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Kings XI Punjab vs Kolkata Live Commentary, Match 52, Indian Premier League, 2019, May 3, 2019

KXIP 183/6 (20)
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Kings XI Punjab by 7 wickets
KKR 185/3 (18)
Match over
Kings XI Punjab Inning Kolkata Knight Riders Inning
0.0 : Match 52 sees 6th placed Kolkata take on 7th placed Punjab. After three losses in a row, Punjab are back at their den and will be desperately eying to end their losing run. Ravichandran Ashwin and his men have a great record at home and will be looking to continue that and get closer to the playoffs. Kolkata on the other hand ended their 6 game losing run against Mumbai and are still in contention to qualify. They will be looking to build on that win and sneak into the fourth place with a win ov
Toss - Up goes the coin and Dinesh Karthik calls it right. Kolkata opt to bowl first.
Kolkata skipper, Dinesh Karthik says that after a long time he has won the toss and laughs and says he was confused as what he wanted to do but then says they are bowling first as he thinks dew will come on later. Dinesh Karthik ends by informing us that they are unchanged for this game.
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin says he would have bowled first as well but also adds that they were confused but Ashwin feels it won't be much of a difference. On why they make changes regularly, Ashwin laughs and says that if he could have got players straight into the team from the hospital he would have. Ashwin feels that if they get a win here the momentum will change. Informs Sam Curran and Andrew Tye come in place of David Miller and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
Kolkata Playing XI (Unchanged) - Chris Lynn, Shubman Gill, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK/C), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Rinku Singh, Piyush Chawla, Sandeep Warrier, Harry Gurney.
Punjab Playing XI - Lokesh Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mayank Agarwal, Mandeep Singh (IN for Simran Singh), Nicholas Pooran (WK), Sam Curran (IN for David Miller), Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Andrew Tye (IN for Mujeeb Ur Rahman).
We are all set to begin. The umpires make their way out in the middle. Kolkata fielders take their respective positions in the field. Chris Gayle and KL Rahul are the openers for Punjab. Sandeep Warrier to start the proceedings with the new ball for Kolkata.
0.1 : S Warrier to C Gayle, Warrier starts with a good length ball on the pads. There was a hint on inward movement for Warrier first up. Gayle taps it back towards the bowler.
0.2 : S Warrier to C Gayle, First runs off the evening. Gayle is off the mark. Length ball around the pads, Gayle tucks it towards mid-wicket and gets off the mark.
0.3 : S Warrier to L Rahul, Stylish shot but for no run. Full and straight outside off. Rahul gets on his front foot and drives it beautifully but straight to the man at cover. Uthappa there takes it on a bounce.
0.4 : S Warrier to L Rahul, Direct hit and Gayle was back for early showers. Good length ball outside off, Rahul taps it wide of point and goes for a single. Shubman Gill gets to the ball quickly and has a shy at the keeper's end. Gayle was slow but Shubman also misses his shy.
0.5 : S Warrier to C Gayle, FOUR! First boundary of the match and it has class written all over it. Overpitched outside off, Gayle gets on his front foot and drives it beautifully through covers for a boundary.
0.6 : S Warrier to C Gayle, FOUR! Excellent shot once again from Gayle. 10 runs off the first over and a great start for Punjab. Full around off, Gayle drives it between mid off and covers for a boundary.
Harry Gurney to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : H Gurney to L Rahul, Slower delivery first up from Gurney. Rahul looks to run it down to third man but gets a thick outside edge but the lack of pace on it sees the ball go to the keeper on a bounce.
Chris Lynn is mic'd up. On the pressure, the Aussie says that Kolkata play their best when subjected to pressure and hopes that they do well tonight as well. (Now he walks over to Gurney and asks him to tuck Gayle up). Then tells the on-air commentators that the reason for the same is that he does not want any width to be offered to Gayle. Says further that he is not too much into stats but reckons that if they get 2 or 3 wickets in the Powerplay, normally the bowling team wins. On the strategy
1.2 : H Gurney to L Rahul, Good length ball on middle and leg, Rahul pushes it to mid on and takes a single.
1.3 : H Gurney to C Gayle, Full on off, Gayle takes no risk and calmly taps it back to the bowler.
1.4 : H Gurney to C Gayle, Good length ball around off, Gayle gets on top of the bounce and punches it through covers. He does not time it well so he it does not reach the fence but Gayle manages to come back for the second.
1.5 : H Gurney to C Gayle, In the air but just short. Good length ball outside off, the ball sticks in the surface and comes to Gayle. Gayle hits it uppishly towards cover but it falls short of the man diving in front.
1.6 : H Gurney to C Gayle, Full on off, Gayle taps it back to the bowler. Just 3 off Gurney's first. Good start for him.
2.1 : S Warrier to L Rahul, Back of a length ball on off, Gayle taps it to point and looks for a single but does not get it. Good decision, Gayle would have been in danger had they taken the single.
0.0 : The interview with Lynn continues. Admits that Kolkata have not taken much wickets in the tournament overall, let alone the Powerplay or the death. Reckons that they have got incredible spinners tonight who can shut down the game. On the question that this strategy could mean that they are one batsman light, Lynn admits and says that Andre Russell might be promoted up the order.
2.2 : S Warrier to L Rahul, Slightly slower from Warrier. Rahul looks to cut but is early in his shot. The ball goes off his bottom edge towards backward point. Karthik gets to the ball and stops them from getting a single.
2.3 : S Warrier to L Rahul, OUT! Big, big wicket for Kolkata. The dangerous Rahul is out of here. Warrier gets his man. After not timing the first two balls, it looks like the pressure got to Rahul. Warrier takes a bit of pace off the ball and bowls it full. Rahul looks to go over mid on but the lack of pace on the ball takes him by surprise and he ends up chipping it to the right of mid on. The miced up Chris Lynn shows his focus and moves back to his right and takes a good catch. Rahul who had
Mayank Agarwal walks in at number 3, replacing Rahul.
