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Chennai vs Kolkata Live Commentary, Match 5, Indian Premier League, 2018, April 10, 2018

KKR 202/6 (20)
Chennai Super Kings beat Kolkata Knight Riders by 5 wickets
CSK 205/5 (19.5)
Match over
Kolkata Knight Riders Inning Chennai Super Kings Inning
0.0 : Hello and welcome to game no. 5 of the Indian t20 League. It is a clash between Chennai and Kolkata. A mouth-watering clash, as both the teams have a star-studded line up. However, the home side will miss the services of the one who hit the winning runs in their last game, Kedhar Jadhav, who is ruled out of this season with a hamstring injury. Murali Vijay will most likely replace him.
Kolkata, on the other hand, might not tinker with their eleven. Especially after their convincing win over one of the tournament favorites, Bangalore. Also, local lad Dinesh Karthik will know what is on offer at this venue and he would fancy his chances. One surely can't wait for the action to begin and we are not far away from it. Stay tuned for the toss.
PITCH REPORT - Kevin Pietersen feels there is not going to be a lot of spin as there is even covering of grass. Reckons 170-175 is a good score on this wicket.
TOSS - Chennai win the toss and they opt to field first.
MS Dhoni starts by saying the dew factor might come in and hence, they want to chase. Further adds the crowd is always amazing here. Admits death bowing and the batting needs to improve a little as individual brilliance took them over the line in the last game. Informs they have two changes, Sam Billings comes in for Mark Wood and Shardul Thakur replaces Kedar Jadhav.
Dinesh Karthik starts by saying he is fine with batting first as the toss is not in their hands. He mentions he is from Chennai so it is good to be here. Admits he would hope to carry forward the moment and not change a lot. Informs they have one change, Tom Curran comes in for Mitchell Johnson.
We are all set for the game to begin. The players and the umpires make their way out to the middle. They are followed by the dynamic duo of Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine who are the openers for Kolkata. The former will take strike and he will be facing Deepak Chahar who will open the bowling for Chennai. Here we go...
0.1 : D Chahar to C Lynn, Right on the money first up. However, not the kind of movement he got in the last game. Chahar lands it on a length around middle. Lynn gets right behind the delivery and defends it.
0.2 : D Chahar to C Lynn, FOUR! One ball is all he needed as a sighter. He gets width outside off this time. Lynn loves it there as he slashes at it. The ball goes off the middle and over covers for a boundary. Kolkata are underway in style!
0.3 : D Chahar to C Lynn, Good captaincy by Dhoni, he knows that the off side is Lynn's strong area so he now keeps a sweeper cover. Lynn strokes it exactly to that man and takes a single.
0.4 : D Chahar to S Narine, WIDE! Down the leg side, poor ball. Narine however, fails to flick it away and the umpire calls it a wide.
D Chahar to S Narine, This time he gets it to swing into the batsman from a length. Narine tries to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto his pads. Good sings for the bowler as that one swung.
0.5 : D Chahar to S Narine, SIX! Narine starts from where he left off in the last game. Off the mark with a biggie. Chahar lands it on a length around middle, Narine clears his front leg and smashes it over long on for a biggie. This is already turning out to be an expensive first over.
0.6 : D Chahar to S Narine, SIX! This is even bigger! What a start to this game. 18 from the first over. A similar delivery to the last one. Narine once again clears his front leg, this time he connects even better and sends it over the long on fence for a huge one.
Harbhajan Singh will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : H Singh to C Lynn, Floats it on middle, this one does not turn. Lynn tries to work it across the line but closes the face of his bat early. He gets a leading edge towards covers.
1.2 : H Singh to C Lynn, Lynn makes room and Harbhajan Singh follows him. He pushes it down to long on for a run.
1.3 : H Singh to S Narine, OUT! In the air... taken! Harbhajan Singh draws first blood and the fans here in Chennai go crazy. No more fireworks from Narine as he is walking back. Harbhajan uses all his experience and bowls this slower through the air. He gets it to spin away from the batsman. Sunil tries to heave it across the line but gets a top edge which goes high, HIGH up in the air. Raina from covers runs towards mid off and takes an excellent tumbling catch. Never easy these. A big wicket f
Robin Uthappa walks out to the middle.
1.4 : H Singh to C Lynn, DROPPED! A tough, tough chance. An excellent attempt there by the player who just bowled an over, Deepak Chahar. Harbhajan bowls this one short on middle, Lynn rocks back and pulls it towards square leg. It was right off the middle. Chahar at that position, dives to his left with his hands outstretched but can't hang onto it. The batsmen take a single in the meantime.
1.5 : H Singh to R Uthappa, Flatter on off, kept out.
1.6 : H Singh to R Uthappa, Plays the sweep shot but straight to the fielder. So a brilliant over by Singh comes to an end, 2 runs and a wicket off it.
Shane Watson is into the attack.
2.1 : S Watson to C Lynn, FOUR! Welcome to the bowling crease Watson. A loosener by him, outside off and on a shorter length. Lynn slaps it hard through the off side. He loves it there, not a good idea by the Chennai pacers to bowl there.
2.2 : S Watson to C Lynn, Another ball outside off, Lynn hits it to the same region where he got a boundary off the last ball. This time though, there is a fielder and a single is taken.
2.3 : S Watson to R Uthappa, FOUR! Second off the over! Bread and butter stuff for Uthappa. He gets it full on the pads. Robin flicks it up and over square leg. It almost goes all the way but bounces in front of the rope for a boundary.
2.4 : S Watson to R Uthappa, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat.
2.5 : S Watson to R Uthappa, FOUR! Dealing in boundaries are Kolkata here! This was nicely played. On a length outside off, Uthappa guides it past the slip fielder and the ball races away to the fence.
2.6 : S Watson to R Uthappa, A dot to finish this over but an expensive one and Kolkata are off to a flier. Back of a length on off, Robin guides it to point.
Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack.
3.1 : R Jadeja to C Lynn, Shorter in length and quicker outside off. Lynn plays it towards cover for a run.
