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Kolkata vs Chennai Live Commentary, Match 33, Indian Premier League, 2018, May 3, 2018

CSK 177/5 (20)
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets
KKR 180/4 (17.4)
Match over
Chennai Super Kings Inning Kolkata Knight Riders Inning
0.0 : Hello and welcome to Game no. 33 and it is a clash between no. 4 and no. 1. Kolkata will be locking horns with Chennai at Eden Gardens. The home side will be more desperate for a win here today as they would want to widen the gap between them and the teams below them. They got back to winning ways against the Bangalore in their last game and the home side will hope the momentum continues.
It won't be easy though against a Chennai side which is at the top of the table. They too are coming into this game after a thumping victory against Delhi and their confidence will be right up there. They also have a good record against the home side on this ground and Dhoni would want to better it. The last time these two sides faced each other, we witnessed a thriller where the away side came out victorious. The hosts today will be out for revenge. Let us hope we get an exciting game of cricke
Pitch Report - Sunil Gavaskar says it looks a very good pitch to bat on. Reckons it may assist the spinners later on and the pacers early on but it should still be good for the batters.
Toss - Kolkata win the toss and opt to bowl.
Dinesh Karthik says they prefer chasing and hence they want to bowl first. Reckons they are doing pretty well in both the departments and he hopes that continues. Informs Rinku Singh comes in for Nitish Rana.
MS Dhoni starts by saying they too wanted to bowl first but he feels the wicket won't change a lot. Admits their death bowling has been an issue and they will want to work on it. Informs they are playing the same team.
We are all set for the action to begin. Harbhajan Singh is the one to ring the bell and now out come the home side along with the umpires. They are followed by the two openers, Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson. Mitchell Johnson will open the bowling for Kolkata. They are going with pace first up. He has a widish slip in place. Here we go...
0.1 : M Johnson to S Watson, Short of a length ball on the stumps, Watson hangs on the back foot and taps it square to backward point, looks for a run, but Faf sends him back.
0.2 : M Johnson to S Watson, Another short of a length ball closer to the off stump line, Watson sits back in his crease and defensively pushes it to the point region.
0.3 : M Johnson to S Watson, FOUR! Off the toe end, but the power of the man takes it away to the boundary! Full pitch delivery outside off, Watson throws his bat at it, gets enough power on it, the ball beats the man at mid off and races away to the fence.
0.4 : M Johnson to S Watson, Watson gets down to the other end with a single, back of length ball outside off, sits back and chops it to third man.
0.5 : M Johnson to du Plessis, FOUR! Edge, flew wide of the man at first slip, who was standing pretty wide, but the ball was still pretty away from him! Back of length ball, Faf flashes hard at that one, gets thick edge to third man fence.
0.6 : M Johnson to du Plessis, Drop and run! Good running from the Chennai opening pair! Short of length ball on the stumps, drops it dead on the track, both the batsmen were quick between the wickets and complete a single with ease.
Piyush Chawla will bowl from the other end.
1.1 : P Chawla to du Plessis, Floated delivery outside off stump, plays a drive to the man at extra cover.
1.2 : P Chawla to du Plessis, Faf was aiming for the slog sweep, can't put bat to ball, it was the slider from Piyush, which skids on and hits the batsman on the back leg
1.3 : P Chawla to du Plessis, FOUR! Poor fielding! Faster one on the off stump line, backs away a touch and chops it to cover point, fielder was lazy in getting down and concedes a boundary
1.4 : P Chawla to du Plessis, Flatter ball on the stumps, can't get room and mistimes the flick on the leg side
1.5 : P Chawla to du Plessis, FOUR! Takes the aerial route and picks up a boundary with ease! Floated delivery on off, gets under that one and chips it over wide mid off for a boundary.
1.6 : P Chawla to du Plessis, That was a quicker one from Piyush, picks up the pace after pitching and skids through, Faf backs away to cut that, nearly manages to keep it out.
Shivam Mavi is brought into the attack.
2.1 : S Mavi to S Watson, Mavi gets his line right straighaway, bowls it full on the stumps, Watson covers the line of the delivery and defends it solidly back to the bowler.
2.2 : S Mavi to S Watson, Once again, Mavi attacks the stumps, touch too straight on the leg stump line, Watson sits back in his crease and taps it gently to mid-wicket.
2.3 : S Mavi to S Watson, Inside edge, Watson wasn't sure where the ball went, he just went through with the call for Faf. Mavi runs to the other end and underarms it on to the stumps, but Faf is comfortably win.
2.4 : S Mavi to du Plessis, FOUR! Aggression from Faf! Doesn't go where he intended, but result is the likeable one for Chennai! Bowls it full on off, dances down the track and throws his bat at it, gets a thick inside edge past the leg stump and the ball races away to the fine leg fence
2.5 : S Mavi to du Plessis, Excellent running! Short of length ball on off, went back and chops it wide of the keeper, they steal another quick single.
2.6 : S Mavi to S Watson, Short ball, that was delivered at a good pace, Watson takes up the challenge and looks to pull that one, can't put bat to ball, he was beaten for the pace of Shivam Mavi.
Sunil Narine into the bowling attack.
3.1 : S Narine to du Plessis, Faster one on the middle and leg stump line, the batsman uses his wrists and works it away to deep square leg for a single.
3.2 : S Narine to S Watson, Floated delivery, just spins in a little, Watson crouches low to flick that, gets a leading edge wide of the bowler.
3.3 : S Narine to S Watson, Quicker one from Narine on the stumps, Watson plays a drive back to the bowler.
3.4 : S Narine to S Watson, Much flatter from Narine on the stumps, backs away and cuts it to the man at cover point, can't find the gap.
3.5 : S Narine to S Watson, FOUR! Short ball and Watson punishes it! faster one on the stumps, sits back and pulls away to the mid-wicket boundary.
