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Kolkata vs Delhi Live Commentary, Qualifier 2, Indian Premier League, 2021, October 13, 2021

DC 135/5 (20)
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Delhi Capitals by 3 wickets
KKR 136/7 (19.5)
Match over
Delhi Capitals Inning Kolkata Knight Riders Inning
0.0 : PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is down for the pitch report. He says that it is very pleasant and cool out there. Adds that the highest score on this surface is 156 and it was made by Bangalore, but teams after that have not been able to cross 132. Matthew Hayden says that batting here should be a mix of playing fearlessly and sensibly. Adds that scoring 50 runs in the Powerplay is what the batters should target. Says that spinners will play a big role in this game and it will get challenging to sco
... MATCH DAY ...
Hello and a warm welcome to all! It is time for Qualifier 2 in the Indian T20 League. In this game, Delhi will be locking horns against Kolkata. With Qualifier 2 comes the pressure and the fear of not being able to notch the last ticket to the final. Delhi had an opportunity to make it to the finale but they slipped against Chennai which is why they feature in this game. Kolkata, on the other hand, have certainly revived in the UAE leg of the competition. No one would have thought they would m
Delhi reached the finals for the first time last season in 2020. But they could not get over the line against Mumbai. Although, they have been a dominant side in this season of the Indian T20 League. They topped the league stage with 20 points and would be eager to move an inch closer to their maiden trophy win. Although, Delhi are coming into this game on the back of two consecutive defeats. They still remain a very strong team.
Kolkata have been the comeback kings of the season and they are familiar with the Sharjah conditions, as they ended Bangalore’s hunt in the Eliminator. Kolkata have also won all the games while chasing in UAE and would likely hope to repeat that if they chase here again. In their last game, Sunil Narine was back to his best form and caused a lot of trouble to the opposition with both the bat and the ball. Also, on paper, it looks like they have a deep batting lineup, which was seen in thei
TOSS UPDATE - Eoin Morgan and Rishabh Pant are at the middle for the all-important toss. The coin lands in favour of Morgan and Kolkata have elected to BOWL first.
Delhi (Playing XI) - Prithvi Shaw, Shikhar Dhawan, Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant (C/WK), Marcus Stoinis (In for Tom Curran), Shimron Hetmyer, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kagiso Rabada, Avesh Khan, Anrich Nortje.
Eoin Morgan, the skipper of Kolkata, says that they will bowl first. Mentions they have played a couple of games in Sharjah and that has worked for them before. Adds, there are no changes to the side. Also says, he hopes there is a bit of an advantage with them, but against this Delhi side, it should be a test. Mentions in the UAE leg, his players have played with fire and have put on a great show. 
Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan, Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy.
Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that they would have bowled first too but there is no point in thinking over the toss too much. Informs Marcus Stoinis comes in for Tom Curran. Ends by saying that the players are in the right frame of mind and hopes that the guys enjoy out on the field.
We are set for the clash! The umpires stride out to the middle. Eoin Morgan leads his side on the field. Shikhar Dhawan and Prithvi Shaw walk out to bat for Delhi. Dinesh Karthik has his helmet on and is standing up as Shakib Al Hasan is going to start with the ball. Here we go...
0.1 : Shakib Al Hasan to Prithvi Shaw, Flatter and short, outside off. Shaw cuts it to point.
0.2 : Shakib Al Hasan to Prithvi Shaw, Shaw and Delhi are off the mark. Slightly short and outside off. Shaw stays on the back foot and cuts it to the left of point. Nitish Rana there dives to his left to make a half-stop. The batters cross.
0.3 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Loopy ball, on off. Dhawan defends it to short mid-wicket.
0.4 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter and on middle. Dhawan defends it to mid-wicket.
0.5 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on off. Dhawan defends it onto the pitch. Three dots on the trot now!
0.6 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Make it 4. What a start by Shakib Al Hasan. Floated, full and on off. Dhawan defends it back to the bowler. Just 1 run off the over.
Who will start from the other end? Time for some pace as Lockie Ferguson is set to steam in.
1.1 : Lockie Ferguson to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! Shaw gets the first boundary of the game with a glorious drive. Full length and outside off. Shaw leans into it and carves it through covers for a boundary.
1.2 : Lockie Ferguson to Prithvi Shaw, BEATEN! Good reply by Lockie Ferguson. A length ball, outside off. The ball nips in a bit. Shaw hops and looks to push it to the off side but misses.
1.3 : Lockie Ferguson to Prithvi Shaw, A single now! A length ball, on the pads. Shaw tucks it to mid-wicket and gets a single.
1.4 : Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, BEATEN! Beautifully bowled by Lockie Ferguson. Good-length ball, outside off. Dhawan hangs back and looks to push it away but misses. The ball beats the outside edge.
1.5 : Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Swing and a miss! Dhawan is struggling here. He is yet to get off the mark. Good length and outside off. Dhawan skips down the track and looks to cut it away but misses. The ball bounces over the blade.
1.6 : Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Dhawan's struggle continues. A length ball, around off. The ball nips in. Dhawan hangs back and looks to defend it out but misses. He gets rapped on the pads. Ferguson appeals but the umpire is unmoved. Going down leg probably.
2.1 : Shakib Al Hasan to Prithvi Shaw, SIX! BANG! Shaw gets the first maximum of the game. At the other end, Dhawan is struggling but here, Shaw continues on his merry way. Tossed up, on middle. Shaw comes down the track and smokes it over the wide long on fence.
2.2 : Shakib Al Hasan to Prithvi Shaw, FOUR! SMACKED! Flatter and outside off. Shaw hangs back and cuts it past point for a boundary.
2.3 : Shakib Al Hasan to Prithvi Shaw, Full and on off. Shaw sweeps it to square leg.
