share
313055F
Home » Live Cricket Score » Indian Premier League, 2019 » commentary

Kings XI Punjab vs Chennai Live Commentary, Match 55, Indian Premier League, 2019, May 5, 2019

CSK 170/5 (20)
Kings XI Punjab beat Chennai Super Kings by 6 wickets
KXIP 173/4 (18)
Match over
Chennai Super Kings Inning Kings XI Punjab Inning
0.0 : Hello and welcome everyone. It's the last day of the league stage in this year's Indian T20 League. Two games lined up for Sunday and both are very significant. First up, Punjab, who still have a slim outside chance of getting to the playoffs, are hosting Chennai at the Punjab Cricket Association IS Bindra Stadium, Mohali. The tourists are safely through but would like to win this game to confirm their top two finish. For the hosts, it's a very interesting situation to be in. If they win by a ma
PITCH REPORT - Mpumelelo 'Pommie' Mbangwa is the pitch expert today and he says it is really hot out there in the middle. He informs us that the curator watered the surface 2-3 hours before the game and rolled it then, such is the heat. He reckons that it is a good surface, hard one and more than decent for batting, especially in a day game. We are told that the average score here batting first is 172, but Mbangwa feels that both teams would want to have more than that today. He signs off by say
Toss - Up goes the coin, MS Dhoni calls it wrongly and PUNJAB WILL FIELD!
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin says that they have played on most of the wickets here. He tells us that this is the second one on this particular surface and that the pitch could be slightly on the slower side considering it is a day game. Ashwin states that every game you play is important for the franchise and that lots of players want to play well and be counted, especially the youngsters. He tells us that one needs to be really good against Chennai if you want to beat them and doing tha
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni says that in spite of being in the playoffs nothing really has changed and he feels it's their last opportunity to sort out all their issues before the next stage begins. Informs that they are unchanged from the last match.
CHENNAI XI (UNCHANGED) - Faf du Plessis, Shane Watson, Suresh Raina, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni (WK/C), Kedar Jadhav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Deepak Chahar, Harbhajan Singh, Imran Tahir.
PUNJAB XI - Chris Gayle, Lokesh Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Mandeep Singh, Sam Curran, Ravichandran Ashwin (C), Andrew Tye, Harpreet Brar (IN FOR ARSHDEEP SINGH), Murugan Ashwin, Mohammed Shami.
We are almost ready for the first ball. The two openers for Chennai, Shane Watson and Faf du Plessis are out in the middle. Ravichandran Ashwin has given his final instructions to his side as they head to their fielding positions. The new ball is in the hands of the skipper but wait, he is not bowling! He tosses the ball to Harpreet Brar. Everything in readiness, let's play!
0.1 : H Brar to du Plessis, Flighted on the middle and leg stump line, nudged towards wide mid on for a single by du Plessis. He and Chennai are away!
0.2 : H Brar to S Watson, Tossed up on middle, Watson comes ahead and defends it back solidly towards the bowler.
0.3 : H Brar to S Watson, Flatter on middle this time, Shane looks to defend but gets it off the inside half towards mid-wicket for a run. Lucky he got some bat on that one.
0.4 : H Brar to du Plessis, Du Plessis gets another single as he works this flatter one on middle away through mid-wicket for a run.
0.5 : H Brar to S Watson, Fired in on off, Watson remains in the crease to keep it out, albeit a bit awkwardly.
0.6 : H Brar to S Watson, FOUR! That will make him feel a lot better. Flatter outside off, that little width is all that Watson needs. The ball pings off the middle of the bat and through cover-point for a boundary.
Pace from the other end. Mohammed Shami to run in...
1.1 : M Shami to du Plessis, FOUR! Du Plessis gets his first boundary now. Shami starts off with a poor length ball on the pads. Easily flicked away through square leg and deep fine leg has no chance to come around and stop that.
1.2 : M Shami to du Plessis, On the hips this time, tucked away for a single to deep backward square leg.
1.3 : M Shami to S Watson, Off the middle but straight to the fielder. A length ball on off, Watson takes a nice stride ahead before punching the ball to mid off.
1.4 : M Shami to S Watson, Good ball. Slightly back of a length and on top of off stump, Watson taps the ball to the off side and looks for a single but wisely decides against it in the end.
1.5 : M Shami to S Watson, Back of a length, cut away standing tall to deep third man for a run. That ball was travelling.
1.6 : M Shami to du Plessis, Good running. A length ball on off, Faf du Plessis pats it towards point and sees Watson charging for the quick single. Easily completed in the end. 7 runs each off the first two overs.
Pace from both ends now, Sam Curran comes on.
2.1 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, FOUR! Starts his spell with a pitched up ball around off, du Plessis presents the straight face of his bat and forces it past his partner at the other end for a boundary down the ground.
2.2 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, Curran goes short on this occasion, around off, Faf stands back and pulls it in front of square leg for a brace.
Direct hit at the non-striker's end as du Plessis dives in. It has been taken upstairs...
2.3 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, Safely in! Fullish and on middle, du Plessis pushes it down towards mid on and scampers across to the other end as the fielder (Tye) scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. It's referred upstairs and the replays show that Faf is well in.
2.4 : Sam Curran to S Watson, Back of a length delivery on middle, pulled again in front of square leg and the deep fielder made a sliding stop. One more run added to the total.
2.5 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, Sam continues to drop it short and du Plessis has no issues in pulling it towards deep square leg for an easy run.
2.6 : Sam Curran to S Watson, Slower short ball this time, around middle and leg, Watson is early into his pull shot and hence misses. Gets hit on the body and the ball rolls near the surface. 9 from Curran's first over.
3.1 : M Shami to du Plessis, Good ball from Shami. Sees Faf du Plessis coming down the track and drags the length down. Faf can only keep it out towards cover.
3.2 : M Shami to du Plessis, Back of a length on top of middle, du Plessis dabs the ball to the left of point for a run.
3.3 : M Shami to S Watson, That was nippy! Slightly back of a length on middle and leg, Watson looks to pull it away but is late on the shot. The ball rushes through and gets him high on the thigh pad. The ball goes off towards the off side and the batsmen change ends. Leg bye signalled.