3.2 : R Jadeja to R Uthappa, BEATEN! Turn there for the left-arm spinner. It is always a good idea to get a left-arm spinner against a right-hander. Jadeja tosses it up on off, Uthappa lunges forward to defend it but gets beaten by the away turn.
3.3 : R Jadeja to R Uthappa, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
3.4 : R Jadeja to C Lynn, Lynn makes room and Jadeja follows him cramping him for space. Chris pushes it to covers.
3.5 : R Jadeja to C Lynn, Flatter again on off, Jadeja is in no mood of tossing it up. Lynn cuts it to the fielder at covers.
3.6 : R Jadeja to C Lynn, Third ball in a row goes to covers as Lynn cuts this short ball to that player. Just 2 from this over, so it is the fast bowlers who are taking a pounding. So that already indicates, spin is the way to go.
Imran Tahir is into the attack.
4.1 : I Tahir to R Uthappa, Quicker on off, Robin keeps it out.
4.2 : I Tahir to R Uthappa, The ball strikes the batsman very low on the pads.
4.3 : I Tahir to R Uthappa, Fires it on off, Uthappa drives it towards covers for a run.
4.4 : I Tahir to C Lynn, FOUR! Up and over! Lynn making full use of the Powerplay! He loves making room and does so again. He gets a full ball on middle, he lofts it over mid off. Once it clears the fielders inside the ring it is a certain boundary.
4.5 : I Tahir to C Lynn, A full toss, Lynn cannot take full toll of it as he eases it to long on for a run.
4.6 : I Tahir to R Uthappa, SIX! A maximum to end the over! What a shot! Tahir tosses this one up on middle, not a good idea as Uthappa goes down on one knee and sends it sailing over the fence at mid-wicket.
5.1 : R Jadeja to C Lynn, FOUR! Sloppy, very sloppy by Harbhajan Singh. Lynn walks across the stumps and also goes down on one knee. Jadeja fries it on middle in an attempt to hit the pads. Lynn however, gets his bat down in time and sweeps it towards short fine leg. Harbhajan Singh there dives over the ball and it races away. Not what the bowlers need at this moment. They require the team to support them in the field.
5.2 : R Jadeja to C Lynn, OUT! TIMBER! Jadeja strikes! A much-needed wicket for Chennai as Lynn was going bonkers. That is it for the Lynn show today as he comes down the track a little too early. Jadeja sees that and darts it on middle. Lynn swings across the line and misses to see the ball disturb the furniture behind. Chennai will now try and put a lid on the scoring.
Nitish Rana strides out to the middle.
5.3 : R Jadeja to N Rana, Flatter on off, kept out.
5.4 : R Jadeja to N Rana, Works it around the corner with the turn for a single.
5.5 : R Jadeja to R Uthappa, SIX! What a shot! He is in some mood today! Jadeja tosses it up on middle. Uthappa lines it up and sends it over the long on fence for a biggie.
5.6 : R Jadeja to R Uthappa, SIX! Back-to-back maximums! This is a towering one! WOW! This is outside off, Uthappa trusts the pitch and goes across the line and sends it over the long on fence for half a dozen. What an end to the Powerplay. 2 biggies to end it. 64/2 after 6.
Harbhajan Singh is back on.
6.1 : H Singh to N Rana, On the pads, tucked around the corner for a run.
6.2 : H Singh to R Uthappa, Quicker on middle, worked down to long on for a run.
6.3 : H Singh to N Rana, The batsman plays the square cut.
6.4 : H Singh to N Rana, On the pads again, Rana flicks it very fine this time on the leg side and gets a brace.
6.5 : H Singh to N Rana, FOUR! Bad ball put away! Short and outside off, Rana rocks back and cuts it through point. There is a fielder who tries to stop it but his effort goes in vain.
6.6 : H Singh to N Rana, Comes down the track and drives it towards long off for a run. So the run flow continues as 9 comes from this over.
Shardul Thakur is into the attack.
7.1 : S Thakur to N Rana, Starts off with a length delivery on off, Rana guides it to point.
7.2 : S Thakur to N Rana, Two dots, good this from Shardul. He is bowling a straight line and not giving a lot away. Rana keeps it out off the back foot.
7.3 : S Thakur to N Rana, Make that three dots! Good change in length by the bowler! Goes short this time and it is a well-directed one. Rana ducks under it.
7.4 : S Thakur to N Rana, FOUR! TOP SHOT! Thakur goes full this time and pays the price. Rana picks his spot. Sees mid off is in and lofts the delivery over that fielder and into the fence.
7.5 : S Thakur to N Rana, Shorter in length outside off, cut through backward point. Harbhajan Singh at third man runs to his left, dives and keeps it down to two.
7.6 : S Thakur to N Rana, One to end the over! A good one by Shardul in the context of the game. Shorter in length on the body of the batsman. Rana mistimes his pull towards mid-wicket for a run.
Shane Watson is back on.
8.1 : S Watson to N Rana, OUT! The bowling change has worked wonders! Watson gets the wicket of Rana. A short ball on the pads cramping the batsman for room. Rana tries to pull but it goes off the gloves and balloons towards Dhoni who runs to his right and takes an easy catch. He appeals and the umpire raises his finger. Rana walks back cheaply today. The runs are coming for Kolkata but they are losing wickets at regular intervals.
0.0 : The first strategic break has been taken.
Dinesh Karthik walks into the middle next.
8.2 : S Watson to R Uthappa, WIDE! A bumper on middle, Uthappa ducks under it and the umpire signals a wide.
S Watson to R Uthappa, OUT! RUN OUT! The last thing Kolkata wanted. Second wicket in the over. Now I do not know what to write here. Was Uthappa's carelessness the reason for this wicket or Raina's brilliance? Uthappa taps this ball on off towards covers and is ball watching. Karthik thinks there is a run and there was one. He sprints towards the other end but Robin is not looking at him. He realizes very late that Karthik is next to him and then goes for it. However, it is too late by that
Rinku Singh comes out to the middle.