2.4 : S Warrier to M Agarwal, FOUR! Excellent way to get off the mark. Good length ball outside off, there was width on offer. Agarwal pounces on it and slashes it through point for a boundary.
More on the interview with Lynn (Gosh, this is long). Now, he speaks on what to speak to bowlers. Stresses that with inexperienced guys like Warrier, you need to keep talking all the time, whereas for experienced guys like Gurney, you just need to speak when required.
2.5 : S Warrier to M Agarwal, On the pads, Agarwal flicks it away to the on side and gets to the other end. Smart cricket this, following the boundary with a single.
2.6 : S Warrier to C Gayle, Full on off, Gayle taps it to covers and takes an easy single.
Sunil Narine now. Kolkata need him to do well. When he does well, generally the spin department of Kolkata does well and they get wickets.
3.1 : S Narine to C Gayle, Outside off, driven through the covers for a single.
3.2 : S Narine to M Agarwal, Full and outside off, pushed back to the bowler.
3.3 : S Narine to M Agarwal, OOPS... the arm ball, little bit of shape away, Agarwal looks to flick but is a touch early and gets a leading edge wide of cover. A single taken.
3.4 : S Narine to C Gayle, Full and on middle, pushed back to the bowler.
3.5 : S Narine to C Gayle, Fired down the leg side, Chris misses his tuck and is hit on the pads.
3.6 : S Narine to C Gayle, On middle and leg, helped through mid-wicket for a single.
4.1 : S Warrier to C Gayle, OUT! Warrier gets his second and both the openers are back for early shower. Sandeep is having a night to remember. First Rahul and now Gayle. Credit has to be given to Dinesh Karthik as well for brilliant fielding placement. Back of a length ball on the body, Gayle pulls it uppishly towards square leg. Shubman Gill stationed there moves to his right and takes a fine catch. Warrier is ecstatic and the crowd here in Mohali has gone silent.
0.0 : Nicholas Pooran walks in at number 4, replacing Gayle.
4.2 : S Warrier to N Pooran, Good length ball on the stumps, Pooran blocks it off his front foot.
4.3 : S Warrier to N Pooran, Length ball outside off, Pooran keeps his eyes on the ball and shoulders arms to it.
4.4 : S Warrier to N Pooran, Length ball outside off, Pooran hits it straight to point.
4.5 : S Warrier to N Pooran, FOUR! Pooran is off the mark in style. Back of a length ball from Warrier, Pooran gets on top of the bounce and pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
4.6 : S Warrier to N Pooran, On the pads, Pooran flicks it wide of deep square leg and gets a couple. This is big ground and you will see a lot of twos here tonight.
Harry Gurney into the attack.
5.1 : H Gurney to M Agarwal, Off cutter around off, Agarwal half-heartdly strokes it over covers for a couple.
5.2 : H Gurney to M Agarwal, Good length ball on the body, Mayank guides it to point and gets a single.
5.3 : H Gurney to N Pooran, Slower delivery on the pads, Pooran flicks it wide of square leg and gets a brace.
5.4 : H Gurney to N Pooran, In the air..but in no man's land. Full on middle and off, Pooran takes the aerial route. He does not time it well but it falls wide of deep square leg and they get a couple.
5.5 : H Gurney to N Pooran, SIX! First six of the game and it has come from the bat of Pooran. He holds the key here for Punjab. Back of a length ball on off, Pooran pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
5.6 : H Gurney to N Pooran, Full on off, Pooran drives it straight to the man at cover. Good over for Punjab, 13 runs off it. A much needed one as well. At the end of Powerplay, Punjab are 41/2.
Andre Russell into the attack now.
6.1 : A Russell to M Agarwal, Russell starts with a good length ball on the pads, Mayank nudges it to the on side and gets to the other end.
6.2 : A Russell to N Pooran, SIX! What a shot! Good length ball outside off, Pooran flat-bats it over long off. He does not time it well but when you are Pooran, your mishits will clear the short boundaries. The short boundaries are straight here so it does clear the fence.
6.3 : A Russell to N Pooran, Slower delivery outside off, Pooran swings his bat at it but misses.
6.4 : A Russell to N Pooran, FOUR! This is a lucky boundary. You cannot set a field for this shot. Good length ball outside off, Pooran looks to play it across the line but gets a bottom edge which goes to the vacant third man region for a boundary.
6.5 : A Russell to N Pooran, WIDE! Russell looks to bowl it outside off. It is too wide though and outside the tramline. Pooran goes for it but misses but misses. Wide signalled.
A Russell to N Pooran, Bouncer. A well directed one. Pooran attempts an uppercut but misses.
6.6 : A Russell to N Pooran, Full on off, Pooran drives it through mid off and keeps the strike. 13 off Russell's first.
Piyush Chawla into the attack as well.
7.1 : P Chawla to N Pooran, SIX! Mistimed but it goes all the way! Tossed up, outside off, Pooran lunges and looks to clear long off but is not quite to the pitch of the ball. Mistimes it but gets enough on the same to clear long off!
7.2 : P Chawla to N Pooran, The batsman has played it to the point region. They pick up a single.
7.3 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, On middle and off, flicked through mid-wicket for a run.
7.4 : P Chawla to N Pooran, FOUR! The googly from Chawla, outside off, Pooran picks it in a trice and cuts it through cover-point. Nitish Rana sweeps the area to his right from deep cover but his desperate dive does not help him.
7.5 : P Chawla to N Pooran, Outside off, punched through the covers for one more.
7.6 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, Works this to the leg side to end the over. 27 from the last 2 overs.
STRATEGIC BREAK. Punjab are slowly making a comeback of sorts. They started slowly but Pooran's knock is giving them some hope. If he hangs around for another 3-4 overs, the hosts might get to a big total. Sunil Narine returns. 1-0-3-0 so far.
8.1 : S Narine to M Agarwal, Flighted on the pads, Mayank flicks it behind square and gets to the other end.
