RCB vs KKR, Indian Premier League, 2021: Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Eliminator Squad Updates and Match Summary

nd Innings Kolkata Knight Riders

We are done with the Eliminator. Bangalore exit and Kolkata stay in the hunt. Next up, on Wednesday, at 6 pm local (2 pm GMT), we have the all-important Qualifier 2 coming up. Delhi and Kolkata will be crossing swords to win the ticket to the finale. Do join us for all the action. Cheers!

Sunil Narine had a game to remember. He picked up the prized wickets of Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers, Srikar Bharat and Glenn Maxwell and then played a handy cameo (26 off 15 balls) to hurt Bangalore even more. He is the unanimous choice for the Man of the Match award. The West Indian says that it was a match-winning performance and he is very happy for the team. Adds that he likes to do what the team requires. Tells that he enjoyed all his wickets but Kohli's wicket was very important. Shares that with his new bowling action, he is not yet like before but he is getting there. Mentions that it was a good performance from the whole team and hopes to win two more games.

Eoin Morgan, the victorious skipper of Kolkata, is up for a chat. Says that Sunil Narine makes it look very easy. Further says that the bowlers did a good job to get them back in the game. Adds that it's a huge privilege to have world-class spinners in the team. Regarding the depth of Kolkata's batting, Morgan replies that when it comes off, it looks quite strong and deep. Mentions that it's onwards and upwards for them. On playing in Sharjah, Morgan says that for them it was about adjusting to the conditions and seeing what the wicket does. He is looking forward to the next match against Delhi. Calls Sunil Narine a true legend of T20 cricket and adds that they are delighted to have him.

Shubman Gill is up for a chat as well. Says that it is a big win for them and adds that not many gave them a chance coming into the UAE leg. Mentions that after a bad run in the Indian leg, he wanted to spend some time in the middle. Adds that he was batting well and it was just a matter of spending time in the middle. About the next game, Gill says that Delhi are a well-balanced unit but Kolkata will have the advantage of playing on this ground as they are accustomed to it more than Delhi. He signs off by saying that after a bad Powerplay, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakravarthy were brilliant and wickets in the middle overs helped them in restricting Bangalore to a low total.

Virat Kohli, the captain of Bangalore, starts by saying that during the middle overs, the Kolkata spinners dominated the game, which was the difference. Adds that they started pretty well but they could not make the most of it in the middle overs. Mentions his bowlers fought till the very end and just a huge over in the middle took the game away from them. On Narine, Kohli says that he has been a really good asset and he showed his value in this match. Virat also praises the efforts of Shakib Al Hasan and Varun Chakravarthy. Regarding him leaving the captaincy, Kohli says that he has tried his best to create a culture in this franchise where the youngsters can come and play with freedom. States that this is a great time to regroup and hopes they build a strong side for the coming years. Ends by saying that for him loyalty matters and he will stay with Bangalore till the last day he plays in this League.

Presentation time...

That's all from Bangalore in this edition. It was a fantastic season for them but unfortunately, their campaign ends here. In this game, their openers provided them with a great start but the Kolkata spinners stopped their charge in the middle overs and didn't allow them any breathing space. 138 was never going to be enough but still, Bangalore fought hard. Harshal Patel and Yuzvendra Chahal were brilliant with the ball and the former finished this season with 32 wickets, the joint-most in a single edition by a bowler.

With the required rate in control, Kolkata decided to send Sunil Narine up the order to completely kill the chase. The West Indian responded by hammering the 12th over bowled by Dan Christian for 22 runs. After that, there was no scoreboard pressure on Kolkata and despite Mohammed Siraj's twin blows in the 18th over, Kolkata crossed the line with the sensible heads of Eoin Morgan and Shakib Al Hasan steering them home.

A nicely-planned chase from Kolkata, however, they would have liked to close the game earlier than the last over. On a tricky surface of Sharjah, Powerplay was going to be very crucial and Kolkata did well to put 48 runs on the board. Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill played very smartly to construct a stand. The fall of Gill's wicket was followed by the departure of Rahul Tripathi but, Iyer joined hands with Nitish Rana to form a crucial 26-run partnership as that was the moment when Bangalore were looking to snatch the momentum away. By the time Venkatesh Iyer was dismissed in the 11th over, the equation was very simple as Kolkata needed 60 off 54 balls.

A close finish but Kolkata have crossed the line and they have booked a date with Delhi in Qualifier 2. Bangalore have missed the bus yet again. A disappointing end to Virat Kohli's stint as the captain of Bangalore. He remains without the trophy.

19.4

over

19.4 | 7 Runs | HH: 139/6

19.4

Dan Christian to Shakib Al Hasan, A yorker around off, Shakib Al Hasan jams it out on the surface and takes a quick single. KOLKATA WIN BY 4 WICKETS.

19.3

Dan Christian to Eoin Morgan, Scores level! A length ball, on off. Eoin Morgan chops it to point for a quick single.

19.2

Dan Christian to Shakib Al Hasan, A length ball, on off. Shakib Al Hasan looks to pull but gets an inside edge to short fine leg for a single. 2 needed now off 4 balls.

19.1

Dan Christian to Shakib Al Hasan, FOUR! 3 needed now! A full ball, around off, Shakib Al Hasan shuffles across and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary. Using all his experience here, Shakib Al Hasan.

Dan Christian to bowl the final over. He was smacked for 22 runs in his only over.

over

19 | 5 Runs | HH: 132/6

18.6

George Garton to Eoin Morgan, Appeal for a caught behind but Srikar Bharat is the only one appealing! A slower short ball, on off, Eoin Morgan looks to pull but misses it. 7 needed in 6 balls.

18.5

George Garton to Shakib Al Hasan, A length ball, angling on the pads. Shakib Al Hasan whips it to fine leg for one more.

18.4

George Garton to Eoin Morgan, A length ball, outside off. Morgan guides it down to third man for a single.

18.3

George Garton to Eoin Morgan, Dot ball! A length ball, outside off. Morgan stays back and looks to cut but misses. Precious dot ball for Bangalore. 9 needed off 9 balls.

18.2

George Garton to Eoin Morgan, Two taken! This was full and on middle, Morgan flicks it wide of deep square leg and collects a brace.

18.1

George Garton to Shakib Al Hasan, On a length and on the pads. Shakib Al Hasan clips it to square leg for a single.

George Garton to bowl the penultimate over. He has gone for 24 runs in his 2 overs.

over

18 | 3 Runs | HH: 127/6

17.6

Mohammed Siraj to Eoin Morgan, Dot ball! A length ball, on off, Morgan taps it to point who does well to dive to his left and stop it. 12 needed in 12 balls.

17.5

Mohammed Siraj to Shakib Al Hasan, Full and on off, Shakib Al Hasan pushes it through covers for a single.

17.4

Mohammed Siraj to Dinesh Karthik, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Is there a twist in the tale? A length ball, outside off. Karthik hangs back and looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge to the keeper. Bharat does well to take a low catch. He is claiming the catch and DK starts to walk off. He is made to wait near the fence as the umpires want to get it checked. The third umpire watches multiple angles and eventually decides that the gloves are underneath the ball. 13 needed off 14 balls.