2.4 : Shakib Al Hasan to Prithvi Shaw, On off, pushed to mid off for a single.
2.5 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Finally Dhawan is off the mark. Floated, full and on off. Dhawan gets low and sweeps it through square leg for a single.
2.6 : Shakib Al Hasan to Prithvi Shaw, A dot to end the over! Full and on off. Shaw gets low and sweeps it to square leg but there is a man there. A good over for Delhi and they get 12 runs off it.
Change. Sunil Narine comes on now.
3.1 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, CLOSE! Tossed up, full and outside off. Dhawan looks to drive it away but misses.
3.2 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, SIX! BOOM! Dhawan capitalizes on the full toss. Full toss, on off. Dhawan gets on one knee and powers it over the square leg fence for a maximum.
3.3 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, SIX! Back-to-back maximums. Dhawan is in his groove now. Tossed up, full and on off. Dhawan gets low and slog-sweeps it over the square leg fence.
3.4 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Floated, full and outside off. Dhawan pushes it through covers for a single.
3.5 : Sunil Narine to Prithvi Shaw, Flatter and on the pads. Shaw clips it to mid-wicket for a single.
3.6 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Full and on middle. Dhawan defends it back to the bowler. Delhi have been on the attack against the spinners. Narine gives away 14 runs off his first over. 
Change. Varun Chakravarthy comes in the attack now.
4.1 : Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat now. It has been a while since he walked out on the field.
4.2 : Varun Chakravarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter ball, on off. Marcus Stoinis punches it to cover.
4.1 : Varun Chakravarthy to Prithvi Shaw, OUT! LBW! Varun Chakravarthy strikes on his first ball and gets the much-needed breakthrough for Kolkata. A googly, around off, turning in sharply. Prithvi Shaw prods to block this one but he misses and gets rapped in front. Varun Chakravarthy puts in an appeal and the umpire raises his finger. Shaw has a word with Dhawan but does not review it. The replay shows that he is plumb and that was a good decision by the umpire.
4.3 : Varun Chakravarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter ball, around off. Marcus Stoinis works it to mid off, off the back foot.
4.4 : Varun Chakravarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Quicker ball, around middle and leg. Marcus Stoinis tucks it to the leg side to get off the mark with a single.
4.5 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up, around off. Shikhar Dhawan defends it out off the front foot.
4.6 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shikhar Dhawan, A tad short, around off. Shikhar Dhawan stays back and pushes it to long on for a run. Just 2 runs and a wicket off the over!
5.1 : Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Back of a length, around off. Shikhar Dhawan hangs back and taps it towards backward point for a quick run.
0.0 : Lockie Ferguson is back on. He went for 5 in his first over.
5.2 : Lockie Ferguson to Marcus Stoinis, Short of a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis miscues his pull wide of mid-wicket for one.
5.3 : Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, BEATEN! Good-length ball, angling in from outside off. Shikhar Dhawan stays back to cut but he misses as the ball zips past his outside edge.
5.4 : Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Good-length ball, outside off. Shikhar Dhawan skips down to slog but the ball keeps low and goes past Dhawan's blade.
5.5 : Lockie Ferguson to Shikhar Dhawan, Length ball, jagging back in from middle. Shikhar Dhawan flicks it to square leg to rotate the strike.
5.6 : Lockie Ferguson to Marcus Stoinis, Good-length ball, on middle and leg. Stoinis tucks it to the leg side and collects a single. Delhi are 38/1 at the end of the Powerplay.
6.1 : Shakib Al Hasan to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter ball, around off. Marcus Stoinis looks to cut but he gets an inside edge and the ball goes to the left of the keeper for a run.
0.0 : Shakib Al Hasan is back on. He went for 13 in his first two overs.
6.2 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, TWO WIDE! A stumping chance has gone begging! Shakib Al Hasan sees Dhawan advancing down the track, he fires it down leg. Dinesh Karthik reaches out but fails to collect the ball cleanly. The batters cross over.
6.3 : Shakib Al Hasan to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter ball, on off. Marcus Stoinis drills it to long off for a single.
6.2 : Shakib Al Hasan to Marcus Stoinis, FOUR! Lovely shot! Tossed up, around off. Marcus Stoinis carves it over cover for a boundary.
6.4 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Quicker ball, down leg. Shikhar Dhawan tucks it to the leg side for one.
6.5 : Shakib Al Hasan to Marcus Stoinis, A tad short, around middle. Marcus Stoinis lofts it towards long on for a single.
6.6 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter and quicker, around middle and leg. Shikhar Dhawan works it wide of mid on to collect a run.
7.1 : Shivam Mavi to Shikhar Dhawan, Good-length ball, on the pads. Shikhar Dhawan taps it towards mid-wicket and takes a quick run.
7.2 : Shivam Mavi to Marcus Stoinis, Good-length ball, on off. Marcus Stoinis defends it to cover.
7.3 : Shivam Mavi to Marcus Stoinis, Well bowled! Length ball, jagging back in from middle. Marcus Stoinis turns it to mid on.
7.4 : Shivam Mavi to Marcus Stoinis, Back of a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis rocks back and defends it towards cover.
7.5 : Shivam Mavi to Marcus Stoinis, Wide! Mavi errs in line and sprays this one way down leg. Marcus Stoinis lets it be. Wide called by the umpire.
Shivam Mavi to Marcus Stoinis, Short of a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis punches it towards cover off the back foot.
7.6 : Shivam Mavi to Marcus Stoinis, Back of a length, outside off. Marcus Stoinis hangs back and cuts it towards sweeper cover. The batters take a single. Just 3 runs off the over!