8.2 : S Narine to N Pooran, Floated on middle, it spins away from the southpaw. Pooran plays it to the man at cover.
8.3 : S Narine to N Pooran, Flighted on the pads, Pooran nudges it wide of mid on. Narine goes after the ball so does the man from long on. The batsmen get a couple.
8.4 : S Narine to N Pooran, Tossed up on the pads, Pooran looks to flick but gets hit on the pads.
8.5 : S Narine to N Pooran, On the pads once again,. Pooran this time flicks it away to the on side and gets a single.
8.6 : S Narine to M Agarwal, Floated on middle and leg, Mayank nudges it to long on and keeps the strike.
9.1 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, Googly on off. It does not turn much. Mayank does well to block it.
9.2 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, FOUR! That is crunched. Chawla makes the smart choice of ducking under it. Full on off, Mayank flat bats it over Chawla's head for a boundary towards long off.
9.3 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, Chips this over the non-striker this time, towards long on for a single.
9.4 : P Chawla to N Pooran, Outside off, punched off the back foot.
9.5 : P Chawla to N Pooran, SIX! VIOLENCE! You cannot bowl short. Another googly, outside off, Pooran rocks back and pulls it high and handsome over mid-wicket for an 89-metre biggie!
9.6 : P Chawla to N Pooran, Quicker and spinning in to the southpaw. Pooran gets on his back foot and hits it straight back to the bowler.
Nitish Rana is introduced into the attack.
10.1 : N Rana to M Agarwal, Starts with a pacey delivery on middle and off. It comes in a bit, Mayank looks to defend it but gets an inside edge towards backward square leg.
10.2 : N Rana to M Agarwal, SIX! WALLOP! Tossed up, around middle and off, Agarwal comes forward and lofts it with ease down the ground, right onto the sightscreen!
10.3 : N Rana to M Agarwal, Shorter on off, Mayank pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run. Smart strategy to follow the six with a single.
10.4 : N Rana to N Pooran, Short around off, Pooran cuts it but straight to the man at point.
10.5 : N Rana to N Pooran, OUT! Rana strikes. He was brought to break the partnership and he has done his job to perfection. Nicholas Pooran who was looking very dangerous, holes out. Short on off and middle, Pooran goes for the pull but does not time it well and toe-ends it. The ball goes straight to the man in the deep at mid-wicket. Sandeep Warrier it is again. This time not with the wicket but getting involved nevertheless, with a catch. Pooran's innings could not last long enough...
Mandeep Singh walks in at number 5, replacing Pooran.
10.6 : N Rana to M Singh, Outside off, coming in, punched down to long on for a single. 8 runs and a wicket from Rana's over. The gamble from Karthik works!
11.1 : P Chawla to M Singh, Full around off, Singh strokes it to long off and gets a single.
11.2 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, Shorter on middle, Mayank tucks it wide of long on and gets a couple.
11.3 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, Floated outside off, Mayank slaps it wide of sweeper cover and gets a couple as there are big boundaries here.
11.4 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, Shorter around off, Mayank punches it to the off side and gets a single.
11.5 : P Chawla to M Singh, Flatter on middle, Mandeep plays it to long on and takes a single. The fielder in the deep misfields and they look for a second but they do not go with it. Poor running, there was two to be taken.
11.6 : P Chawla to M Agarwal, 100 up for Punjab. Shorter in length, Mayank plays it towards long on and keeps the strike. They will be looking to score around 80 in the last 8 now.
STAT ALERT - Curiously, of the top 7 partnerships for Punjab this season, (the Pooran/Mayank stand was 7th), four have been for the 3rd wicket (including theirs)! This is highly unusual. Most of the time it's the first and second wicket stands!
Sandeep Warrier is back for his final battle. He is bowling out. 3-0-22-2 so far.
12.1 : S Warrier to M Agarwal, Good length ball around off, Mayank plays it to deep cover and takes a single.
12.2 : S Warrier to M Singh, Back of a length ball on off, Mandeep pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
12.3 : S Warrier to M Agarwal, Full on off, Mayank nudges it to long off and rotates the strike.
12.4 : S Warrier to M Singh, FOUR! Deft touch from Mandeep. Good length ball outside off, Mandeep gets on his back foot. He keeps his eyes on the ball and then guides it down to the vacant third man region for a boundary.
12.5 : S Warrier to M Singh, Short and outside off, Mandeep pulls this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
12.6 : S Warrier to M Agarwal, Angling in from over the wicket, around middle and leg, worked to deep mid-wicket for a run.
Sunil Narine back on.
13.1 : S Narine to M Agarwal, Slightly shorter around off, Mayank plays it to the man at cover.
13.2 : S Narine to M Agarwal, Floated on the pads, Mayank flicks it to square leg and gets a single.
Is that a run out? 'He has dropped the ball!' screams Pommie Mbangwa. Wait... the replays seem to show that Narine is in contact with the ball when it hits the stumps and then it drops down! Mayank Agarwal looks well short. This could be out for sure! The ball has deflected onto the stumps rather, then dropped down... the third umpire's decision is pending...
13.3 : S Narine to M Singh, OUT! That is some luck going Kolkata's way. A very unlucky way to get out. A very good innings from Mayank comes to an end. Floated delivery outside off, Mandeep flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket. They run the first one hard and go for two. Rinku Singh in the deep rushes to the ball and quickly releases it at the non-striker's end. Sunil Narine looks to collect the ball and dislodge the stumps. The ball though comes out of his hand. He takes the bails off but Narine se
Sam Curran walks in at number 6, replacing Mayank Agarwal.
13.4 : S Narine to M Singh, Angling in from over the wicket, around middle and leg, worked to deep mid-wicket for a run.
13.5 : S Narine to Sam Curran, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for one.
13.6 : S Narine to M Singh, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket. Two runs added to the total.
