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Rajasthan vs Kolkata Live Commentary, Match 21, Indian Premier League, 2019, April 7, 2019

RR 139/3 (20)
Kolkata Knight Riders beat Rajasthan Royals by 8 wickets
KKR 140/2 (13.5)
Match over
Rajasthan Royals Inning Kolkata Knight Riders Inning
0.0 : Hello and welcome for the second game of Super Sunday. Earlier, we saw Bangalore lose their sixth game in a row this season, furthering their poor run in this campaign so far. Now, a potentially resurgent Rajasthan side go up against Dinesh Karthik's in-form Kolkata. The hosts picked up their first win of the season against Bangalore in their last game and will want to back that up with another win. The visitors, are on a roll courtesy their powerhouse all-rounder Andre Russell, who's been deliv
TOSS - Kolkata win the toss and opt to field!
Dinesh Karthik says they will bowl first as the wicket looks good and they prefer chasing on this surface. Adds that it's important to keep the spirit and the mood in campaign on the positive side. Continues to say that it's crucial to adapt to the different grounds around the country. Informs there is one change as Harry Gurney comes in for Lockie Ferguson.
Ajinkya Rahane says the break was important as they played 3 games in 5 days before the break. Reckons that the boys are in good shape and he is looking forward to the game as the squad is excited. Tells everyone that they wanted to bat first anyway and just wants the team to give their all. Feels that the bowlers need to be aggressive while bowling to Andre Russell and play with good technique. Informs that Sudhesan Midhun and Prashant Chopra come in place of Stuart Binny and Varun Aaron.
Rajasthan XI - Ajinkya Rahane (C), Jos Buttler (WK), Steven Smith, Rahul Tripathi, Ben Stokes, Prashant Chopra, Krishnappa Gowtham, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Dhawal Kulkarni, Sudhesan Midhun.
Kolkata XI - Chris Lynn, Sunil Narine, Robin Uthappa, Nitish Rana, Dinesh Karthik (WK/C), Shubman Gill, Andre Russell, Piyush Chawla, Kuldeep Yadav, Harry Gurney, Prasidh Krishna.
Out walk the umpires and players. The Kolkata players are out and in their fielding positions. The opening pair of Ajinkya Rahane and Jos Buttler is out in the middle for Rajasthan. Kolkata to start with spin. Piyush Chawla to begin proceedings with the new ball.
0.1 : P Chawla to A Rahane, Chawla starts with a very loopy delivery on off. It is a low full toss. Rahane blocks it off his front foot.
0.2 : P Chawla to A Rahane, Wrong 'un on off, Rahane looks to push it on the off side but it goes to backward square leg off the inside edge.
0.3 : P Chawla to A Rahane, Floated on off and middle, Ajinkya calmly taps it back to the bowler.
0.4 : P Chawla to A Rahane, FOUR! Rahane is off the mark in style and so are Rajasthan. Tossed up on off and middle, Rahane gets on one knee and sweeps it over mid-wicket. The ball bounces just inside the ropes and goes for a boundary.
0.5 : P Chawla to A Rahane, On the leg side, Rahane looks to flick it but misses. There is a stifled appeal but it is turned down.
0.6 : P Chawla to A Rahane, Single to end the over. 5 off the first. Tight start from Chawla. The last ball is on middle and leg, Rahane tucks it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : P Krishna to A Rahane, OUT! Rahane is gone. That's dead plumb. Walks over to Buttler to ask him whether the review should be taken and he says no. Rajasthan lose their first and it's the skipper. Krishna bowls a length ball in line of the stumps, Rahane looks to work it across the line but fails to connect. Is caught on the pads and a loud appeal goes up. The umpire's finger follows. Krishna strikes immediately.
Steven Smith walks in at no.3.
1.2 : P Krishna to S Smith, Good length delivery, rising off the deck outside off, Smith punches it firmly to the man at cover.
1.3 : P Krishna to S Smith, Behind a good length, outside off, Steven Smith finds the cover fielder once more.
1.4 : P Krishna to S Smith, Picks up the slower one nicely. Works it from outside off with his wrists and turns it in front of square leg for a single. Smith is off the mark.
1.5 : P Krishna to Jos Buttler, On a back of a length which skids off the deck, just outside off, Buttler hangs back and taps it down under his nose.
1.6 : P Krishna to Jos Buttler, Fine over from Krishna, a wicket and just one run off it. Buttler punches this one towards cover for no run.
2.1 : P Chawla to S Smith, Tossed up on middle, Smith tucks it between mid-wicket and long on. Uthappa misfields inside the circle allowing them to take the single easily.