Strategic Time-Out! This has been a decent start by Delhi. Yes, they have lost Shaw but a run rate of 6.5 here is good enough to start things. They would now hope to build a solid platform so the likes of Pant and Hetmyer can tee off in the death overs. But the next stage of the game will see Morgan using his spinners in tandem and they have been in sensational form. This should be an exciting contest.
8.1 : Sunil Narine to Marcus Stoinis, Flatter ball, on middle. Marcus Stoinis backs away and cuts it past covers for one.
8.2 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter ball, around off. Dhawan looks to whip it away but gets the inside edge back on the pads.
8.3 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Shorter ball, outside off. Dhawan looks to work it away but gets the inside edge to short fine leg.
8.4 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up, outside off. Dhawan looks to cut it away but misses.
8.5 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Shorter ball, outside off. Dhawan pushes it past point for one.
8.6 : Sunil Narine to Marcus Stoinis, Tossed up, on leg. Pushed down to long on for one. Just 3 from the over.
9.1 : Varun Chakravarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Tossed up, on off. Pushed down to long off for one.
0.0 : Varun Chakravarthy (1-0-2-1) comes back to bowl.
9.2 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shikhar Dhawan, Good footwork by Venkatesh Iyer! Dhawan comes down the track and smacks it down the ground. Iyer runs across from long on and stops the ball with his feet. The man from long off gets across and throws it back. Two taken.
9.3 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shikhar Dhawan, FOUR! Dhawan gets a much-needed boundary for his team! Tossed up, outside off. He gets low and sweeps it between wide long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
9.4 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter ball, outside off. Pushed to deep point for one.
9.5 : Varun Chakravarthy to Marcus Stoinis, Loopy ball, on off. Marcus Stoinis chips it towards long off for a single.
9.6 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shikhar Dhawan, Tossed up, on off. Dhawan comes down the track and pushes it to long off for one.
10.1 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Fuller ball, on off. Swept away to deep square leg for one.
10.2 : Sunil Narine to Marcus Stoinis, Tossed up, on leg. Marcus Stoinis paddles it towards fine leg. The fielder gets to his right and keeps it down to a couple.
10.3 : Sunil Narine to Marcus Stoinis, Darted outside off. Punched to short cover.
10.5 : Sunil Narine to Marcus Stoinis, Darted on the pads. Tucked past mid-wicket for one.
10.6 : Sunil Narine to Shikhar Dhawan, Shorter ball, outside off. Shikhar Dhawan slaps it to deep point for one.
10.3 : A stumping decision has been sent upstairs. Marcus Stoinis has his back foot grounded and it is NOT OUT! 
11.1 : Shivam Mavi to Shikhar Dhawan, Length ball, outside off. Dhawan comes down the track and toe-ends it back to the bowler.
11.2 : Shivam Mavi to Shikhar Dhawan, Short of a length, outside off. Shikhar Dhawan looks to cut but gets the outside edge to third man for one.
10.4 : Shivam Mavi (1-0-3-0) comes back into the attack.
11.3 : Shreyas Iyer walks out to bat.
Shivam Mavi to Marcus Stoinis, OUT! BOWLED! Mavi gets the wicket and Stoinis shakes his head while walking back! Length ball, on middle and leg. Stoinis backs away to the leg side to cut it away. But gets the toe end of the bat and the ball crashes back on the stumps. This is a key moment in the game and Kolkata would look to strangle the batters further here.
10.4 : Sunil Narine to Marcus Stoinis, NOT OUT! Tossed up, around leg. Stoinis looks to heave it across the line but misses. Karthik whips the bails off and the TV umpire is called in. The replays show Stoinis had dragged his foot outside the crease. But he gets it back in just before the bails are taken off.
Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, In the air....safe! Length ball, on off. Iyer looks to whip it away but gets the top edge. The ball goes over cover. The man in the deep gets to his right and the man from cover chases it but the ball lands safely. Two taken.
11.5 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball, on off. Blocked out.
11.6 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball, on off. Worked to mid-wicket.
12.1 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, A half-tracker, outside off. Shikhar Dhawan pulls it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for one.
0.0 : Change. Shakib Al Hasan (3-0-24-0) to bowl out here.
12.2 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shreyas Iyer, Quicker ball, down leg. Shreyas Iyer looks to heave it away but he misses and gets hit on his pads.
12.4 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shreyas Iyer, Tossed up, outside off. Shreyas Iyer reaches out and drives through covers for a single.
12.3 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shreyas Iyer, Shakib fires it in on the pads. The ball stays low and it goes through Iyer's legs as he looks to pull it hard.
12.5 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shikhar Dhawan, Flatter ball, on middle and leg. Shikhar Dhawan tucks it to the leg side for one.
12.6 : Shakib Al Hasan to Shreyas Iyer, A tad short, outside off. Shreyas Iyer stays back and cuts it towards deep cover for a single.
13.1 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, Back of a length, on middle. Shreyas Iyer works it to long on off the back foot for a run.
13.2 : Shivam Mavi to Shikhar Dhawan, Good-length ball, around off. Shikhar Dhawan skips down to slog but he miscues it wide of deep mid-wicket. The batters take one.
Is that a run out? Nope, Shikhar Dhawan is inside the crease.
13.4 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, Good-length ball, angling in from middle. Shreyas Iyer blocks it out.
13.5 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, In the air, but lands just in front of the long on fielder. Good-length ball, around off. Shreyas Iyer looks to heave it away but it goes off the toe end of the bat towards long on. The fielder comes running in from long on but the ball falls short of the fielder. The batters take one.
13.3 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, NOT OUT! Good-length ball, on middle. Shreyas Iyer heaves it towards Shubman Gill at deep mid-wicket and looks for the second run. Gill runs from deep mid-wicket, collects the ball and has a shy at the bowler's end. He hits the stumps but Dhawan is well inside the crease as confirmed by the TV umpire.