3.4 : M Shami to du Plessis, Du Plessis runs down the track once more and hits the ball towards mid off with a horizontal bat.
3.5 : M Shami to du Plessis, Another dot! On a length, Faf crunches the shot straight to cover.
3.6 : M Shami to du Plessis, FOUR! That one is in the gap! Fuller on middle and leg, flicked away through mid-wicket. There were 3 fielders on the leg side and to still find the gap, CLASS! What was a good over until then ends up being an okayish one at the end.
4.1 : Sam Curran to S Watson, A half-shout for a caught behind! Curran hurls in a short delivery down the leg side, Watson tries his best to pull it across the line but misses. Sam turns and appeals but the umpire stretches both his arms.
Sam Curran to S Watson, OUT! The off stump goes cartwheeling! Curran strikes with a back of a length delivery around middle and off. It skids on with the angle and Watson camps back to play a late dab down to third man. But the Aussie is too late in doing that and the off stump is pegged back. Watson continues to play with Chennai's fans' emotions, his last five innings now read - 7, 0, 8, 96, 5. This is also Sam Curran's 50th T20 wicket.
Suresh Raina, the evergreen Chennai man walks out at number 3 as usual.
4.2 : Sam Curran to S Raina, Nearly drags it on first ball. Curran delivers it on a good length outside off, Raina tries to play through the line but it catches the bottom edge and rolls behind to the keeper.
4.3 : Sam Curran to S Raina, Sliding down the leg side, Raina helps it towards square leg and gets off the mark with a run.
4.4 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, Shortish and outside off, Faf slaps it through the line but finds extra cover.
4.5 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, FOUR! Lovely footwork shown by the South African. He jumps out of the crease to make a length ball full and then drills it back past the bowler for a boundary down to long off. Excellent.
4.6 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, Played to the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total. 7 runs and a wicket from the over.
Ravichandran Ashwin comes into the attack.
5.1 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Flatter one on the middle and leg stump line first up, du Plessis pushes it back towards the bowler.
5.2 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Shorter outside off, Faf pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a run.
5.3 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Flatter on the pads, Raina looks to whip it away but misses the ball. Hit outside the line of leg stump.
5.4 : R Ashwin to S Raina, FOUR! Heaved away! A flatter one on off, Raina gets under the ball and pulls it over mid-wicket. That has to be fetched from the other side of the rope.
5.5 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Good comeback! Shorter on off, Raina looks to cut but the ball goes off the under half towards the bowler.
5.6 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Worked away through mid-wicket for a run to end the Powerplay. Chennai are 42/1 at the end of it. One of their better Powerplays this year.
Harpreet Brar is back on.
6.1 : H Brar to S Raina, Flatter and shorter on off, Raina goes on the back foot and punches it back to the bowler.
6.2 : H Brar to S Raina, Leans forward to a full ball outside off and drives it straight to the cover fielder.
6.3 : H Brar to S Raina, Beaten! Arm ball on off, skidding away, Raina sticks back to play a late cut but is beaten.
6.4 : H Brar to S Raina, SIX! This will release all the pressure. Doesn't middle it too well but it has travelled the distance. Brar delivers it flat and wide outside off, Raina shimmies down the track and goes big down the ground. It doesn't fly from the meat of the bat but still has enough to clear long on.
6.5 : H Brar to S Raina, Turns it off his pads to mid-wicket and crosses for a run.
6.6 : H Brar to du Plessis, Du Plessis walks down the track and seeing that Brar shortens his length. The South African keeps it out to covers to end the over.
7.1 : R Ashwin to S Raina, FOUR! The outfield is electric here! That brings up 50 for Chennai. Around the wicket and outside off, Raina dabs it really late past first slip. The backward point fielder has no chance to even chase that ball.
7.2 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Flatter on middle, pushed towards long on for a run now. Good batting, a single after the boundary.
7.3 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Play and a miss! Slower through the air outside off, du Plessis looks to cut but the ball keeps slightly low. He is beaten.
7.4 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Pushed back towards long on for a run.
7.5 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Flatter outside off, driven along the ground to long off by the southpaw for a run.
7.6 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Worked away through mid-wicket for a run by FdP. Boundary off the first ball, 4 singles after that. Easily done by Chennai this over.
8.1 : H Brar to du Plessis, Flatter and on middle, du Plessis moves back inside the crease to hit it across the line but it takes the inside edge and rolls closely past the stumps towards short fine leg. A single is taken.
8.2 : H Brar to S Raina, Aerial but just wide of the bowler. Quicker on off, stopping a bit onto the batsman, Raina punches it uppishly past the left side of the diving bowler to long on. A single taken again.
8.3 : H Brar to du Plessis, Walks down to the pitch of the delivery and turns it through mid-wicket for one.
8.4 : H Brar to S Raina, The batsman has played it towards mid-wicket.
8.5 : H Brar to S Raina, SIX! Raina goes big again. He charges down the track to a full ball in his half and smashes it over mid-wicket for a biggie. That's hit with the spin and clears the fence with ease.
8.6 : H Brar to S Raina, Fuller and on off, Raina nudges it down through mid on for a run. 10 from the over!
Strategic break! Chennai should be the happier team right now, given their top order problems this season. They have powered their way to 67 in 9 overs and are setting a good platform. They would love Raina and du Plessis both to continue. On the other hand, Punjab would love one or two quick wickets which will slow down things for the visitors. The pitch seems to be a really good deck to bat on without much assistance for the bowlers. Meanwhile, Andrew Tye comes onto bowl!
9.1 : A Tye to S Raina, Starts off with one on length outside off, driven along the ground to long off for a single by Raina.
9.2 : A Tye to du Plessis, FOUR! Shot! Over extra cover! A length ball outside off, the knuckle ball. Faf du Plessis is one of the best batsmen in the world and spots that one early. He lifts the ball with ease over covers. No chance for the fielder in the deep.
9.3 : A Tye to du Plessis, Played through the mid-wicket region by the batsman. One run added to the total.
9.4 : A Tye to S Raina, FOUR! Second one of the over. Wide outside off, with third man in. You are asking for trouble. Raina easily guides it through the gap between short third and backward point. The ball reaches the rope.
9.5 : A Tye to S Raina, Flicked off the hips to deep mid-wicket for a run by Raina.