3.6 : S Narine to S Watson, Pushes it quicker through the air, waits for it on the back foot and pulls, mistimes it to the mid-wicket region. Decent over for Kolkata, just five runs from it.
Mitchell Johnson is back on.
4.1 : M Johnson to du Plessis, Over pitched delivery on off, Faf goes for the cover drive, only manages to hit it wide of the man at mid off, fielder makes a tumbling stop and keeps it down to single.
4.2 : M Johnson to S Watson, FOUR! Smashed it! That would have stung to the bowler. Keeps it full on off, Watson hammers it back to the bowler who had no time to react. The ball hits him on the left bicep and deflects through mid off. Has enough legs to beat the chase of the man there. Only a harsh man would call it a drop chance!
4.3 : M Johnson to S Watson, Another full pitch delivery, Watson muscles it down the ground, fielder is in the deep at long off and Chennai collect just another single.
4.4 : M Johnson to du Plessis, SIX! In the air and that just sails over the fence! That's a biggie! Short ball into the body of Faf, who backs away and pulls, gets a thick top edge and the ball just flew over square leg fence for a maximum.
4.5 : M Johnson to du Plessis, Faf advances down the track and changes his shot seeing the length being a shorter one, tucks it to mid wicket, they steal a quick single.
4.6 : M Johnson to S Watson, SIX! HUGE!! Watson doesn't keep his eyes on it, but has made a terrific connection as the ball flew miles over the fine leg boundary! Short ball, takes on it and pulls. That's a massive over for Chennai, 19 runs from it.
Chawla to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.
5.1 : P Chawla to du Plessis, OUT! Cleaned him up! Chawla strikes and provides the much-needed breakthrough! Flatter googly on the stumps, Faf isn't sure which way it is turning, he sits back to cut that, misses it. The ball goes past the inside edge of the bat and clatters on to the stumps.
0.0 : Suresh Raina is the new man in.
5.2 : P Chawla to S Raina, FOUR! Wide delivery and Raina cashes in on it! Too wide and Raina needs no second invitation. Loopy ball wide outside off, gets down on one knee and slices it over covers for a boundary. 50 up for Chennai!
5.3 : P Chawla to S Raina, Chawla corrects his line and darts this on the stumps, Raina waits on the back foot and defends it out.
5.4 : P Chawla to S Raina, FOUR! Well placed by Raina, he picks up his second boundary! Faster one on middle and leg stump line, swivels across and pulls right between the two men square on the off side.
5.5 : P Chawla to S Raina, Was it a catch? Seems like there was a big nick! Googly on the off, Raina plunges on the front foot and looks to defend that, gets a thick edge, Karthik fails to hang on to it.
5.6 : P Chawla to S Raina, Faster one on the leg stump line, sits on the back foot and knocks it on the leg side for a quick single.
Andre Russell is unleashed into the attack.
6.1 : A Russell to S Raina, Beaten! It was a pitched up delivery on off, Raina was sitting on the back foot and looks to defend that, misses it completely.
6.2 : A Russell to S Raina, FOUR! Easy runs for Raina! Short ball on the leg stump line, all Raina needed was to get some bat on it, which he did and swipes it well wide of the keeper for a boundary.
6.3 : A Russell to S Raina, Russell is unable to get his line right. Short of length down the leg side. That's a wide and an extra conceded.
A Russell to S Raina, FOUR! Too much width on offer and Raina slices it away to the point fence! Too full and well wide of the off stump, Raina reaches out and square drives it past backward point fielder for another boundary.
6.4 : A Russell to S Raina, Direct hit was needed, but Gill misses the target! Raina tucks it to mid wicket and calls for a quick single. Watson was late off the blocks and direct hit would have seen the back of Shane.
6.5 : A Russell to S Watson, Drifting on middle and leg stump line, waits back and works it away to deep mid wicket for an easy single.
6.6 : A Russell to S Raina, Rising delivery outside off stump, Raina jumps on the back foot and steers it down to third man for a single.
Strategic break.
Kuldeep Yadav comes on to bowl.
7.1 : K Yadav to S Raina, Quicker ball outside off stump, Raina went back and cuts it to the man at backward point.
7.2 : K Yadav to S Raina, Raina looks to slog that one, can't put bat to ball. It was a slider from Kuldeep and goes straight on with the arm and sneaks under the bat of Raina. Wasn't far away from kissing the off stump.
7.3 : K Yadav to S Raina, Keeps it full on the stumps, Raina offers the full face and punches it down the ground for a single.
7.4 : K Yadav to S Watson, FOUR! Loopy ball outside the off stump, Watson sits across his stumps and paddles it away to the fine leg fence. He just used the pace of the bowler and picks up a boundary.
7.5 : K Yadav to S Watson, Loopy ball, Watson gets right to the pitch of that one and drills it to long on. He gets off strike with a single.
7.6 : K Yadav to S Raina, Nearly sneaks through! Slider from Kuldeep, Raina went back to punch that, the ball spun the other way and catches the inside edge and rolls to square leg. They take one.
Shivam Mavi comes back into the attack.
8.1 : S Mavi to S Raina, Back of length ball outside off, Suresh waits on the back foot and chops it down to third man for a single.
8.2 : S Mavi to S Watson, Full ball, sliding down leg, Watson was looking to flick that one, he misses and gets hit it on the pads. Muted appeal for an LBW from Mavi, but umpire is unmoved.
8.3 : S Mavi to S Watson, Another pacy delivery on the leg stump line, Watson works it to deep mid wicket and gives strike back to Raina.
8.4 : S Mavi to S Raina, Another pitched up delivery, Raina gets on the front foot and punches it to the sweeper cover for a single.
8.5 : S Mavi to S Watson, Watson backs away even before the ball is delivered. Mavi attacks the body of Watson, who only manages to punch that down the ground for a single.