STRATEGIC BREAK. 6 overs left. Can Punjab get to 175 at least? The problem is, there is not much firepower left. David Miller will be missed tonight. Gurney has 2 overs left, Narine has 1 while Russell, Rana and Chawla have to share the remaining 3 amongst themselves. Kolkata do not have the best bowling performance this season at the death, but tonight they might get away with it. Piyush Chawla is back on. 3-0-33-0 so far.
14.1 : P Chawla to Sam Curran, Loopy delivery on middle, Sam hits it to long on and gets a single.
14.2 : P Chawla to M Singh, Straighter one which is short in length. It is around off, Mandeep cuts it away towards point and takes a single.
14.3 : P Chawla to Sam Curran, Shorter on off, Sam looks to pull it but hits it straight to Chawla.
14.4 : P Chawla to Sam Curran, A short ball, outside off, pulled away for one more.
14.5 : P Chawla to M Singh, SIX! Fine shot. Short and outside off, Mandeep rocks back and pulls it right back over the bowler, over the sightscreen!
14.6 : P Chawla to M Singh, Outside off, pushed through the covers for another single. 10 from the over, a forgetful night for Chawla, as he ends with figures of 4-0-43-0.
Andre Russell returns. 1-0-13-0 so far.
15.1 : A Russell to M Singh, A short ball outside off, Mandeep looks to pull but is cramped for room. The ball goes through mid-wicket and he calls for two but the fielder attacks the ball quickly and keeps the batsmen down to one.
15.2 : A Russell to Sam Curran, This time they get two. Curran walks across his stumps and works it through square leg. The fielder is a bit slow to the ball and the throw is a weak one too.
15.3 : A Russell to Sam Curran, A decent bumper, around middle and leg, Sam ducks out of harm's way.
15.4 : A Russell to Sam Curran, FOUR! Good shot. Full around off, Sam Curran takes his front leg out of the way and drives it through covers for a boundary.
15.5 : A Russell to Sam Curran, A terrific yorker, around middle and leg, SC digs it out down to mid on.
15.6 : A Russell to Sam Curran, Backs away to the leg side and is followed by the bowler, Curran can only defend it to the off side.
Sunil Narine is back on. 3-0-14-0 so far.
16.1 : S Narine to M Singh, Bowls it on the pads, Mandeep flicks it to square leg and gets a single. Curran was looking for two but Mandeep said no.
16.2 : S Narine to Sam Curran, SIX! Don't bother looking this one is out of here. Shorter on off and middle, Sam Curran comes down the track and swings it across the line to send it over the mid-wicket fence for a 93 meter maximum.
16.3 : S Narine to Sam Curran, Outside off, pushed wide of long off for a couple.
16.4 : S Narine to Sam Curran, DROPPED! Oh Rinku!!! Flighted delivery outside off, Sam Curran swings his bat at it. He does not time it well. He gets a lot of height on it but not the distance. The ball just about goes outside the 30-yard circle. Rinku Singh comes in from long on and settles under the ball but does not hold on to it. The ball wobbles out of his hand and they run a single. This might come back to bite Kolkata as Sam Curran is looking dangerous.
16.5 : S Narine to M Singh, Spins into the batsman, this is worked through mid-wicket for a run.
16.6 : S Narine to Sam Curran, FOUR! WHACK! Full and outside off, Curran gets down and sweeps it between mid-wicket and long on for a boundary! 15 from the over, Narine finishes with figures of 4-0-29-0.
Harry Gurney is back on.
17.1 : H Gurney to M Singh, A yorker to start, at the base of leg stump, Mandeep backs away and digs it out to cover for a single.
17.2 : H Gurney to Sam Curran, A short ball, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a run.
17.3 : H Gurney to M Singh, OUT! Mandeep's innings comes to an end. Gurney gets his first of the game. The slower one does the trick. It is slightly shorter in length outside off, Mandeep looks to flat bat it over covers but the bat turns in his hand and it goes up in the air towards cover. Robin Uthappa settles under it and takes it comfortably.
Skipper Ravichandran Ashwin walks in at number 7, replacing Mandeep.
17.4 : H Gurney to Sam Curran, Driven through mid-on by the batsman. They pick up a single.
17.5 : H Gurney to R Ashwin, Brilliantly disgused slower one from Gurney. It is on a length outside off, Ravichandran Ashwin swings his bat at it but misses.
17.6 : H Gurney to R Ashwin, On the pads, Ashwin looks to flick it but misses. The ball goes to the off side off the pads and they run through for a leg bye. Brilliant over from Gurney. Just 4 runs and a wicket off the over.
Andre Russell to bowl the 19th. 2-0-20-0 so far.
18.1 : A Russell to R Ashwin, OUT! Chopped on. Slower ball again. Off cutter outside off, Ashwin takes his front leg off the line and looks to heave it across. All he manages is to get an inside edge which goes onto hit his back leg and then the leg stump. Punjab lose their 6th and now 180 looks a real task here.
0.0 : Andrew Tye walks in at number 8, replacing his skipper.
18.2 : A Russell to A Tye, Fired in around middle and leg, angling down, Tye misses his flick and the ball goes off his pads towards third man. A leg bye taken.
18.3 : A Russell to Sam Curran, FOUR! Brilliant execution. Good length ball on off, Curran comes across his off stump and hits it over fine leg for a boundary. Punjab need him to continue this onslaught.
18.4 : A Russell to Sam Curran, FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries! Curran is playing a lovely cameo here. A length ball, around leg stump, Curran backs away and swings it over mid on. Piyush Chawla tries to get across from long on to his right but cannot get there. The ball bounces just in front of the ropes. The third umpire checks it and confirms.
18.5 : A Russell to Sam Curran, Good comeback from Russell. Back of a length ball around off, Curran pulls it but does not time it well. It goes towards deep mid-wicket for a single.
18.6 : A Russell to A Tye, Well directed bouncer from Russell to end the over. It is around the body, Tye looks to pull it but misses.
Final over then. Is 180 still on?