9.6 : A Tye to du Plessis, Short of middle, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a run by du Plessis. Chennai are 79/1 at the halfway mark. The partnership has motored along to 49!
Murugan Ashwin is now on!
10.1 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, 50-run stand comes up! A flatter and shorter ball outside off, du Plessis drags his pull shot behind square leg and jogs across to the other end. A handy partnership this, coming at a good rate as well.
10.2 : M Ashwin to S Raina, The length is short again, landing on middle, Raina goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
10.3 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, FOUR! You got love this shot. Fancy footwork once more from du Plessis. He is down the track in a flash and then hammers it over the bowler's head for a boundary. Nearly went all the way, just bounced inside.
Stumping appeal has been referred upstairs. Not much excitement shown by the keeper. Let's see...
10.4 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, NOT OUT! Beauty of a delivery by Murugan. He slows it up in the air and lands it full around off. Du Plessis stretches forward to play the slog sweep but it spins away slightly to beat the outside edge. Pooran is quick to take the bails off and appeals. The square leg umpire goes upstairs and the replays find Faf safely in. There was a moment when du Plessis did lift his back foot slightly while dragging it further inside the crease but there was never any doubt tha
10.5 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, FOUR! Poor fielding from KL Rahul. He has let that one go through as he has slipped slightly. A flatter leg-spinner on middle and leg, Faf du Plessis whips it away through mid-wicket. Rahul in the deep comes to make a regulation stop but slips at the last moment and lets the ball under him. Reaches the rope.
10.6 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, Quicker and fuller on middle, forced down to long on for a run. 11 from Murugan's first over.
11.1 : A Tye to du Plessis, Slower short ball on middle, du Plessis tucks it to mid-wicket for a run.
11.2 : A Tye to S Raina, FOUR! That outfield is so fast! A length ball on middle, Raina comes inside the line and glances that so delicately through fine leg. The fielder in the deep runs to his left and was not too far away from that one but he cannot reach the ball.
Review time! It is for an LBW against Suresh Raina. He was struck low on the pads by a yorker but the line looked outside leg to the naked eye. Was there bat too? Ravichandran Ashwin has taken it upstairs so we will find out...
11.3 : A Tye to S Raina, NOT OUT! The ball has come off the bat. That is a wasted review. A really full ball just outside leg, Raina looks to flick the ball and gets hit low on the pads. Tye appeals but the umpire says no. He persuades his skipper to take that one up and Ashwin does so. The replays though show us that the ball has taken a good portion of the bat on its way through. Nothing going Punjab's way!
11.4 : A Tye to S Raina, Digs in a short ball around leg, Raina shuffles across and glances it off his hips behind square leg. Takes a run.
11.5 : A Tye to du Plessis, Beaten! Slower one at 111.4 kph, a touch short and on off, du Plessis tries his best to pull but is beaten by the lack of pace.
11.6 : A Tye to du Plessis, Slower again, full and on middle, du Plessis pushes it down the ground from the inner half of his bat. The long off fielder cuts it off and they pick a run.
12.1 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, Single and that is FIFTY FOR FAF! His 11th one in the Indian T20 League Flatter on the pads, flicked away for a single to get to his fifty! Excellent innings so far from du Plessis, would love a big one though.
12.2 : M Ashwin to S Raina, Beaten! A googly outside off, Raina had no idea about where that was going. Looks to push it through covers but is beaten by the turn.
12.3 : M Ashwin to S Raina, This time Raina gets bat on ball and pushes the ball towards the other Ashwin at cover.
12.4 : M Ashwin to S Raina, A lot straighter this time on middle, Raina works it through mid-wicket for a run by SR.
12.5 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, 100 comes up! A flatter one pushed through on middle, worked through mid-wicket by du Plessis for a run.
12.6 : M Ashwin to S Raina, Raina works this one away through the leg side for another run. A good over for Punjab this, they need to build some pressure which possibly would then bring them a wicket.
Ravichandran Ashwin comes back on. He has figures of 2-0-14-0 so far.
13.1 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Flighted and full outside off, Raina reaches out for it and strokes it to long off for a run.
13.2 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Tossed up ball outside off, driven through mid off for a single.
13.3 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Fires one in on middle, Raina stays back and punches it down to long on for one.
13.4 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Beaten by a beauty! Ashwin dishes out a carrom ball just outside off, Faf picks it very late and ends up offering no shot. Just a late thought of playing inside the line was there.
13.5 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Ashwin goes wide of the crease and serves a full ball on middle, du Plessis kneels down and sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for one.
13.6 : R Ashwin to S Raina, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. 9 runs in the last two overs, slow going from Chennai.
14.1 : M Ashwin to S Raina, Flatter on middle and leg, Raina pulls it away through mid-wicket for a couple of runs as the fielders in the deep do a partnership fielding.
14.2 : M Ashwin to S Raina, FOUR! Fifty for Raina! A gift to get there too. Shorter on middle and off, Raina stands back and pulls it wide of long on for a boundary. Beautifully bisects both the fielders in the deep to get to his 38th League fifty.
14.3 : M Ashwin to S Raina, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot through covers. One run added to the total.
14.4 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, FOUR! Second one of the over. Full toss on middle and leg, du Plessis runs down the track and hits the ball as straight as an arrow. The ball beats long on to the rope.
14.5 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, SIX! This is even better! A flighted ball on leg, du Plessis runs down the track and also a bit to his left. He then gets under the ball and lifts it over long on. This is turning into a really expensive over from Murugan.
14.6 : M Ashwin to du Plessis, Driven through cover for a run. FdP keeps strike at the end of the 18-run over.
Strategic break! This partnership between Raina and du Plessis has gone from strength to strength. It has set stage for a grandstand finish and Punjab could end up chasing a really big total here by the looks of things. The hosts would hope that they can at least pick a few wickets to bring new batsmen to the middle. Also, Andrew Tye comes back on.
15.1 : A Tye to du Plessis, FOUR! Slapped away! A short delivery outside off, du Plessis skips down the track and clobbers it through extra cover for a cracking boundary.