13.6 : Shivam Mavi to Shikhar Dhawan, Length ball, around off. Shikhar Dhawan skips down and pushes it to long off for a run.
Varun Chakravarthy (2-0-12-1) is back on.
14.1 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shikhar Dhawan, OUT! TAKEN! Varun Chakravarthy gets the big wicket of Dhawan and Delhi slide further here! This one is a googly, outside off. Dhawan comes down the track looking to slog it away. He is nowhere near the pitch of the ball but goes through the stroke. All he gets is the outside edge and the ball goes to cover. Shakib Al Hasan dives forward and takes the catch.
14.2 : Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Shorter ball, outside off. Pushed to covers.
14.3 : Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, FOUR! Misfield in the deep! Tossed up, on leg. Pant sweeps it hard. The man from deep square leg gets across but the ball goes through his legs and goes to the fence.
14.4 : Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Shorter ball, outside off. Cut away to deep cover for one.
14.5 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Shorter ball, outside off. Iyer runs it to short third man for one.
14.6 : Varun Chakravarthy to Rishabh Pant, Tossed up, on leg. Hit down to long on for one.
0.0 : Time-Out! This is brilliant bowling by Kolkata. They have sent back Stoinis and Dhawan and now will be looking to strangle the batting side and not let them score freely. Delhi, on the other hand, would hope, the current pair keeps ticking and take it deep. Rishabh Pant walks out to bat.
15.1 : Lockie Ferguson to Rishabh Pant, Shorter ball, outside off. Pant comes down the track and hits it to mid off.
15.2 : Shimron Hetmyer walks out to bat now.
15.3 : Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Short of a length, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer runs it to third man for one.
15.2 : Lockie Ferguson to Rishabh Pant, OUT! TAKEN! Now, Lockie Ferguson gets in the act! He bowls a shorter ball, on off. Pant backs away looking to pull it but gets the top edge as the ball bounces a bit more than he expected. It goes high in the air to mid off and it is taken by Rahul Tripathi. This has been a brilliant show by Kolkata and Delhi are in big trouble now.
15.4 : Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball, outside off. Iyer works it to deep mid-wicket for one.
15.5 : Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Shorter ball, outside off. Pushed away to backward point.
15.6 : Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Length ball, on off. Blocked out by Shimron Hetmyer.
16.1 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter ball, outside off. Iyer looks to reverse sweep but misses.
16.2 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Shorter ball, on leg. Iyer works it past mid-wicket for one.
16.3 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shimron Hetmyer, Flatter ball, on the pads. Flicked past square leg for one.
16.4 : Is that a no ball? They are checking it now but Shimron Hetmyer has walked off the ground. It is a NO BALL!
Varun Chakravarthy to Shimron Hetmyer, NO BALL! Shimron Hetmyer comes running back in! Tossed up, on off. He heaves it to wide long on. The fielder runs in and dives forward to take a very good catch. Shimron Hetmyer walks off the ground but the umpires check for the no ball. It is very close and the TV umpire decides that it is a no ball. Free Hit coming up!
Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Shorter ball, outside off. Iyer looks to cut it away but ends up hitting in the air. The catch is taken but it is a Free Hit. The batters take one.
16.5 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shimron Hetmyer, Tossed up, on off. Flicked past mid-wicket for one.
16.6 : Varun Chakravarthy to Shreyas Iyer, Fuller ball, on the pads. Flicked past mid-wicket for one.
17.1 : Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball, on off. Iyer works it to deep square leg for one.
17.2 : Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, SIX! All the way! On a length, on off. Shimron Hetmyer gets low and hits it high in the air. The ball goes just over the square leg fence.
17.3 : Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, Length ball, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer looks to smack it but gets the inside edge. The man at short fine leg dives and gets a hand to the ball. One taken.
17.4 : Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, Length ball, around off. Iyer fails to get any bat on it.
17.5 : Lockie Ferguson to Shreyas Iyer, Short of a length, outside off. Cut away to deep cover for one.
17.6 : Lockie Ferguson to Shimron Hetmyer, SIX! That is punished by Shimron Hetmyer! Full ball, on off. He clears his front leg and whips it way over the mid-wicket fence.
18.1 : Sunil Narine to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter ball, way outside off. Iyer leaves it. Wide called.
Sunil Narine to Shreyas Iyer, Shorter ball, on off. Punched to long on for one.
18.2 : Sunil Narine to Shimron Hetmyer, Darted on the pads. Shimron Hetmyer gets hit on the pads and the ball rolls away. One taken.
18.3 : Sunil Narine to Shreyas Iyer, OUT! RUN OUT! Brilliant work by Venkatesh Iyer! Shorter ball, outside off. Shreyas Iyer cuts it straight to point and sets off for a run. Venkatesh Iyer fires a perfect throw to Dinesh Karthik, who takes the bails off. Shimron Hetmyer is nowhere in the picture.
18.4 : Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Flatter ball, on the pads. Worked past square leg for one.
18.5 : Sunil Narine to Shreyas Iyer, Flatter ball, on off. Iyer runs it to short third man for one.
18.3 : Axar Patel is the new man in.
18.6 : Sunil Narine to Axar Patel, Shorter ball, on leg. Patel hits it past short fine leg for one.
19.1 : Shivam Mavi to Axar Patel, Length ball, on off. Heaved to deep mid-wicket for one.
Shivam Mavi (3-0-12-1) comes back to bowl the last over of the innings.
19.2 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, FOUR! In the gap! Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Iyer gets across and pulls it between wide long on and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
19.3 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, Yorker, on off. Iyer plays it with soft hands to long on and sprints back for the second.
19.4 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, Yorker again, on off. Hit down to long on. They want the second but decide against it in the end.