2.2 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, FOUR! There is very little margin for error while bowling in the Powerplay, especially to Buttler. Googly from Chahal. It is short on middle and leg, Buttler whips it through square leg for a boundary.
2.3 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Shorter on the stumps, Jos follows the boundary with a solid back foot defense.
2.4 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Short again outside off, Buttler slaps it but straight to the fielder at point.
2.5 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Full on middle, Buttler defends it with straight bat.
2.6 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Wrong 'un to end the over. It is pitching on middle, Buttler looks to play it with the spin but gets an inside edge. Karthik behind the stumps cannot gather it cleanly so they sneak in a single.
3.1 : P Krishna to Jos Buttler, Lands it on a length in the channel outside off, Buttler mistimes the punch and ends up finding mid off.
3.2 : P Krishna to Jos Buttler, FOUR! That's nicely played. The outfield is quick and so once it's past the inner circle, it's always going to run away. A little too straight in line, Buttler flicks it through mid-wicket and finds the fence.
3.3 : P Krishna to Jos Buttler, FOUR! That's a very clever shot from Jos Buttler. You expect that from him to be honest. The Englishman moves across his sticks early, anticipating the length delivery around off, and scoops it over short fine leg. Another boundary to his name.
3.4 : P Krishna to Jos Buttler, He's absolutely smashed that but Kuldeep does well to prevent the boundary. Full ball on off, Buttler hammers it down the ground. Kuldeep moves swiftly to his right and stops it with a slide, keeping the batsmen down to one.
3.5 : P Krishna to S Smith, Coming back in on middle and leg, it's turned behind square leg for one.
3.6 : P Krishna to Jos Buttler, Length delivery aiming the top of off stump, Buttler plays it off the inner half towards mid on and takes a quick single.
4.1 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Tossed up on off stump, driven hard but straight to the man at cover.
4.2 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Loopy leg break, landed full on off, pushed to the cover region once more.
4.3 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Floated on off, Buttler comes down the track and strokes it to mid-wicket for a single.
4.4 : P Chawla to S Smith, Shorter on off, Smith glances it to mid-wicket for a single.
4.5 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Quicker one on middle, Buttler hits it on the on side. Chawla quickly runs behind it and gets to the ball. No run.
4.6 : P Chawla to Jos Buttler, Short on leg, Buttler looks to pull it but misses and gets hit on the thigh pad. End of another good over from Chawla. Just 2 off this over.
Sunil Narine is the first bowling change of the innings.
5.1 : S Narine to S Smith, Starts with a flatter delivery outside off, Smith strokes it straight to point. He was looking for a single but Buttler was not interested.
5.2 : S Narine to S Smith, On middle and leg, Smith nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.
5.3 : S Narine to Jos Buttler, Straight on middle. It was almost on yorker length. Buttler plays it straight to mid off.
5.4 : S Narine to Jos Buttler, On the pads, Buttler glances it wide of deep square leg and gets a brace as Smith and Buttler are quick between the wickets.
5.5 : S Narine to Jos Buttler, On the pads, this time Buttler glances it straight to mid-wicket.
5.6 : S Narine to Jos Buttler, Floated on middle and leg, Jos hits it straight to mid on. Another good over for Kolkata. Sunil Narine starts with a tidy over. Just 3 off his first.
Kuldeep Yadav on to bowl now.
6.1 : K Yadav to S Smith, Full on middle and leg, worked to mid-wicket.
6.2 : K Yadav to S Smith, The batsman paddles the ball down the leg side. They manage to come back for the second.
6.3 : K Yadav to S Smith, Short in line of the stumps, Smith pulls it on the leg side for one.
6.4 : K Yadav to Jos Buttler, Leans ahead to this full ball and knocks it through mid on. Another single.
6.5 : K Yadav to S Smith, The batsman has punched the ball off the back foot. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs.
6.6 : K Yadav to S Smith, Loopy and full on middle, Smith comes forward, takes it on the full and hits it off the toe end towards long off for a run.
7.1 : S Narine to S Smith, Fuller on off, Smith plays it straight to mid-wicket. They need to get going now. The number of dots is increasing.
7.2 : S Narine to S Smith, Floated on off, Smith strokes it wide of long off and gets a couple.
7.3 : S Narine to S Smith, Shorter on off, Smith hits it straight to cover.
7.4 : S Narine to S Smith, FOUR! A much needed boundary for Rajasthan. First one after the 4th overs. Short and wide outside off, Smith slaps it through point for a boundary.
7.5 : S Narine to S Smith, Flighted on the leg side, Smith looks to sweep it but misses. The ball hits him on the pad and rolls onto the fine leg region. They steal a leg bye.