8.6 : S Mavi to S Raina, Fuller length ball on middle, Raina jumps across his stumps and nudges it to mid-wicket region for a single.
9.1 : K Yadav to S Raina, Floated delivery on off, Raina gets on the front foot and drives it to the man at extra cover.
9.2 : K Yadav to S Raina, Slider on middle and leg stump line, Raina went on the back foot and glances it away to short fine leg for just the single.
9.3 : K Yadav to S Watson, Quicker googly, drops it short outside off, Watson rocks on the back foot and slaps it to deep cover for a run.
9.4 : K Yadav to S Raina, Floated delivery on off, Kuldeep gave some more air on this occasion, Raina lunges on the front foot and defends it out.
9.5 : K Yadav to S Raina, Pushes it quicker through the air, Raina steps out and powers it down the ground for a single.
9.6 : K Yadav to S Watson, SIX! BANG!! That's a big shot! Floated delivery wide outside off, Watson goes down on one knee and thwacks it high over long off fence for half a dozen.
Sunil Narine comes back for a new spell.
10.1 : S Narine to S Raina, Flatter ball on middle and leg stump line, backs away a little and pulls it flat to deep mid wicket for a single.
10.2 : S Narine to S Watson, OUT! Caught in the deep! Bowling change works for Kolkata! Flatter ball on middle and leg stump line, Watson goes on the back foot and pulls it flat to deep mid-wicket. Seemed like it would sail over the fence but the Shivam Mavi in the deep judges it to perfection as he steadies himself inside the ropes and holds on to a sharp chance with a bit of a leap. Watson is livid with himself but has no other option but to trudge back.
Ambati Rayudu walks in to bat.
10.3 : S Narine to A Rayudu, Flatter off break on middle and leg stump line, Rayudu tucks to mid wicket, fielder can't stop that cleanly and concedes a run.
10.4 : S Narine to S Raina, Drops it short on the pads, Raina pulls it away to deep fine leg for a single.
10.5 : S Narine to A Rayudu, FOUR! Loopy ball on the stumps, Rayudu gets on top of the bounce and sweeps it all along the ground to the square leg fence. That was pretty well struck by Rayudu, shot of a man in some serious form!
10.6 : S Narine to A Rayudu, Faster one outside off stump, waits for it on the back foot and chops it behind the wicket on to the offside.
11.1 : K Yadav to S Raina, Quicker ball, spun away a little, Raina sits back and slaps it to deep cover for a single.
11.2 : K Yadav to A Rayudu, Googly closer to the off stump, Rayudu waits for it on the back foot and knocks it on the leg side. They take a quick single.
11.3 : K Yadav to S Raina, Floated delivery on off, gets right to the pitch of it and drills it down the ground, they scamper back for the second run.
11.4 : K Yadav to S Raina, OUT! Taken in the deep! Raina departs! Couple of quick wickets for Kolkata, good passage of play for the home team! Floated delivery, Raina went for the slog and plays against the spin. Johnson at long on takes a safe catch.
MS Dhoni walks out to bat.
11.5 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Flatter ball on off, Dhoni rocks on the back foot and powers it to long on, they take a single.
11.6 : K Yadav to A Rayudu, Quicker ball, Rayudu was looking to work that on the leg side, closes the face of the bat too early. He gets a leading edge square on to the offside, they pinch a single.
Mitchell Johnson comes in to bowl a new spell.
12.1 : M Johnson to A Rayudu, Slower ball on middle and leg stump line, Rayudu sits on the back foot and dabs it square on to the offside.
12.2 : M Johnson to A Rayudu, FOUR! Rayudu deliberately opens the face of the bat and chops it wide of the keeper! Pacy delivery outside off stump, waits on the back foot and hits it wide of the keeper for a boundary.
12.3 : M Johnson to A Rayudu, Slower ball, full on off, gets right to the pitch of that one and powers the drive down the ground for a single.
12.4 : M Johnson to MS Dhoni, Short ball and Dhoni sways away a little as he pulls that one to deep square leg. They jog across for an easy single.
12.5 : M Johnson to A Rayudu, Short of length ball closer to the off stump, waits on the back foot and cuts it square on to the offside.
12.6 : M Johnson to A Rayudu, Slammed, but finds the man at deep cover! Full ball outside off, reaches out for it and slaps it for a single.
Strategic break.
Piyush Chawla back into the attack.
13.1 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, Starts his new spell with a flatter delivery on the pads. Rayudu flicks it through mid-wicket. It is in the gap and the batsmen run two.
13.2 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, FOUR! That ball had hit me written all over it! Down the leg side, Rayudu goes down on one knee and sweeps it fine through backward square leg for a boundary. So 6 from the first two balls.
13.3 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, Fuller and quicker on middle, Rayudu goes for the flick but gets an inside edge onto his pads.
13.4 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, Flatter again on middle, Rayudu works it towards short fine. Two dots, a good come back by the bowler after going for 6 from the first two balls.
13.5 : P Chawla to A Rayudu, Loopy ball on middle, Rayudu works it down to long on for a run.
13.6 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, So a good over in the end for Kolkata. Just 7 from it. This is the googly on off, Dhoni guides it to point.
Sunil Narine is back on.
14.1 : S Narine to A Rayudu, In the air... but on the bounce to the fielder! This is slightly short on middle, Rayudu goes for the pull but mistimes it up in the air towards long on. The fielder there comes running in but collects it on the bounce. A single taken.
14.2 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Not reading him is Dhoni here. It was the off spinner by Narine. Dhoni goes back and tries to keep it out but is beaten by the turn into him and gets hit on the pads.
14.3 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, This one spins the other way and Dhoni pushes it through covers for a run.