15.2 : A Tye to du Plessis, FOUR! Tye is not learning. He continues to drop it short in the batsman's half. This one is on middle and Faf powers his pull shot over mid-wicket for a boundary. Great start to the over for Chennai.
15.3 : A Tye to du Plessis, SIX! This one disappears. Tye under tremendous pressure. He goes seam up this time but it's served on a length around middle, du Plessis makes room for the swing of his bat and dismisses it over wide long on.
15.4 : A Tye to du Plessis, Almost another boundary. Short and on middle, du Plessis pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket and it speeds through. Mandeep in the deep makes a sliding stop and then parries it to Curran who has come in from square leg. Only two results.
15.5 : A Tye to du Plessis, Half-tracker once more, this one is pulled straight to Mandeep at deep mid-wicket for a run.
15.6 : A Tye to S Raina, Bangs in a well-directed short ball, Raina tries to pull but fails to get much behind his shot. It rolls in the gap at mid-wicket and they cross. Back-to-back 18 runs over for Chennai, they are on the charge now!
Sam Curran comes back on.
16.1 : Sam Curran to S Raina, Slower one on off, Raina looks to lift it over long on but fails to time it well. The ball goes on a few bounces to long on. Just a single to start off the over.
16.2 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, SIX! What is that shot! A fuller length ball wide outside off, du Plessis reaches out and smacks it right back over the bowler's head. The sightscreen bears the brunt of that shot.
16.3 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, Shot! Equally good stop as well. A fuller length ball on middle, FdP whips it away to the right of long on where the fielder makes an excellent stop. Single taken. The 150 comes up!
16.4 : Sam Curran to S Raina, OUT! Raina departs and that brings to an end the excellent partnership of 120! A short ball on middle and leg, Raina looks to pull it over short fine leg. The ball though is not timed too well and the catch is taken easily by Shami out there. The stage has been set though and Raina has more than done his job here. Roars from the crowd though at the end of the wicket, no guesses why.
MS Dhoni arrives.
16.5 : Sam Curran to MS Dhoni, Bouncer to welcome Dhoni! Just outside off, MS lets the ball go through to the keeper.
16.6 : Sam Curran to MS Dhoni, On the hips this time, Dhoni tucks it towards square leg. He declines the single as the ball goes straight to the fielder. 8 runs off the over and a wicket as well.
Ravichandran Ashwin comes back on now to bowl out.
17.1 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Flatter delivery, short and on middle, du Plessis moves back and punches it down to long on for a run.
17.2 : R Ashwin to MS Dhoni, Turns it with the spin on the leg side, finds the gap and runs across to the other end.
17.3 : R Ashwin to du Plessis, Charges down the track and drives it through covers for a single.
17.4 : R Ashwin to MS Dhoni, Flighted and wide outside off, Dhoni reaches out for it and plays it straight to point.
17.5 : R Ashwin to MS Dhoni, Flighted and on off, MSD defends it back off his front foot.
17.6 : R Ashwin to MS Dhoni, Rocks on the back foot to a short ball and strokes it to sweeper cover for one. Another tidy over by Ashwin, he ends his spell now with excellent figures of 4-0-23-0.
18.1 : Sam Curran to MS Dhoni, Really full on the pads, Dhoni flicks it away past short fine leg. Did not get that off the middle so will pick up two runs as deep square leg mops up.
18.2 : Sam Curran to MS Dhoni, Short of a length on top of off, Dhoni pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a run. Good stuff in the deep to keep that down to a single.
18.3 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, SIX! Moves to 96! That has flown! A short length ball on middle, du Plessis stands tall and hoicks it deep into the stands at deep mid-wicket.
18.4 : Sam Curran to du Plessis, OUT! Oh no! Du Plessis will not get to his 100. He is floored by a brilliant yorker and sees his bails come off while he is down on the ground. Curran spears one on the base of the South African skipper, Faf looks to flick it away but the ball gets him on the toes. It then goes on to hit the off stump. FdP departs on 96 and that remains Chennai's highest individual score this season, even Watson made 96 in one of the earlier games. This wicket was Curran's third.
Ambati Rayudu is the new batsman.
18.5 : Sam Curran to A Rayudu, Quick single! Wide yorker outside off, Rayudu looks to cut the ball but gets an under edge towards the keeper. Dhoni has charged down from the other end and completes the run easily even as Pooran fires a direct hit with an under arm throw.
18.6 : Sam Curran to MS Dhoni, Back of a length and aimed at Dhoni's ribs, MSD looks to pull but can only manage a glove towards the on side. A single is taken which means he will be on strike for the final over. Excellent stuff from Curran, 11 runs at this stage is not that bad. He finishes with figures of 4-0-35-3.
Mohammed Shami to bowl the final over.
19.1 : M Shami to MS Dhoni, Change of pace first up. Slow and short outside off, Dhoni moves back and hits it down to long off for a run.
19.2 : M Shami to A Rayudu, OUT! Rayudu holes out! Shami angles in a length ball on middle and leg, Rayudu heaves it across the line over mid-wicket but doesn't have enough power behind it to clear Mandeep Singh in the deep. It falls straight down his throat and Chennai lose their fourth wicket.
Kedar Jadhav walks out to bat now but it will be MS Dhoni on strike as the batsmen crossed ends as the catch was being taken.
19.3 : M Shami to MS Dhoni, Goes fuller to Dhoni on middle and MS only manages to whip it towards deep mid-wicket for just a run.
19.4 : M Shami to K Jadhav, OUT! One more wicket in the over and Shami is doing a great job here. A 145.8 kph delivery, landing on a length around off, Jadhav gives himself room on the off side and tries to hit it through the line. But he is beaten in pace and the off stump takes a beating. 2 runs and 2 wickets so far from the over.
Dwayne Bravo walks out to bat now.
19.5 : M Shami to D Bravo, Shami follows the new batsman down the leg side with a good length ball, Bravo jumps and helps it in front of square leg to hand the strike back to Dhoni for the last ball.
False start for Mohammed Shami. He pulls out at the last moment.
19.6 : M Shami to MS Dhoni, Terrific yorker by Shami, Dhoni can only manage to push it down to long on and they take a couple of runs. The throw from the deep was very poor. What a last over by Shami, just 5 runs from it along with a couple of wickets. Chennai finish on 170/5!