7.6 : S Narine to Jos Buttler, An lbw shout which is turned down. Pitching on leg, the ball spins away after pitching. Buttler looks to flick it but misses. There is a stifled appeal which is turned down. They steal a leg bye as the ball goes to the off side. Probably missing leg, height could be a factor too.
8.1 : K Yadav to Jos Buttler, FOUR! The connection on that one was sweet. Flighted on middle, Buttler brings out the reverse sweep and times it beautifully through point for a boundary.
8.2 : K Yadav to Jos Buttler, Floated on off and middle, Jos comes down the track and hits it straight to cover.
8.3 : K Yadav to Jos Buttler, Short on off, Buttler punches it off the back foot to the off side for a single.
8.4 : K Yadav to S Smith, FOUR! Swept and swept hard. Flighted on middle, Smith gets on one knee and sweeps it through mid-wicket for a boundary.
8.5 : K Yadav to S Smith, Tossed up on leg, Smith finds the fielder at mid-wicket with his flick.
8.6 : K Yadav to S Smith, Floated on off, Smith milks it to long off for a single.
Strategic break. Debutant Harry Gurney to bowl his first over in the Indian T20 League after the break.
9.1 : H Gurney to S Smith, Brilliant start. Takes some courage to start with a slower ball. Gurney shows that and bowls it. It is outside off, Smith gets beaten by it and misses his glance.
9.2 : H Gurney to S Smith, On the pads, Smith this time is able to flick it to square leg for a single.
9.3 : H Gurney to Jos Buttler, Back of a length ball on off, Buttler strokes it to mid off and takes a single. 50 partnership is up between the two. They need to accelerate now though.
9.4 : H Gurney to S Smith, Another well disguised slower one. It is outside off, Smith looks to sweep it but gets beaten.
9.5 : H Gurney to S Smith, Back of a length ball outside off, Smith slaps it to deep cover for a single.
9.6 : H Gurney to Jos Buttler, Excellent start for Gurney. Dot to finish his first. Just 3 off his first. Good length ball on off, Buttler plays it straight to cover.
10.1 : K Yadav to S Smith, FOUR! Lucky boundary for Steven Smith! He fails to pick the wrong 'un and tries to work it on the leg side. But it takes the outer half of his blade and races down to third man for a boundary.
10.2 : K Yadav to S Smith, Gets back inside the crease to a shorter delivery and punches it down to long on for one.
10.3 : K Yadav to Jos Buttler, FOUR! This is cheeky, really cheeky from Jos Buttler. He fetches a delivery from outside leg and nails his reverse-batted shot through backward point.
10.4 : K Yadav to Jos Buttler, Yet another reverse sweep from Buttler but this time Lynn makes a fine diving stop at backward point.
10.5 : K Yadav to Jos Buttler, Third reverse sweep in a row. Hmm... Becoming predictable. This time it's towards short third man and they cross for a run.
10.6 : K Yadav to S Smith, Flatter and quicker on middle, Smith has played it towards mid-wicket. One run added to the total. 11 from the over!
11.1 : H Gurney to S Smith, Gurney speeds in and bowls a short ball on middle, Smith pulls it in front of square leg for a run. The Aussie ain't happy with himself as he thinks he should have done better.
11.2 : H Gurney to Jos Buttler, A reverse batted shot for the pacer too. Buttler is taking this to a different level. The connection though is not clean and he mistimes it to covers. Kuldeep has a shy at the bowler's end but misses and now the batsmen cross for a run.
11.3 : H Gurney to S Smith, Slower one, straighter in line, Steven Smith works it in the gap at mid-wicket for one.
11.4 : H Gurney to Jos Buttler, Wide! Serves this one way wide outside off, Jos lets it through to DK.
H Gurney to Jos Buttler, SIX! Terrific strike from Jos Buttler! The length is on the shorter side around leg, the Englishman swivels on the back foot and pulls it massively over square leg for a biggie.
11.5 : H Gurney to Jos Buttler, OUT! Finds the fielder with surgical precision. A length delivery around off, Buttler attempts to heave it across the line but is a bit early into his shot. The ball catches the toe end of his blade and flies to deep mid-wicket. Shubman Gill doesn't have to move an inch as he settles himself near the fence and takes the catch with utmost ease. A 'slowish' knock from Jos Buttler comes to an end along with the 72-run stand. Maiden wicket in the League for Harry Gurne
Rahul Tripathi is the new batsman.
11.6 : H Gurney to S Smith, Tucks a slower length ball through the gap on the leg side for one. Expensive but a successful over for Kolkata.
Piyush Chawla is back into the attack.
12.1 : P Chawla to S Smith, Flatter and on middle, Smith gets back and turns it off his pads to mid-wicket.