14.4 : S Narine to A Rayudu, OUT! TIMBER! Narine gets his second and it is the big one of the in-form Ambati Rayudu. A ripper to get rid of him. It is bowled flatter and on off, it turns back in sharply. Rayudu has no clue about which way the ball is turning as he tries to guide it down to third man. He is beaten by the spin and the ball sneaks through the gap between bat and pad and hits the top of off stump. Chennai losing their way here.
Ravindra Jadeja is the next man in.
14.5 : S Narine to R Jadeja, On middle, worked away through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
14.6 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, On the pads again, Dhoni tucks it aroud the corner and takes one. Excellent over by Sunil, just 4 and a big wicket from it.
Shivam Mavi is back on.
15.1 : S Mavi to MS Dhoni, Hits the length hard on middle, Dhoni works it towards mid-wicket.
15.2 : S Mavi to MS Dhoni, Flicks it with the angle towards deep backward square leg. They run the first one hard and Dhoni thinks about the second but opts against it.
15.3 : S Mavi to R Jadeja, WIDE! A little too wide outside off, it was on the shorter side. Jadeja would feel he has missed out there. He tries to cut but does not connect.
S Mavi to R Jadeja, This time he connects with the shot but guides it straight to third man for another single. Ones are something Dinesh won't mind.
15.4 : S Mavi to MS Dhoni, BEATEN! Good pace by the bowler. This is on a length around off, it takes off after pitching. Dhoni tries to whip it but gets beaten.
15.5 : S Mavi to MS Dhoni, SIX! Much-needed this one for Chennai! Another short ball outside off, Dhoni this time might be ready for it as he rocks back and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.
15.6 : S Mavi to MS Dhoni, Finishes the over with a single as he hits it down to long on. Chennai needed a good over and they have got it, 10 from this one. They need to keep going though.
Mitchell Johnson is back on.
16.1 : M Johnson to MS Dhoni, Goes length on the first ball of this spell. Dhoni hits it to covers. A dot to begin.
16.2 : M Johnson to MS Dhoni, SIX! That is as flat as it can get! Short and on the body of Dhoni. He swivels inside his crease and pulls it flat over the backward square leg fence. The Chennai skipper is on the charge here.
16.3 : M Johnson to MS Dhoni, A couple to follow the maximum. Good batting. Length around off, this is pushed through covers and the batsmen run two.
16.4 : M Johnson to MS Dhoni, Excellent change of pace by Mitchell. Using all his experience, he rolls his fingers over the ball and bowls it on middle. Dhoni does the right thing by pushing it back to the bowler. Respect the good balls, put away the bad ones.
16.5 : M Johnson to MS Dhoni, SIX! That is what he has exactly done here! Full and right in the zone for Dhoni. He smashes it over the long on fence for the second biggie of the over.
16.6 : M Johnson to MS Dhoni, Now works it through square leg and says, let me keep strike for the next over. 15 from the over, 25 from the last two. Johnson finishes the spell, he has been very expensive today. His figures read 4-0-51-0.
Kuldeep Yadav is back on.
17.1 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, The googly outside off, Dhoni flat-bats it down to long off for a run.
17.2 : K Yadav to R Jadeja, Another googly outside off, Jadeja pushes it towards covers for a run.
17.3 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Pushes this through covers for a run. So just three from the first three, something has to give here.
17.4 : K Yadav to R Jadeja, WIDE! This is slow and way outside off. The batsman lets it be.
K Yadav to R Jadeja, Shortish and turning away. Jadeja slaps it through covers for only a run. This has been a good over till now, there are two balls to go. Can he bowl those two well?
17.5 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, DROPPED AND SIX! It could have been a brilliant over had Shubman Gill taken that! he has dropped a sitter. This is short and on middle, Dhoni rocks back and pulls it. He has hit it flat towards Gill at deep square leg. Gill there goes for the reverse cup but the ball bursts through his hands and goes over the fence. A big let off this can prove to be. The pressure may have gotten to the youngster there.
17.6 : K Yadav to MS Dhoni, Another tossed up ball on middle, Dhoni goes for the slog sweep but gets it off the inner half towards square leg for a run. So an over which could gone for something under ten and also could have had a wicket, goes for 12.
Sunil Narine to bowl out.
18.1 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Sweeps it hard through square leg but only gets a run.
18.2 : S Narine to R Jadeja, Shorter outside off, Jadeja cuts it to point. A dot.
18.3 : S Narine to R Jadeja, Another dot! Flatter outside off again. Jadeja cuts it towards covers. The fielder there fumbles but does not concede a run.
18.4 : S Narine to R Jadeja, This is fuller and on leg stump. Jadeja works it through mid-wicket for a brace.
18.5 : S Narine to R Jadeja, The batsman has played the square drive. The batsmen have run through for a single.
18.6 : S Narine to MS Dhoni, Dhoni guides this one towards point for a run. He played that very watchfully as he wanted to keep strike for the last over. Just 5 from the penultimate over and Narine finishes his spell with figures of 4-0-21-2. Very economical and he has also taken two big wickets.
Piyush Chawla to bowl the last over. This is a big move from Dinesh Karthik.
19.1 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, Quicker and on the pads, Dhoni mistimes his pull towards deep square leg for a run. Just a single to start the last and also Dhoni is off strike now.
19.2 : P Chawla to R Jadeja, Fires this outside off, Jadeja slaps it through covers for a couple.
19.3 : P Chawla to R Jadeja, FOUR! Finally Jadeja connects one! Uses his feet, gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it hard over the bowler and the ball races away. Chennai needed this. 50-run stand is up between the two.
19.4 : P Chawla to R Jadeja, FOUR BYES! Bonus runs for Chennai. This is slower through the air outside off, Jadeja goes for the slog sweep but misses. Dinesh behind the stumps fails to get down low quickly as the ball sneaks through his legs and goes to the fence behind.