Just 28 runs off the last 4 overs, including just 5 runs off the last one and Punjab have finished really strongly here! They will be heading into the break with momentum and have a great chance to chase down this total, which at one stage even they would have felt would be more than 200! Once du Plessis and Raina fell, none of the other batsmen could even find the rope and that means that Punjab surely are chasing something 15-20 less than what Chennai would have liked them to.
After being inserted to bat, Chennai once again got to a sedate start and lost Watson pretty early. That though was the only success Punjab had for a long time after that as Raina and du Plessis in the middle added 120 runs for the second wicket. They both reached their fifties and the South African was the more aggressive of the two. Raina departed soon after making his half ton but Faf continued and departed eventually just 4 short of a ton. The final few batsmen who came in, including MS Dhon
Coming to the bowling, Ashwin and co. would feel they have done a tremendous job pulling back things. Sam Curran was the pick of the bowlers, snaring 3 wickets while the skipper Ashwin himself bowled a really economical spell. Shami returned at the death to bowl a brilliant final over. Tye and the other Ashwin had a poor day in the field. All in all though, the hosts would not be too disappointed though. Time for an interview...
Faf du Plessis says that he is disappointed not to get a century but reckons it was a good delivery on which he got out. On the pitch, du Plessis replies that it's a good deck and feels that they are about par on this wicket, probably 10 runs short. Adds that they have got a good bowling attack to defend it and hitting a good line and length is the key. Praises Ravichandran Ashwin for bowling well and hopes that Chennai's spinners will also do the same. Smiles and states that the conditions are
Thus, 171 to win now for the hosts. They should have a really good chance of getting there if they bat well as conditions do get better under lights. The pitch getting slower could be the only hindrance with a lot of good spinners in the Chennai outfit. Should be a good contest, be back in a bit for the chase...
0.0 : We are back for the second innings. The Men in Yellow are in a huddle as the Punjab openers walks out to bat. Chris Gayle and KL Rahul it will be as usual. Deepak Chahar has the new ball in hand. Let's play...
0.1 : D Chahar to L Rahul, On a length outside off and some shape away from the right-hander, Rahul covers the swing and defends the ball.
0.2 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Shot! That sounded brilliant off the bat but you do not get runs for the sound. A length ball outside off, Rahul takes a stride ahead before crunching his drive straight to extra cover.
STAT - In case Punjab score this total in 14.2 overs or fewer, Chennai's NRR will go under that of Delhi's and they will drop down to second place.
0.3 : D Chahar to L Rahul, On a length outside off, defended towards cover.
0.4 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Slightly fuller on middle this time, Rahul times this one nicely as well but fails to find the gap as he hits the ball to mid on.
Some problem with the seam of the ball... They are continuing with it for now though.
0.5 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Fuller on the pads, Rahul flicks the ball towards mid-wicket. 5 dots! Will it be a maiden?
0.6 : D Chahar to L Rahul, SIX! No, it will not be a maiden. The last ball travels into the stands. A short one from Chahar on off, Rahul stands and pulls this deep over mid-wicket. Huge!
Harbhajan Singh to share the new ball.
1.1 : H Singh to C Gayle, FOUR! Gayle is off the mark with a boundary. Harbhajan delivers a quicker one on the pads of the batsman, Chris gets back and flicks it in the gap between square leg and short fine leg for a boundary.
1.2 : H Singh to C Gayle, Flighted and full outside off, Gayle drives it with good timing but finds the cover fielder.
1.3 : H Singh to C Gayle, Skidding down the leg side, Gayle fails to flick and it goes off his pads towards short fine leg. They steal a leg bye. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Harbhajan fails to collect it also and it travels towards long off after getting deflected. An overthrow is on offer but it's not taken.
1.4 : H Singh to L Rahul, SIX! High and handsome! Width on offer outside off, Rahul moves back to make more room and powers it over covers for a biggie. Excellent connection.
1.5 : H Singh to L Rahul, SIX! Brilliant shot from KL Rahul. Prior to this delivery, Harbhajan wanted to go from 'round the wicket but Dhoni advised him not to. The offie then serves an off spinner around off, turning back in, Rahul goes down and across before slogging it behind square leg for a maximum.
1.6 : H Singh to L Rahul, Knocks a full ball down through mid on for one. 18 from Harbhajan's first over!
2.1 : D Chahar to L Rahul, FOUR! Brilliant shot! A yorker on the pads, flicked away past short fine leg. There is no chance for deep square leg to stop that one, brilliant timing.
2.2 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Slower one, really full on off. Rahul backs away and hits it towards cover.
2.3 : D Chahar to L Rahul, FOUR! Poor ball and dispatched! A short length ball on the hips, Rahul swivels and pulls this wide of short fine leg for a boundary. Easy pickings.
2.4 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Short of a length on middle, jabbed away to deep mid-wicket for a run off the back foot.
2.5 : D Chahar to C Gayle, Slower bouncer attempted but the ball does not rise at all. Gayle waits for the ball before easing it towards backward point.
2.6 : D Chahar to C Gayle, Another slower bouncer outside off, Gayle lets the ball go. Dhoni does not stop it properly as the ball goes off his pads but does not concede any run there.
3.1 : H Singh to L Rahul, MISFIELD, FOUR! A low full toss on off, Rahul forces his drive in the direction of Bravo at mid off and sets off for a run. Seeing that, the West Indian tries to attack the ball but then fails to pick it up. It goes right through and reaches the fence behind.
3.2 : H Singh to L Rahul, FOUR! Turbanator under pressure. He drops it short and on off, Rahul attacks it with all his power and pummels it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
3.3 : H Singh to L Rahul, FOUR! Hat-trick of boundaries. Bhajji continues to be on the shorter side, it's around middle and off, Rahul rocks back to make room and muscles it over mid on.
3.4 : H Singh to L Rahul, SIX! 18 in the last over by Harbhajan and it's 18 already in this over with two balls to go. Full delivery, flighted and on off, Rahul dances down the track and lofts it over mid off for a maximum. 50 up for Punjab. A good catch there by the ball boy.