12.2 : P Chawla to S Smith, Advances down the track and flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
12.3 : P Chawla to S Smith, Appeal for an lbw! Flighted delivery, full and outside off, Smith tries to play the paddle shot but seems to have missed it. It goes behind off his pads as the keeper appeals. The batsmen cross and it's given as a run. So, maybe there was some bat involved.
12.4 : P Chawla to R Tripathi, Flighted and outside off, Rahul drives it a bit uppishly but wide of the bowler for a run at long off.
12.5 : P Chawla to S Smith, A googly but on the shorter side, Smith crunches it off his back foot through cover-point for a brace.
12.6 : P Chawla to S Smith, Quicker one on middle, defended back from the crease.
Sunil Narine is back on.
13.1 : S Narine to R Tripathi, Tossed up ball on off, it's hit with the turn to deep mid-wicket for a single.
13.2 : S Narine to S Smith, Wide! Wrong line from the bowler. Drops it on middle and leg and it further spins down. The batsman leaves it alone.
S Narine to S Smith, Chance of a run out, missed! Flighted ball on middle and leg, Smith tries to flick but misses. It rolls on the leg side off his pads and they attempt to steal a leg bye. The keeper attacks the ball but fails to score a direct hit at the bowler's end. Direct hit would have been curtains for the Aussie.
13.3 : S Narine to R Tripathi, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single.
13.4 : S Narine to S Smith, Fails to flick again and it goes on the leg side off his pads. They cross for a leg bye. Nice line from Narine there, completely cramped the batsman for room.
13.5 : S Narine to R Tripathi, Tripathi eases it off his pads to the leg side, finds the gap at mid-wicket and crosses.
13.6 : S Narine to S Smith, Goes down on one knee and sweeps it wide of short fine leg for one. Rajasthan batting almost at the same rate Bangalore were in their innings early in the evening.
Prasidh Krishna returns.
14.1 : P Krishna to S Smith, Good start. An off-pace delivery to begin a new spell, it's wide outside off, Smith is early into the shot and hence misses.
14.2 : P Krishna to S Smith, Spears in a full delivery on this occasion. On middle at 147.1 kph, Smith flicks it through mid-wicket for a run.
14.3 : P Krishna to R Tripathi, A good length delivery outside off at 132 kph, holding up a touch off the surface, Tripathi hits it on the up through covers for a single.
14.4 : P Krishna to S Smith, FOUR! Fine timing and placement! A little bit of width outside off, Smith goes deep inside the crease and nicely opens the face of his blade to steer it past the point fielder. The third man fielder gives the chase but gives up quite easily. Could have attempted to put a dive there.
14.5 : P Krishna to S Smith, The batsman works it down the leg side. Two runs added to the total.
14.6 : P Krishna to S Smith, FOUR! Fifty for Steven Smith, his 6th in this League. Prasidh Krishna attempts a slower short delivery but loses his radar completely. Serves it down the leg side and the Aussie pulls it mercilessly past the short fine leg fielder. The dugout is on its feet. Superb knock by Smith given the way this match has panned out. But can he finish it well for Rajasthan?
Strategic break. The going has been quiet from Rajasthan but they have started to score briskly. 47 runs have come in the last five overs and the hosts will hope to finish on a high. Kolkata have done reasonably well until now and their aim will be to limit the damage at the death. 5 more overs left, let's see if Rajasthan can get close to 160-165. A bowling change, Harry Gurney is back into the attack.
15.1 : H Gurney to R Tripathi, Begins a new spell from 'round the wicket and angles in a short ball around leg. Early charge from Tripathi and then he tries to adjust. Works it a bit uppishly through mid-wicket for a run.
15.2 : H Gurney to S Smith, Short and wide outside off, cut off the back foot through covers for one.
15.3 : H Gurney to R Tripathi, Switches to over the wicket and serves a slower full ball on middle and leg. Tripathi tries to flick but misses and is disappointed with himself.
15.4 : H Gurney to R Tripathi, OUT! Gurney gets his second wicket! A very good delivery, nicely deceiving the batsman with a slower length ball outside off at 114.8 kph. Tripathi hangs back inside the crease to play the lofted shot over extra cover but ends up towering it in the air. Chawla makes no mistake inside the ring. Brilliant debut so far for the English boy.
Ben Stokes arrives in the middle.
15.5 : H Gurney to S Smith, Smith has played it to the point region. One run added to the total.
15.6 : H Gurney to Ben Stokes, Too full in length on middle, Stokes gets forward and flicks it to mid-wicket. 3 runs and a wicket, top over!
Kuldeep Yadav is back on.