8.3 : S Watson to D Karthik, On a length around off, Karthik keeps it out.
8.4 : S Watson to D Karthik, FOUR! Short and wide outside off. A hit me ball and Dinesh cuts it well through point for a boundary.
8.5 : S Watson to D Karthik, The batsman works it down the leg side. The batsmen have run through for a single.
8.6 : S Watson to R Singh, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
9.1 : S Thakur to R Singh, Good length outside off, guided down to third man for a run.
9.2 : S Thakur to D Karthik, A bumper on middle, the batsman evades it.
9.3 : S Thakur to D Karthik, On the pads, worked towards mid-wicket.
9.4 : S Thakur to D Karthik, Shorter in length on off, Karthik plays it down to third man for a run.
9.5 : S Thakur to R Singh, Shortish and outside off, Rinku tries to guide it down to third man but misses.
9.6 : S Thakur to R Singh, OUT! Half the side back in the hut now for Kolkata! What a turnaround this has been. From 80/2 they are now 89/5. Rinku Singh is the man walking back. A soft dismissal. He gets a full ball outside off, Singh goes after it with a drive but does not keep it down. It goes straight into the hands bravo who accepts it gleefully at point..
Andre Russell comes out to bat.
Imran Tahir comes back on.
10.1 : I Tahir to D Karthik, FOUR! Good innovation! Karthik goes down on one knee and nails the reverse sweep. He hits it very fine and the ball races to the fence.
10.2 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Floats it up on off, kept out.
10.3 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Tosses it up on middle, Karthik defends it.
10.4 : I Tahir to D Karthik, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
10.5 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Short and it is the wrong 'un! Karthik rocks back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.
10.6 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Loopy ball on off, Karthik plants his front foot forward and keeps it out.
11.1 : S Watson to A Russell, Fuller in length and shaping back in, on middle and leg, Russell works it off his pads and picks up a single.
11.2 : S Watson to D Karthik, Fullish in length again, outside off, Karthik plays this on the up as he plants his front foot forward and drives it through the covers for a single.
11.3 : S Watson to A Russell, FOUR! The 100 comes up for Kolkata! Overpitched delivery from Watson, just outside off, Russell drills this perfectly between extra cover and mid off. Through the gap and it's away to the fence for a boundary.
11.4 : S Watson to A Russell, The length is shortened on this occasion, Russell pulls it towards wide long on. Single taken.
11.5 : S Watson to D Karthik, Easy run. Karthik works it off his pads towards fine leg and crosses over.
11.6 : S Watson to A Russell, Strays this on the pads, Andre with soft hands works it in front of square leg and gets a single for it.
12.1 : I Tahir to A Russell, Loopy leg break around off, Russell moves a step across and defends it down in front of first slip.
12.2 : I Tahir to A Russell, Lunges well forward to this tossed up delivery and meets it with the full face of the bat.
12.3 : I Tahir to A Russell, A little short in length, with some width on offer, which is all Russell needs. He cuts this through backward point and comes back for the second.
12.4 : I Tahir to A Russell, He didn't expect that at all. Googly from Tahir, Russell doesn't pick it up. Offers no shot and wears it on the pads. Lucky for him it was going down leg. It goes off his pads and a leg bye is taken.
12.5 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Karthik works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
12.6 : I Tahir to A Russell, Outside off, played to point to end the over.
Dwayne Bravo comes into the attack. After a long time, I might add.
13.1 : D Bravo to D Karthik, Immediately goes full, too full in fact. Ends up becoming a low full toss whick DK drives past extra cover, towards long off for a run.
13.2 : D Bravo to A Russell, Keeps it tight. Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Russell hangs back and blocks it solidly.
13.3 : D Bravo to A Russell, Another attempted yorker which misses, one more low full toss. Driven hard straight to long off. One run added to the total.
13.4 : D Bravo to D Karthik, Takes the pace off this one, outside off on a length. Karthik taps it down in front of point and calls his partner through for one.
The umpire is called into action. Some threading needs to be cut off from the seam, he brings out his scissors and does the needful.
13.5 : D Bravo to A Russell, SIX! Brute force from Andre Russell! Fuller ball, right in his zone. He clears his front leg and goes bang over long on. Clears the fence with ease and gets a maximum to his name.
13.6 : D Bravo to A Russell, Angling back in, worked to mid-wicket for an easy run.
14.1 : I Tahir to A Russell, Spinning away after landing around off, Andre with a firm punch to long off for a single.
14.2 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Short and spinning in, it's the wrong 'un, DK camps back and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for one more.
14.3 : I Tahir to A Russell, Third single of the over. Russell lofts it, albeit not cleanly, over mid-wicket and crosses over.
14.4 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Quite tidy so far for Tahir. He floats this around off, Karthik pushes it towards the man at cover.
14.5 : I Tahir to D Karthik, Through the gap this time in the same region. Single results.
14.6 : I Tahir to A Russell, Eased back down the ground to long on for one.
Shardul Thakur returns.
15.1 : S Thakur to A Russell, Missed out. Wanted to go big downtown, the loud grunt shows that frustration. Full ball outside off, Russell mistimes it to long on for just the one.
15.2 : S Thakur to D Karthik, Mistimed again. Dinesh Karthik this time. Short of a good length outside off, a little too close to him as he attempts to cut. Off the bottom edge past point for a single.
15.3 : S Thakur to A Russell, SIX! The knuckle ball and it's dispatched. BOOM! Fuller in length, around off, Russell ensures his gets his front foot out of the way to generate power behind this. Connects well and smokes it over wide long off. Biggie.
15.4 : S Thakur to A Russell, SIX! Consecutive big ones from Dre Rus! Juicy full toss, He stands his ground and launches this with all his might, over long on and deep into the stands. What a shot.
15.5 : S Thakur to A Russell, Just ahead of a good length, on off stump, clubbed down towards the man at long on for a single.
15.6 : S Thakur to D Karthik, Beautiful delivery to end the over, even though it's an expensive one. Yorker outside the line of off stump, Karthik can only dig it out behind towards Dhoni.