Is that out? Srikar Bharat is up and running in celebration. Has he taken the catch cleanly? The umpire takes it upstairs just to confirm. It appears touch and go. The third umpire is taking his time, watching multiple angles. Eventually, he decides that the gloves are underneath the ball and Dinesh Karthik will have to depart.

17.3

Mohammed Siraj to Eoin Morgan, Very full and on middle, Morgan clips it to mid on. Glenn Maxwell has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Slight drama there, Karthik was trying to drag his bat inside the crease but Kohli came in his way. Anyway, the throw was not backed up and they take a run.

Eoin Morgan, the skipper walks out at number 7.

17.2

Mohammed Siraj to Sunil Narine, OUT! TIMBER! Bangalore keep on believing! A length ball, around middle and off. Sunil Narine is too early as he looks to swing across the line and fails to connect any part of his bat on it. The ball sneaks under his bat and disturbs the stumps. 14 required in 16 balls.

17.1

Mohammed Siraj to Dinesh Karthik, Full and angling on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket for a single.

over

17 | 4 Runs | HH: 124/4

16.6

Harshal Patel to Dinesh Karthik, Another slower ball, full and outside off. Dinesh Karthik dabs it to third man for a single. End of an excellent spell from Harshal Patel. 15 needed in 18 balls.

16.5

Harshal Patel to Dinesh Karthik, Another slower ball, full and on off. Karthik tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

16.4

Harshal Patel to Sunil Narine, LEG BYE! A slower ball, full and angling on the pads. Narine looks to heave it but misses and gets hit on the pads. A leg bye is taken as it rolls to square leg.

16.3

Harshal Patel to Sunil Narine, A yorker now, on middle, Narine digs it out on the leg side.

16.2

Harshal Patel to Dinesh Karthik, Full and on off, drilled down to wide long on for a single.

16.1

Harshal Patel to Sunil Narine, DROPPED! Bangalore have been poor in the field. A full ball, angling around leg at 117.2 kph, Narine looks to heave it on the leg side but gets a leading edge high in the air towards mid on. Devdutt Padikkal tracks back from mid-wicket but fails to catch it. A single.

Harshal Patel comes back into the attack to bowl his last over.

over

16 | 8 Runs | HH: 120/4

15.6

Glenn Maxwell to Sunil Narine, Loopy ball, angling on middle, Narine rocks back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 19 needed off 24 balls.

15.5

Glenn Maxwell to Dinesh Karthik, Short and outside off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

15.4

Glenn Maxwell to Sunil Narine, Flatter and on middle, Narine hits it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single.

15.3

Glenn Maxwell to Dinesh Karthik, Flighted, on middle, Karthik turns it to square leg for a single.

15.2

Glenn Maxwell to Dinesh Karthik, Again short but on middle, Karthik looks to pull but under-edges it back on the deck.

15.1

Glenn Maxwell to Dinesh Karthik, FOUR! Good shot! Short and around off. Dinesh Karthik hangs back and smashes it over covers for a boundary.

Strategic Time-Out! 27 needed in 30 balls. It looks quite an easy chase for Kolkata but nothing can be said as the pressure of the Eliminator is there. A wicket here and the pressure will be back on Kolkata. What will happen next? Glenn Maxwell is back on. A vital over.

over

15 | 2 Runs | HH: 112/4

14.6

Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Floated, around middle, DK goes back and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. He gets off the mark. Chahal ends his 4-over spell with 2 for 16. He has given his side a glimmer of hope. Can Bangalore build on it?

14.5

Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, Flatter and outside off, Dinesh Karthik looks to cut it away. The ball takes the inside edge and rolls out.

14.4

Yuzvendra Chahal to Dinesh Karthik, A dot now! Quicker. Full and on off, Karthik comes across and defends it onto the pitch.

14.3

Yuzvendra Chahal to Sunil Narine, Full and on off. Narine pushes it to long off for a single.

Dinesh Karthik walks out now.

14.2

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, OUT! CAUGHT! Needless from Nitish Rana. There was no need for him to play this shot. He has given Bangalore a sniff here. Anyway, with Narine at the other end, Nitish should have left the big-hitting for him. It's floated, full and around middle, Rana gets low and slog-sweeps it aerially towards wide long on. He does not middle it at all. AB de Villiers settles under it in the deep and takes the skier safely. 29 needed off 34 balls.

14.1

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, Full and on the pads, Rana tucks it to mid-wicket.

over

14 | 3 Runs | HH: 110/3

13.6

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, Make it 3 with a single on the final ball. Back of a length, on off. Rana hangs back and guides it past the keeper towards third man. The batters cross for a single.

13.5

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, Touch short and on off, Rana swivels and looks to pull it away but does not connect well. The ball hits his arms and rolls to the off side. Just 2 runs off the over so far.

13.4

Harshal Patel to Sunil Narine, On a length, outside off. Narine punches it through covers off the back foot for another single, at sweeper cover.

13.3

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, Rana skips down the track to a full-length delivery, outside off. He throws his bat at it. The ball takes the bottom end and goes to third man for a single.

13.2

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, Fuller and outside off. Rana hangs back and pushes it gently to point.

13.1

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, A length ball, on off. Rana defends it to the leg side.

Harshal Patel (2-0-13-2) is back into the attack.

over

13 | 6 Runs | HH: 107/3

12.6

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, Another single to end the over! On the pads, Rana tucks it to deep square leg. The batters cross for a single. The runs are ticking for Kolkata. 6 from this one.

12.5

Yuzvendra Chahal to Sunil Narine, Loopy ball, on middle. Narine sweeps it through square leg for one.

12.4

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, Darted on the pads, Rana clips it to square leg for another run.

12.3

Yuzvendra Chahal to Sunil Narine, Flatter and on the pads. Narine pushes it to point for a run. Sensible.

12.2

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, Full and on middle. Rana gets low and works it to square leg for a quick single.

12.1

Yuzvendra Chahal to Sunil Narine, LEG BYE! Loopy ball, on leg. Narine looks to sweep it but misses. The ball rolls out off the pads. The batters collect a leg bye. A mild appeal from Chahal follows, nothing from the umpire.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back on.

over

12 | 22 Runs | HH: 101/3

11.6

Dan Christian to Sunil Narine, A length ball, on off. Narine hits it to long on for a single. 22 from the over and 38 needed now off 48 balls.

11.6

Dan Christian to Sunil Narine, WIDE! Full and sliding down leg. Narine leaves it alone. Wide called. 100 up!

11.5

Dan Christian to Sunil Narine, SIX! All the way. Narine is taking away the game here. He gets the third maximum of the over. Slower one, fuller and outside off. Good extension of arms by Narine. He gets under the ball and muscles it over the long off fence for a biggie. AB de Villiers leaps near the ropes but the ball goes over him with ease.

11.5

Dan Christian to Sunil Narine, WIDE! Pressure on the bowler now. He does not want to bowl in the hitting arc of Narine. A full-length ball, wide outside off. Narine leaves it alone. Wide called.

11.4

Dan Christian to Sunil Narine, SIX! Back-to-back maximums. It is all going right for Narine today. First with the ball now with the bat. Slower one, full and on leg. Narine hangs back and whips it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

11.3

Dan Christian to Sunil Narine, SIX! BANG! Narine has come out with the freedom to hit and he starts with a biggie. Slightly short and on middle, Sunil Narine camps back and looks to pull it away. The ball takes the top edge and flies over the fine leg fence.