19.5 : Shivam Mavi to Axar Patel, Slower ball, fuller and outside off. Patel hits it to wide long on for one.
19.6 : Shivam Mavi to Shreyas Iyer, SIX! HAMMERED! Mavi ends up serving a full toss, outside off. Iyer shuffles across and hits it straight down the ground for a maximum. Delhi end at 135 for 5!
How one evaluates the first innings would depend on one's point of view. We all know how difficult it is to score runs in Sharjah. The Delhi batters though kept their nerves and made sure they keep the runs ticking. Kolkata, on the other hand, their bowlers were on the money yet again. They kept things tight and kept chipping wickets at regular intervals.
It was a good show by Kolkata. Their bowlers and bowled good lines and lengths throughout. They made it difficult for the opposition to score freely. Varun Chakravarthy was the pick of the bowlers as he picked up two wickets. He could have his third wicket but it turned out to be a no ball. Lockie Ferguson and Shivam Mavi took a wicket each but were expensive in their last overs. But overall, Kolkata would be satisfied with their show with the ball.
Right then. The Kolkata bowlers have done their job. Now, the onus is on their batters to chase down the target and book the last spot in the finale. Kolkata have chased every game successfully in the UAE leg and would hope there are changes in fortune. Will they get through to the final or will Kagiso Rabada and co do their magic on this track? Stay with us to find out.
Shivam Mavi is up for a quick chat. He says that it is a chaseable score as there is some dew on the field. Adds that they have a fair idea of how to bowl on these kinds of pitches as they have played few games here previously. Signs off by saying that the team that plays well in the second innings will end up winning the game.
....THE RUN CHASE....
The Delhi batters fought hard from the start. Prithvi Shaw was on the attack from the word go, while Shikhar Dhawan was still finding his rhythm. Once Shaw fell, Dhawan and Marcus Stoinis kept the scoreboard ticking without getting many boundaries but they both lost their way in the middle. Rishabh Pant too could not make an impact with the blade. Then came a stand between Shreyas Iyer and Shimron Hetmyer who smacked some crucial runs at the fag end of the innings. Hetmyer was caught on
We are set for Kolkata's reply! Rishabh Pant and his men are in a huddle before striding out to the middle.
0.1 : Anrich Nortje to Shubman Gill, FOUR! What a shot to get started! Full ball, outside off. Gill hits it through covers for a boundary.
0.3 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, Length ball, on the pads. Blocked out.
0.2 : Anrich Nortje to Shubman Gill, Length ball, outside off. Gill runs it to third man for one.
0.4 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, Length ball, around leg. Iyer looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. There is a huge appeal for LBW but the umpire is unmoved. It was pitching outside leg.
0.5 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, On a length, outside off. Pushed to covers.
0.6 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, Shorter ball, on middle. Iyer miscues the pull past mid-wicket for one. 6 from the first over.
1.1 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter ball, outside off. Iyer hits it to the right of long off. It could have been a couple but they settle for one.
0.6 : Ravichandran Ashwin will bowl from the other end.
1.2 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, on leg. Worked to deep mid-wicket for one.
1.3 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Quality stroke! Tossed up, on middle. Iyer gets low and sweeps it to the square leg fence. There was a fielder there but he was moved towards deep mid-wicket just before this ball and Iyer takes full advantage of that.
1.4 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Darted on the pads. Iyer comes down the track and flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.
1.5 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Flatter ball, outside off. Pushed to long on for one.
1.6 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter ball, on leg. Iyer hits it to mid on and takes off for a quick single.
Avesh Khan comes into the attack.
2.1 : Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Shorter ball, outside off. Iyer runs it to third man for one.
2.2 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Short of a length, outside off. Gill looks to cut but the ball stays low and goes under the bat.
2.3 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Shorter ball, on off. Gill hits it past the diving mid-wicket fielder. Shimron Hetmyer gets across from deep square leg but a fumble allows the batters to take the third.
2.4 : Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Length ball, outside off. Iyer hits it to mid off for a quick single.
2.5 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Short of a length, outside off. Gill misses the cut now.
2.6 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Length ball, outside off. Gill hits it to deep backward point for one.
3.1 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Darted on the pads. Worked towards square leg.
3.2 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Flatter ball, on leg. Gill works it past square leg for one.
0.0 : Axar Patel comes into the attack now.
3.3 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! In the arc and out of the park! Tossed up, on off. Iyer comes down the track and whips it way over the mid-wicket fence.
3.4 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter ball, on off. Iyer gets the inside edge back on the pads and back to the bowler.
3.5 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Full ball, on leg. Pushed down to long on for one.
3.6 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Just a single as Gill comes down the track and pushes it to long off.
Kagiso Rabada comes to bowl.
4.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Length ball, on the pads. Worked to mid-wicket.
4.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, On the pads and Gill flicks it to short fine leg. There is a direct hit at the keeper's end but Iyer has made it back in the crease.
4.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! That is clobbered! Rabada digs this a touch shorter, on middle. Iyer comes down the track and heaves it over the mid-wicket fence.
4.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, Length ball, down the leg side. Iyer misses the flick. Wide called.
Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, DROPPED! How costly will this prove to be? Length ball, on off. Iyer looks to punch it down the ground but hits it back to the bowler. Rabada gets a touch low and gets his hands to it but drops.
4.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, Length ball, on the pads. Flicked to deep square leg for one.
4.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Short ball, way outside off. Gill goes for the cut but misses. Wide called.
Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Length ball, outside off. Gill flicks it to deep square leg for a couple.
5.1 : Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Nicely done! Length ball, on the pads. Venkatesh Iyer flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Shot of the match so far. He timed that very sweetly.
5.2 : Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Back of a length, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer cuts it to deep point and collects a single.
5.3 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Good-length ball, around off. Shubman Gill taps it to cover and takes an easy run.