Strategic break signalled by the umpire.
Dwayne Bravo back on to bowl.
16.1 : D Bravo to A Russell, Starts off with a short ball on the stumps, it's well-directed with good pace on it. Russell can only duck under it.
16.2 : D Bravo to A Russell, SIX! That's huuuugggeeeeee!!!!! When Russell hits 'em, they stay hit. So much power behind that. Full on the stumps, Russell has this in his slot. He clears the front leg and smokes this out of the park for a biggie. His power can't be doubted, like most from the Caribbean. Ooofff!! The 50-run stand is up as well.
Since the ball went out of the stadium, a replacement has been called for.
16.3 : D Bravo to A Russell, Slower one outside off, Russell swings and misses. Clever stuff from Bravo.
16.4 : D Bravo to A Russell, SIX! And Russell comes back with another monstrous hit! Slower full toss on the stumps, Russell gets a little low and slogs it high over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
16.5 : D Bravo to A Russell, Just taps this down in front of cover and crosses over.
16.6 : D Bravo to D Karthik, SIX! Now Karthik joins in on the action. Makes terrific use of the feet, gets close to the pitch and lofts it high over wide long on. Comfortably clears the fence for half a dozen.
Shane Watson comes back into the attack.
17.1 : S Watson to A Russell, DROPPED and SIX! 4th Indian T20 League fifty for Andre Russell! Full and outside off, the big man smacks it flat over covers. Rayudu out in the deep, moves to his right and leaps to take it. But it somehow slips through his palms and goes over the rope. Can't believe it, that should have been taken.
17.2 : S Watson to A Russell, Hammers this again. It's a full ball outside off, it goes flat and on the bounce to long off for a single.
17.3 : S Watson to D Karthik, Back of a length delivery, in line of the stumps, pulled away to square leg. Dot ball.
17.4 : S Watson to D Karthik, Wide! Short ball banged in but it's too short, Karthik lets it be.
Review taken quickly. Dinesh Karthik is caught leg before and after speaking with his partner, he decides to take it upstairs.
S Watson to D Karthik, OUT! Watson strikes and breaks the 76-run stand. Excellent, excellent delivery from the Aussie veteran. He comes running in and spears in an inswinging yorker on middle. It keeps tailing down and catches Karthik low on the back pad. The appeal is made and the finger goes up. DK talks to Russell, thinks it might be going down leg so he reviews it. Replays roll in and it shows the ball to be clipping leg stump. He's gone, Chennai have their breakthrough.
Tom Curran comes into bat.
17.5 : S Watson to Tom Curran, Fuller outside off, driven through covers for a single by Curran.
17.6 : S Watson to A Russell, Smacks this straight back past the bowler, towards long off, for a run.
18.1 : D Bravo to A Russell, SIX! Russell continues to torment his fellow countryman. Bravo from around the wicket, bowls it full on the pads, Russell flicks it sweetly over mid-wicket and that's a biggie.
18.2 : D Bravo to A Russell, SIX! Two in two! Dre Rus is going berserk here. Completely off balance here but he still manages to send it a long, long way. Length ball on off, he slogs this across the line and pummels this high over wide long on. Maximum.
18.3 : D Bravo to A Russell, SIX! Make that three in a row! Andre Russell is putting on a show here! Take a bow, my man! Bravo switches the angle and comes over the wicket, angles in a length ball on middle but it makes no difference. Russell stands firm and hoicks it over mid-wicket for another maximum.
18.4 : D Bravo to A Russell, Good delivery. Perfect yorker on middle stump, Russell gets it away off the inner edge towards short fine leg. There is a mix-up in the middle, there's a chance for a run out but Thakur fumbles and allows the batsmen to cross over.
18.5 : D Bravo to Tom Curran, Curran backs away a touch and lofts the full delivery over covers for a single.
18.6 : D Bravo to A Russell, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. 21 runs off the over, a really big one for Kolkata.
Shardul Thakur to bowl the final over.
19.1 : S Thakur to A Russell, SIX! He's still going at it! Wowza! No stopping him tonight, is there? Thakur serves it on a platter to Russell outside off, full in length, the batsman throws the kitchen sink at it and sends it into the cover stands for half a dozen.
19.2 : S Thakur to A Russell, Pulls it away along the ground, through to deep mid-wicket. Single taken.
19.3 : S Thakur to Tom Curran, Short ball outside off, Curran moves a long way across to scoop it over Dhoni's head. He misses and the keeper actually does well to dive full stretch to his right to collect it.
19.4 : S Thakur to Tom Curran, Another dot. Length ball outside off, Curran swings wildly and misses.
19.5 : S Thakur to Tom Curran, Bye! Tom Curran with another swing and a miss. But this time the batsmen run hard and cross over as Dhoni misses his shy at his end.
19.6 : S Thakur to A Russell, SIX! Finishes the innings off with a big bang! Andre Russell is an absolute powerhouse. Full ball outside off, Russell stands his ground and just throws everything behind this. Smashes it high and hard over long off for a maximum. KOLKATA FINISH ON 202/6!
They lied to you, folks. Russell-mania was today! What a spectacular batting display from the big Windies all-round. His tremendous power-hitting display has put Kolkata in a strong position. The innings wasn't going too well per say. The away side was scoring runs, right from the start, but wickets kept falling at regular intervals. After Uthappa's wicket, it seemed Chennai would wrap them up quickly, but Russell and Karthik shored things up and then pushed the scoring rate forward. The former
Chennai will be quite disappointed with how they did in the death overs. They did good for the most part, but those last 4 overs really ruined it for them. 64 runs were scored for the loss of just 1 wicket, and it was Russell who did the bulk of the scoring in that period. Their death specialist, Dwayne Bravo, was taken for a ride, something which even Dhoni could not have foreseen. A big task lies ahead with the bat. Won't be easy against a potent Kolkata bowling unit. A blazing start is key fo
0.0 : We are back for the chase! 203 is what is needed, a massive task is what awaits the home side. They would hope for Ambati Rayudu and Shane Watson to provide them with a good start Vinay Kumar will open the bowling for Kolkata. Here we go...