11.2

Dan Christian to Nitish Rana, On a length, on off. Rana works it towards long on for a single.

11.1

Dan Christian to Nitish Rana, A length ball, on off. Rana hangs back and flicks it to mid-wicket.

Sunil Narine has been promoted up the order to bring the rate further down. Also, Dan Christian is into the attack.

over

11 | 5 Runs | HH: 79/3

10.6

Harshal Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Whenever Virat Kohli needs a wicket, he dials Harshal Patel's number. And he never disappoints. A tidy over by him and it ends with a prized wicket of Iyer. Patel serves a short ball, sliding down the leg side at 132.1 kph, Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and looks to pull it across the line. The ball takes the gloves and goes to the right of Srikar Bharat, who moves to that side and takes a good catch. 60 needed off 54 balls, this is still Kolkata's game to lose.

10.5

Harshal Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, A length ball, on off. Iyer stands tall and drives it to covers.

10.4

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, EDGY! Fuller and on off. Rana looks to push it to the off side. But the ball takes the inside edge, scoots past the stumps and goes to backward square leg. The batters cross for a single.

10.4

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, Wide! Attempted bouncer from Harshal but it's down the leg side, Rana lets it be.

10.3

Harshal Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Angles in a fuller delivery on off, Iyer drives it to the right of mid off and collects another run.

10.2

Harshal Patel to Nitish Rana, Fullish and outside off, Rana pushes it to covers and takes a single.

10.1

Harshal Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Fullish and around off, Venkatesh Iyer knocks it down to long on for a single.

Harshal Patel comes back into the attack.

over

10 | 13 Runs | HH: 74/2

9.6

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, FOUR! Another reverse-batted shot from Nitish Rana and this time he fetches a boundary. Fuller and on middle, Rana does very well to place it behind point for a boundary. 65 needed more at the halfway mark!

9.5

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, The batsman has just watchfully blocked this out.

9.4

Glenn Maxwell to Venkatesh Iyer, PUT DOWN! Costly, very costly for Bangalore. Shahbaz Ahmed is the culprit. Flatter and around leg, Venkatesh Iyer stands back and tries to turn it on the leg side. A bit lazy in his attempt and it flies off the top edge. Shahbaz Ahmed runs forward from deep square leg, attempts to take the catch by leaning a bit but spills the chance. The batters take one.

9.3

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, On middle, eased away to mid-wicket for a single.

9.2

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, SIX! This will release some pressure that was building. Glenn Maxwell is given the taste of his own medicine. Flighted and around middle, Nitish Rana gets into the position early and nails his reverse-batted shot behind short third man for a maximum.

9.1

Glenn Maxwell to Venkatesh Iyer, A bit short and around off, Iyer moves back and works it through mid-wicket for one.

over

9 | 4 Runs | HH: 61/2

8.6

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, Tossed up ball on middle, some extra bounce, Rana tries to sweep but misses. He is hit high on the pads. A quiet over from Chahal, 78 needed off 66 balls.

8.5

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, A nice loop on this delivery, full and on middle at 88.5 kph, Nitish Rana draws forward and defends it to the off side.

8.4

Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Chahal goes quicker this time, short and wide outside off, Venkatesh Iyer punches it from the back foot to deep cover for one.

8.3

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, Chahal goes flatter through the air, lands it short and on middle, Rana nudges it to the right of short 45 for a run.

8.2

Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Loopy and full on middle, Venkatesh Iyer plays the slog-sweep, not quite from the middle of the bat. It goes to deep mid-wicket and a run is taken.

8.1

Yuzvendra Chahal to Nitish Rana, Tossed up, full and on off, Rana defends it with gentle hands to point. It's in the gap and a single is taken.

over

8 | 4 Runs | HH: 57/2

7.6

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, Uppish but safe! Loopy delivery, full and around off, Nitish Rana advances down the track to drive it through the line but fails to keep it down. The short cover fielder dives across to his left but the ball just evades him. They cross for a single.

7.5

Glenn Maxwell to Venkatesh Iyer, Iyer stands back to a short ball and hits it through mid-wicket for a run.

7.4

Glenn Maxwell to Venkatesh Iyer, Iyer shows his back leg to put off the bowler. Maxwell delivers it full and around middle, Venkatesh Iyer sweeps but finds short fine leg.

7.3

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, A touch short and around off, Rana gets back and helps it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

7.2

Glenn Maxwell to Nitish Rana, Floated and full around off, Rana defends it off his front foot to cover-point.

7.1

Glenn Maxwell to Venkatesh Iyer, Fuller and around off, Venkatesh Iyer drives it a bit uppishly but past the diving bowler to long off for a single.

Nitish Rana walks out. Also, Glenn Maxwell is into the attack.

Review time! A review has been taken by Bangalore for an LBW. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows three reds and this is a brilliant review from Kohli.

over

7 | 5 Runs | HH: 53/2

6.6

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rahul Tripathi, OUT! LBW! Second wicket goes down! Yuzvendra Chahal dishes out a well-disguised googly. Lands it around off and gets it to turn into the batsman. Rahul Tripathi has not picked it at all. He remains on the back foot as he attempts to cut it through the line. The ball beats the bat and raps him on the pads. The appeal is made but the umpire shakes his head. Srikar Bharat advises his skipper to take the DRS and Virat Kohli obliges. UltraEdge shows no spike and the Ball Tracker has three reds. Excellent review. 86 needed off 78 balls.

6.5

Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter googly, around off, Iyer punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

6.4

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rahul Tripathi, This time Rahul Tripathi rotates the strike. Loopy and full on middle, Rahul sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

6.3

Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Dealing in singles at the moment and that's all needed for Kolkata. Full and around off, Iyer walks down the track and pushes it to long off for a single.

6.2

Yuzvendra Chahal to Rahul Tripathi, Chahal tosses it up and delivers it very full around leg, Rahul Tripathi knocks it down towards mid on and takes a single. 50 up!

6.1

Yuzvendra Chahal to Venkatesh Iyer, Full and floated on middle, Venkatesh Iyer flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

Strategic Time-Out! Who else but again it is the man with the golden arm, Harshal Patel who gives the breakthrough. It is still a long way for Bangalore but they need to chip wickets at regular intervals. Kolkata need a partnership as the required run rate is well under control. Also, a bowling change for Bangalore. Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack now.

over

6 | 8 Runs | HH: 48/1

5.6

Harshal Patel to Rahul Tripathi, FOUR! Rahul Tripathi is away with a boundary. Fuller in length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi leans into the shot and lofts it cleanly over cover-point for a boundary. At the end of the Powerplay, Kolkata are 48/1. 91 needed off 84 balls.

5.5

Harshal Patel to Rahul Tripathi, Back of a length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi stays back and plays it down to backward point.

5.4

Harshal Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Fullish again, around off, Iyer drives it to sweeper cover for one.

5.3

Harshal Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Fuller and around off, Iyer drives it aerially but with great timing. It's in the gap at extra cover and George Garton chases it down. Two taken.

Rahul Tripathi walks out at number 3.

