all the way. Russell though does really well as he keeps himself inside the rope. Times his leap to perfection and takes it.
Prithvi Raj to Riyan Parag. FOUR! How good was that shot? WOW! Parag shuffles across and then just whips it over mid-wicket. No fielder in the deep and it is a boundary. 11 from Raj's over. Another expensive one from him. 98 in the last 10 needed.
Prithvi Raj to Riyan Parag. A short delivery by Raj, Parag tries to pull it but fails to make any connection. Dinesh Karthik gives a little shout, denied by the umpire.
Prithvi Raj to Ben Stokes. Slower in pace, 121.7 kph, Stokes plays it towards the cover region for a single.
Prithvi Raj to Ben Stokes. FOUR! Much-needed boundary! Stokes enjoys pace on the ball and that is what he is getting here. He makes room and Raj bangs it short. He slaps it over covers and bags a boundary.
Prithvi Raj to Ben Stokes. Length delivery on leg, Stokes tries to flick but gets thing pad on this.
Prithvi Raj to Riyan Parag. A back of a length delivery on off, Parag guides it towards the third man region for a single.
Prithvi Raj to Riyan Parag. WIDE! Prithvi Raj bowls this way outside leg. Parag lets it go. The umpire signals wide.
The strategic break has been signaled! Probably at the wrong time for Kolkata. Their spinners were choking the runs and Rajasthan were under tremendous pressure. That was not the case though in the Powerplay as the openers were cruising along nicely. However, the game changed once Rahane fell. Samson then fell in the next over and Smith then followed. The top three who have been amongst the runs are back in the hut. Time now for Ben Stokes and the rest to step up. Kolkata on the other hand, know one wicket and they would be into an inexperienced Rajasthan middle order. Will the hosts continue to dominate or will the visitors fight back? Also, Prithvi Raj is back onto bowl.
Piyush Chawla to Ben Stokes. A dot to end the over. A back of a length delivery on off, Stokes plays it with ease. 2 runs from the over. A good one from Chawla as it showed great variation throughout.
Piyush Chawla to Ben Stokes. A flat delivery on leg, Stokes again tries a reverse sweep but gets a top edge towards the point region.
Piyush Chawla to Riyan Parag. A tossed up delivery on middle and leg, Parag drives it to long on for a run.
Piyush Chawla to Riyan Parag. A flighted delivery on off, Parag looks for a slog but fails to connect.
Piyush Chawla to Ben Stokes. Full on off, Stokes drives it to mid off and run for a single.
Piyush Chawla to Ben Stokes. A flighted delivery, googly, on leg. Stokes didn't pick it plays a flick for the leg spin but gets an leading edge towards the cover region.
Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag. A couple to end another brilliant over by Narine! Good fielding too by Chawla. Kolkata have their tails up here. This is short and outside off, Parag slaps it through covers. Piyush in the deep runs to his right and then dives to save two for his side.
Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag. DROPPED! Sunil Narine could have easily had his third. That was a dolly but he tried to take it too casually. This is floated up on off, Parag ends up chipping it to the left of the bowler who sticks both hands out but the ball does not stick. Can Parag make use of the life he has got?
Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag. Punched off the back foot by the batsman.
Sunil Narine to Riyan Parag. Another loud shot! Not given. This is bowled flatter and on off, it turns back in. Parag looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. An appeal but the umpire shakes his head. May have been going over the stumps. Looked close though.
Riyan Parag is the next batsman in.
Sunil Narine to Steven Smith. OUT! The spinners have turned the game on its head. The Rajasthan skipper is walking back now. Three wickets in three overs for the hosts and two have been taken by Narine. Another batsman who has missed a straight ball. This pitches on off and skids through again. Smith looks to work it across the line but misses and the ball hits the stumps. The visitors are in a spot of bother here. Also, excellent captaincy by Karthik to give Narine his third. You normally don't see him bowl three within the first 10 overs.
Sunil Narine to Steven Smith. A flighted delivery on off, Smith drives it to covers.
Piyush Chawla to Ben Stokes. FOUR! EDGY! The googly and Stokes does not pick it. He looks to push at it but the ball takes the outside edge and goes past the diving first slip fielder to the third man fence. A boundary to end another successful over for the hosts.
Piyush Chawla to Steven Smith. A short delivery on off, Smith drives it to long on. Single taken.
Piyush Chawla to Ben Stokes. Full on leg, Stokes reverse sweeps it towards the cover region and is off the mark with a single.
Ben Stokes is the new batsman in.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. OUT! KABOOM! Chawla strikes. The bowling change has worked wonders. Samson gets himself into a tangle there. Chawla bowls the googly around off, at first Samson looks to play the paddle. He then realizes he picked the wrong ball and hence, looks to play it with a straight bat. His willow though hits his boot and the bat does not come through. The ball till then, sneaks through and uproots the off pole. Two wickets in quick succession and both the openers are back in the hut. Kolkata are back into the game.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. A flat delivery on leg, Samson flicks it towards the mid-wicket region for a double.
Piyush Chawla to Sanju Samson. Chawla slides this one on the leg stump, Samson flicks it to short fine leg.
Piyush Chawla to roll his arm over.
Sunil Narine to Steven Smith. NOT OUT! There is an inside edge! Excellent decision that from the umpire. Kolkata lose their only review. Narine pitches this one on middle and gets it to straighten. Smith looks for the slog sweep but he gets a faint inside edge onto his pads. An appeal and the umpire shakes his head. Karthik reviews straightaway. Replays roll in and they show that there is a spike on Ultra Edge. Nevertheless, a top 6th by Narine. Just the two runs and a wicket from it. However, Rajasthan are on top after the Powerplay, they are 55 for 1 after it.