16.1 : K Yadav to S Smith, Flighted and on off, firmly slog swept to deep mid-wicket for a single.
16.2 : K Yadav to Ben Stokes, Slower through the air, it's full and on middle, Stokes pushes it gently to the right of the extra cover fielder for a single.
16.3 : K Yadav to S Smith, A wrong 'un around leg, Smith gets back and tickles it through mid-wicket for a run. Stokes comes running in for the second but is shouted back by Smith. The throw comes to the keeper but by then Ben is back in safely.
Change of gloves for Ben Stokes.
16.4 : K Yadav to Ben Stokes, From 'round the wicket, Kuldeep serves a shorter one around off, turning away, Stokes gets back and punches it down to long off for a single.
16.5 : K Yadav to S Smith, Direct hit and Smith would have been a goner! Googly around off, Steven pushes it gently towards mid off and sets off for a risky run. Nitish Rana gets to the ball and tries an under-arm throw at the bowler's end but misses the stumps.
16.6 : K Yadav to Ben Stokes, A cracking reverse sweep by Stokes but he finds the point fielder at the edge of the circle.
Shout for an lbw! Not given and Kolkata have taken it upstairs. DRS time, folks.
17.1 : S Narine to S Smith, NOT OUT! An off spinner on middle and turning back in a bit, Smith kneels down to play the sweep shot but misses. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal but the umpire remains unmoved. Narine and Karthik consult before taking the review but the replays show that it's clipping leg and the onfield call will stay.
17.2 : S Narine to S Smith, Yet another off spinner, this time spinning in from around middle, Smith tries sweeping but misses to get hit on the back leg.
17.3 : S Narine to S Smith, SIX! Humongous! Enough of attempting sweep shots. This time Steven Smith wears his skates and runs down the track in a flash. He opts to go with the spin and launches it over wide long on for a maximum. Take that for a hit!
17.4 : S Narine to S Smith, Short and pulled to deep square leg for a run.
17.5 : S Narine to Ben Stokes, Goes on the back foot to a short ball and punches it to covers.
17.6 : S Narine to Ben Stokes, Loopy off spinner on off, Stokes plays a reverse-batted slog sweep over covers for a run. So much innovation for just a single. Narine has bowled out, 4-0-22-0!
Prasidh Krishna is back on.
18.1 : P Krishna to Ben Stokes, Play and a miss! Width on offer outside off, a sharp delivery, Stokes throws his bat at it but fails to make any connection.
18.2 : P Krishna to Ben Stokes, A high full toss around leg, Stokes fails to put it away and it goes off his thigh to the keeper. Looks for a run but is sent back as Karthik misses his shy at the striker's end. Called a no ball for overstepping.
P Krishna to Ben Stokes, Wow, what a delivery! Top nut. Prasidh takes all the pace off this shorter one and lands it on middle and off. Stokes is a month early into his pull shot and the ball never arrives. Misses completely and takes a blow on his body. The ball deflects on the off side and Smith calls his partner through for a leg bye.
18.3 : P Krishna to S Smith, EDGY FOUR! A yorker wide outside off, Smith reaches out for it and the ball takes the toe end of the bat before racing past the diving keeper for a boundary at third man.
18.4 : P Krishna to S Smith, Called a wide! A harsh call. Smith shuffles across the stumps and Krishna delivers a low full toss down leg. The Aussie fails to make any connection and the keeper fumbles. The batsmen cross.
P Krishna to Ben Stokes, A beamer this time. First warning for the bowler. High full toss on off, Stokes under edges his attempted shot as his eyes are off the ball. It goes behind to the keeper on one bounce. Free Hit loading...
P Krishna to Ben Stokes, A low full toss outside off, it's driven through extra cover for a couple of runs.
18.5 : P Krishna to Ben Stokes, The batsman goes for the pull but misses it completely.
18.6 : P Krishna to Ben Stokes, A length ball on middle, Stokes heaves it down to wide long on for one. 12 from the over.
Harry Gurney to bowl the final over.
19.1 : H Gurney to Ben Stokes, Gurney speeds in from 'round the wicket and angles across a back of a length ball outside off. Stokes skips down the track and hits it firmly down to long off for a run.
19.2 : H Gurney to S Smith, Beaten! Beautifully bowled by Harry Gurney. Switches to over the wicket and lets across a slower one outside off. It's on a length and Smith swings and misses.
19.3 : H Gurney to S Smith, Walks out of the crease and forces a full ball through covers for a couple of runs.
19.4 : H Gurney to S Smith, This is tremendous bowling at the death by Gurney. Serves a leg cutter outside off, Smith is completely foxed as he pushes inside the line and misses.