5.2

Harshal Patel to Shubman Gill, OUT! Here is the first wicket for Bangalore and it's that man again who has done the job. Lovely deception from Harshal Patel. Slower and around middle, on a length at 114.3 kph, Shubman Gill shimmies down the track for a big heave across the line. The ball though arrives late to take the top edge. AB de Villiers gets underneath it at mid on and takes the skier safely. Wicket number 31 in this season for Patel and he has been the go-to bowler for Virat Kohli. Also, this is only the second wicket picked by Bangalore in the Powerplay of the UAE leg.

5.1

Harshal Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Slower and fuller, delivered from 'round the wicket with a big grunt, Venkatesh Iyer drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Harshal Patel is into the attack.

over

5 | 6 Runs | HH: 40/0

4.6

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, The over ends the way it started, with a couple at deep backward square leg. Siraj bowls a low full toss around leg, Gill eases it across the line for two. Another fine over by Mohammed Siraj.

4.5

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Full toss on middle, Iyer only manages to hit it past his partner. The mid on fielder cuts it off to his right and they take a single.

4.4

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Another dot. Fuller and on middle, Iyer steps back to make room but ends up pushing it back to the bowler off the toe end of his blade.

4.3

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Spears in a very full ball on middle, Venkatesh Iyer pushes it down towards wide mid on.

4.2

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, Fine stop at backward point! Back of a length, wide outside off, Gill slaps it square of the wicket on the off side. Devdutt Padikkal dives full length to his right and takes the pace off the ball. Saves three.

4.1

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, Siraj is into his third over now. Serves a full ball on the pads, Shubman Gill tucks it behind square leg and collects two.

over

4 | 15 Runs | HH: 34/0

3.6

George Garton to Shubman Gill, Make it 15 with a single on the final ball. Slower one, full and around off, Gill pushes it gently towards point and collects a run.

3.5

George Garton to Venkatesh Iyer, Fullish and angling in around off, Venkatesh Iyer uses his feet and strokes it to extra cover for one. 14 from the over, so far.

3.4

George Garton to Shubman Gill, Smart this time. Taps a length ball in the gap at covers and rotates the strike.

3.3

George Garton to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Shubman Gill gets lucky this time. A hat-trick of boundaries for Kolkata. George Garton delivers it full and in the line of the stumps, Shubman Gill steps back to hammer it through the off side but gets a big fat inside edge. It beats the stumps and scoots past the diving keeper for a boundary at fine leg.

3.2

George Garton to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Shot! As a result of the last shot, George Garton goes short and delivers it around off, this time Shubman Gill sits back inside the crease and pulls it thunderously to the deep mid-wicket fence. This is smart batting.

3.1

George Garton to Shubman Gill, FOUR! A good start to the over for Kolkata. Lovely footwork from Shubman Gill. He charges down the track to a full ball around off and drills it straight down the ground for a boundary.

over

3 | 3 Runs | HH: 19/0

2.6

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, A tidy second over from Siraj, he gave away just 3 this time. Fullish and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer pushes it down towards mid on.

2.5

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, A low full toss around off, Iyer brings his bat down in time and digs it out to backward point.

2.4

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, Width on offer outside off, Gill cuts it through point for a single.

2.3

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Around off on a length, Venkatesh Iyer taps it down to backward point and looks for a run. He is sent back and reaches the crease in time. Devdutt Padikkal scores a direct hit at the striker's end and the ball deflects towards square leg. They now cross for a run.

2.2

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, Shortish and outside off, cut away towards point for a single.

2.1

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, Fails to put it away. A full toss around off, Shubman Gill walks down the track and slaps it towards mid off. Dot.

over

2 | 9 Runs | HH: 16/0

1.6

George Garton to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! Two dots and Venkatesh Iyer releases the pressure with a biggie - first of the evening. George Garton digs in a short ball, around off, Iyer gets on top of the bounce and pulls it handsomely behind square leg for a maximum.

1.5

George Garton to Venkatesh Iyer, Pitches it up again, around off, Venkatesh Iyer this time drives towards covers but again it's not in the gap.

1.4

George Garton to Venkatesh Iyer, On a fuller length and outside off, Iyer drives it square of the wicket on the off side but finds point.

1.3

George Garton to Shubman Gill, Fullish and around off, Shubman Gill drives it down the ground and the call is for two. The mid off fielder moves across to his right to make a tumbling stop and only one results.

1.2

George Garton to Venkatesh Iyer, Mishit. George Garton darts in fuller delivery around middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer tries to flick but gets a leading edge towards covers. They steal a quick run.

1.1

George Garton to Shubman Gill, Back of a length on middle and leg, Shubman Gill glances it through square leg and rotates the strike.

Who will start from the other end? George Garton it is.

over

1 | 7 Runs | HH: 7/0

0.6

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Siraj comes from 'round the wicket now, full and angling in around off, Venkatesh Iyer drives it to mid off. 7 from the opening over!

0.5

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, Good stop by Chahal. On middle and leg, Gill tickles it towards short fine leg. Chahal does well to stop the racing ball and they take a single.

0.4

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, Pitches it up and outside off, Gill drives it off the front foot to mid off.

0.3

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, FOUR! Siraj once again drifts down the leg side, fuller and angling in, Shubman Gill flicks it with beautiful timing and places it through mid-wicket for a glorious boundary.

0.2

Mohammed Siraj to Venkatesh Iyer, Venkatesh Iyer attacks the width outside off. It's on a length and Iyer stands back to slap it to deep point. They get a run.

0.1

Mohammed Siraj to Shubman Gill, The chase is underway with a single. Siraj begins with a fuller delivery, around middle and leg, Shubman Gill flicks it to deep square leg to open his account.

st Innings Royal Challengers Bangalore

We are all set for the chase. The players of Bangalore are out in the middle. Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gill are the openers for Kolkata. Mohammed Siraj to start with the ball.

... THE RUN CHASE ...

Kolkata will be pleased with the way this match has gone so far. Now, the onus is on their batters to overhaul this target and secure a place in Qualifier 2. Kolkata have won all of their 4 matches while chasing in the UAE leg of the Indian T20 League 2021 and let's see what's in store this evening. Stay tuned for the chase...

The man of the moment, Sunil Narine is up for a chat. He says that it came out well. Adds that to bowl in tandem with other spinners is useful as it creates pressure. Adds that there was more grip than the last game and he thinks that they have done a good job to restrict Bangalore. Tells that he will take this score any day and hopes they will chase it down comfortably.

For a change, the Bangalore openers provided a steady start. There was a conscious effort from them to rotate the strike along with punishing the bad balls. Devdutt Padikkal got out in the last over of the Powerplay but the foundation was laid for Bangalore. However, Kolkata pulled things back through their spinners. They dried out the runs and it was followed by a steady procession of wickets. Sunil Narine was in red-hot form as he hunted down Srikar Bharat, Virat Kohli, AB de Villiers and Glenn Maxwell. Four prized scalps for the West Indian and he broke the batting of Bangalore with his clever bowling.

A commendable bowling show by Kolkata! They started a bit on the wrong note in the Powerplay but after that, they bounced back superbly. Kolkata unleashed their trio of spinners and Shakib, Varun and Narine did exceedingly well to pull things back in favour of Kolkata.

over

20 | 12 Runs | HH: 138/7

19.6

Shivam Mavi to Harshal Patel, BYE! A length ball, just outside off. Patel looks to heave it away but misses. Dinesh Karthik also fails to collect the ball. The batters sneak a bye. Bangalore end their innings at 138/7.