3.5 : H Singh to L Rahul, Appeal for an lbw! Not given. Tossed up ball landing outside off, Rahul goes down and across to play the slog sweep but misses. He seems to have got hit on the pads, they appeal but the umpire disagrees. The bowler wants it to be reviewed but Dhoni gestures that it hit Rahul's gloves. The replays confirm the same.
3.6 : H Singh to L Rahul, SIX! Fifty for Rahul in just 19 balls, his 16th in the League. Wow, he has reached the milestone in the blink of an eye. Quicker and fuller delivery outside off, Rahul latches onto it and sends it packing over wide long off for a sixer. This is the third fastest half century this season. 41 in 2 overs from Harbhajan, he is a marked man.
4.1 : D Chahar to C Gayle, Slower ball on the pads, Gayle works the ball towards the short fine leg fielder.
4.2 : D Chahar to C Gayle, Punched off the back foot but straight to cover. A length ball outside off, Gayle stands tall in his crease before playing the shot.
4.3 : D Chahar to C Gayle, Slower one outside off, cut off the back foot but finds the fielder in the cover region again.
4.4 : D Chahar to C Gayle, Ouch! The throw hits Gayle and Gayle bulges into the umpire. Also, that would have been out had the ball hit the stumps! A length ball outside off, pushed wide of mid off. Gayle decides to risk taking the single this time. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end and misses. The single is completed.
4.5 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Good fielding in the deep by Jadhav! A length ball on middle, Rahul hits this one wide of long on. The fielder in the deep runs to his left. Kedar pushes the ball in, in the nick of time and saves 2 runs for his side.
4.6 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Really full outside off, Rahul jams the ball away towards cover-point. Just 3 runs off this over, a quiet one.
Dwayne Bravo is into the attack.
5.1 : D Bravo to C Gayle, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
5.2 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Swing and a miss! Back of a length delivery outside off, angling away from the batsman, Gayle winds up for a big shot across the line but fails to make any connection.
5.3 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Very full and wide outside off, Gayle reaches out for it and digs it out towards point for one.
5.4 : D Bravo to L Rahul, FOUR LEG BYES! Bravo decides to come from 'round the wicket and serves a good length delivery down the leg side. Rahul though fails to flick, it takes his pads and runs fine down the leg side for a boundary.
5.5 : D Bravo to L Rahul, Driven towards the mid off region. The batsmen have run through for a single.
5.6 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Wide! Bravo tries to stay away from Gayle's hitting zone but ends up serving it too wide outside off.
D Bravo to C Gayle, Another wide! It appears to be a plan to bowl wide to Gayle. But at the moment Bravo is not managing to keep it inside the tramline.
D Bravo to C Gayle, Beaten! Quicker delivery, a touch short and outside off, Gayle tries powering it over the leg side but fails to make any connection. 8 from the over, 68/0 in the Powerplay and it's a rocketing start from the home team.
Imran Tahir comes into the attack right after the Powerplay!
6.1 : I Tahir to L Rahul, Crunched away! A flatter outside off, Rahul cuts it away to deep point for a run.
6.2 : I Tahir to C Gayle, Flatter on the pads, Gayle paddles it towards short fine leg.
6.3 : I Tahir to C Gayle, Howzzat! Loud appeal but not given! A leg spinner on a shorter length and slower pace. Gayle looks to pull it way over deep mid-wicket. He misses and gets hit on the pads but that ball has spun too much and got him outside the line of leg stump. Good decision.
6.4 : I Tahir to C Gayle, FOUR! Full toss and faster in speed this time. It is punished though. Gayle powers this through covers and pushes the ball wide of long off for a boundary.
6.5 : I Tahir to C Gayle, SIX! Flat six! A flighted ball outside off, Gayle smashes it right past the bowler to his right and hits the sightscreen. What power!
6.6 : I Tahir to C Gayle, SIX! 16 runs off the last 3 balls of this over! A flighted googly on middle, Gayle waits and middles the ball. When he swings like that and middles them too, there is only one result. It ends up in the stands over long on. Huge over again, 17 runs off Tahir's first.
Strategic break! Much-needed break for Chennai. They have been slaughtered so far here by Rahul and Gayle. They need a wicket to slow down this carnage or they are in real possibility of going to second place. If Punjab get 86 runs in the next 44 balls, Delhi will go to first position on basis of net run rate. Punjab though are coasting and would love to do the same, even Delhi would love them to do so. It is Bravo to continue...
7.1 : D Bravo to L Rahul, Bravo continues from 'round the wicket to the right-hander. Serves it on a length around middle and Rahul works it through mid-wicket for a run.
7.2 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Fullish and wide outside off, Gayle stretches out to keep it in the gap on the off side and picks up a run.
7.3 : D Bravo to L Rahul, A low full toss this time, around off, Rahul pushes it back to the bowler.
7.4 : D Bravo to L Rahul, An overpitched ball on middle, Rahul whips it across the line through mid-wicket. Faf du Plessis circles around it from long on and keeps the batsmen down to just a run.
7.5 : D Bravo to C Gayle, A length ball angling away from the batsman, Gayle gently taps it down to covers for a single.
7.6 : D Bravo to L Rahul, Full and down the leg side at 132 kph, Rahul clips it behind square leg for a run. 5 from the over and Chennai would like to pull things back after the strategic break.
Deepak Chahar to bowl out.
8.1 : D Chahar to L Rahul, A low full toss on middle, Rahul drives it straight back and the ball goes on to hit the stumps at the non-striker's end. Gayle then tries to get back inside the crease and Chahar jokingly pulls his leg, something we see a lot in Kabaddi. Good to see players having a fun moment amidst so much pressure.
8.2 : D Chahar to L Rahul, Angles in a full ball on middle, it's knocked down to long on for a run.
8.3 : D Chahar to C Gayle, The ball is too wide on the off side for the batsman to make any contact.
8.4 : D Chahar to C Gayle, Lands it on a good length around middle and off, Gayle stays back and forces it down to long on for one.
8.5 : D Chahar to L Rahul, FOUR! Wrong length from Chahar, it's short and on middle, Rahul shimmies down the track and pulls it powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence.