19.5 : H Gurney to S Smith, FOUR! Superbly placed! Gurney delivers a full ball outside off, Smith brings down an angled bat and finds the gap between short third man and backward point.
19.6 : H Gurney to S Smith, A low full toss this time, outside off, Smith tries to repeat the last shot but this time finds short third man. A single to end the innings. Rajasthan end on 139/3!
Rajasthan have 139 posted on the board. This could be either of two things - either the surface is a difficult one or it's just that the hosts couldn't adapt well enough. But, given what a quality batsmen Steven Smith and Jos Buttler are, you'd find it hard to buy that these two players couldn't get used to the conditions. Rajasthan lost Rahane early, but Buttler and Smith were keeping the scoreboard ticking and scored 72 runs between them, albeit not in their usual pacey manner. The latter went
Kolkata took advantage of the slow nature of the surface and didn't really let the runs leak as such, but they'd feel they could have done better in trying to prevent the occasional boundary which let up the pressure off the home side. Harry Gurney starred on debut with 2/25, while Krishna took the other wicket but was slightly expensive. The spin trio of Chawla, Narine and Kuldeep might not have got wickets, but were economical in their combined 12 overs.
Harry Gurney is caught for a chat. He says that there was a little bit resistance on the pitch and the ball was not coming onto the bat. On his impressive debut, Gurney says practice is the key. Adds that sometimes the ball grips and sometimes it does not, but it is important to bowl according to the plan. Tells everyone that the experience of playing here is special. Admits that he has played international cricket but the atmosphere here is fantastic.
So, not going to be a straightforward chase in any way. Kolkata will have to be cautious and pick their moments. The wicket is slow and turning, and the home team has some quality spinners in their ranks. Let's see how the second half unfolds.
0.0 : We are back for the chase. Out walk the opening pair of Sunil Narine and Chris Lynn for Kolkata. Rajasthan to start with pace. Rajasthan to start with pace. Dhawal Kulkarni to start with the new ball.
0.1 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, Starts with a good length delivery on leg. The ball comes in after pitching. Lynn tries to flick it but misses and gets hit on the thigh.
0.2 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, FOUR! Lucky way to get the chase underway but Kolkata will take it. Good length ball on middle, Lynn looks to play it across with a flat bat but gets an inside edge. Luckily, it does not chop on to the stumps and goes to the fine leg fence for a boundary.
0.3 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, Fuller delivery on off, Lynn pushes it to point for a single.
0.4 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, Narine is off the mark. Back of a length ball on off, Narine flat-bats it to cover for a single.
0.5 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, FOUR! This is much better than the previous boundary. Back of a length ball around off, Lynn smacks it through cover for a boundary.
0.6 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, Good length ball on off, Lynn blocks it.
Krishnappa Gowtham to bowl from the other end.
1.1 : K Gowtham to S Narine, FOUR! Narine is not gonna wait long. He knows one way to play and that is aggressive. Tossed up on middle and off, Narine slog sweeps it over the square leg fence for a boundary.
1.2 : K Gowtham to S Narine, Tossed up on off, Narine blocks it.
1.3 : K Gowtham to S Narine, SIX! Narine takes the aerial route and sends this one sailing into the crowd. Flighted on leg, Narine takes his front leg off the line and smacks it over the the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.
1.4 : K Gowtham to S Narine, FOUR! Narine is taking Gowtham to the cleaners. Tossed up on middle, Narine smacks it over mid-wicket for a boundary.
1.5 : K Gowtham to S Narine, FOUR! No place to hide for Gowtham. Narine is going all guns blazing after him. On the pads, Narine sweeps it over fine leg for yet another boundary.
1.6 : K Gowtham to S Narine, FOUR! Boundary to end the over and a super expensive over from Gowtham. 22 off it. Straighter on off, Narine slams it over covers for a boundary. Kolkata are off to a flyer.
Jofra Archer is into the attack.
2.1 : J Archer to C Lynn, Good length delivery around off, Lynn gets an inside edge which rolls to short fine leg.
2.2 : J Archer to C Lynn, Some zip off the deck, a length ball outside off, Lynn plays and misses.
2.3 : J Archer to C Lynn, FOUR! Shot. Short and wide outside off, too much width on offer which Lynn cashes in on. He flays it over point and finds the fence.
2.4 : J Archer to C Lynn, Aiming the top of off stump with a length ball, the Australian stays inside the crease and blocks.
2.5 : J Archer to C Lynn, Fraction straight in line, it's helped straight to short fine leg. Dot ball.
2.6 : J Archer to C Lynn, Keeps it just outside off, Lynn forces the punch to the man at cover.