19.5

Shivam Mavi to Harshal Patel, A length ball, on off. Patel flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

19.5

Shivam Mavi to Harshal Patel, WIDE! A slower full-length ball, wide outside off. Patel leaves it alone. Wide called.

George Garton is the new man in.

19.4

Shivam Mavi to Harshal Patel, OUT! RUN OUT! There was never a second run here. A full-length ball, outside off. Patel comes across and flicks it to square leg. Lockie Ferguson fumbles and there is a mix-up for the second run. They eventually decide to go for it. Ferguson collects the ball and throws it to the bowler at the non-striker's end. Mavi collects and clips the bails off before Dan Christian could make it in.

19.3

Shivam Mavi to Harshal Patel, NOT OUT! A low dipping full toss, around off. Harshal Patel rocks back and looks to heave but seems to miss it. He is hit on the thigh pad, they appeal and up goes the finger. Patel reviews it straightaway. UltraEdge shows Patel got the toe end of his bat on the ball and the decision has been overturned.

19.2

Shivam Mavi to Harshal Patel, FOUR! CRACKED! Patel makes the most of the Free Hit. Full toss and outside off, Patel skips down the track and carves it through point for a boundary.

Review time! Harshal Patel has reviewed an LBW decision. UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball passes the bat and the decision has been overturned.

19.2

Shivam Mavi to Dan Christian, Full-length ball and wide outside off. Christian goes behind the line and plays it across towards mid-wicket for a single. The siren goes off and the umpire signals a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit to follow.

19.1

Shivam Mavi to Harshal Patel, Full toss around off, Patel pushes it to mid off for a single.

Harshal Patel walks out.

over

19 | 7 Runs | HH: 126/6

18.6

Lockie Ferguson to Shahbaz Ahmed, OUT! CAUGHT! Lockie Ferguson gets his second wicket of the game. Ahmed wanted to go big, looking for the first maximum of the game but he pays the price. A low full toss, on off, Ahmed gets under it and lifts it towards deep mid-wicket. There were two fielders converging but Mavi calls for it and takes it safely.

18.5

Lockie Ferguson to Dan Christian, LUCKY! A full-length ball, on off, Christian throws his bat at it. The ball takes the inside edge, scoots past the stumps and goes towards short fine leg. They take one.

18.4

Lockie Ferguson to Shahbaz Ahmed, A length ball, outside off. Ahmed looks to pull it away. The ball takes the bottom end and goes towards wide mid off. The batters cross for a single and a direct hit at the striker's end would have been interesting.

18.3

Lockie Ferguson to Dan Christian, A length ball, on off, Christian eases it to long off for a single.

18.2

Lockie Ferguson to Dan Christian, FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Bangalore. Fuller and outside off, Dan Christian lifts it over extra cover and bags a boundary. Bangalore need many more boundaries at this stage.

18.1

Lockie Ferguson to Dan Christian, A slower, full-length ball, outside off. Christian looks to chase it but misses.

Lockie Ferguson is back on.

over

18 | 6 Runs | HH: 119/5

17.6

Shivam Mavi to Shahbaz Ahmed, A couple to end the over! Mavi fires in a yorker on middle, Ahmed digs it out to square leg off the inside half. The batters call for two and get two comfortably. A good over by Mavi, just 6 runs off it. The boundaries have dried up for Bangalore.

17.5

Shivam Mavi to Dan Christian, Length ball, around off. Christian shows full face of the bat and pushes it towards mid off for another run.

17.4

Shivam Mavi to Shahbaz Ahmed, Another single now! On a length, around off. Ahmed pushes it to point off the under-edge for a single.

17.3

Shivam Mavi to Dan Christian, Dan Christian is off the mark with a single. Fuller and on the pads. Christian clips it towards long on for a single.

17.2

Shivam Mavi to Dan Christian, Play and a miss! Slightly short and outside off, Christian hangs back and looks to cut it away but misses.

17.1

Shivam Mavi to Shahbaz Ahmed, Full length and outside off. Ahmed slaps it through covers for a single.

over

17 | 2 Runs | HH: 113/5

16.6

Sunil Narine to Shahbaz Ahmed, Flatter, quicker and outside off. Ahmed looks to drive but inside-edges it to square leg. Single taken. Sunil Narine is done with his tremendous spell, 4-0-21-4.

16.5

Sunil Narine to Shahbaz Ahmed, Almost had him! Tossed up on middle. Ahmed looks to flick but gets a soft leading edge and the ball lobs wide of the bowler.

Dan Christian is the new man in.

16.4

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, OUT! CAUGHT! Sunil Narine gets his fourth wicket! This time Glenn Maxwell departs and it's a body blow to Bangalore. Floated, full and on off, the ball is turning away. Glenn Maxwell swings hard at it but only manages to get a top edge. The ball goes towards short third man and Lockie Ferguson pouches it comfortably.

16.3

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Another attempt for reverse-sweep but Maxwell only manages to mistime it towards point.

16.2

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Swing and a miss! Loopy ball, around middle and leg. Maxwell looks to reverse-hit it but misses it completely.

16.1

Sunil Narine to Shahbaz Ahmed, DROPPED! Shubman Gill does all the hard work but it all goes in vain. Floated, full and on off. Ahmed gets low and slog-sweeps it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Gill runs to his right but could not grab the ball cleanly. They take one.

Strategic Time-Out! Kolkata have held things back very nicely. Sunil Narine has been the go-to bowler as he is looking sharp and working wonders. Bangalore need the current pair to stay in the middle and end the innings with a competitive total.

over

16 | 3 Runs | HH: 111/4

15.6

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Floated, full and outside off. Maxwell blazes his drive through point for a brace. Just 3 runs off the over, Varun Chakravarthy is done with his 4-over spell - 0/20.

15.5

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on off. Maxwell pushes it to covers but finds the fielder.

15.4

Varun Chakravarthy to Shahbaz Ahmed, On the pads, tucked to mid-wicket for a single.

Review time! Shahbaz Ahmed has been given out lbw and he refers it. UltraEdge shows an inside edge and the decision has been overturned.

15.3

Varun Chakravarthy to Shahbaz Ahmed, NOT OUT! Shahbaz Ahmed uses the review to save himself. Flighted ball, full and off. Shahbaz Ahmed comes across and looks to reverse sweep it but fails to middle his shot properly. The ball hits the pads and rolls to the leg side. Varun Chakravarthy puts in an appeal. The batters sneak a single. The umpire raises his finger after a lot of thought. Shahbaz Ahmed goes for the DRS and the UltraEdge detects an inside edge.

15.2

Varun Chakravarthy to Shahbaz Ahmed, Floated, full and on off. Ahmed lobs it towards covers off the leading edge.

15.1

Varun Chakravarthy to Shahbaz Ahmed, A dot now. Flatter and outside off. Ahmed looks to cut it away. The ball takes the inner half and bounces beside the keeper.

over

15 | 8 Runs | HH: 108/4

14.6

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Shortish and outside off, turning back in sharply to cramp the batsman for room, Glenn Maxwell chops his attempted square cut to point.