19.1 : H Gurney to Sam Curran, Full on middle, Sam Curran swings his bat at it and it goes wide of deep mid-wickey. Curran gets a couple.
Is that a run out as well? Kolkata are not celebrating and there is hardly any amusement. Curran has dived in and from the replays, it seems like Sam is in when Karthik whipped off the bails. The third umpire is looking into it and Curran coolly calls for a drink.
19.2 : H Gurney to Sam Curran,NOT OUT! Sam Curran is safe. Good length ball outside off, Curran pulls it again wide of deep mid-wicket. Sam looks for two and calls for it straight away. The throw is at the keeper's end. Sam Curran rushes for the second and puts in a desperate dive. Dinesh Karthik dislodges the bails. The umpire goes upstairs, replays roll in and show that the dive saved Curran.
19.3 : H Gurney to Sam Curran, FOUR! Stand and deliver! Full and outside off, a touch wide, Curran initially covers his stumps but then gets his left leg out of the way and creams this over cover for a one-bounce boundary!
19.4 : H Gurney to Sam Curran, SIX! Another clean hit and this one goes all the way! A length ball, around middle and leg, Curran comes down the track and swings it into oblivion over long on!
STAT ALERT - This is Punjab's 100th six of the tournament!
19.5 : H Gurney to Sam Curran, FOUR! Innovative! Curran walks across his stumps, gets a length delivery around middle and just paddles it wide of Piyush Chawla at long leg! Half century for the Englishman, what a knock it has been!
19.6 : H Gurney to Sam Curran, FOUR! WHAM! 22 runs from the final over and Punjab finish on 183/6! A full toss, around leg stump, Curran just whips it over square leg and finds the boundary!
WOW! What a finish this is for Punjab. Take a bow Sam Curran. 22 off the last over has taken Punjab over 180. Curran's unbeaten 24 ball 55 has given Punjab the edge in this fixture at the halfway mark.
Kolkata won the toss and asked Punjab to bat first. Their innings did not get off the best start. They lost both the openers inside the Powerplay. But Mayank Agarwal and Nicholas Pooran rebuilt the innings with their 69-run stand. Pooran was the aggressor, scoring 48 off 27 but once he got out. The scoring rate dropped down and it looked like 180 would tough to reach. But Sam Curran came in and had other ideas. He took the charge and his blitzkrieg innings of 55 off 24 balls has taken them 183.
As for Kolkata's bowling, Sandeep Warrier was the star with the ball picking up 2 for 31 off his four. Gurney, Rana and Russell also got a wicket each. But apart from Narine the rest were expensive. With Chawla, Gurnery and Russell going at almost 10 in an over. Gurney was having a good night before the final over. His figures before the final over read 3-0-19-1 but he ended with the figures off 4-0-41-1.
So 184 to get off the 20 overs. It will take some good batting from Kolkata to achieve this target in this big ground where there is some spin on offer. Punjab will hope that the bowlers can do the job now and defend this target. The chase begins in a while. Don't forget to join us.
0.0 : We are back for the chase. The Punjab players are out in the middle. Shubman Gill and Chris Lynn follow them out and they are the openers for Kolkata. Mohammed Shami has the new ball in hand for Punjab.
0.1 : M Shami to S Gill, Shami starts with a full length delivery outsid eoff, Gill gets on his front foot and blocks it.
0.2 : M Shami to S Gill, The chase is off the mark. Good length ball outside off, Gill cuts it towards point. Murugan Ashwin dives to his left and stops the ball but cannot stop the single.
0.3 : M Shami to C Lynn, Lynn is off the mark straightaway. Good length ball outside off, Lynn punches it to sweeper cover and gets to the other end.
0.4 : M Shami to S Gill, Good length ball on off, it comes in after pitching. Gill looks to defend but it goes towards square leg off the inner half of his bat. He gets to the other end.
0.5 : M Shami to C Lynn, Length ball on middle, Lynn calmly defends it.
0.6 : M Shami to C Lynn, Good length ball outside off, Lynn shows no foot moment and looks to cut it but it goes off the inner half of his bat towards Shami. Tidy start from Shami. Just 3 runs off it.
Arshdeep Singh to share the new-ball attack with Shami.
1.1 : A Singh to S Gill, Arshdeep starts with a good length ball outside off, Gill plays it to the man at point.
1.2 : A Singh to S Gill, Slightly fuller around off, Gill pushes it to the man at cover.
1.3 : A Singh to S Gill, Good length ball on the pads, Gill flicks it away to the on side for a single.
1.4 : A Singh to C Lynn, Length ball on middle and leg, Lynn nudges it wide of square leg and gets a couple.
1.5 : A Singh to C Lynn, SIX! That was six the moment it left the bat. Good length ball on middle and leg, Lynn moves his front leg and deposits it into the crowd over mid-wicket for a maximum. The bowler did not even bother looking.
1.6 : A Singh to C Lynn, Backs away to the leg side and punches it wide of mid off for a single.
2.1 : M Shami to C Lynn, Slapped hard but only for a single. Good length ball outside off, Lynn slaps it to sweeper cover and gets a single.
2.2 : M Shami to S Gill,Low full toss on off, Gill blocks it.
2.3 : M Shami to S Gill, FOUR! Fantastic shot from Gill. That was just classy from Gill. Good length ball on middle and off, Gill flicks it nonchalantly through mid-wicket for a boundary.
2.4 : M Shami to S Gill, Good length ball around off, Gill tucks it to the on side and gets a single.
2.5 : M Shami to C Lynn, A length ball outside off, Chris backs away and punches it over the bowler towards mid off. Ravichandran Ashwin dives full length to his right and makes a half-stop. Lynn wants the second but is sent back just in time before Ash can recover.
2.6 : M Shami to S Gill, A short ball, outside off, Gill backs away and slaps it towards mid off.