5.4 : Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Length ball, on middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer flicks it to wide of deep square leg for a couple. Kolkata bring up their 50!
5.5 : Avesh Khan to Venkatesh Iyer, Full ball, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer guides it to third man for one.
5.6 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Good change of pace, from Khan! Slower ball, on a length, outside off. Shubman Gill looks to cut but he misses. Kolkata are 51/0 at the end of the Powerplay.
6.1 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter ball, around off. Venkatesh Iyer pushes it to point, off the outer half of the bat.
6.2 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Tossed up, on off. Iyer punches it to cover.
6.3 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Loopy ball, on middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
6.4 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, On a length, darted on the pads. Gill stays back and works it to deep square leg for a run.
6.5 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Tossed up, around middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer steps out and drills it to long on to rotate the strike.
6.6 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Excellent running! Floated, around middle. Gill waits for the ball to arrive and flicks it towards deep mid-wicket. Anrich Nortje comes running in from deep mid-wicket and the batters run hard to complete the second run.
7.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, Full ball, on middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer lofts it over the bowler's head for a single.
0.0 : Strategic Time-Out! This has been a great start for Kolkata. Iyer and Gill have been on a roll so far and the Powerplay surely belongs to Kolkata. But as the ball gets older, scoring runs freely will become tougher and that is what Delhi would hope. Pant's brigade needs a couple of quick wickets to get back in the game and they need them quickly. Ravichandran Ashwin comes back on.
7.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Length ball, outside off. Gill prods and drives it past covers for a couple of runs.
7.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Slower ball, outside off. Gill looks to cut but it goes off the under edge to Rishabh Pant behind the sticks, on the bounce.
7.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Length ball, jagging back in from middle and leg. Shubman Gill flicks it behind square on the leg side for a run.
7.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, Back of a length, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer looks to cut but it goes off the thick outside edge towards third man. The batters cross for a single.
7.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Good-length ball, on middle. Shubman Gill tucks it to mid-wicket. 5 runs from the over!
8.1 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Tossed up, on off. Venkatesh Iyer heaves it towards Shikhar Dhawan at long on who moves quickly to his right to keep it down to just one.
8.2 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Wide! Ashwin spills this one down leg. Shubman Gill lets it be. Wided!
Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Flatter ball, on middle. Gill skips down to slog but it goes off the thick inside edge to square leg for a run.
8.3 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Ashwin fires in a quicker ball, on middle. Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and punches it off the back foot to the left of the bowler.
Change of blades for Venkatesh Iyer.
8.4 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Venkatesh Iyer, Tossed up, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer shimmies down and works it to long off for one.
8.5 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, Flatter ball, outside off. Shubman Gill cuts hard but finds the backward point fielder.
8.6 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shubman Gill, A half-tracker, on middle and leg. Shubman Gill whacks it to deep mid-wicket. Steven Smith there, fumbles and concedes an extra run.
9.1 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, SIX! BANG! What a clean strike! Flatter ball, on the pads. Iyer stands tall and heaves it way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie!
0.0 : Axar Patel is back on. He went for 9 in his first over.
9.2 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Wide! Too wide. outside off. Venkatesh Iyer misses his cut. Wide called by the umpire. 
Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Flatter ball, around off. Venkatesh Iyer cuts it to point.
9.4 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Quicker ball, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer stays back and cuts it to deep point for a single.
9.5 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Floated, around off. Shubman Gill drives hard but finds the cover fielder.
9.6 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, On a length, around middle and leg. Gill turns it to deep mid-wicket and collects a single. 60 runs needed off 60 balls!
9.3 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Overpitched ball, on middle and leg. Venkatesh Iyer digs it out.
10.1 : Anrich Nortje to Shubman Gill, Length ball, on off. Pushed to long off for one.
10.2 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, On a length, outside off. Pushed to covers.
10.3 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Over the fielder! Length ball, outside off. Iyer goes over covers. The bottom hand comes off the bat but the ball reaches the fence.
10.4 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, FIVE WIDES! Nortje sprays this one way down leg. Rishabh Pant dives to his right but he has no chance! The ball races away to the fence.
Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, Full ball, on leg. Pushed to long on for one.
10.5 : Anrich Nortje to Shubman Gill, Length ball, on off. Gill hits it to long on for one.
10.6 : Anrich Nortje to Venkatesh Iyer, Full toss, outside off. Iyer hits it to covers.
11.2 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, FIFTY FOR IYER! This has been a brilliant knock by him and he has made sure that his team is in a very comfortable position. Flatter ball, outside off. Pushed to short third man for one.
11.1 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, on off. Gill hits it to long on for one.
11.3 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Fuller ball, on off. Blocked out.
11.4 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, outside off. Gill gets low and sweeps it away for one.
11.5 : Axar Patel to Venkatesh Iyer, Full toss, on off. Iyer gets low and hits it to deep mid-wicket for one.
11.6 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Darted on off. Gill comes down the track to hit it but gets hit on the pads. There is a big appeal for LBW but turned down.
Kagiso Rabada comes back to bowl.
12.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, FOUR! Edgy boundary! Full ball, wide outside off. Iyer looks to go over covers but gets the outside edge. The ball runs to the third man fence.
12.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Venkatesh Iyer, OUT! TAKEN! A brilliant, brilliant knock by Iyer ends. From here, Kolkata would have to bat terribly to lose the game. Length ball, on off. He pulls it straight to the man at deep square leg. The substitute fielder, Steven Smith, takes it with ease. Is there a twist in the tale here?
Nitish Rana walks out to bat.
12.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Nitish Rana, Length ball, on off. Blocked out.
12.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Nitish Rana, On a length, outside off. Pushed past covers for one.
12.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Shubman Gill, Shorter ball, outside off. Gill pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.