Karn Sharma is the next man in.
19.5 : P Chawla to R Jadeja, OUT! Jadeja's struggle comes to an end. He was done in by the pace there. Chawla fires this outside off and it is on the shorter side. It also bounces a touch extra. Jadeja tries to drag his pull on the leg side but gets a top edge which lobs towards short third man. Dinesh Karthik runs backwards and Sunil Narine from that position also comes ahead. The skipper gets to it and takes it. The batsmen cross though and Dhoni will face the last ball.
19.6 : P Chawla to MS Dhoni, FOUR! A good way to finish the innings! Also a good last over, 15 from it. This is short and on middle, Dhoni rocks back and pulls it in front of square. There is no fielder in the deep there and a boundary results. CHENNAI FINISH WITH 177/5 ON THE BOARD!
So Chennai end up with a decent total on the board and once again it is courtesy of their skipper, MS Dhoni, who scored an unbeaten 25-ball 43. After being put into bat, Faf du Plessis and Shane Watson came out all guns blazing. They got their team off to a flier before the former departed. Raina and Watson then joined forces to stitch another important stand before the Kolkata spinners came to the fore.
Narine and Kuldeep bowled brilliantly in the middle and pegged back Chennai with a couple of wickets, but a blitz in the end by Dhoni has seen them end up with something close to 180. The wicket is turning a little but Kolkata will fancy their chances in chasing down this total. Chennai on the other hand, will have to bowl well to come out victorious here. Whatever it may be, we can surely expect an exciting second half. Join us for the action in a while.
0.0 : We are back for the run chase. A stiff target for the hosts to gun down on a two-paced surface. And the task will begin with Chris Lynn and Sunil Narine getting things going. Lungi Ngidi to have the ball first up. A slip is in place. Here we go...
0.1 : L Ngidi to C Lynn, Great bouncer to begin with! Lungi comes steaming in and digs in a heavy delivery. Lynn is totally taken aback by it as he looks to fend it away. Gets it off the gloves but the ball dies down on the pitch.
0.2 : L Ngidi to C Lynn, Another good delivery! Lands it on a back of a length, some movement away. Chris has a wild slash at it but gets beaten all ends up.
0.3 : L Ngidi to C Lynn, SIX! When Lynn connects, most of the time it clears the fence, says Harsh Bhogle on air. That is exactly what has happened here. He swivels a bit to a length delivery and dumps it over deep square leg for a maximum to kickoff the run chase.
0.4 : L Ngidi to C Lynn, SIX! Downtown goes Lynn! Lungi delivers a fuller delivery but it's right in the arc for the big man. He gets under it and smokes it straight down the ground. Back-to-back biggies.
0.5 : L Ngidi to C Lynn, This one decks back in from a length, Lynn keeps it out.
Dhoni has a chat with his mates and opts for the DRS for a caught at first slip. Is there an inside edge? Lynn shakes his head though.
0.6 : L Ngidi to C Lynn, OUT! There is a spike on the Ultra Edge! Chris Lynn has to walk and yes the decision is overturned! Good length delivery and angling back in on middle, Lynn clears his front leg and tries to have a go across the line. The ball goes off something and Watson at first slip takes a good low catch. Chennai appeal but umpire Dharmasena stays put. Dhoni has a chat with his fielders and then opts for the DRS eventually. It's a good one as Ultra Edge detects a little spike as the
Robin Uthappa is the new man in. Also, KM Asif will bowl the second over.
1.1 : KM Asif to S Narine, Good delivery! Sharp bounce, it kicks off the deck and Narine is quick to take evasive action.
1.2 : KM Asif to S Narine, Backs away to a back of a length delivery and mistimes it towards mid off.
1.3 : KM Asif to S Narine, Beaten! On a back of a length, angling away a shade, Sunil Narine once again has a slash at it but misses.
1.4 : KM Asif to S Narine, SIX! Connects one! Short of a length delivery on middle, Narine clears his front leg and clubs it over long on for a maximum. Both the openers get off the mark with a biggie.
1.5 : KM Asif to S Narine, Dropped! Jadeja is the man who is the culprit. We have hardly seen him dropping catches. Good length delivery, on the fourth stump line. Narine flat-bats his punch to mid off where Jadeja comes a couple of steps in but fails to hold on. A life for Narine.
1.6 : KM Asif to S Narine, Back-to-back drops! Ravindra Jadeja is the man again. This is really, really hard to believe. Sunil Narine has gotten two lives in two deliveries. Back of a length outside off, Narine tries to hit it over mid off but the bat turns at the point of impact and he mistimes it towards mid off. Jaddu inside the circle tries taking it reverse cup over his head with a leap but the ball bursts out. Dear me! Will this prove to be Chennai's undoing tonight?
2.1 : L Ngidi to R Uthappa, Robin is happy to milk a single by dabbing it down to third man.
2.2 : L Ngidi to S Narine, FOUR! Top edge and it's over the slip fielder! This will hurt Jadeja all the more. Touch shorter, served outside off, Narine gives it the full swing of the bat. Gets a top edge and it flies over the slip fielder and goes down to the third man fence.
2.3 : L Ngidi to S Narine, FOUR! This is a much better shot from Uthappa! Short of a length delivery on middle, Narine pulls it over mid-wicket for a boundary. He will continue to play his shots, no matter what.
2.4 : L Ngidi to S Narine, Misses out on a juicy full toss does Narine. A play and a miss and it goes on the bounce to Dhoni.
2.5 : L Ngidi to S Narine, Drags it off the inner half to deep mid-wicket for a single.
2.6 : L Ngidi to R Uthappa, FOUR! More runs! 14 off it! Fuller and angling back in on the pads, Uthappa wrists it beautifully through mid-wicket and the ball races away to the fence.
Shane Watson into the attack.