3.1 : A Singh to C Lynn, A short ball, around middle, Lynn looks to pull but gets a thick inside edge onto his pads. The ball rolls behind but Lynn does not know where it has gone. He wants a single but Arshdeep hurries across and the Aussie scampers back.
3.2 : A Singh to C Lynn, FOUR! WHOOSH! A length ball, outside off, Lynn just crashes this between mid off and cover!
3.3 : A Singh to C Lynn, FOUR! Make that two in two. Full on off, Lynn takes his front foot out of the equation and thrashes it through mid off for a boundary. Pressure on young Arshdeep Singh now.
3.4 : A Singh to C Lynn, FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries for Lynn. Singh bowls it short down the leg side, Lynn helps it on its way with a pull. Pooran dives to his left but cannot stop it and the outfield is so quick that it was always going to be a boundary once it went past him.
3.5 : A Singh to C Lynn, This was also going miles. Slower ball, following the batsman down the leg side, Lynn misses his pull as he is way too early into it. Is hit on the thigh pad and it is just a leg bye.
3.6 : A Singh to S Gill, Full on off, Gill strokes it to long on. The fielder there misfields in the deep which allows them to get a couple.
Ravichandran Ashwin has got himself into the attack.
4.1 : R Ashwin to C Lynn, FOUR! Not the start Ashwin wanted. Floated outside off, Lynn goes for the drive but gets a thick outside edge through the vacant slip region for a boundary.
4.2 : R Ashwin to C Lynn, Tossed up on leg, Lynn looks to play it but misses and gets hit on the pads.
4.3 : R Ashwin to C Lynn, SIX! Huge that is out of here. Flighted around off, Lynn smacks it over long off for a maximum. Lynnsanity continues.
4.4 : R Ashwin to C Lynn, Flighted outside off, Lynn looks to hit it but gets an inside edge onto the pads.
4.5 : R Ashwin to C Lynn, Tossed up outside off, Lynn looks to drive but gets a thick outside edge. It falls short of the man at short third man.
4.6 : R Ashwin to C Lynn, On the pads, Lynn flicks it wide of deep mid-wicket and gets a couple. 12 runs off the skipper's first.
Andrew Tye time.
5.1 : A Tye to S Gill, FOUR! Excellent placement. A short ball, around middle, Gill just plays a Nataraja pull shot with a horizontal bat and gets it behind square leg! 50 UP FOR KOLKATA! This is a lovely start by the tourists.
5.2 : A Tye to S Gill, The batsman defends it from within the crease.
5.3 : A Tye to S Gill, Outside off, punched through the covers for a single.
5.4 : A Tye to C Lynn, TOP EDGE, SIX! More luck for the visiting side. A short ball, following the batsman, down the leg side, Lynn goes after it with a pull but the extra bounce does him in. However, the top edge sails over square leg!
5.5 : A Tye to C Lynn, FOUR! Bonus runs. Around middle and leg, Lynn swings hard but gets an inside edge past the leg stump and short fine leg!
5.6 : A Tye to C Lynn, OUT! Caught! Tye has the last laugh. A short ball again, once more Lynn takes on the pull challenge and gets another top edge. This one though, is straight up in the air and Tye runs to his right and takes it. Throws the ball down in disgust after completing the catch. Lynn departs for 46 from 22 and this has given Kolkata a wonderful platform. 122 more needed from 84 balls.
Robin Uthappa walks out at number 3. Also, Murugan Ashwin is introduced into the attack.
6.1 : M Ashwin to R Uthappa, Strats with a tossed up delivery on the pads, Uthappa flicks it away to the on side and gets off the mark.
6.2 : M Ashwin to S Gill, Floated outside off, Gill drives it towards cover. Ravichandran Ashwin there looks to stop the ball with a dive but cannot stop it. He deflects it away and the batsmen get a couple.
6.3 : M Ashwin to S Gill, On the pads, Gill flicks it towards mid-wicket and gets a single.
6.4 : M Ashwin to R Uthappa, Around off, Uthappa plays it to cover and rotates the strike.
6.5 : M Ashwin to S Gill, Driven towards the mid-on region. One run added to the total.
6.6 : M Ashwin to R Uthappa, Flighted on middle, Uthappa nudges it to long on and keeps the strike.
7.1 : R Ashwin to R Uthappa, On the pads, Uthappa flicks it to the man in the deep at mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
7.2 : R Ashwin to S Gill, Tossed up on on off, Gill milks it to long off and gets to the other end.
7.3 : R Ashwin to R Uthappa, Flighted on off, Robbie hits it straight to the man at cover.
7.4 : R Ashwin to R Uthappa, Floated on middle and off, Uthappa looks to play the reverse sweep but does nit time it well and hits it to point.
7.5 : R Ashwin to R Uthappa, The batsman has punched that ball through the offside. One run added to the total
7.6 : R Ashwin to S Gill, Floated on middle and leg, Gill nudges it to long on and keeps the strike. 1 runs off the last two overs. 111 needed off 72.
8.1 : M Ashwin to S Gill, Tossed up around leg stump, whipped towards mid-wicket for a single.
8.2 : M Ashwin to R Uthappa, MISFIELD, FOUR! Rahul is the culprit. Too full, around middle, Uthappa whips it wide of long on. Rahul runs to his right and looks to pick it up with both hands but misses. The ball goes right through his legs and it is a bonus boundary.
8.3 : M Ashwin to R Uthappa, SIX! AUDACIOUS! Tossed up, around off, Uthappa hammers it straight back over the bowler's head for half a dozen!
8.4 : M Ashwin to R Uthappa, FOUR! Pressure on Murugan. Uthappa was expecting this one to be short given that the previous full ball was tonked. Ashwin gave him his wish and Uthappa was ready, from the crease and cut it behind point for a boundary.
8.5 : M Ashwin to R Uthappa, Fired on the pads, worked through square leg for a run.
8.6 : M Ashwin to S Gill, Full on middle, pushed down to long on for one. 17 from the over!