3.1 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, Dropped! It seems like it is just not Rajasthan's night here. Dhawal Kulkarni does everything well. He takes the pace off the ball and bowls it full on off. Narine is way too early in his shot and chips it high in the air. Rahul Tripathi comes to catch the skier but misjudges it and the ball pops out of his hand.
3.2 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, FOUR BYES! I said it is just not Rajasthan's night and this once again proves that. A pacer's ball hits the stumps but the bails don't come off. Good length ball on off and middle, Lynn looks to hit it straight but gets an inside edge. The ball clips the leg pole and Lynn walks back. But then, he turns and sees the bails are still in their place. The ball goes to the fine leg fence for a boundary. Byes signalled as well.
3.3 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, FOUR! He gets a life and he makes full use of it. Shorter in length on off and middle, Lynn pulls it powerfully through mid-wicket for a boundary.
3.4 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, Now a dot. Back of a length ball on the stumps, Lynn blocks it.
3.5 : D Kulkarni to C Lynn, Back of a length ball on off, Lynn pulls it to square leg for a run.
3.6 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, Good length ball on the pads, Narine looks to flick but it goes off his pads to Buttler. There is a stifled appeal but it is turned down. End of an eventful but an unlucky over from Dhawal Kulkarni. 10 runs off it.
4.1 : J Archer to C Lynn, SIX! The fifty comes up for Kolkata in no time at all. Lynn gives the charge to Archer and flat bats this down the ground. It's on a back of a length, but he connects well and clears long on with ease.
4.2 : J Archer to C Lynn, Keeps it tight around off, it's pushed in front of covers. No run taken.
4.3 : J Archer to C Lynn, Quick single. This is good running between the wicket. Lynn works this down wide of the mid-wicket fielder and both batsmen cross over without any trouble.
4.4 : J Archer to S Narine, Fires it full and around leg, catches Narine on the pads as he misses his flick and the ball rolls on the off side. The batsmen pinch a leg bye.
4.5 : J Archer to C Lynn, Short of a good length into the body, defended with soft hands on the leg side.
4.6 : J Archer to C Lynn, Sharp bumper from Jofra Archer, on off stump, Lynn can only duck and evade the ball.
5.1 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, Slower ball outside off, going away with the angle. Narine swings his bat at it but misses.
5.2 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, FOUR! Mistimed but placed to perfection. Fuller ball on middle and off, Narine takes his front foot out of the way and lofts it between mid-wicket and long on. It bounces just inside the ropes and goes for a boundary.
5.3 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, Good length ball on middle, Narine lofts it short of deep mid-wicket for a couple.
5.4 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, FOUR! Kulkarni is having a torrid day. Nothing seems to be going his way. Good length ball on middle and off, Narine flat-bats it over mid on for a boundary.
5.5 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, WIDE! Bouncer bounces too high. It is way over the batsman's head. Wide signalled.
D Kulkarni to S Narine, Slower delivery outside off, Narine swings his bat at it but misses.
5.6 : D Kulkarni to S Narine, Full outside off, once again Narine throws his bat at it. He gets a bottom edge to it and the ball goes straight to short third man. Kolkata are 65/0 at the end of 6. They need another 75 runs off 84 balls.
Strategic break. Also, Shreyas Gopal is into the attack now.
6.1 : S Gopal to C Lynn, Quick, flat and coming in on middle and leg, it goes off the pads on the leg side as Lynn wants to flick. A leg bye is taken.
6.2 : S Gopal to S Narine, The googly around off, Narine doesn't pick it up initially. Pokes at it from inside the line and gets beaten.
6.3 : S Gopal to S Narine, Lands this just outside off, Narine defends from inside the crease.
6.4 : S Gopal to S Narine, Backs away to this short ball outside off and slaps it to sweeper cover for one run.
6.5 : S Gopal to C Lynn, The googly once more. Short and flat, coming in from outside off, Lynn goes back and plays it back to the bowler.
6.6 : S Gopal to C Lynn, Gets low to this floated ball and sweeps it behind square leg. One run to the total. Tidy first over from Gopal, just 3 runs from it.
Sudhesan Midhun to roll his arm over.
7.1 : S Midhun to C Lynn, Shorter on off, Lynn gets on his back foot and punches it to sweeper cover for a single.
7.2 : S Midhun to S Narine, Wide! Midhun sprays this down the leg side, wide signalled.
S Midhun to S Narine, Leg Bye! Quicker and fuller pitching on leg, Narine looks to whip it but misses. There is a stifled appeal as the ball hits his pad. The umpire though is not interested and turns it down. They take two runs as the ball goes fine of fine leg.
