Welcome back for the second essay.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Right then, Kolkata will be the happier of the two sides at the halfway mark. The visitors seemed to be losing their way with Andre RussellÂ and Rinku SinghÂ both back in the shed but Ramandeep SinghÂ stepped up to give the finishing kick and they will take the momentum with them to their bowling effort. If Lucknow pull off this chase, it will be their highest successful chase in Indian T20 League history. A good Powerplay will be immensely important in setting the tone for the rest of the chase

Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ is up for a flash interview. He begins by saying that it's a good score and they finished up well. He adds that Sunil Narine is in the form of his life and it was fun to watch him play those big strokes. Says that it was just about keeping up with the momentum and also says there's absolutely no dew out there. He states that the records are meant to be broken but is confident that with the in-form bowling line up, they will be able to defend this score.

Lucknow will be disappointed with their bowling effort, especially with how the last couple of overs went, concedingÂ 35 runs.Â Lucknow were not able to start well with the ball, conceding 70 runs in the Powerplay, the most they have done this season. Naveen-ul-Haq getting rid of Phil Salt was the highlight for them in the first six overs. Given the kind of Powerplay they had, it was important for them to pull things back in the middle phase. Ravi Bishnoi tied runs up at one end and was rewarded

Kolkata finish on a high to end up with 235 on the board!Â 200 has been breached for the first time in T20 cricket at this venue, and it is enough to tell you the kind of batting effort this has been from Kolkata.Â After being put into bat, the visitorsÂ were off to a flier. Phil Salt raced off the blocks, and Sunil Narine followed suit soon after. After Salt fell on 40, Narine took the mantle of pressing on the accelerator and capitalised on the momentum created. He found an able alley in Angkr

Yash Thakur to Ramandeep Singh, ! BOOM! What a sensational finish from Ramandeep SinghÂ and Kolkata finish strong! Yash Thakur offers a juicy full toss on the middle and leg, Ramandeep SinghÂ gets underneath it and picks the bones out of with and deposits it behind deep mid-wicket for a maximum. He finishes off in style for Kolkata as they finish on 235.

Yash Thakur to Ramandeep Singh, ! Oh, nicely done! Slower bouncer, outside off, Ramandeep SinghÂ has all the time in the world as he waits for the ball to come close to him before he guides it over the short third for a boundary.

Yash Thakur to Venkatesh Iyer, Full in length, and slower in pace, angling across off, Venkatesh IyerÂ drives it to long off for one.

Venkatesh IyerÂ comes out to the middle now.

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, ! CAUGHT BEHIND! An absolute screamer of a catch from KL Rahul!

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Yorker on the middle, Shreyas IyerÂ jams it throughÂ mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Four!

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, WIDE! Slower bumper, angling on the leg stump line, just around the helmet level. Shreyas IyerÂ goes for a pull shot lifting his front leg up but doesn't connect. He reviews it for a Wide challenging the on-field decision. The split-screen does confirm that it is outside leg and the Umpire has to overturn the decision. Wided.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Yash Thakur (3-0-28-0).Â

Yudhvir Singh to Ramandeep Singh, Six!

Yudhvir Singh to Shreyas Iyer, 1 run.

Yudhvir Singh to Ramandeep Singh, In the air...lands safe! Slower, shorter and on the top of the middle, Ramandeep SinghÂ waits for it but doesn't time it at all over the mid on region. Yudhvir SinghÂ runs backward and the fielder from long too converges as well but the ball lands between both of them. A single taken.

Yudhvir Singh to Ramandeep Singh, ! Right into the slot and punished! Overpitched on the middle and off, Ramandeep SinghÂ covers his stumps and clears his front foot before hoisting it with the middle of the bat over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

Yudhvir Singh to Ramandeep Singh, Short and angling on middle, Ramandeep SinghÂ pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Yudhvir Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Full, slower and angling in, on off, Shreyas IyerÂ aims for a reverse scoop but adjusts his shot at the very last moment and pushes it towards backward point for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, ! TAKEN! Rinku Singh departs now and Naveen gets his third wicket.

Who comes in now?

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, ! Expertly played by Rinku and 200 comes up for the first time at this venue in any form of T20 cricket. Full and slanting across off, Rinku SinghÂ uses the pace and goes through covers for a boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Shreyas Iyer, Bowls it full and on off, Shreyas IyerÂ works it to long off for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Shreyas Iyer, ! One bounce and a boundary! Full in length, just around off, Shreyas IyerÂ waits for this pace-off delivery and strikes it down the ground over the bowler's head for a one bounce four.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Shreyas Iyer, Short in length, outside off, Shreyas IyerÂ waits for an uppercut but misses on the outside edge. KL RahulÂ collects the ball at his chest level.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, Cannons a yorker from over the wicket, lands it full around off, Rinku SinghÂ bends low and squeezes it towards widish cover for a quick single.