3.1 : S Watson to S Narine, Wide! Watson sprays it wider outside off, Sunil has no qualms in touching that one.
S Watson to S Narine, Clears the front leg and hits this length delivery past the non-striker for a single. Jadeja from mid off comes across to his left to stop it with a slide.
3.2 : S Watson to R Uthappa, Stays back to a back of a length delivery and stabs it out.
3.3 : S Watson to R Uthappa, Good length delivery outside off, punched towards the man at extra cover.
3.4 : S Watson to R Uthappa, Shortish on middle, skids a bit off the surface, Uthappa is early into his pull shot and as a result he mistimes it towards square leg.
3.5 : S Watson to R Uthappa, Is happy to run this back of a length delivery fine down to third man and crosses over.
3.6 : S Watson to S Narine, FOUR! There is no third man and the top edge flies down safely! Narine is making the most of his reprieves! Watson fires it full and slants it wider than the southpaws reach. Sunil still goes after it and slices it over third man for another streaky boundary. Moves to 20 from 12 balls.
Change of ends for KM Asif.
4.1 : KM Asif to R Uthappa, Wide! Strangles one down leg, Robin looks to clip it away but fails to put bat on ball.
KM Asif to R Uthappa, Fuller delivery outside off, pushed off the front foot to the cover fielder.
4.2 : KM Asif to R Uthappa, OUT! Asif strikes and removes Uthappa! He sends a quicker short ball, it skids off the deck. Robin tries to drag his pull from outside off but gets a healthy top edge. The ball balloons high up in the air towards mid-wicket. Dwayne Bravo from mid on moves across to his right and takes it safely. Two wickets down inside the Powerplay and Kolkata need 138 from 94 balls.
Kolkata have promoted Shubman Gill at no. 4. The young man hasn't quite got too many chances. Can he make the most of it tonight?
4.3 : KM Asif to S Narine, FOUR! Sloppy from Harbhajan Singh! This is not what Chennai want. They are usually a good fielding unit but tonight they aren't upto the mark. Fuller delivery, sprayed across outside off. Narine goes hard at it but gets an edge which races towards third man. Bhajji out in the deep makes a mess of it and concedes a boundary.
4.4 : KM Asif to S Narine, Changes the pace and delivers it around off, Narine gets foxed by it.
4.5 : KM Asif to S Narine, Fuller and on the pads, flicked but it goes on the bounce to the man at short fine leg.
4.6 : KM Asif to S Narine, Good ball! Short of a length, at 143.7 clicks, Sunil Narine tries to cut it but it's too close to play that shot. Is beaten all ends up.
5.1 : S Watson to S Gill, Shortish and angling in on middle, defended solidly off the back foot.
5.2 : S Watson to S Gill, FOUR! Gill adjusts well to the bounce! Watson angles in on middle, it dips into the batter who adjusts and brings out a pull. Places it nicely and picks up a boundary through deep square leg.
5.3 : S Watson to S Gill, Fuller on off, blocked towards the cover fielder.
5.4 : S Watson to S Gill, FOUR! Played it ever so late! That's fifty up for the hosts. Back of a length ball outside off, Gill makes room and opens the face of the bat at the last moment. Gets it off the edge but it goes fine down to the third man fence.
5.5 : S Watson to S Gill, Hangs back to a fuller ball and pushes it away on the off side.
5.6 : S Watson to S Gill, FOUR! In the air... but through the gap. Third boundary from the over and the young man is off the blocks in a jiffy. Slightly short and outside off, Gill's eyes light up as he looks to cut that away. Hits it uppishly but in the gap between point and cover-point fielder for a boundary to end the Powerplay.
Ravindra Jadeja to bowl now. He has dropped two catches of batsman he will bowl now. Can he redeem himself?
6.1 : R Jadeja to S Narine, Flatter from over the wicket, dabbed with an angled blade to short third man.
6.2 : R Jadeja to S Narine, SIX! That's gone the distance. Fired outside off, darted in, Narine with a golf-like-swing of the bat sends it a long way over the deep mid-wicket fence.
6.3 : R Jadeja to S Narine, Tucks this flatter delivery behind square and hares across for a brace.
6.4 : R Jadeja to S Narine, OUT! Jadeja gets his man! Tell you what, he can breathe a bit easier now. Dropped Narine twice, conceded a maximum in this over and finally sends him back. On the shorter side, quicker through the air, Sunil goes back to send it over deep mid-wicket but gets it off the top portion of the bat to long on where Dwayne Bravo accepts another catch. Delight in the Chennai camp.
Another surprise from the hosts as they send Rinku Singh in next.
6.5 : R Jadeja to R Singh, Rinku Singh gets off the mark with a cut through backward point. Two taken.
6.6 : R Jadeja to R Singh, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. One run added to the total. 11 off the over and a wicket off it.
Harbhajan Singh to roll his arm over now.
7.1 : H Singh to R Singh, FOUR! Beautifully done! Tossed up delivery outside off, Rinku presses forward and goes inside out over extra cover. Played it really well.
7.2 : H Singh to R Singh, Slower through the air outside off, cut away to the man at backward point.
7.3 : H Singh to R Singh, Turning away from a length, left alone.
7.4 : H Singh to R Singh, Flatter and quicker through the air outside off, Singh makes room to play the cut shot but gets a bottom edge on the ground and then it hits the pads of Dhoni.
7.5 : H Singh to R Singh, Slows it through the air, Singh comes down the track and pushes it away.
7.6 : H Singh to R Singh, Sweeps it behind square on the leg side and runs one.
8.1 : R Jadeja to R Singh, Cuts this short ball square on the off side for a single.
8.2 : R Jadeja to S Gill, Darted in on middle, blocked towards cover for a single.
There is a stumping appeal referred upstairs against Rinku Singh. Has Singh managed to drag his back leg in, in time?