8.6 : D Chahar to L Rahul, FOUR! Just one word - Wow! KL Rahul, you beauty. The 100-run stand also comes up. Chahar over-corrects his length this time and bowls it fuller and outside off, Rahul throws his heart and soul behind it and spanks it over the bowler's head. Nearly carries all the way. The umpire goes upstairs and then signals a boundary, it just bounced inside the line. 10 from the over, Deepak Chahar has bowled out, 4-0-28-0, decent figures, considering the onslaught.
9.1 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Wide! Bravo bowls this really wide outside off, well away from the tramline.
D Bravo to C Gayle, Bowled outside off again, Bravo times this to point.
9.2 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Low full toss outside off, driven along the ground to long off for a run by the southpaw.
9.3 : D Bravo to L Rahul, Good ball. Rahul backs away and Bravo follows the batsman. Bowls it on the hips of Rahul who works it through mid-wicket for a run.
9.4 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Wide! Another one wayward outside the off stump. Given as a wide again.
D Bravo to C Gayle, Beaten! On a length outside off, Gayle looks to drive that one by leaning ahead but the angle of the delivery causes the ball to whiz past the outside edge.
9.5 : D Bravo to C Gayle, Low full toss outside off, driven down the ground to long off for a run.
The seam of the delivery seems to be coming off... the umpire cuts it and gives it back to Dhoni.
9.6 : D Bravo to L Rahul, On the hips, whipped away through square leg for a run by Rahul. 6 runs off this Bravo over. Punjab are 106/0 at the halfway mark and need just 65 in the back 10.
Harbhajan Singh comes back onto bowl now.
10.1 : H Singh to L Rahul, Outside off, punched off the back foot through covers for a single by Rahul.
10.2 : H Singh to C Gayle, Flatter on middle and leg, helped away to deep mid-wicket for a run by the big Jamaican.
10.3 : H Singh to L Rahul, OUT! Harbhajan returns in the attack and has taken his revenge. Went for 40-plus in his first two overs and this will make him feel a lot better. Dhoni also flashes a smile. A flatter off spinner around off, not turning much, Rahul skips down the track to heave it across the line but it takes the top edge and balloons in the air towards covers. Tahir settles underneath it and does the rest. End of a 108-run stand.
Nicholas Pooran is the new man in.
10.4 : H Singh to C Gayle, OUT! 2 in 2! Gayle to depart now, Harbhajan has his number for the sixth time in T20 cricket. A flatter one on middle, Chris looks to go really big but does not get the elevation with his swing. The ball travels with pace but straight to long on where the substitute fielder, Dhruv Shorey takes the catch with ease. Harbhajan is elated and is on a hat-trick now! Punjab now will have to rebuild with two new batsmen out in the middle.
Mayank Agarwal walks in next. He will face the hat-trick ball.
10.5 : H Singh to M Agarwal, FOUR! The hat-trick ball goes to the fence. Mayank Agarwal gets off the mark in style. Short and flat on middle, Agarwal pulls it away easily for a boundary. Bisects the deep fine and deep square leg fielders with ease.
10.6 : H Singh to M Agarwal, Pulled away again but it goes to deep mid-wicket for a single this time. 7 runs and 2 wickets off this over for Harbhajan!
Imran Tahir is back on.
11.1 : I Tahir to M Agarwal, Starts a new spell with a flighted full ball on off, Agarwal pushes it through the gap at covers for a run.
11.2 : I Tahir to N Pooran, Flatter delivery on the pads, Pooran hits it straight to mid-wicket.
11.3 : I Tahir to N Pooran, A juicy full toss outside off, Nicholas reaches out for it and strokes it to deep cover. Rayudu mops it up and they take a single.
11.4 : I Tahir to M Agarwal, Shortish and outside off, Mayank mistimes his horizontal bat shot. It goes back to the bowler off the bottom half of his bat.
11.5 : I Tahir to M Agarwal, The ball has been square driven by the batsman. They have run through for a single.
11.6 : I Tahir to N Pooran, Quicker one in the line of the middle stump, Pooran moves back inside the crease and punches it down to long on for a run.
12.1 : H Singh to N Pooran, Short outside off, Pooran pulls this ball to the right of long on for a run.
12.2 : H Singh to M Agarwal, OUT! Harbhajan has his third! A poor delivery to get a wicket though. A short one on middle and leg, Agarwal looks to pull it away but finds deep backward square leg to perfection. Jadeja out there takes the catch with his safe pair of hands and Punjab are losing their way slightly here. What a comeback from Bhajji though, he had 0/41 off his first 2 and now has 3/49.
Mandeep Singh walks out at number 5.
12.3 : H Singh to M Singh, Fired in quicker on middle, punched back down to long on for a run.
12.4 : H Singh to N Pooran, Flighted outside off, driven to cover by Pooran.
12.5 : H Singh to N Pooran, Wide! Bowled way outside off, wided.
H Singh to N Pooran, Cut away but straight to the backward point fielder. Good timing on that ball.
12.6 : H Singh to N Pooran, SIX! That ends up deep in the stands. A flatter one on middle, Pooran rocks back and pulls this one. That ball keeps travelling. Ends up in the crowd somewhere. Harbhajan ends with figures of 4-0-57-3 but only 16 runs came off his last two overs along with all the wickets.
13.1 : D Bravo to M Singh, A low full toss down the leg side, it's helped to fine leg for a run.
13.2 : D Bravo to N Pooran, Four running runs! Bravo pitches it up and outside off, Pooran drives it through extra cover and Jadeja chases it down from long off. He fires in the throw at the bowler's end, misses the target and it races towards the fence. Jadhav does well to pull it back but is holding his left shoulder. Not looking good, he is heading off the field. Four runs in total added to the total.
13.3 : D Bravo to N Pooran, Dropped by Vijay (sub)! Bravo delivers it full and outside off, Pooran drives it in the air towards point where Vijay puts down a sitter.
13.4 : D Bravo to N Pooran, FOUR! Crunched! Bravo goes full again, it's wide outside off, Nicholas reaches out for it with his long hands and thumps it through covers.
13.5 : D Bravo to N Pooran, Another good looking drive from Pooran's bat, this time it has gone straight to the cover fielder for a run.
13.6 : D Bravo to M Singh, A low dipping full toss on middle, it's clipped down to wide long on for a couple of runs. The throw comes from the deep, Bravo tries to collect it and collides with Pooran. No harm done. 12 from the over, 33 needed off 36 balls.