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, Short in length at 140 clicks, on middle and leg, Rinku SinghÂ pulls it towards deep backward square leg for an easy single to retain the strike.

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball, pace off, angling in from outside off, Shreyas IyerÂ cuts it to backward point for a single.

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, A low full toss, angling in from middle, Shreyas IyerÂ flicks it through square leg and gets back for the double.

Yash Thakur to Rinku Singh, IN THE AIR...! A difficult chance though!

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, A low full toss this time on the leg stump line, Shreyas IyerÂ flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Four!

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, Yorker down the leg stump, Shreyas IyerÂ misses to flick again and the ball goes to the keeper. Shreyas Iyer looks at the Umpire for a Wide but the Umpire is unmoved. He straight away goes upstairs and challenges the decision.

Yash ThakurÂ (2-0-16-0) comes back into the attack, replacing Naveen-ul-Haq.

Yash Thakur to Shreyas Iyer, WIDE! Way, way down leg. Shreyas IyerÂ doesn't connect the flick and the Umpire signals for a Wide.

Yudhvir Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Oh, he really had to hurry for that run! Risky stuff. Bowls it on a length, around off, Shreyas IyerÂ plays it straight towards mid off and sets off for a single. Ravi BishnoiÂ is quick to pick and throw at the non-striker's end but has a shy and Shreyas survives a suicidal run out.

Yudhvir Singh to Rinku Singh, On a good length, angling across on middle, Rinku SinghÂ nudges it to widish mid on for a single.

Yudhvir Singh to Rinku Singh, ! Nice and classy! Full length, angling across middle, Rinku SinghÂ uses his wrists and flicks it high over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Yudhvir Singh to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! CAUGHT BEHIND!Â And again, a break causes a breakthrough and it's all happening here at Lucknow as the concussion sub, Yudhvir gets a wicket off his very first delivery.Â

Yudhvir Singh to Shreyas Iyer, Same length, around off, Shreyas IyerÂ pushes it towards short cover for a single.

Yudhvir Singh to Shreyas Iyer, No run.

Strategic Break! The conditions are pretty well set for Rinku SinghÂ to provide a strong finish and compound on the run rate accelerated by the top order, mostly by Sunil Narine who got out on a thundering 81 off just 39 deliveries. Lucknow, with the wicket of Andre RussellÂ just in the over before the break would be aiming to get a couple of more and pull the target back to some extent. Yudhvir SinghÂ comes on as the concussion substitute for Mohsin Khan, who banged his head on the turf while a

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, Good placement! Full and slanting in, at the stumps, Rinku SinghÂ places it in the vacant mid-wicket region with soft hands and collects a couple of runs with ease.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, No run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, At the hips, on a back of a length, Rinku SinghÂ glances it wide of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Rinku Singh, Bowls it on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Rinku SinghÂ is late on the flick and gets rapped high on the back leg.

Rinku SinghÂ walks in at number 5 for Kolkata.Â

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andre Russell, ! TAKEN! Krishnappa Gowtham, you beauty! Gowtham comes on as a substitute and pulls off a pressure catch. The crowd erupts and this is a massive wicket for Lucknow.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andre Russell, Wide!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Andre Russell, ! Not in complete controlÂ but Andre RussellÂ will take it! Serves it full in length and near the tramline on off, Andre RussellÂ knows that mid off is inside the circle and he swings to clear the man there. Gets it off the toe-end of the bat and it goes back over the bowler's head, beating the sprinting long on fielder to his left for a boundary.

Halt! With that dive, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ has hurt himself and he seems to be in some pain as well. KL RahulÂ checks up on him and Andre RussellÂ too walks to see him. Raghuvanshi gets the requisite treatment and is good to continue.

Ravi Bishnoi to Andre Russell, Sliding onto the pads, short in length, Andre RussellÂ works it off his pads towards short fine leg. Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ dives at the batting end to make his ground.

Ravi Bishnoi to Andre Russell, Googly and it is quicker as well, short and on the pads, Andre RussellÂ plays all around it and gets hit high on the front pad.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, No run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, WIDE! Fires it in, on a length but down leg, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ misses the tickle and it is called as a wide by the umpire.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Good use of the feet! Loops it up, full and outside off, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ gets down the trackÂ in a flash and takes it on the full. Lifts it back over the bowler's head and also manages to beat the sprinting long off fielder for a boundary.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, How has that missed the off pole?

Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slower through the air and on middle and leg, on a nagging length, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ clips it through mid-wicket for one more run.

Krunal Pandya to Andre Russell, 1 run.

Krunal Pandya to Andre Russell, WIDE! Tries to keep it away from the batter but ends up bowling it beyond the tramline on off. Andre RussellÂ lets it go for a wide.

Krunal Pandya to Andre Russell, ! That's into the solar system!Â Full, and flighted at the middle stump. Andre Russell gets low on the front foot, gets underneath it, and hoistsÂ it over wide long-on for a biggie.Â

Krunal Pandya to Andre Russell, FIVE WIDES! Oh dear! That's too wayward from Krunal!

Krunal Pandya to Andre Russell, No run.

Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.

Andre RussellÂ has been promoted to number 4 for Kolkata.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, ! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Devdutt PadikkalÂ does not make a mistake this time!

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Full and it is another googly, on middle, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ drives it down to long on and brings Narine back on strike.

Halt! That must have hurt Mohsin Khan. He leaps to his right to take the catch but fails to fetch it as the ball bursts through his hands. He falls and bangs his head on the ground. Not a good sign for Mohsin as he walks back to the dugout with the physio.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, 2 runs.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, ! Oh no! Devdutt PadikkalÂ takes it but steps on the ropes!

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Dishes out a googly, full and on leg, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ swipes it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for one.

Marcus Stoinis to Sunil Narine, ! Back-to-back sixes for Sunil Narine. 19 runs off the over and NarineÂ is in some mood tonight.

Marcus Stoinis to Sunil Narine, ! My word! Sunil NarineÂ goes big again! Stoinis takes pace off and bowls it on a back of a length, on middle, Sunil NarineÂ hangs back and waits for the ball to arrive. Nails the pull over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Marcus Stoinis to Sunil Narine, Slows it up and bowls it outside off, the length stays full, Sunil NarineÂ reaches out to force it through the off side but misses out on the connection.

Marcus Stoinis to Sunil Narine, ! Stand and deliver! Fuller in length, on middle, Sunil NarineÂ clears his front leg and hits through the line. Tonks it over long on for a massive maximum.

Marcus Stoinis to Sunil Narine, Bangs it in short, over middle, Sunil NarineÂ swivels for the pull but the ball gets big on him and it zips over his bat.

Marcus Stoinis to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Starts off on a back of a length, on off, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ employs the short-arm jab and hits it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Marcus StoinisÂ (1-0-10-0) returns to the attack.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, 1 run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi,Â Another googly, full and at the middle stump.Â Raghuvanshi gets on the front foot, and nudges it through square leg for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Good shot!

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, Full pitching outside leg, Narine misses the flick on the inside edge and gets pinged on the front pad.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, No run.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, ! A terrific fifty from Sunil Narine! He continues to set the tone for Kolkata! This is just around off and on a shade fuller length, Sunil NarineÂ reads the googly right and cuts it fine through short third for a boundary.

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, 100 up for Kolkata! A low full toss angling into the stumps, Sunil NarineÂ dances down the track and works it down to long on for a single to end the over.

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, Hits the deck hard, angling in, Sunil NarineÂ backs away again for a pull shot but gets beaten for the bounce.

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, ! Shot! Short in length and outside off, Sunil NarineÂ backs away and pulls it up and over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Yash Thakur to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, 1 run.

Yash Thakur to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Salt on the wounds!

Yash Thakur to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, A BIG MIX-UP! Full and around off, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ flicks it to the left of mid-wicket and sets off for a single. Sunil NarineÂ watches the ball but doesn't see his partner who is already near the runner's end. Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ retreats back to the striker's end.Â Devdutt PadikkalÂ is quick to pick up the ball and throw at the striker's end. Phil SaltÂ fails to collect the ball cleanly and fumbles. Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ is back in but had it b

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Just around off on a fuller length, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ sits down and sweeps it along the carpet for a single towards deep mid-wicket. Good start for Ravi Bishnoi.Â

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, WIDE! Drifts it down the leg stump on a length. Wided.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, Shade full in length, on the pads, Sunil NarineÂ clips it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Goes fuller this time, keeps the line on the stumps, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ pushes it towards long on for a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, A quicker wrong'un into the batter on a good length, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ reads well and pushes it to the point region.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, Drifts it well across off on a dragged length, Sunil NarineÂ punches it to the off side and runs a single.

Ravi Bishnoi to Sunil Narine, Begins with a googly, outside off on a length, Sunil NarineÂ looks to guide the ball towards short third but misses on the outside edge.