0.1 : V Kumar to S Watson, A little movement for the bowler. A good start. He gets this one to shape back in after pitching on middle. Watson tries to nudge it on the leg side but the ball hits him high on the pads.
0.2 : V Kumar to S Watson, Close shave! This one was on a shorter length around off, Watson goes for the pull but the ball is not that short. He misses and it goes just over the off pole.
0.3 : V Kumar to S Watson, Chennai are underway! Shorter in length and outside off, Watson rocks back and punches it through covers. He, however, does not time it that well and collects two.
0.4 : V Kumar to S Watson, FOUR! First boundary for this innings! Short and on middle, a nothing bouncer. Watson pulls it fine, beats the short fine leg fielder and fetches a boundary.
0.5 : V Kumar to S Watson, SIX! Watson on the charge! They are going from the outset! A full ball this time, this is right in the zone. Watson tonks it over the long on fence for half a dozen. Superb start for Chennai.
0.6 : V Kumar to S Watson, FOUR! It gets even better! 16 from it! On a length and outside off, Watson leans into it and drives it through covers for another boundary. Kolkata scored 18 from their first, Chennai have 16.
Piyush Chawla to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, Starts off with a wrong one on off, Rayudu guides it towards short third man and runs a single. He says over to you Watson, it is your job to hit the big ones.
1.2 : P Chawla to S Watson, FIVE RUNS! OVERTHROWS! Things just keep getting better for Chennai here. It is the captain who is the culprit! Quicker and on middle, Watson plays it beside the pitch and they go for a run. Karthik is quick to the ball and fires a wayward throw to the non-striker's end. There is no one backing up and it goes to the fence.
1.3 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, Comes down the track and eases it to mid on for a run.
1.4 : P Chawla to S Watson, Fires it on off, Watson defends it off the back foot.
1.5 : P Chawla to S Watson, SIX! It has been a carnage today! First by Russel and now by Watson. What a start for Chennai this is. Chawla floats this one up, not a good idea on this wicket. Watson goes down on one knee and slog sweeps it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
1.6 : P Chawla to S Watson, The batsman flicks it away with a wristy shot. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Andre Russell is into the attack.
2.1 : A Russell to S Watson, PEACH! Russell comes running in and lands it on a length around off, it zips off the surface and also bounces a touch more. Watson tries to defend but gets beaten.
2.2 : A Russell to S Watson, On middle, Watson pushes it towards mid on for a quick run.
2.3 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Swings but misses! Rayudu comes down the track and swings blindly. He however, connects with thin air.
2.4 : A Russell to A Rayudu, FOUR! This was very well played! But a poor ball by Russell. Rayudu walks across the stumps. Andre goes for the yorker but misses. It ends up being a full toss and Rayudu flicks it through backward square leg for a boundary.
2.5 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Once again Rayudu gives the charge and goes for a loose cut but misses.
2.6 : A Russell to A Rayudu, A single to end. 167 more needed in 17 overs. He flicks this ball through square leg for a run.
3.1 : P Chawla to A Rayudu,SIX! CLEAN AS A WHISTLE! Chennai on the charge! A little shimmy down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and sends it sailing over the bowler's head for a biggie. Game on!
3.2 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, Flatter this time by Chawla on the stumps, Rayudu tries to keep it out but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
3.3 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, SIX! This is for me the shot of the game! How easy did he make that look and trust me, this is one of the toughest shots to play in the game. Chawla tosses it up on off, Rayudu goes inside out with the turn. He lofts it and it goes over the cover fence for another biggie.
3.4 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, FOUR! Now a boundary, 16 from this over already! This one is short and wide outside off, Rayudu rocks back and pierces the gap through covers and it races away. 50 up in quick time and they need another 151.
3.5 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
3.6 : P Chawla to S Watson, Flatter on middle, kept out. 17 from this over, 2 overs to go in the Powerplay. What more is in store?
4.1 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Short and outside off, Rayudu guides it down to third man for a run.
4.2 : A Russell to S Watson, Shorter in length, cramping the batsman for room. Watson helps it around the corner for a run.
4.3 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Sloppy from Vinay Kumar! A slower ball by Russell on off, Rayudu pushes it towards mid off. The batsmen go for a run. Kumar there lets the ball through his legs and the batsmen take another.
4.4 : A Russell to A Rayudu, FOUR! This is clever! He is playing with so much elegance! Short, he maybe was expecting it. Rayudu waits for it and plays the upper cut and it goes into the third man fence.
4.5 : A Russell to A Rayudu, A bounce this time on the body of the batsman. Ambati pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.
4.6 : A Russell to S Watson, Short again on middle, Watson mistimes his pull towards deep mid-wicket for a run. 10 runs from this over. The run flow continues. 140 more needed from 15.
Tom Curran is into the attack.
5.1 : Tom Curran to S Watson, FOUR! Welcome Curran. First ball of the youngster's Indian T20 League is pulled for a boundary. Short and on middle, Watson rocks back and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
5.2 : Tom Curran to S Watson, SIX! Make that 10 from the first two! WOW! Full and it is the slower one. Watson picks it up early and then picks the bones out of the ball and dispatches it over the long off fence.
5.3 : Tom Curran to S Watson, Overthrow! Bonus runs again! Full and on off, Watson squeezes it towards point. Rayudu thinks about a run but is sent back. The fielder there has a needless shy but misses. The ball goes towards long on and the batsmen now take a run.
5.4 : Tom Curran to A Rayudu, Slower ball, Rayudu plays it towards point for a run. Good batting, respect the good balls and dispatch the bad ones.
5.5 : Tom Curran to S Watson, OUT! Curran has the last laugh. First wicket for him in the Indian T20 League and it is the big one of Watson. He has hit it straight to the man! You just cannot pick out a fielder any better. Short and on middle, Watson rocks back and pulls it. He fails to keep it down and it goes into the hands of Rinku Singh at deep mid-wicket who takes it. A much-needed wicket for Kolkata. A blazing innings by the opener and the 75-run stand has come to an end. 128 more needed in
Suresh Raina is in at no. 3!