Ravindra Jadeja to bowl now.
14.1 : R Jadeja to N Pooran, SIX! Humongous! A flatter one on middle and leg, Pooran lifts the ball clean as a whistle. The fielders are mere spectators. Brilliant shot.
14.2 : R Jadeja to N Pooran, Wide outside off, Pooran looks to cut. He gets an under edge to the keeper. 14.2 done and the target not done! That means that Chennai will be in the top 2!
14.3 : R Jadeja to N Pooran, Pushed away towards short third man this time by the southpaw.
14.4 : R Jadeja to N Pooran, FOUR! Bludgeoned down the ground! A flatter one on off, Pooran pulls this one and finds the long on boundary on a bounce. This is some hitting!
14.5 : R Jadeja to N Pooran, Cut away to deep point for a run.
14.6 : R Jadeja to M Singh, Flatter on middle, pulled away through square leg for a couple of runs by Mandeep. 13 runs off it. Just 20 needed now.
Imran Tahir comes back on now. 2-0-21-0 so far.
15.1 : I Tahir to N Pooran, Pooran comes down the ground and looks to hit this one but gets an outside half towards short third man.
15.2 : I Tahir to N Pooran, FOUR BYES! That has beaten everyone. Fired in really full on off, Pooran looks to drive but fails to put bat on ball. Dhoni misses the ball too and the ball goes to the rope for four byes.
15.3 : I Tahir to N Pooran, SIX! That has gone out of Mohali! A leg-spinner on middle, Pooran pulls it way into the stands over deep mid-wicket. This is striking of the best quality! 10 runs needed now.
15.4 : I Tahir to N Pooran, Flighted outside off, driven through mid off for a single by the southpaw.
15.5 : I Tahir to M Singh, Punched back down the ground for a single by Mandeep.
15.6 : I Tahir to N Pooran, Short outside off, cut by the left-hander towards short third man. Dot ball, a rare one. Punjab need 8 runs off 24 balls now at 2 runs per over!
Strategic break!
16.1 : R Jadeja to M Singh, Flatter and shorter on middle, punched down to long on for a run.
16.2 : R Jadeja to N Pooran, OUT! Against the run of play, Jadeja has dismissed Pooran. He dishes out a flatter and shorter delivery outside off, Pooran camps back to play the square cut but it takes a thick outside edge and settles into the gloves of Dhoni. The keeper just tosses the ball up in celebration, Jadeja turns back to put in a formal appeal and then Pooran is seen walking back.
Sam Curran is in next.
16.3 : R Jadeja to Sam Curran, Quicker one on off, punched back towards the bowler.
16.4 : R Jadeja to Sam Curran, Action replay of the previous delivery. Once again Sam has hit a short ball back in the direction of the bowler.
16.5 : R Jadeja to Sam Curran, Short and outside off, cut through cover-point for one.
16.6 : R Jadeja to M Singh, Flighted and full on off, Mandeep drives it through wide mid off for a single. 5 more needed.
17.1 : I Tahir to M Singh, Flighted one, full and on off, Singh knocks it down to long off for one.
17.2 : I Tahir to Sam Curran, Shortish and on off, Curran punches it off his back foot but finds covers.
17.3 : I Tahir to Sam Curran, A flatter one on off, Curran should have been forward but then decides to defend it from the back foot.
17.4 : I Tahir to Sam Curran, Forces a full ball down the ground to long off for a single.
17.5 : I Tahir to M Singh, Shortish and on middle, Mandeep hops back and punches it down to long on. Nothing fancy, they are doing it in singles.
17.6 : I Tahir to Sam Curran, FOUR! All over, PUNJAB WIN BY 6 WICKETS with two overs remaining! Tahir serves it very full and on off, Curran goes hard at it and thwacks it down the ground for a boundary.
A convincing win for Punjab to end their season. They have avoided the wooden spoon and it has landed in the bag of Bangalore. This victory will please the home team as it has come against one of the top teams of the league. Earlier, powered by the century stand between du Plessis and Raina, Chennai posted 170 on the board. Faf missed out on his ton while the visiting team didn't get going in the death overs and fell around 15-20 runs short.
Chasing a stiff target, Punjab got off to a rollicking start. KL Rahul batted like a train on fire and completed his fifty off just 19 balls. That set the tone for the chase and scared Chennai who were in danger of getting dropped to number two in the points table, had Punjab overhauled the target in 14.2 overs. Harbhajan Singh, who took a real hammering in his first spell of 2 overs, returned with a bang to pick three wickets and put brakes on the home team's charge. His spell meant that Chenna
Chennai skipper, MS Dhoni credits Gayle and Rahul for their knocks and praises Punjab's bowling as well. Admits that Chennai were not up to the mark in the Powerplay. Is happy that they managed to stretch the game to as long as possible. Mentions that they wanted to win the game but after the kind of start Punjab had, the 14.2 overs factor played in his mind. Lauds his bowlers for bowling the last 8-9 overs well.
KL Rahul is the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award. That's all we have from this game. But don't go anywhere as the battle for the fourth spot is still on. Kolkata are taking on Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium and a win will hand them the ticket to the playoffs. Hyderabad will be closely watching this game too. Switch to the concerned tab and follow all the updates. Cheers!
Punjab skipper, Ravichandran Ashwin says that it wasn't easy for them but adds that they never got outplayed in any game this season, apart from Hyderabad. Further says that they lost the Powerplay battles this season. Mentions that they have not qualified but wants to build on the performance this season. States that the auction is where most battles are won. Thanks the coach for all the support and feels that they need to have a long term vision for the franchise.
KL Rahul is the obvious choice for the Man of the Match award. He starts by saying that he was holding himself back till the last game as his role was to bat out 20 overs. Adds that sometimes you have to alter your game and play according to the situation. Feels that his strike rate has dropped a bit but he succeeded in winning more games for his side this season.
That's all we have from this game. But don't go anywhere as the battle for the fourth spot is still on. Kolkata are taking on Mumbai at the Wankhede Stadium and a win will hand them the ticket to the playoffs. Hyderabad will be closely watching this game too. Switch to the concerned tab and follow all the updates. Cheers!