8.3 : R Jadeja to R Singh, NOT OUT! Rinku is in! Flatter delivery outside off, Rinku goes back to play the late cut but gets a bottom edge which hits the ground, hits Dhoni's pads and deflects back on to the stumps. MS appeals and it's taken upstairs. Replays show Rinku's back leg was grounded in time.
8.4 : R Jadeja to R Singh, FIVE BONUS RUNS! Quicker and fuller down leg, Rinku can't put bat on ball and Dhoni is blinded behind the stumps. It races away for free runs.
R Jadeja to R Singh, Too close to off stump to play the cut shot but RS still goes after it. Beaten.
8.5 : R Jadeja to R Singh, Rocks back and punches it wide of the cover fielder for a single.
8.6 : R Jadeja to S Gill, On the stumps, defended back to Jadeja.
Strategic break!
9.1 : H Singh to R Singh, FOUR! Deft! Tossed up delivery from around the wicket, it turns away a bit, Rinku stays leg side and dabs it off Dhoni's gloves and wide of the slip fielder for a boundary. He's playing nicely at the moment.
9.2 : H Singh to R Singh, Goes back and works it through mid-wicket for a single.
9.3 : H Singh to S Gill, Comes from over the wicket, pitches it around off and turns back into Gill who gets across to sweep but misses and wears it on the pads. A stifled appeal for an LBW which is paid no harm.
9.4 : H Singh to S Gill, Dances down the track and seeing this Harbhajan drags his length back a bit. It's bunted back to the bowler.
9.5 : H Singh to S Gill, FOUR! How well has he played that. Shades of Kohli in that shot. A very full ball on the stumps, Gill with those strong wrists whips/sweeps it through backward square leg for a boundary.
9.6 : H Singh to S Gill, Slower through the air, a bit short, tucked through mid-wicket for one.
10.1 : R Jadeja to S Gill, Fuller on off, driven down to long off for a single.
10.2 : R Jadeja to R Singh, Flatter one on middle and off, Singh makes room to cut but is cramped for it. Plays it out towards cover.
10.3 : R Jadeja to R Singh, Wide! Down the leg side, RS looks to put that away but misses. A good take by Dhoni behind this time.
R Jadeja to R Singh, Works it off the hips behind square on the leg side for a single.
10.4 : R Jadeja to S Gill, Good running! Darted full on the stumps, wristed away to deep mid-wicket and comes back for a double does Gill.
10.5 : R Jadeja to S Gill, Fuller on off, a push/drive through cover for one.
10.6 : R Jadeja to R Singh, Turns back in and cramps the southpaw for room. Kept out towards the off side. 82 required from 54 balls.
11.1 : H Singh to S Gill, Turning back in from a shorter length, Gill comes down the track to work it away but misses as the ball goes off the pads towards short third man.
11.2 : H Singh to S Gill, Flattish delivery outside off, stabbed out gently.
11.3 : H Singh to S Gill, Punches it towards sweeper cover and gets a single after two dot balls.
11.4 : H Singh to R Singh, OUT! Bowled 'em! Harbhajan Singh with a breakthrough and he is all smiles. Sends it quicker through the air, lands it full on the sticks. Rinku Singh makes room to go big but misses and hears the death rattle. So, the move to promote Rinku ahead doesn't work. 81 required from 50 balls.
Dinesh Karthik steps in next
11.5 : H Singh to D Karthik, Lunges ahead to a tossed up delivery and works it off the inside edge with his bat and pad close together.
11.6 : H Singh to D Karthik, FOUR! DK is up and running! Sees the length is short, DK makes room and slaps it behind point to get off the mark in style. 100 comes up for his side. It was a good over but the boundary on the last ball spoils it.
Dwayne Bravo is into the attack.
12.1 : D Bravo to S Gill, Just wide! A very good attempt by the bowler, it is never easy to take it in your followthrough. Fuller ball on middle, Gill drives it uppishly to the left of the bowler. Bravo goes low and stretches his hand out but it goes just wide towards mid off.
12.2 : D Bravo to S Gill, Angles this one onto the pads, Gill works it towards mid-wicket. 2 dots to start Bravo's spell.
12.3 : D Bravo to S Gill, FOUR! That should release the pressure that was building. A poor ball though with mid off up. Full and outside off, Gill hits it over the mid off fielder for a boundary.
12.4 : D Bravo to S Gill, Goes fuller again on middle, Gill hits it down to long off who was just sent back for a run.
12.5 : D Bravo to D Karthik, WIDE! An appeal but maybe that was just to put the umpire off. A short ball down the leg side. Kathik goes for the pull but misses. The umpire signals it a wide.
D Bravo to D Karthik, Aimed at the rib cage of the batsman. Karthik goes for the flick but he seems to have missed it. The ball goes off the pads and towards square leg. A leg bye taken.
12.6 : D Bravo to S Gill, Length again on off, Gill pushes it towards point for a quick run. 8 from Bravo's first. 69 needed in 42.
Karn Sharma is into the attack.
13.1 : K Sharma to S Gill, Tosses it up on middle, Gill gets it off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket for a brace. Good start to the over for Kolkata.
13.2 : K Sharma to S Gill, Loopy ball on the pads, Gill gets an inside edge towards short fine leg for a run.
13.3 : K Sharma to D Karthik, Excellent running! Karthik works it towards mid-wicket with soft hands. They run the first one hard and go for the second and they complete it with ease.
13.4 : K Sharma to D Karthik, FOUR! Dinesh backs away to spoil the bowler's length and Karn gives him a hit-me ball down the leg side. Karthik sweeps it fine through the leg side for a boundary. 9 from the over already.
13.5 : K Sharma to D Karthik, Sweeps again but this time finds the man in the deep at square leg and only a single results.