5.6 : Tom Curran to S Raina, A full yorker on middle, Raina keeps it out. An excellent Powerplay for Chennai, the fans could not have asked for a better start. They are 75/1 after the first 6.
Strategic time out has been signaled.
6.1 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Russell who is bowling his third over on the trot lands it on a length around off, Rayudu taps it towards backward point and takes a run. The fielder scores a direct hit at the striker's end but the batsman is well in.
0.0 : The ball has been changed. Probably because of the colour of the ball. Rayudu doesn't seem too pleased with it, so a replacement has been taken.
6.2 : A Russell to S Raina, Played to the point region by the batsman. They pick up a single.
6.3 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Short again, Rayudu gets into position early and then pulls it in the gap between fine leg and deep backward square leg for a couple.
6.4 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Short again on off, guided to point.
6.5 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Russell showed he is a good batsman. He is showing he is good with the ball and now shows he is an excellent fielder. A full toss on middle, Rayudu drives it back towards the bowler, who makes a tumbling stop by stretching his hand out towards the right.
6.6 : A Russell to A Rayudu, Full and wide outside off, almost a yorker. Rayudu tries to jam it out but gets beaten. Good over this by Russell. Three dots to finish, just 4 runs from it.
Sunil Narine is into the attack.
7.1 : S Narine to S Raina, Flatter on middle, Raina works it towards mid on for an easy run.
7.2 : S Narine to A Rayudu, Flatter on off, Rayudu guides it towards short third man for a run.
7.3 : S Narine to S Raina, Fires it on off, Raina pushes it towards covers.
7.4 : S Narine to S Raina, Quicker on middle, Raina pushes it down to long on to change strike.
7.5 : S Narine to A Rayudu, The batsman has played that off the front foot and into the ground.
7.6 : S Narine to A Rayudu, Shorter in length and on middle, Rayudu pulls it towards wide long on for only a run. So two tight overs for Kolkata, 8 from the last two.
Kuldeep Yadav is into the attack.
8.1 : K Yadav to A Rayudu, Slower through the air on off, punched through covers for a run. The boundaries have dried up here.
8.2 : K Yadav to S Raina, Gives it air on middle, Raina goes back and tucks it through mid-wicket for a run.
8.3 : K Yadav to A Rayudu, OUT! Kuldeep strikes in his first over and there is pin drop silence around the stadium. All those tight overs have paid dividends here. Another set batsman is out of here. Kuldeep tosses this one up outside off, Rayudu once again tries to go inside out over covers. There, however, is a man in the deep, Shivam Mavi, the substitute. He comes running in and takes it comfortably. Chennai now find themselves in a little trouble. 118 in 69 needed.
MS Dhoni is the next man in.
8.4 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Tosses it up on middle, Dhoni defends it.
8.5 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Comes down the track and tries to clip it but misses to get hit on the pads.
8.6 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, On the bounce! Dhoni makes his intentions clear here as he comes down the track and tries to go over long on. He, however, does not get underneath the ball and hits it on the bounce to that fielder for a run.
9.1 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Flatter on off, Dhoni defends it.
9.2 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Plays the paddle, a little awkwardly towards fine leg and takes a run.
9.3 : S Narine to S Raina, Down the leg side, Raina works it through square leg for a run.
9.4 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Short and outside off, Dhoni cuts it through point but once again it is only a run. Karthik will not mind these singles.
9.5 : S Narine to S Raina, Quicker on off, Raina pushes it down to long on for a run. He is limping as he runs to the other end. He now takes his pads off and is holding his calf.
The physio is now out there, having a look at his calf. Chennai would hope it is only cramps. Raina now is back on his feet and is good to continue.
9.6 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Floats this one up on off, Dhoni guides it to point. Half way done. Chennai need another 113 from 10. Almost similar to what Kolkata scored in their last 10. But do Chennai have a Russell in their ranks?
10.1 : K Yadav to S Raina, Dropped! Difficult chance, could have gone either way. Hard to judge that one. Flighted ball outside off, Suresh Raina lofts it over covers. Curran out in the deep comes running in to his left and dives forward, gets his hands to it but can't keep a hold of it. Raina hobbles to the other end, he isn't looking too good.
10.2 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Short and flat outside off, cut to point.
10.3 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Short and flat outside off, punched to long off for a single.
10.4 : K Yadav to S Raina, Raina goes deep inside the crease and pulls it along the ground to deep mid-wicket for one.
10.5 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Dhoni with a hard pull this time. Hits it to deep mid-wicket and crosses over.
10.6 : K Yadav to S Raina, SIX! Think this is the way he's going to go now. Just stand his ground and try to put them away. Looped up outside off, the southpaw plants his front foot forward and lifts it nicely over the cover fence for a maximum. 103 runs needed to win in 54 deliveries.
Sunil Narine into the attack.
And immediately a review is taken. It's for an lbw decision against the Chennai skipper MS Dhoni. Looks close. Over to the TV umpire now...
11.1 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Not out! Huge cheers from the crowd. Good call from the umpire. Floated on middle and off, Dhoni presses forward to defend. It spins in, beats the inside edge raps Dhoni on the pads. Big appeal goes up, the umpire shuts it down. But, Kolkata then decide to review it and it's taken upstairs. Replays show it would have gone down leg. Dhoni survives.
11.2 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Outside the line of off stump, punched square of the wicket on the off side for one.
11.3 : S Narine to S Raina, OUT! Raina departs! It was inevitable, probably. Around off, slightly quicker in pace, Raina goes back and looks to clear long on. Doesn't get enough power, so it falls in the long on region. Vinay Kumar gets under it and takes a very good catch. Blessing in disguise for Chennai? As he was struggling out there.
Sam Billings walks into the middle next.
11.4 : S Narine to Sam Billings, Billings makes use of the wrists, leans forward and works it to long on for a single to get off strike.