12.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Nitish Rana, On a length, on leg. Rana blocks it out with ease.
13.1 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Tossed up, on off. Gill comes down the track and hits it to long on for one.
13.2 : Axar Patel to Nitish Rana, Shorter ball, outside off. Punched to deep cover for one.
13.3 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Just a single as this is pushed to long off.
13.4 : Axar Patel to Nitish Rana, SIX! Hammered! Full ball, outside off. Rana gets under it and smacks it straight down the ground for a maximum. 29 needed from 38 balls now.
13.5 : Axar Patel to Nitish Rana, Shorter ball, outside off. Rana cuts it wide of sweeper cover for one.
13.6 : Axar Patel to Shubman Gill, Flatter ball, on off. Gill misses the sweep.
Change. Avesh Khan (2-0-15-0) is back on.
14.1 : Avesh Khan to Nitish Rana, DROPPED!  A sitter has gone down! Short ball, outside off. Rana goes for the slog but gets the outside edge. The ball goes to third man but Ravichandran Ashwin makes a mess of it. The batters cross for a run.
14.2 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Length ball, outside off. Pushed to third man for one.
14.3 : Avesh Khan to Nitish Rana, On a length, outside off. Rana misses the drive. Wide called.
14.4 : Avesh Khan to Nitish Rana, Full ball, outside off. Rana pushes it past point for one.
14.5 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Short ball, outside off. Gill goes for the pull but gets the bottom edge back on the ground.
14.6 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Short of a length, outside off. Slapped to covers. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end and the batters take an overthrow.
Anrich Nortje (2-0-18-0) is back on.
15.1 : Anrich Nortje to Nitish Rana, Back of a length, outside off. Nitish Rana cuts it to point and takes a quick run. Steven Smith has a shy at the bowler's end but he misses. Had that been a direct hit, Rana was a goner!
15.2 : Anrich Nortje to Shubman Gill, Good-length ball, on middle. Shubman Gill works it to long on for a single.
15.3 : Anrich Nortje to Nitish Rana, A full toss, on the pads. Rana drills it to long on for a run.
15.4 : Anrich Nortje to Shubman Gill, SIX! WOW! This is a serious shot from Gill! Back of a length, around off. Gill stands tall and flat-bats it over long on for a maximum!
15.5 : Anrich Nortje to Shubman Gill, Length ball, around middle and leg. Gill works it down the ground for one.
15.6 : Anrich Nortje to Nitish Rana, OUT! TAKEN! Nitish Rana holes out and Kolkata lose their second wicket! Nortje bangs it into the deck, around middle. Rana looks to pull but the ball hurries onto him and it goes off the splice of the bat towards Shimron Hetmyer at deep square leg who gulps it down. Too little, too late for Delhi but they will take this! 13 runs needed from 24 balls.
16.1 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Back of a length, outside off. Shubman Gill looks to cut but he misses.
16.2 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, Good-length ball, on middle. Gill skips down and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single.
16.3 : Avesh Khan to Rahul Tripathi, Short of a length, outside off. Rahul Tripathi shimmies down and works it to wide of mid off for a run.
0.0 : Strategic Time-Out! So, here is the situation. Barring a horrible collapse from here, Morgan will stand with Dhoni for the coin toss in Dubai on 15th October. Kolkata are well and truly on top and only the finish strokes are left to be applied. Rahul Tripathi walks out to bat.
16.4 : Avesh Khan to Shubman Gill, OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Shubman Gill departs now and Avesh Khan gets his man! A full ball, outside off. Gill reaches out and looks to drive but he only manages a thick outside edge. Rishabh Pant, behind the sticks, moves to his right and takes a good catch.
Dinesh Karthik walks out to bat.
16.5 : Avesh Khan to Dinesh Karthik, Full ball, on middle and leg. Dinesh Karthik drives it to mid on.
16.6 : Avesh Khan to Dinesh Karthik, Slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Dinesh Karthik hangs back to cut but he misses. 11 runs needed from 18 balls now!
17.1 : Kagiso Rabada to Rahul Tripathi, Good-length ball, on middle. Rahul Tripathi blocks it out.
17.2 : Kagiso Rabada to Rahul Tripathi, Another dot ball! Slower ball, shorter in length, outside off. Rahul Tripathi looks to play it across the line but he misses.
17.3 : Kagiso Rabada to Rahul Tripathi, Three dots in a row! Another slower ball, outside off, staying a bit low. Rahul Tripathi looks to cut but he fails to get any bat on it.
17.4 : Kagiso Rabada to Rahul Tripathi, Make it four in a row! Good-length ball, around off. Rahul Tripathi skips down and punches hard but finds the cover fielder.
17.5 : Kagiso Rabada to Rahul Tripathi, Short and wide. Rahul Tripathi cuts it to deep point for a single.
17.6 : Kagiso Rabada to Dinesh Karthik, OUT! BOWLED! Well, well! Is there another twist in this game? Good-length ball, outside off. Dinesh Karthik looks to heave it away but it goes off the thick inside edge and the ball crashes onto his stumps. What an over from Kagiso Rabada! Just 1 run and a wicket off this over!
Eoin Morgan walks out to bat. Anrich Nortje will bowl this over. 10 needed from 2 overs.
18.1 : Anrich Nortje to Rahul Tripathi, Misfield! Length ball, on off. Rahul Tripathi punches it to covers. But a midfield by Shreyas Iyer allows the ball through and they get a couple. 8 from 11 now.
18.2 : Anrich Nortje to Rahul Tripathi, DOT BALL! Full ball, on leg. Rahul Tripathi goes for the slog but gets hit on the pads. The ball goes to point and Tripathi looks to sneak a single but is sent back.