14.5

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter and on off. Glenn Maxwell solidly blocks it.

14.4

Sunil Narine to Shahbaz Ahmed, Full and outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed steps down and hits it to long on for a single.

14.3

Sunil Narine to Shahbaz Ahmed, EDGY FOUR! Tossed up around off, turning away a bit, Shahbaz Ahmed tries to drive but gets a thick outside edge. It sneaks through the gap between the keeper and first slip for a boundary.

14.3

Sunil Narine to Shahbaz Ahmed, WIDE! Flatter, down leg. Ahmed looks to flick it away but misses. Wide called.

Shahbaz Ahmed walks out.

14.2

Sunil Narine to AB de Villiers, OUT! TIMBER! Massive breakthrough for Kolkata as Mr 360 departs without doing any damage. What a night Sunil Narine is having! AB de Villiers has to walk back for 11. Narine serves a loopy ball, around middle, AB de Villiers leans forward and looks to flick it away but misses. The ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pads to rattle the stumps.

14.1

Sunil Narine to AB de Villiers, A couple to start with! Flatter, around middle and leg. AB de Villiers tucks it to mid-wicket for a couple. Good running.

over

14 | 6 Runs | HH: 100/3

13.6

Varun Chakravarthy to AB de Villiers, Loopy ball, on off, clipped to mid-wicket for a single.

13.5

Varun Chakravarthy to AB de Villiers, Fires it very full and wide outside off, AB de Villiers leaves it.

13.4

Varun Chakravarthy to AB de Villiers, Good work in the deep by Rahul Tripathi! Full and on off. AB de Villiers sweeps it to deep square leg. Tripathi runs across in the deep and does well to save two runs for his team.

13.3

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Flatter and outside off. Glenn Maxwell backs away and drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

13.2

Varun Chakravarthy to AB de Villiers, A full toss, on off, AB de Villiers skips down and eases it to long on for one more.

13.1

Varun Chakravarthy to Glenn Maxwell, Very full and on off, drilled down to long off for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy is back into the attack.

over

13 | 7 Runs | HH: 94/3

12.6

Sunil Narine to AB de Villiers, FOUR! Good shot! Flatter and on off, AB de Villiers reverse-sweeps it past the diving point fielder for a boundary.

12.5

Sunil Narine to AB de Villiers, Appeal for an LBW but turned down! This is full and around off, AB de Villiers gets forward and across to flick it away but misses. He gets hit on the pads. They appeal but it's not given. The impact might be outside off.

12.4

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on off. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and works it to deep point for a single.

12.3

Sunil Narine to AB de Villiers, Flatter and outside off, cut away to deep point for a single. AB de Villiers is off the mark.

AB de Villiers walks out at number 5.

12.2

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, OUT! TIMBER! Huge wicket for Kolkata as the set Virat Kohli has to go back. Fair to say, Sunil Narine is the go-to man for Morgan right now! Tossed up, full and on middle at 91.2 kph, it lands and spins back in. Virat Kohli is too early into his attempted heave across the line and also fails to read the spin. The ball sneaks through and rattles the leg stump.

12.1

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, This one spins back in from middle, Glenn Maxwell rocks back to pull but it takes the inside edge and deflects off his pads. The ball goes in the gap at mid-wicket and they cross.

Sunil Narine comes back into the attack. His figures are 1-0-4-1 so far.

over

12 | 8 Runs | HH: 87/2

11.6

Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Bread and butter for Kohli! A full ball, on the pads. Virat Kohli flicks it uppishly over mid-wicket for a boundary.

11.5

Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, This was served with some pace! On a length and outside off. Kohli looks to go over covers but fails to get any bat on it. 147 kph.

11.4

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, Slightly full and on middle, Maxwell nudges it to square leg for one more.

11.3

Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Again full and angling on the pads. Kohli whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

11.2

Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Full and on off, Kohli hits it to mid-wicket.

11.1

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, Shout for an lbw, not given! On a length, around middle and leg at 146 kph, this one nips back in after landing. Maxwell hangs back and looks to flick but seems to miss it. Kolkata appeal but it's not given. The ball rolls to point and they take a leg bye. Eoin Morgan decides not to review and the replays later show that it was clipping the leg stump. Would have been the umpire's call anyway.

11.1

Lockie Ferguson to Glenn Maxwell, WIDE! Ferguson misses his line as he spills it down the leg side. Maxwell misses his flick.

Lockie Ferguson is brought back into the attack. 1/16 in his 2 overs so far.

over

11 | 9 Runs | HH: 79/2

10.6

Shakib Al Hasan to Glenn Maxwell, Full and on middle. Maxwell gets low and sweeps it to deep square leg to retain the strike. 9 from the over, Shakib finishes his 4-over spell - 0/24.

10.5

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, Flatter and on off, Kohli punches off the back foot towards covers for a single.

10.4

Shakib Al Hasan to Glenn Maxwell, On the pads, worked on the leg side for a single.

10.3

Shakib Al Hasan to Glenn Maxwell, FOUR! Here comes the reverse-hit! This was full and on middle, Maxwell gets into the position quickly and powers it over point for a boundary. Bangalore would hope that this shot breaks the shackles.

10.2

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, Full and on middle. Kohli heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

10.1

Shakib Al Hasan to Glenn Maxwell, Loopy ball, on middle. Maxwell nudges it to the vacant short mid-wicket region for a single.

over

10 | 4 Runs | HH: 70/2

9.6

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Floated, full and on middle. Virat defends it back on the deck. Bangalore are 70/2 at the halfway mark.

9.5

Sunil Narine to Glenn Maxwell, Full ball, outside off. Maxwell taps it to cover-point and gets off the mark with a single.

Glenn Maxwell comes out at number 4.

9.4

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, OUT! TAKEN! Bharat was not middling his shots for a long time and now he pays the price for it. Sunil Narine gets a wicket in his very first over and the hero of the last match walks back for a cheap score. This was full, tossed up and around off. Possibly a carrom ball. Srikar Bharat looks to go downtown but does not hit it with much power. Venkatesh Iyer, at long off, runs to his right and takes a very good catch.

9.3

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Flatter again, outside off. Kohli hits it softly to point for a quick single.

9.2

Sunil Narine to Srikar Bharat, Flatter, quicker and outside off, swept to deep mid-wicket for a single.

9.1

Sunil Narine to Virat Kohli, Narine starts with a tossed up ball, full and on middle. Kohli leans and clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Sunil Narine comes into the attack now.

over

9 | 4 Runs | HH: 66/1

8.6

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, Very full and on off, drilled down to long off for one more.

8.5

Shakib Al Hasan to Srikar Bharat, Tossed up on middle. Bharat steps across and nudges it to deep square leg for one.

8.4

Shakib Al Hasan to Srikar Bharat, Full and slanting outside off. Bharat leaves it alone.

8.3

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, Tossed up, around leg, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

8.2

Shakib Al Hasan to Srikar Bharat, Slight short and outside off. Bharat hangs back and lifts it over covers for a single.

8.1

Shakib Al Hasan to Srikar Bharat, Floated, full and on middle, pushed back to the right of the bowler.

over

8 | 5 Runs | HH: 62/1

7.6

Varun Chakravarthy to Srikar Bharat, Full and on leg. Bharat clips it wide of mid on for a single.