STRATEGIC BREAK. Punjab need this badly. Lynnsanity has come and gone but Kolkata are making full use of the excellent platform. Nearly half the runs have been scored in less than half the overs and the required run rate is down to 8.6 now. Uthappa has looked in fluent touch and is threatening to take the game by the scruff of its neck. SAM CURRAN introduced.
9.1 : Sam Curran to S Gill, On middle, worked through mid-wicket for a single.
9.2 : Sam Curran to R Uthappa, The ball has found the edge of the bat. They pick up a single.
9.3 : Sam Curran to S Gill, FOUR! Classic batting. A length ball outside off, Gill just punches it wide of mid off and gets a boundary!
9.4 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
9.5 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Outside off, punched to the off side.
9.6 : Sam Curran to S Gill, A short ball, pulled nicely through mid-wicket for a couple.
R Ashwin returns.
10.1 : R Ashwin to R Uthappa, Short and outside off, cut through point for a single.
10.2 : R Ashwin to S Gill, Full and outside off, driven through mid off for a run.
10.3 : R Ashwin to R Uthappa, OUT! Caught! Straight to the man. Uthappa throws his wicket away. Full and outside off, Robbie looks to go inside out but cannot quite time it cleanly. Mayank Agarwal at long off takes a dolly. A bit of a good period for Punjab.
Andre Russell walks in at number 4, replacing Uthappa.
10.4 : R Ashwin to A Russell, Outside off, pushed through the covers for a single.
10.5 : R Ashwin to S Gill, Full and outside off, driven straight to cover.
10.6 : R Ashwin to S Gill, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
11.1 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Good length ball on off, Gill tucks it towards mid-wicket and gives Russell the strike.
11.2 : Sam Curran to A Russell, WIDE! Curran misses his line and bowls it outside leg, Russell shoulders arms to it and the umpire stretches his arms out to signal wide.
Sam Curran to A Russell, Good length ball on middle and off, Russell looks to defend it but gets an inside edge. It goes onto hit the box and he takes a single. The fielder there has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.
11.3 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Length ball around off, Gill punches it towards cover and takes a single.
11.4 : Sam Curran to A Russell, FOUR! Russell has introduced himself. Good length ball outside off, Russell gets on top of it and slashes it through covers for a boundary.
11.5 : Sam Curran to A Russell, Bouncer from Sam. Russell sways away from it. He looks at the square leg umpire looking for a wide but it is not given.
11.6 : Sam Curran to A Russell, Back of a length ball outside off, Russell swings his bat but misses. Pooran asks the question but neither the bowler nor the umpire is interested.
12.1 : R Ashwin to S Gill, SIX! Great start to the over. The carrom ball, around middle and leg, Gill comes down the track and sends it sailing over long on! Sanjay Manjrekar on air observes that Ravi Ash is bowling only carrom balls to right-handers.
12.2 : R Ashwin to S Gill, Outside off, punched straight to cover.
12.3 : R Ashwin to S Gill, SIX! What a shot! Young Shubman Gill is winning the battle against Ravichandran Ashwin. Ashwin takes a slight pause before delivering the ball. It does not distract Gill and he slog sweeps it over the square leg fence for a maximum.
12.4 : R Ashwin to S Gill, Outside off, Shubman looks to cut but gets a bottom edge towards cover.
12.5 : R Ashwin to S Gill, WIDE! Pressure on the skipper. Darts this well outside off, left alone.
R Ashwin to S Gill, FOUR! This is class batting from Gill. he gets to his fifty with the boundary. What an innings this has been from the young batsman. He has grabbed his opportunity as the opener. Shorter around off, Gill cuts it through backward point for a boundary to get to his fifty. He raises his bat in appreciation of the crowd and his family in the crowd is happy.
12.6 : R Ashwin to S Gill, Pushes this through mid on for a run more. 18 from the over, Punjab look all at sea here.
Andrew Tye returns. 1-0-15-1 so far.
13.1 : A Tye to S Gill, Pushes this down to long on for a single.
13.2 : A Tye to A Russell, Follows the batsman down the leg side, Russell chips it through mid-wicket and returns for the second.
13.3 : A Tye to A Russell, WIDE. A bouncer down the leg side, Andre backs away.
A Tye to A Russell, SIX! Is there any use of looking at it? Low full toss on middle. It is not easy to get under those but the form this man is in he can and will hit anything. Russell gets under it and heaves it over square leg for a maximum.SIX! Is there any use of looking at it? Low full toss on middle. It is not easy to get under those but the form this man is in he can and will hit anything. He gets under it and heaves it over square leg for a maximum.
13.4 : A Tye to A Russell, WIDE! Bouncer bounces too high. Russell does not attempt any shot as it goes over him.
A Tye to A Russell, Good length ball outside off, Russell swings his bat at it but misses.
13.5 : A Tye to A Russell, Bouncer! Good one from Tye. It is on the body, Russell ducks underneath it.
13.6 : A Tye to A Russell, DROPPED AND SIX! Mayank Agarwal is the culprit. Full outside off, Russell swings his bat at it. He does not time it well and Mayank Agarwal inside the ropes looks to catch it with the fingers pointed to the sky. The ball somehow hits his palm and goes away into the ropes. The umpire go upstairs to see whether it hit the rope or ground first and replay shows it hit the ropes.
STAT ALERT - Andre Russell completes 500 runs in the League this season, becoming the third player to do so after David Warner (692 runs) and KL Rahul (522 runs).
Mohammed Shami returns. 2-0-10-0 so far.
14.1 : M Shami to S Gill, Good length ball on the pads, Gill works it behind square for a single.
14.2 : M Shami to A Russell, Shorter delivery on middle and leg, Russell looks to pull it over mid-wicket but misses.
14.3 : M Shami to A Russell, FOUR! Short, wide and punished. Give Russell some room and he will not miss it. Length ball outside off, Russell smacks it through covers for a boundary. 50-run stand comes up between the two off just 28 balls.