It will be spin from both ends as Ravi BishnoiÂ comes on from the other end.

Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, Drags his length, on the pads, Sunil NarineÂ chips it through mid-wicket for another single to end the over. 11 runs from this over.

Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Full, on the stumps, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ gets ahead and drives it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, Krunal adjusts his length seeing Narine skipping forward and bowls it short on the middle. Sunil NarineÂ slices it above the bowler's head for a single.Â

Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, ! There's no stopping this bloke! Around the wicket, outside the line of off-stump, and full in length. Sunil NarineÂ clears the front leg and clobbers it well over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.Â

Strategic break! It has been another one of those blistering starts Kolkata have been accustomed to this season. Phil SaltÂ could not kick on but Sunil NarineÂ and Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ will look to capitalise on this created momentum and dominate the middle phase. Lucknow will be relieved to see the back of the dangerous-looking Salt and will look to build on theÂ previous over from Yash Thakur, which went for just 2 runs. With the field restrictions now being lifted, KL RahulÂ will soon turn t

Krunal Pandya to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slower, on the middle and full in length, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ strides ahead and drives it against the spin through mid-wicket for a single.

Krunal Pandya to Sunil Narine, Shorter and quicker on the middle and leg, Sunil NarineÂ goes back and tucks it towards square leg for a comfortable single.

Yash Thakur to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Excellent from Yash Thakur! Also, the first over without any boundary!

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, Pace on, short in length, on the middle and leg, Sunil NarineÂ pulls it with no timing but still manages it to pull it over the inner ring over mid-wicket for a single.

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, Identical length and line on the middle, angling in, Sunil NarineÂ again finds mid off. No run.

Yash Thakur to Sunil Narine, Around the wicket now, angling in from middle, full in length, Sunil NarineÂ stays leg side of the ball and drives it straight to mid off.

Yash Thakur to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Short in length, on the top of the middle, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ skips down the track and drives it off the inner half of the bat, straight down the ground for a single. The mid onÂ fielder cuts it offÂ and a single is taken.

Yash Thakur to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Starts off well! Nice and straight on a hard length, at the middle, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ pushes it straight to mid on.

Change?

Naveen-ul-Haq to Sunil Narine, Not in control but Sunil NarineÂ gets away with it!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Back of a length, outside off, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ dabs it wide of cover and rotates the strike.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, ! Uppish but it is in the gap and Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ is up and running!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Slanting in, low full toss, on middle and leg, Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ drives it with a straight bat towards mid on.

Angkrish RaghuvanshiÂ is in at number 3.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Phil Salt, ! c KL Rahul b Naveen-ul-Haq.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Phil Salt, ! Skillfully done! Goes full and on the off-stump line, Phil SaltÂ angles the face of his bat perfectly to guide it between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, ! Sunil NarineÂ finishes the over in the best possible fashion! A 19-run over followed by a 20-run over and Kolkata are flying here.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, WIDE! Bangs it into the deck, over middle. This goes over the batter's head for a wide.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, No run.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, ! Three boundaries on the trot and Sunil NarineÂ has arrived in Lucknow!

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, ! Back-to-back boundaries for Sunil Narine! Fuller in length, at pace, on off, Sunil NarineÂ clears his front leg and drills it along the ground to the right of mid off for a boundary.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, Four!

Mohsin Khan to Phil Salt, 1 run.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Sunil Narine, ! Just over! Takes pace off but drifts on the pads, on a good length, Sunil NarineÂ looks to help it away off his pads. He swings a bit early and gets it from the upper half of the bat. It lobs towards short fine leg but Narine gets enough bat on it to clear the leaping Mohsin KhanÂ for four more runs. 19 runs off Naveen-ul-Haq's first over.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Sunil Narine, ! Quality shot!

Naveen-ul-Haq to Phil Salt, Mixes it up does Naveen-ul-HaqÂ as this is slower and full, at the stumps, Phil SaltÂ reads it well and pushes it to the right of the bowler for a single.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Phil Salt, Goes full again, outside off, Phil SaltÂ angles his bat face to drive it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs. 10 runs off the first three balls from Naveen-ul-Haq.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Phil Salt, ! Two in two and this has been hit with real authority! A bit too full by Naveen-ul-HaqÂ and offers width as well, outside off, Phil SaltÂ gets his weight on the front foot and creams the drive between cover and mid off for four more runs.