7.5

Varun Chakravarthy to Srikar Bharat, Floated, full and around middle. Bharat looks to sweep it away, but gets it off the inner half. The ball rolls to the leg side.

7.4

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, Full and on middle. Kohli gets low and sweeps it through square leg for a single.

7.3

Varun Chakravarthy to Srikar Bharat, Stumping chance! Loopy ball, around off. Bharat skips down the track and looks to play it through the line but misses. The ball clips the pads and goes behind as Dinesh Karthik fails to collect it. It goes towards fine leg. They collect a leg bye.

7.2

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, Floated, full and around off. Kohli stays back and pushes it to covers for another single.

7.1

Varun Chakravarthy to Srikar Bharat, Full and on middle. Bharat clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy is back on. Went for 7 runs in his first over.

over

7 | 4 Runs | HH: 57/1

6.6

Shakib Al Hasan to Srikar Bharat, A single now, as this is worked to long off. A good over by Shakib Al Hasan. Just 4 runs off it.

6.5

Shakib Al Hasan to Srikar Bharat, EDGY! Bharat is early into his shot this time. Floated, around off. Bharat looks to flick it to the leg side. The ball takes the leading edge and goes towards covers.

6.4

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, Full and on off. Kohli goes back and pushes it to mid off for a single.

6.3

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, NOT OUT! Virat Kohli survives. Flatter and on the pads. Kohli hangs back and tucks it to mid-wicket. Kohli is halfway down the crease, looking for a single. But he was sent back. Ferguson collects the ball and throws it to the keeper who breaks the stumps. If the wickets were hit directly, Kohli could have been a goner. The dive saves him here.

A run out appeal has been taken upstairs! The replay shows Kohli just made his ground with a good dive and it is confirmed by the third umpire as well.

6.2

Shakib Al Hasan to Srikar Bharat, Tossed up, on off. Bharat mistimes his shot aerially towards mid on. The ball lands safely. They take another single.

6.1

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, A single now! Floated, full and off. Kohli comes down the track and drives it towards mid off. Eoin Morgan dives to his right to make a half stop. They take one.

Strategic Time-Out! Despite losing Devdutt Padikkal at the very end of the Powerplay, this has been a very good passage of play for Bangalore. They have scored runs at a brisk pace and would look to continue. For Kolkata, they need to chip wickets at regular intervals to pile pressure on Bangalore. Shakib Al Hasan is back into the attack.

over

6 | 4 Runs | HH: 53/1

5.6

Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Another single. Full and outside off, Virat drives it through cover-point. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 53/1.

5.5

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Slower one, at 117.5 kph, full and wide outside off, Srikar Bharat mistimes his drive to point. Kohli calls him through for a single.

5.4

Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Fuller and on off, Virat Kohli uses his wrists and works it towards mid-wicket for a run.

5.3

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Off the mark! A touch short and on middle at 148.9 kph, Srikar Bharat glances it to deep square leg for a run. 50 up!

5.2

Lockie Ferguson to Srikar Bharat, Back of a length, around off at 145.1 kph, Bharat goes on his toes and defends it on the leg side.

Srikar Bharat walks out at number 3.

5.1

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! DRAGS IT ON! Lockie Ferguson strikes and roars in delight. The Kiwi speeds in from 'round the wicket and lands it on a length outside off at 149 kph, Devdutt Padikkal stands back to whack it through the line but it takes the inner portion of his blade and cannons onto the stumps. The 49-run opening stand has been broken and Kolkata would be feeling a lot better now.

over

5 | 13 Runs | HH: 49/0

4.6

Shivam Mavi to Devdutt Padikkal, Fuller around middle and off, at 140.9 kph, Devdutt Padikkal opens the face of the bat and pushes it through point for one. 13 from the over.

4.5

Shivam Mavi to Virat Kohli, Fails to put it away. Full toss around off, Virat Kohli strokes it through the line but finds the fielder at the edge of the circle at extra cover. Takes a single.

4.4

Shivam Mavi to Devdutt Padikkal, Use of the feet from Devdutt Padikkal. He walks down the track to a length ball and goes hard at it. Doesn't time it well but it rolls wide of mid off and hence a run is taken.

4.4

Shivam Mavi to Devdutt Padikkal, Wide! Shivam Mavi is feeling the heat. Attempts a slower one but it's way down the leg side, Padikkal leaves it.

4.3

Shivam Mavi to Devdutt Padikkal, Four leg byes! They all count. Wrong line from Mavi. Serves it on a length around leg, Devdutt Padikkal fails to flick but it takes his thigh pad and speeds wide of Dinesh Karthik for a boundary at fine leg.

4.2

Shivam Mavi to Virat Kohli, Tap and run. Around off on a length, Kohli bunts it down towards wide mid off and rotates the strike.

4.1

Shivam Mavi to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Virat Kohli goes aerial and fetches a boundary. This one is served on a length, around middle and off, Virat steps back and lofts it with ease over extra cover. The fielder chases but fails to pull it back.

Shivam Mavi is back into the attack. Went for 10 runs in his first over.

over

4 | 12 Runs | HH: 36/0

3.6

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Fullish and around off at 149.1 kph, Devdutt Padikkal leans forward and threads his drive through the gap at covers for a couple. 12 from the over and it's been a steady start from Bangalore.

3.5

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Well played! A 147 kph delivery, on a length and around the leg stump line, asking to be hit. Devdutt Padikkal picks it off his pads and deflects it wide of short fine leg.

3.4

Lockie Ferguson to Virat Kohli, Fuller and on off, Kohli works it across the line, towards wide mid on as the mid-wicket fielder tries to intervene. They take another quick single.

3.3

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, A direct hit would have been interesting. Fuller and on middle, Padikkal pushes it towards mid off and scampers to the other end. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end as Devdutt dives in.

3.2

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, Fuller and on middle, Devdutt Padikkal hits across the line but finds mid-wicket.

3.1

Lockie Ferguson to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Clever from Devdutt Padikkal. Lockie Ferguson begins with a shortish delivery, around off at 142 clicks, Padikkal hangs on the back foot, uses the pace of the bowler and glides it over short third man.

Lockie Ferguson is into the attack.

over

3 | 7 Runs | HH: 24/0

2.6

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Great stop by Venkatesh Iyer! Saves a certain boundary. Fuller and on off, Padikkal blazes his drive to the right of mid off. Iyer puts in a dive to stop the racing ball. Saves three.

2.5

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, Use of the wrists by Kohli. Fullish and on middle, Virat leans forward and works it wide of short mid-wicket for a single.

2.4

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Loopy one, full and around middle, Devdutt Padikkal drives it past the bowler to mid off. They cross for another brisk run as Venkatesh Iyer fires his throw at the keeper's end.

2.3

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Varun Chakravarthy drags his length short and delivers it on off, Devdutt Padikkal goes back and strokes it through covers for a brace.

2.2

Varun Chakravarthy to Virat Kohli, Once again it's a great piece of running between the wickets. Tossed up, full and around off, Kohli pushes it defensively to covers and pinches one.