11.5 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Walks down the track, closes the face to work it on the leg side. Ends up getting an inside edge onto his pads.
11.6 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Short and flat outside off, cut away square on the off side for a single. 100 required off 48. Chennai need to start scoring big here now.
Piyush Chawla back on to bowl.
12.1 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, Slightly quicker through the air, around off, Dhoni plays it back to the bowler.
12.2 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, Quicker and shorter on the hips, MS off the inner edge hits it down to fine leg. Single taken.
12.3 : P Chawla to Sam Billings, FOUR! That's a fine, fine shot! Nicely done. Sees the flight on the ball and then dances down the track. Whips it hard with the wrists and beats Rinku Singh in the deep, who runs to his right from long on to stop it but eventually fails. Boundary!
12.4 : P Chawla to Sam Billings, Down the track again, worked through mid-wicket this time. A fumble by the fielder in the deep allows the batsmen to come back for the second.
12.5 : P Chawla to Sam Billings, Spinning away from outside off, Billings punches it with the spin through point for a run.
12.6 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, Short and wide, cut behind square, towards backward point for a quick one.
Kuldeep Yadav is brought back to have a go with the ball.
13.1 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Short and flat on middle stump, pulled away through mid-wicket for a single.
13.2 : K Yadav to Sam Billings, On the shorter side of the length, outside off, cut away towards sweeper cover for one run.
13.3 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, FOUR! BANG! That's hammered. Full on off, too full and Dhoni goes for it. Smashes it past the bowler and there's no stopping it. Goes all the way to the fence for a boundary.
13.4 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, SIX! Has MS Dhoni decided to go for it from here? Could this be the moment? The signs are there. Loopy and full on middle, Dhoni slogs it high and mighty into the mid-wicket stands for half a dozen.
13.5 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Wide! Pressure! After those two hits, Kuldeep in an attempt to be safe, fires this well outside off. It's across the tramline and that's a wide.
K Yadav to MS Dhoni, The batsman works it down the leg side. One run added to the total.
13.6 : K Yadav to Sam Billings, Googly outside off, Billings gets low to play the slog sweep. It brushes off his body and goes past the keeper towards third man, where Chris Lynn chases it down. Two leg byes taken. 16 runs have come from this over.
Tom Curran is back.
14.1 : Tom Curran to MS Dhoni, Length delivery in the off stump channel, MS Dhoni dabs it through point and takes a run.
14.2 : Tom Curran to Sam Billings, Dropped! That has to be taken! Has to be. Full ball attacking the stumps, Billings stays leg side and lofts it towards mid off. Uthappa moves to his right, gets his hands to it and spills it. Poor. It rolls behind and two runs are taken as the other fielder mops it up.
14.3 : Tom Curran to Sam Billings, SIX! Got underneath that very well. Excellent hit. Quite full outside off, Billings makes room and then lofts it without any second thoughts. Clears the cover fence with ease and gets a biggie to his name.
14.4 : Tom Curran to Sam Billings, Low full toss on middle and off, forced down to long off for a single.
14.5 : Tom Curran to MS Dhoni, Pushes this through cover-point and takes a run.
14.6 : Tom Curran to Sam Billings, SIX! Fantastic, Sam Billings! Yes, it was a bad ball, but it needed to be put away and he did just that. High on the hips, he swings across the line and it's over the square leg boundary for a maximum. 17 off the over. 58 needed off 30.
Sunil Narine returns to the attack.
15.1 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Quick, flat and short on middle, Dhoni brings Sam back on strike with a pull to deep mid-wicket.
15.2 : S Narine to Sam Billings, This is good cricket. Good running between the wickets. Seeing Billings come down the track, Narine shortens the length. The Englishman works it in the gap in the mid-wicket area and with Dhoni at the other end, the two was always coming.
15.3 : S Narine to Sam Billings, Keeps it short again, outside off, Sam works it towards long on and takes a run.
15.4 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Quicker and straighter on off, MS meets it with the full face of the bat.
15.5 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Spinning in on middle and leg, Dhoni looks to play it on the leg side but it goes off his pads and towards backward square leg. Leg bye taken.
15.6 : S Narine to Sam Billings, Good running between the wickets. Billings works it in the vacant spaces in the mid-wicket region. Dhoni quickly calls for the second run and both batsmen complete it with ease. The 50-run stand is up between these two.
Strategic break signaled! 51 needed in 24 balls. The two men in the middle are capable of doing it. Kolkata have overs from key men remaining, but if Andre Russell's first innings' onslaught is anything to go by, we can expect fireworks to go down now.
Piyush Chawla is back on to bowl a crucial over.
16.1 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, Extremely full on off, Dhoni digs it out towards wide long on. Billings took off for the second without even looking, but luckily for him, Dhoni sends him back just in time. Single taken.
16.2 : P Chawla to Sam Billings, Quicker through the air, short in length too, Sam comes out of his crease, swings and gets an inside edge to short fine leg. Close call. Quick run taken.
16.3 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, Wide! Chawla will have to reload. Darts it down the leg side, wide called.
P Chawla to MS Dhoni, OUT! That's a good catch from Dinesh Karthik. Chawla has his first of the game. Quick again, outside off, Dhoni gets low to swing across the line. Gets a bottom edge and Karthik behind the stumps takes a superb catch. The umpire checks for the front foot no ball, but the leggie is fine. 48 runs needed to win in 21 balls.
Ravindra Jadeja comes out to bat. Interesting move with Dwayne Bravo sitting in the hut.
16.4 : P Chawla to R Jadeja, Drama out in the middle! All happening out there. Chawla bowls it like a medium pacer, short on leg, catches Jadeja on the pads who is taken by surprise. Appeal goes up, it's turned down. Ravindra takes off, is sent back and during this, Karthik misses his shy at the striker's end. Single is taken eventually.
16.5 : P Chawla to Sam Billings, FOUR! Billings continues with the charge! Full and flat on off, the Englishman stands his ground and slogs it over mid-wicket. Perfect placement, pierces the gap between the two men in the deep and gets a boundary.