Review time! Kolkata feel they have Smith trapped in front. The umpire feels different. Karthik reviews. If there is no inside edge, then this is going to be very close.
Sunil Narine to Steven Smith. Short on off, Smith tries to cut it but fails to connect the ball as the ball gets an extra bounce.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. A back of a length delivery on middle and leg, Samson punches this towards the mid-wicket region for a single.
Sunil Narine to Steven Smith. Narine bowls this short, Smith pulls it to square leg for a single.
Steven Smith is the new batsman in.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. OUT! That is as plumb as it can get! Rahane misses a straight delivery. Narine lands it on middle and skids through. Rahane ends up playing outside the line, misses and the ball hits the front pad. An appeal and the umpire raises the finger. Rahane has a chat with Samson but then does not review and rightly so. Narine provides the much-needed breakthrough for the hosts. However, Rahane has provided the start the visitors wanted. Who would capitalize from here? 123 runs needed in 88 balls.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. Narine gets a turn, flat delivery on leg. Rahane looks in double mind to either flick it or play it straight. Fails to make any connection the ball hits his thigh pads.
Prithvi Raj to Ajinkya Rahane. A single to end a very good over for Rajasthan. 17 from it. Rahane works this through square leg for a single. Rajasthan are off to a flier.
Prithvi Raj to Ajinkya Rahane. Now a couple! Rahane leans into this slower ball and strokes it through mid off. Russell there is slow to get to the ball and the batsmen take two.
Prithvi Raj to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! Lovely placement! On the shorter side and outside off, Rahane stands tall and guides it through point. There is a sweeper but he has no chance. 14 from the three balls now. Under pressure is the bowler. The 50 is also up.
Prithvi Raj to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! Hammered! Short again and Rahane picks the length early. He transfers his weight on the back foot and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
Prithvi Raj to Ajinkya Rahane. SIX! SLAPPED! Slightly short and outside off, Rahane makes room and then throws his hands at it. The ball flies off the middle and over the cover fence.
Prithvi Raj to Ajinkya Rahane. Length and around off, Rahane guides it to short third man.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Fraction straight in line, the batsman works it wide of long on for a couple of runs.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Length delivery around off, Samson stays back and keeps it out.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. A tossed up delivery on leg, Rahane dances down the track and guides the ball towards the fine leg region for a single.
Sunil Narine to Ajinkya Rahane. A flatter delivery on off, Rahane sweeps it to short fine leg for a single.
Sunil Narine to Sanju Samson. Narine starts off with a length delivery on leg, Samson flicks it towards the square leg region for a run.
Sunil Narine is on now!
Andre Russell to Sanju Samson. A single to end another excellent over! 13 from this one. The last ball is a short one on middle, Samson pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.
Andre Russell to Sanju Samson. SIX! BANG! Sanju on the other hand, is dealing in maximums. Right in the slot. Full and on off, Samson lofts it with utmost ease over the bowler's head and it goes all the way.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. Full on off, Rahane plays it towards the cover region for a run.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. A back of a length delivery on off, Rahane looks for a flick but it goes off the thigh pad towards the keeper who dives to his left and stops it. A deflection and a token of appeal, denied by the umpire.
Andre Russell to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! CLASS! Slightly short and outside off, Rahane waits for it and then caresses it through the off side. The ball races away. Dealing in boundaries is Rahane.
Andre Russell to Sanju Samson. Russell starts with a short delivery on off, Samson cuts it towards the point region for a single.
Andre Russell is on now!
Prasidh Krishna to Sanju Samson. Full on middle and leg, Samson heaves it to mid-wicket for a run. 12 from the second over, an expensive start for Krishna.
Prasidh Krishna to Sanju Samson. A length delivery on off, Samson plays a full-faced drive. Rinku Singh at point dives to his right and saves a run.
Prasidh Krishna to Sanju Samson. SIX! Take that, says Samson. Not a very bad delivery, it is on a length and around off, Samson lofts it over the bowler's head. It did not seem off the middle but went all the way. What a way to get off the mark for him.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. A short delivery on off, Rahane guides it to third man for a single.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! Over mid on! A confident stroke that. It did not come off the middle but enough to clear the fielder there. Slightly fuller and on the stumps, Rahane lifts it over mid on and a boundary results. Second boundary for him.
Prasidh Krishna to Ajinkya Rahane. Krishna starts with a full delivery on off, Rahane defends it.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl from the other end.
Carlos Brathwaite to Sanju Samson. A good delivery to end! Length and tailing away from the right-hander. Samson shoulders arms to it. Five from the first over.
Carlos Brathwaite to Ajinkya Rahane. This one is angled into the batter from wide of the crease. Rahane works it towards square leg and takes one.
Carlos Brathwaite to Ajinkya Rahane. FOUR! Up and over! This time Rahane pounces on the width offered outside off and strokes it over the cover fielder for a boundary. Rajasthan are off the mark in style!
Carlos Brathwaite to Ajinkya Rahane. This one comes back in off the pitch. Shortish and outside off, jags back in. Rahane looks to cut but mistimes it to point.
Carlos Brathwaite to Ajinkya Rahane. Shortens his length this time, the line is outside off though. Rahane guides it but straight to point.
Carlos Brathwaite to Ajinkya Rahane. A hint of away movement to begin with for Brathwaite. It is on the fuller side and outside off, Rahane leaves it alone.
We are back for the chase. The Kolkata players are out in the middle. Ajinkya Rahane and Sanju Samson will open the batting for Rajasthan. Carlos Brathwaite will start the proceedings for Kolkata. Here we go...