18.3 : Anrich Nortje to Rahul Tripathi, Just a single now. Short of a length, outside off. Rahul Tripathi hits it to long on for one.
18.4 : Anrich Nortje to Eoin Morgan, ANOTHER DOT! On a length, outside off. Morgan comes down the track but hits it straight towards short cover. 7 from 8 now.
18.5 : Anrich Nortje to Eoin Morgan, DOT BALL AGAIN! This is gold dust being provided by Anrich Nortje! Full ball, wide outside off. Morgan goes for it but misses. There is an appeal for caught behind as there is a sound while the ball crosses the bat. But the umpire is unmoved.
18.6 : Anrich Nortje to Eoin Morgan, OUT! BOWLED! DELHI ARE NOT OUT YET! How many twists are there in this game? Length ball, outside off. Morgan looks to heave it across the line but gets the inside edge. The ball crashes back on the stumps and Morgan goes back for a duck! 7 needed in the last over!
19.1 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Rahul Tripathi, Just a single! Shorter ball, outside off. Rahul Tripathi hits it to long on for one. 6 from 5 now.
18.6 : Shakib Al Hasan walks out to bat. Also, Ravichandran Ashwin comes back to bowl the last over.
19.3 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shakib Al Hasan, OUT! LBW! DEAR, OH DEAR! What have Kolkata done here? They had the game in their bag but have managed to get Delhi back in the game! It is Delhi's game to lose now! Flatter ball, on middle. Shakib Al Hasan shuffles across to paddle but gets hit on the pads. There is an appeal for LBW and the finger goes up! 6 needed from 3 now.
19.2 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Shakib Al Hasan, DOT BALL! 6 from 4 now! Darted on the pads. Shakib Al Hasan backs away looking to sweep but gets hit on the pads.
19.3 : Sunil Narine is the new man in.
19.4 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Sunil Narine, OUT! TAKEN! A golden duck for Sunil Narine and the Kolkata camp will be very, very nervous! Tossed up, on off. He comes down the track and hits it high in the air. The ball goes to long off and Axar Patel takes it. Wow, how did we get there? This is simply unbelievable. Ravichandran Ashwin is on a hat-trick now.
Lockie Ferguson walks out to bat.
19.5 : Ravichandran Ashwin to Rahul Tripathi, SIX! BANG! Rahul Tripathi HAS DONE IT FOR KOLKATA! He has taken his side into the final! This is a half-tracker, outside off. Rahul Tripathi stays low and powers it over long off for a biggie to seal the match! Kolkata win the match by 3 wickets!
We have our finalists! Kolkata will take on Chennai and one of these teams will lift the trophy in Dubai! What a turnaround this has been by Kolkata. They were cruising at one stage, then they collapsed towards the death overs and looked out of it but they have managed to get over the line. This game had us on the edge of our seats in the last few overs. Delhi gave it their all in the last few overs and would have felt that they would win it but Kolkata got over the line. Phew, what a game that
Delhi did not have the biggest of totals but a couple of early wickets would have put them in a good position but that did not happen as Kolkata had a great start. The first wicket came in 13th over when Kagiso Rabada sent back Venkatesh Iyer. Avesh Khan and Anrich Nortje took a wicket each after that but even then the game looked like it was over. But things changed in the last 3 overs. Kagiso Rabada bowled a brilliant 18th over when he gave only 1 run and took a big wicket. Then, Anrich N
Stay tuned for the presentation to hear from the Player of the Match and the winning skipper, Eoin Morgan.
Rishabh Pant, the skipper of Delhi, says that there are no words to express. Adds that they tried to keep things tight but unfortunately they were not able to get over the line. Credits Kolkata's bowlers by saying that they bowled really well in the middle overs. Tells that they will look to come back strong in the next season. Signs off by saying that they learn from each other, back each other and would be looking to comeback harder in the next season.
Rahul Tripathi is down for a chat, he says that it feels great to finish the game. Adds that he never thought it would go so deep but he is glad to finish the game. Says that he wanted to face the last two balls to hit a six but he was also open to taking a couple of runs. Further adds that it has been a great journey for them in the UAE leg and the positive approach has helped them a lot.
Venkatesh Iyer is the Player of the Match. He says that he is doing what he has been asked to do and is very happy to get this win. Adds that he is just enjoying his time here and he is doing nothing different from Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy and first-class cricket. Tells that he wanted to bat well with Shubhman Gill and credits him by saying that he is an exquisite stroke-maker. Signs off by saying that he is fully focused on the next game now and he is not thinking about the T20 World Cup just ye
Eoin Morgan is down for a chat. He says they will dissect what happened in the death overs. Adds that the openers gave them a brilliant start and they are over the line and that is what matters. Says that Delhi are a very good side and fought hard. Credits Rahul Tripathi for stepping up the task and getting them over the line. Informs that it is pleasing to see guys like Iyer, Gill and Tripathi batting the way they have. Says that they always had the belief even when they were struggling back i
It wasn't a big target for Kolkata but the pressure of the moment could have gotten to them but they didn't allow it at the start. The pair of Venkatesh Iyer and Shubman Gil simply deflated the bowling lineup of Delhi. Iyer was the aggressor and made sure that the required rate did not get out of control while Gill made sure that he rotated the strike well. Iyer got to his fifty but fell soon after. But by then, it looked like the game was done and Kolkata looked set to get over the line. But
Right then! After two legs of the competitions and plenty of entertainment, we are set for the final act of the Indian T20 League 2021. Two captains who are known to keep their cool under pressure will lead their teams on the field for the finale on 15th October 2021. Chennai and Kolkata will battle out for 40 overs to lift the dazzling trophy but only one team will get their hands on it. The final will begin at 6 pm Local (2 pm GMT). Make sure you join us for the grand finale of what has been a