14.4 : M Shami to A Russell, Good length ball on middle and leg, Russell looks to play it across the line but misses.
14.5 : M Shami to A Russell, OUT! Punjab have got the big fish they wanted. Shami has given them the big wicket. Mayank Agarwal breathes a sigh of relief. Shorter delivery on the body, Russell goes for the pull but top edges it. The ball goes high in the air towards deep mid-wicket. Andrew Tye keeps his eyes on the ball and settles under it to take the catch. It was in his bowling that Russell was dropped. But he helps out his colleague. Can Punjab crawl their way back into this one now?
The skipper Dinesh Karthik is in.
14.6 : M Shami to S Gill, Full on leg side, Gill looks to flick it but misses. The ball goes towards fine leg and they sneak through a leg bye.
Sam Curran is back on. 2-0-16-0 so far.
15.1 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Outside off, punched through the covers where skipper Ashwin dives and makes a wonderful stop. Even has a shy at the bowler's end but misses and cannot stop the single.
15.2 : Sam Curran to D Karthik, A short ball, pulled through mid-wicket for a run.
15.3 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Full on middle and leg, flicked through mid-wicket for a couple.
15.4 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Outside off, punched straight to cover.
15.5 : Sam Curran to S Gill, A wide ball outside off, Gill slashes hard but misses
15.6 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Played through mid-wicket by the batsman. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
Strategic break. 27 needed off 24 balls with 7 wckets in hand. The game is clearly in Kolkata's favour but we have seen teams blow it up from here in the past. Kolkata have a well-set, young Shubman Gill along with the experienced and calm-headed skipper, Dinesh Karthik. Kolkata will hope these two can see it through. Punjab will need a miracle to save this one. Andrew Tye to bowl after the break.
16.1 : A Tye to D Karthik, Good length ball on middle and leg, Karthik turns it down to fine leg and gets a single.
16.2 : A Tye to S Gill, Full on middle and leg, Gill milks it to long on and gets a single.
16.3 : A Tye to D Karthik, Low full toss on middle, Karthik flicks it to deep mid-wicket and rotates the strike.
16.4 : A Tye to S Gill, FOUR! Gill wants to see his side home and he is showing class and maturity here. Good length ball on middle and off, Gill pulls it hard through mid-wicket for a boundary.
16.5 : A Tye to S Gill, Now a single. Full on middle and leg, Gill strokes it to long on and gives Karthik the strike.
16.6 : A Tye to D Karthik, Full on off, Karthik milks it to long off and keeps the strike. Just 18 needed off the last 3 now.
17.1 : Sam Curran to D Karthik, Full on off, Karthik plays it to long on and takes an easy single.
17.2 : Sam Curran to S Gill, Back of a length ball on off, Gill pulls it to deep mid-wicket and gets to the other end.
17.3 : Sam Curran to D Karthik, FOUR! Nothing wrong with the delivery but this has just not been Punjab's evening. Yorker outside off, Karthik was looking to run it down towards third man but it goes off the outside edge towards the intended region for a boundary.
17.4 : Sam Curran to D Karthik, WIDE! Bouncer is too high. Karthik sways away and it goes over his head. Wide signalled.
Sam Curran to D Karthik, Length ball outside off, Karthik cuts it wide of point and gets a couple. Required runs now in single digit. 9 needed now.
17.5 : Sam Curran to D Karthik, SIX! Just three needed now. Back of a length ball, Karthik pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
17.6 : Sam Curran to D Karthik, FOUR! That's the end of the game. The skipper hits the winning shot. Full on the pads, Karthik flicks it away fine of fine leg for a boundary. KOLKATA WIN BY 7 WICKETS.
Done and dusted. With 12 balls to spare. This is a real romp from Kolkata, chasing a target in excess of 180. They breathe again. Punjab are onto a ventilator.
One did expect Kolkata to chase this down with the dew on offer and tonight, there was no issue with the batting. One of the rare few games where we saw an almost clinical approach from the visiting side. The 62-run opening stand between Gill and Lynn set things up and then, after the Aussie got out, Gill stayed till the end, ensuring that the game was not dragged till the end.
Punjab were a no-match with the ball. Apart from Shami, every bowler went for more than 9 an over. There was hardly any pressure built and if truth be told, the dew did not make things any easier.
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin, says that it was a par score and they have defended 175 here but the wicket was really good tonight and the dew played a part. Credits Shubman Gill for the way he played. Tells that the edges don't help. Tells that Sam Curran batted well and says that they know about his talents with the bat.
Chris Lynn is up for chat next. He says that they missed playing with a smile on their face in the last few games and he is happy that the team has found that. Tells that it was a good performance even though Curran played a good innings. He tells that momentum is very important in this format and they had it. He also credits Gill for the innings he played tonight. Smile and says that he was not at the other end of Dinesh Karthik's bashing but says it is a part of the game.
Victorious Kolkata skipper, Dinesh Karthik, says that they have another day and it important that they are still alive. On his mood, he says that he was not happy with the bowlers and fielders' performance in the break. Smiles and says it is a rare behaviour and says that he just stays true to himself. Says they gave 10 runs too many in the end but credits Sam Curran for the way he batted. Says that the ground is big but feels they did the small things well in this game. On Gill, Karthik says he
SHUBMAN GILL HAS BEEN NAMED THE MAN OF THE MATCH. Man of the match, Shubman Gill, says he feels great to win his first Man Of The Match award at his home ground. Tells that it was important to build partnerships. Says his whole family was there and it was great playing in front of his home crowd. Adds that he is still figuring out his game in T20s.
Okay then! Kolkata move to 12, 5th spot. Punjab stay on 10, on 7th, hanging on to some life support. We are almost there to the end of the league stage. Just one weekend to go. Four matches. Super Saturday sees Delhi meet Rajasthan at 4 pm local (1030 GMT) followed by the Bangalore-Hyderabad clash at 8 pm local (1430 GMT). ADIOS! TAKE CARE!