2.1

Varun Chakravarthy to Devdutt Padikkal, Quick run. Flighted and around off, Devdutt Padikkal tries to defend but it catches the outside edge and dribbles to short third man. They steal a quick single.

over

2 | 10 Runs | HH: 17/0

1.6

Shivam Mavi to Virat Kohli, FOUR! A good over from Mavi gets spoiled in the end. Mavi goes wide of the crease and probably wants to bowl a yorker. But the execution is not there. It's a full toss outside off and Virat slices it behind backward point for a boundary.

Varun Chakravarthy is into the attack.

1.6

Shivam Mavi to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Once again a boundary on the last ball of the over. Fuller in length and outside off, in the slot for the cover drive and Kohli unleashes it over the infield for a boundary. It's also a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit coming...

1.5

Shivam Mavi to Virat Kohli, Another dot ball. Back of a length and outside off, Kohli opens the face of the bat late but fails to beat the short third man fielder.

1.4

Shivam Mavi to Virat Kohli, Mavi speeds in and lands it on a length outside off, Virat steps forward but fails to time his shot properly. Ends up pushing it to mid on.

1.3

Shivam Mavi to Devdutt Padikkal, Pitches it up and around off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes it with gentle hands towards mid off and scampers across for a quick run.

1.2

Shivam Mavi to Devdutt Padikkal, On a length, around middle and off, Padikkal helps it on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.

1.1

Shivam Mavi to Devdutt Padikkal, Starts with a delivery around middle, Devdutt Padikkal defends it back from the crease.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Shivam Mavi.

over

1 | 7 Runs | HH: 7/0

0.6

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, FOUR! First of the game. Shakib gets his line fractionally wrong. It's around leg and skidding down, Virat Kohli is quick to go down as he sweeps it firmly to the deep square leg fence.

0.5

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, Good lines from Shakib. Keeps it around off, no room, Kohli moves back and helps it to short mid-wicket.

0.4

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, Shortish and on off, Kohli goes deep inside the crease and plays it towards extra cover.

0.3

Shakib Al Hasan to Devdutt Padikkal, Quicker one, flat and around off, once again Devdutt Padikkal punches it from the crease towards long on for one.

0.2

Shakib Al Hasan to Virat Kohli, A bit aerial but wide of the fielder. Floated and full around middle and off, holding up a bit, Virat flicks it wide of short mid-wicket and crosses for a single.

0.1

Shakib Al Hasan to Devdutt Padikkal, Starts with a flatter and shorter ball on off, Padikkal goes on the back foot and punches it towards long on. They take a single.

We are all set for the action. Out walk the players of Kolkata and they are followed by the openers of Bangalore, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Shakib Al Hasan to start with the ball. Here we go...

Glenn Maxwell is up for a chat. The Aussie says that they had a couple of good sessions and they are looking forward to this game. About Srikar Bharat, he says that it was an amazing night and it was great to head into the playoffs in that fashion. Mentions that it gives the group a lot of confidence. Talking about himself, he says that he tries to keep it simple and is comfortable in his role and the consistency has been really rewarding. Tells that they need to score as many runs in the first 15-16 overs as the wickets here slow down at the backend. Feels that they've to stick to their game plans and be on the mark from ball one.

Did you know? Kolkata have won all of their 4 matches while chasing in the UAE leg of the Indian T20 League 2021. Have Bangalore missed a trick?

Eoin Morgan, the skipper of Kolkata, says that he wanted to bowl first anyway. Says the wicket looks a bit different and chasing doesn't look that bad. Adds that they have played some great games and the players are fulfilling the roles and they have started to peak at the right time. Informs that they are going in unchanged.

Virat Kohli, the Bangalore skipper, is up for a chat. Says that the wicket looks great and as the game progresses it becomes tougher to bat. Mentions that there are no changes. On Srikar Bharat's knock in the last game, Kohli replies that the youngsters stepping up to win the match is particularly pleasing and he is very happy for Srikar. Shares that the meeting has been short and sharp, focus on the basics and nothing changes for them regardless of this being the Eliminator.

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy.

Bangalore (Unchanged Playing XI) - Virat Kohli (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (WK), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Dan Christian, Shahbaz Ahmed, George Garton, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj.

Toss - Virat Kohli and Eoin Morgan are in the middle. The former flips the coin, Heads is the call but it has come down as Tails. BANGALORE ELECT TO BAT!

How's the pitch? The first thing that Matthew Hayden points out is about the 'Sharjah sheen'. It's been missing so far but the Aussie informs that the sheen is back and the pitch doesn't have too many cracks. Let's hope to have a high-scoring game.

Last meeting - That was the game where Kolkata turned their season upside down. In their first match after the resumption, Bangalore and Kolkata faced each other and the former was bundled out for only 92. Kolkata overhauled the target in 10 overs, unearthed a new talent in Venkatesh Iyer and handed a thrashing to Virat Kohli in his 200th game for Bangalore. Is revenge in store?

If there's one team that benefited the most from the forced break, then it has to be Kolkata. They were in the doldrums with just two wins in 7 games when the season was suspended in May. The break allowed them to rethink their strategies and they have come out more fearless in the UAE leg. Under Eoin Morgan and Brendon McCullum, who are known for their aggressive style to play the game, the players are given the license to go for the kill and you can see that in their batting. The 2-time champions would be riding high on confidence and would be aiming to outclass Bangalore yet again in the second phase.

In almost every edition of the Indian T20 League, the optimistic fans of Bangalore start this slogan - 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' (this time Cup is ours) and in 2021, they've every reason to believe that this is finally the year when they can fulfill their lifelong dream of winning the elusive trophy. Bangalore have been performing with great consistency, in both the legs of this season and have all the resources to march into Qualifier 2. Their batting has always been rock solid but for a change, this time around, they have 'performing bowlers' who haven't succumbed under pressure, thus far. Bangalore would hope to keep up the good work and avenge their last loss against Kolkata.

Eliminator! The name itself is enough to scare and put pressure. It's that stage of the tournament where one moment of brilliance or madness decides your future. All the hard work done in the past can quickly go down the drain if you're not on top of your game. Both Bangalore and Kolkata will be aware that the stakes are very high this evening, and it's time to either perform or perish. On that note, we welcome you all to the coverage of this match in Sharjah. Stay with us for more updates...

... MATCH DAY ...

Royal Challengers Bangalore

Virat Kohli

CAP/Bat/Bow

Devdutt Padikkal

Bat/Bow

Srikar Bharat

KEEPER/Bat/Bow

Glenn Maxwell

Bat/Bow

AB de Villiers

Bat/Bow

Shahbaz Ahmed

Bat/Bow

Dan Christian

Bat/Bow

George Garton

Bat/Bow

Harshal Patel

Bat/Bow

Mohammed Siraj

Bat/Bow

Yuzvendra Chahal

Bat/Bow

Kolkata Knight Riders

Shubman Gill

Bat/Bow

Venkatesh Iyer

Bat/Bow

Nitish Rana

Bat/Bow

Rahul Tripathi

Bat/Bow

Eoin Morgan

CAP/Bat/Bow

Dinesh Karthik

KEEPER/Bat/Bow

Shakib Al Hasan

Bat/Bow

Sunil Narine

Bat/Bow

Shivam Mavi

Bat/Bow

Lockie Ferguson

Bat/Bow

Varun Chakravarthy

Bat/Bow

Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders, Indian Premier League 2021, Eliminator - Full Squad