13.6 : K Sharma to S Gill, Shorter in length on middle, Gill whips it through mid-wicket for a run. 11 from Karn's first over.
KM Asif is back on.
14.1 : KM Asif to S Gill, SIX! Welcome back into the attack says Shubman Gill. This is short and on middle, it sits up to be hit. Gill pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. Ideal start to the over, pressure on the bowler now.
14.2 : KM Asif to S Gill, Short and outside off this time, Gill cuts it to the man at point.
14.3 : KM Asif to S Gill, This is nicely played! Another ball outside off and on the shorter side. Gill guides it through point and runs two.
14.4 : KM Asif to S Gill, SIX! Excellent attempt in the deep. This might be the over which will turn the game into Kolkata's favour. 14 from it already. On the shorter side outside off, Gill cuts it uppishly towards third man. Rayudu there runs to his right, leaps and stretches a hand out but fails to hang on and it goes over the fence.
14.5 : KM Asif to S Gill, Now guides this one down to third man for a run. Sensible.
14.6 : KM Asif to D Karthik, SIX! Third in the over! 21 from it and only 37 more needed! Surely a game-changer! The skipper doesn't want to hold back either. Poor by Asif as he bangs it in short on the body of the batsman. DK swivels and pulls it over the fine leg fence for a biggie. Asif gave away just 11 from his first two and goes for 21 in his third.
Ravindra Jadeja is back on.
15.1 : R Jadeja to S Gill, Fifty for Gill, excellent innings. His first in the Indian T20 League. His promotion up the order has worked. He drives this wide of long off and runs two.
15.2 : R Jadeja to S Gill, FOUR! What a shot this is! Excellent placement and excellent timing. Jadeja once again floats it up on off, Gill with the turn, drives it through covers and the timing is such that it races away to the fence.
15.3 : R Jadeja to S Gill, Flatter and on middle, this turns away a touch. Gill tries to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and goes towards point for a run.
15.4 : R Jadeja to D Karthik, Goes down on one knee and sweeps it fine through backward square leg for a brace.
15.5 : R Jadeja to D Karthik, FOUR! Goes for the reverse and connects it well. This is flatter on off, Karthik goes down on one knee and plays the reverse sweep. He connects well and it goes down to the third man fence for a boundary.
15.6 : R Jadeja to D Karthik, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. The batsmen have run through for a single.
Final strategic break signaled!
Lungi Ngidi is back on.
16.1 : L Ngidi to D Karthik, FOUR! 19 from 23 now! The runs are flowing here. Short again on the body. Karthik has no trouble in pulling it fine on the leg side for another boundary.
16.2 : L Ngidi to D Karthik, Short again on off, Karthik taps it towards point for a quick run.
16.3 : L Ngidi to S Gill, Slower ball on the shorter side, Gill guides it down to third man for a run.
16.4 : L Ngidi to D Karthik, Another slower ball on off, Karthik plays it down to third man for an easy run. This will do for the home side.
16.5 : L Ngidi to S Gill, Bumper and down the leg side. The umpire calls it a wide.
L Ngidi to S Gill, Smart batting! This is on a length again on off, Gill plays it with soft hands towards covers and gets to the other end.
16.6 : L Ngidi to D Karthik, Down the leg side, Karthik flicks it down to fine leg for an easy run.
Dwayne Bravo is back on.
17.1 : D Bravo to D Karthik, FOUR! Comes around the wicket and serves a low full toss down the leg side. A gift. Karthik says thank you so much and flicks it fine on the leg side for a boundary.
17.2 : D Bravo to D Karthik, Couple! 7 more needed. A length ball on off, Karthik drives it through covers and runs two.
17.3 : D Bravo to D Karthik, WIDE! A hit away now, Kolkata. This is down the leg side and the umpire signals it a wide.
D Bravo to D Karthik, FOUR! Karthik wants to finish it in this over. Another full toss on the pads, Karthik has no problem in putting that away through square leg for a one-bounce boundary.
17.4 : D Bravo to D Karthik, FOUR! Karthik finishes it off in style! Lovely use of the wrists there. A slower ball outside off, Karthik uses the wrists as he opens the face of the bat and guides it through backward point for a boundary. KOLKATA WIN BY 6 WICKETS WITH 14 BALLS TO SPARE!
An electrifying win for Kolkata! They lost the last-over thriller at Chepauk earlier this season but look at the way they have taken the revenge tonight. Absolutely stunning. After winning the toss and inserting Chennai, the hosts' bowlers did a decent job to restrict a star-studded Chennai batting line-up to 177. When they came out to chase, they lost Chris Lynn in the very first over. Could have lost Sunil Narine too had it not been for those two dropped catches by Ravindra Jadeja. The West In
There were a couple of wickets lost by the hosts in the middle which saw the game hanging right in the balance. But then the youngster Shubman Gill, was promoted up the order and he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He not only bailed his side out of trouble but made sure he stays till the very end. Registered his maiden fifty in this tournament and made a strong statement. His unbeaten stand of 83 runs with Dinesh Karthik helped his side bag two vital points by beating Chennai in a compr
The Men in Yellow weren't upto the mark tonight. Riding on Dhoni's late cameo they powered themselves to 175-plus but their bowlers just couldn't come to the party. None of them looked threatening and failed to make an impact. Got wickets early but since then they just let the game slip away.
Sunil Narine is adjudged as the Man of the Match for his all-round effort. He took 2 wickets for 20 runs in 4 overs and then with the bat, he contributed 32 in 20 balls to give his side a good start.
That's all we have from this game! With this win Kolkata move to the third spot while Chennai slip to second. The Indian T20 League caravan continues to trundle. Tomorrow we have Punjab welcoming Mumbai in Indore. Do join us at 2000 Local (1430 GMT) to catch all the action. Cheers!