Naveen-ul-Haq to Phil Salt, ! Phil SaltÂ greets Naveen-ul-HaqÂ with a boundary! Naveen-ul-HaqÂ steams in from wide of the crease on the over-the-wicket angle but gets the line wrong, on aÂ length, on the pads, Phil SaltÂ does not miss out as he flicks it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Naveen-ul-HaqÂ replaces Marcus Stoinis.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, Takes pace off and goes fuller this time, in the channel on off, Sunil NarineÂ swings again to hit through the line but fails to pick the change of pace and gets undone by the lack of pace as the ball goes under the bat. Good comeback by Mohsin after being hit for a six.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, Well bowled! Bends his back and bangs it in short, at the left shoulder of the batter, Sunil NarineÂ swings to pull it away but the ball gets big on him and zips over the bat.

The ball has lost under the stage of the cheerleaders and hence a bit of a delay.Â

Mohsin Khan to Phil Salt, Hurls it on a hard length, on middle and leg, Phil SaltÂ gets on his toes and pats it to the right of mid on for a quick single.

Mohsin Khan to Phil Salt, ! Phil SaltÂ with the first six of the game! Mohsin lands it on a short length, around the ribs of the batter, Phil SaltÂ shapes up for the pull but he goes through his shot early as the ball comes onto the bat slower than he anticipated. Still manages to get the shot away and helps it over fine leg for the first maximum of the night.

Mohsin Khan to Phil Salt, Serves it on a good length and does not offer room as this is bowled at the batter, Phil SaltÂ can only defend it out with a straight bat to the right of the bowler.

Mohsin Khan to Sunil Narine, Attempts the yorker first up from over the wicket, at the stumps, Sunil NarineÂ takes it on the full and slices it to deep backward point for a single.

Mohsin KhanÂ to operate from the other end.

Marcus Stoinis to Sunil Narine, In the air...but safe! Bangs it on a hard length does Stoinis, around off, Sunil NarineÂ makes room and tries to flat bat it back over the bowler's head. Gets hit high on the bat and it lobs tamely in front of the rushing Krunal PandyaÂ at mid off. They cross. End of an eventful first over, 10 runs off it.

Marcus Stoinis to Sunil Narine, Shaping into the southpaw, on a back of a length, on leg, Sunil NarineÂ stays back and backs away to go big on the leg side but fails to connect. Gets hit on the thigh pad and the ball rolls towards the off side.

Marcus Stoinis to Phil Salt, Drop and run! Slanting in again, on a length, on middle and leg, Phil SaltÂ plays it with a straight bat in front of mid on and calls Sunil NarineÂ through for a quick single. Krunal PandyaÂ swoops in and hits the stumps at the bowling end but Salt is in by then.

Marcus Stoinis to Phil Salt, ! Easy pickings! Stoinis drifts on the pads, on a length, Phil SaltÂ lets the ball come to him and tucks it away nearly off his pads to the fine leg fence for another boundary.

Marcus Stoinis to Phil Salt, Angling in, on a good length, on the pads, Phil SaltÂ misses the clip and gets rapped high on the front pad.

Marcus Stoinis to Phil Salt, ! Action straight away!

All in readiness for this thrilling clash to begin for one last time in Lucknow for this edition! The two Umpires make their way out to the middle. Lucknow players too, disperse out and take their respective positions. The destructive and in-formÂ duo, Phil SaltÂ and Sunil NarineÂ will open for Kolkata. Marcus StoinisÂ has the new shining leather and will bowl the first over for Lucknow. Here we go...

The captain of Kolkata, Shreyas Iyer says that they would have bowled first as well. Tells that defending 170 at Wankhede with five bowlers has given them tremendous confidence. Shares that there is self-beliefÂ in the group. Informs that theyÂ will decide later on who to bring in as the Impact Player. States that the four-wicket haul from Mitchell StarcÂ gave the group a lot of confidence and the left-arm seamer has been optimistic right from the start. Adds that he is happy for Starc, who has

The skipper of Lucknow, KL Rahul elects to BOWL first. He starts by saying that they love to chase and that's the reason to bowl. Adds that they have played on three different pitches and believes they have adapted to the conditions quickly. On being asked about the strike rate while batting, he says that the T20 game has changed a lot over the years and he is aiming to attack the bowlers early on. Adds the teams are eyeing on 200 plus regularly. Says everyone's chipped in and has contributed we

Impact players nominated by Kolkata - Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, KS Bharat and Sherfane Rutherford.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Phil Salt (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Impact players nominated by Lucknow - Arshin Kulkarni, M. Siddharth, Krishnappa Gowtham, Yudhvir Singh and Devdutt Padikkal.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - KL Rahul(C)(WK), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ashton Turner, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur.

TOSS - The coin toss lands in the favour of KL Rahul and Lucknow have elected to BOWL first.