16.6 : P Chawla to Sam Billings, Moves inside the line, tucks it away on the leg side and keeps strike with a single.
Andre Russell to bowl his final over.
17.1 : A Russell to Sam Billings, Short of a good length in line of the stumps, Billings stays leg side and offers a firm punch down to long off for a single.
17.2 : A Russell to R Jadeja, Another short ball, on middle and leg, Jadeja pulls it away towards fine leg and crosses over.
17.3 : A Russell to Sam Billings, SIX! Absolutely unbelievable from Sam Billings. He's shown over time he's capable of such shots. But man, the execution is incredible. Low full toss on leg, Billings moves across, gets low and scoops it over the fine leg fence for a maximum.
17.4 : A Russell to Sam Billings, SIX! It's not over yet! Not yet! Sam Billings is keeping hope alive. Length ball on middle and leg, Billings backs a long way away and lofts it over long on. Superb hit.
17.5 : A Russell to Sam Billings, Bumper from Russell, quite high but Sam still manages to connect the pull. Over square leg and a single is taken. Moves on to 49 with that.
17.6 : A Russell to R Jadeja, Dot ball to end the over. But 15 runs have come off it. Length ball in the channel outside off, Jadeja plays and misses. 27 to win in 12 balls.
Tom Curran called back into the bowling attack.
18.1 : Tom Curran to Sam Billings, Fifty for Sam Billings! His 3rd in this competition. Has kept Chennai in the hunt so far, lovely knock. He works this down to fine leg and takes a single.
18.2 : Tom Curran to R Jadeja, Seaming away from a length on middle and off, Jadeja pushes this towards short third man for a brisk single.
18.3 : Tom Curran to Sam Billings, SIX! That is a wonderful strike! Sam Billings, go 'head. He's made his entry in the Chennai team and making an impact already. Short ball, slower in pace, Billings pulls it hard over square leg. It's full and fast, over the boundary line for a biggie.
18.4 : Tom Curran to Sam Billings, OUT! Billings is gone! At the wrong time he'd feel, but his side is still in the game because of him. He looks to clear long off, but doesn't get the desired elevation on this. Straight down the throat of Robin Uthappa who takes it this time. He had dropped him earlier, so will be happy he held on on this occasion. 19 needed 8 to win for Chennai.
Dwayne Bravo, the hero of the opener comes out to bat. Can he repeat the heroics?
18.5 : Tom Curran to R Jadeja, The slower one again, on a length, Jadeja skips down the track and pushes it away from the body towards point. Chawla moves to his left and dives to stop it. Good effort. Single taken.
18.6 : Tom Curran to D Bravo, Superb yorker on leg, not much Bravo can do about it besides flicking it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
Vinay Kumar to bowl the final over of the game. 17 needed for the win. Kolkata have the advantage, but anything can happen here with Dwayne Bravo still remaining.
19.1 : V Kumar to D Bravo, SIX! It's a no ball as well. The crowd erupts. High full toss on the hips from around the wicket, Bravo swings across the line. May not have connected well enough, but he gets enough to clear the fine leg fence for a biggie.
Free Hit coming up...
V Kumar to D Bravo, The catch is taken but it won't matter! Full and outside off, Bravo lofts it over mid on. Rinku Singh in the deep takes it and two runs are taken.
19.2 : V Kumar to D Bravo, Back of a length outside off, Bravo pulls it over mid-wicket. He wants the second but Jadeja doesn't want it. Dwayne is furious with him, he makes it known.
19.3 : V Kumar to R Jadeja, Wide! Kumar comes over the wicket and hurls it well outside off, Jadeja leaves it alone. It's across the tramline and a wide is called. Pressure getting to the pacer. 6 from 4 to win.
V Kumar to R Jadeja, Length ball aiming the top of off stump, Jadeja glides it to backward point and brings Bravo on strike.
19.4 : V Kumar to D Bravo, Manages just the single. Kumar fires it full outside off, Bravo drags it down towards long on for one.
19.5 : V Kumar to R Jadeja, SIX! And Jadeja finishes it off in style! CHENNAI WIN BY 5 WICKETS! What a hit. Full and in the arc, Jadeja stands tall, and with the full swing of his bat, launches it over long on for a biggie. The Chepauk stadium explodes as the home side wins the first home game, two years after its return.
A dramatic finish to the game. Second time in a row that the Men in Yellow left it late to seal the deal. The Chennai players rush onto the field and celebrate with Bravo and Jadeja. Superb scenes. With a mammoth target of 203 to gun down, Watson and Rayudu provided the ideal start for the hosts. The platform was set to take advantage of, but wickets at regular intervals in the middle saw Kolkata come back in the game and hold the upper hand.
The game seemed all but over, but Sam Billings (who scored a rapid fifty) had other ideas. He displayed his range of innovative shots and took the game deep, keeping his team in the hunt and with a chance to get the job done. Dwayne Bravo walked in and along with Ravindra Jadeja, put the finishing touches on the chase to seal a glorious victory for the Chennai crowd. Earlier in the evening, Kolkata got to a daunting total, courtesy some fireworks from Andre Russell, but it didn't prove to be eno
Dinesh Karthik says the atmosphere was right up there with all the support with Chennai. Credits the way Andre Russell played but is disappointed to not defend it. Further adds winning and losing is part and parcel of the game but they have to be ready for the next match against Hyderabad.
MS Dhoni says it feels good to come back after two years and win the game in Chennai. Further adds it was a fantastic game of cricket. States they try and keep their emotions under control in such close encounters. Admits he does nervous but he does not express himself too much. Opines they are facing a lot of injuries which is not good. Credits the way Sam Billings played. Feels the bowlers had a rough day as there were a lot of sixes hit.
Right, then! That brings us to an end of a thriller between two fine teams. Will be a night to remember for the Chennai crowd. We move on to Jaipur tomorrow where Rajasthan will host Delhi in their first home game after a long absence. The action will begin at 2000 IST. Do join in for it. Till then, cheers!