7.3 : S Midhun to S Narine, Quicker on the pads, Narine has a swing at it but gets hit on the pads.
7.4 : S Midhun to S Narine, SIX! Midhun now gets the taste of Narine's medicine. Tossed up on middle, Narine gets on one knee and smokes this over mid-wicket for a maximum.
7.5 : S Midhun to S Narine, Floated on off, Narine blocks it.
7.6 : S Midhun to S Narine, SIX! Flighted on middle, Narine smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. Narine looks in a hurry to finish this one. He is either defending it or clearing the fence.
8.1 : S Gopal to C Lynn, SIX! That's outta here! The boundaries are big here, but not enough it seems for Chris Lynn. He clears the fence once more. Tossed up on middle and leg, there's no room for the ball to turn. Lynn gets low and slog sweeps it over the square leg boundary.
8.2 : S Gopal to C Lynn, Another slog sweep, just the single this time. Lynn places it aerially through backward square leg and changes ends.
8.3 : S Gopal to S Narine, OUT! Shreyas Gopal picks up the first wicket. Breaks this brisk 91-run stand beautifully. Fools Narine with the wrong 'un, there's some extra bounce on this one. Narine backs away to cut but gets an edge to Smith at first slip, who takes a sharp catch. A little too late though? Kolkata only need 49 to win off 69 balls.
Robin Uthappa walks out at number 3.
8.4 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, Quick and flat outside off, Uthappa keeps it out on the off side.
8.5 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, The batsman shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot.
8.6 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, Off the mark. Uthappa whips it from deep inside the crease through mid-wicket and collects a run.
9.1 : S Midhun to R Uthappa, FOUR! Shot. This is all about the timing. The placement is good too. Tossed up leg break outside off, Uthappa drives it neatly through the gap in the covers and bisects the two men in the deep to find the fence.
9.2 : S Midhun to R Uthappa, More runs for Kolkata. It turns away from around off, Uthappa gets an edge which goes past short third man. Tripathi chases after it and pulls it back in with a dive just inside the rope. The batsmen take three.
9.3 : S Midhun to C Lynn, FOUR! A boundary this time. Tripathi can't stop it. Lynn sees it turning away from him, so he cuts it off the outer half past short third man.
9.4 : S Midhun to C Lynn, Full and on off stump, eased towards mid off.
9.5 : S Midhun to C Lynn, Short, flat and turning away outside off, Chris cracks it through the gap in the off side and gets to the other end.
9.6 : S Midhun to R Uthappa, Uthappa pulls this short delivery towards wide long on for a single.
10.1 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, Nicely leans into the tossed up ball and pushes it towards mid off for one.
10.2 : S Gopal to C Lynn, SIX! Go fetch that, says Chris Lynn! This is right off the meat. Loopy and full outside off, Lynn moves a step across and nails the slog sweep to perfection. Sends it into the deep mid-wicket stands for a maximum.
10.3 : S Gopal to C Lynn, Fifty for Chris Lynn, his 7th in the Indian T20 League. Well-deserved too. Quicker one on off, it goes off the inside edge, thuds off the pads and rolls past the keeper behind. A single is taken.
10.4 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, A short delivery which has been pulled away. The batsmen have run through for a single.
10.5 : S Gopal to C Lynn, OUT! Lynn departs. He's more or less finished the job here. Gopal floats it up in line of the stumps, the Australian openers kneels down and brings out the slog sweep again. Is in no control of it this time as it lobs over towards fine leg. Midhun from the deep comes running in and takes a simple catch.
Shubman Gill walks into the middle next.
10.6 : S Gopal to S Gill, Gill works it through mid-wicket and takes a single. Kolkata require 25 runs in 54 balls.
Jofra Archer back on.
11.1 : J Archer to S Gill, Darted full, it's angling in on middle and leg, Gill flicks it neatly through square leg and gets to the other end.
11.2 : J Archer to R Uthappa, Full once again, outside the line of off stump this time, Robin finds mid off with a drive.
11.3 : J Archer to R Uthappa, Another dot. Uthappa moves inside the line and works this away in front of the short mid-wicket fielder.
11.4 : J Archer to R Uthappa, Full and wide outside off, the batter drives it a bit square through cover-point and jogs across to the other end.
11.5 : J Archer to S Gill, Archer goes full and keeps the line straight, Gill can only drive it back to the bowler.
11.6 : J Archer to S Gill, Full toss straying on the pads, clipped down to fine leg as the batsmen cross over.
12.1 : S Gopal to S Gill, Turning away from outside off, on a driving length, driven through covers for a single.
12.2 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, SIX! A poor ball and it's been duly punished by Uthappa. Half-tracker in line of the stumps, Robbie goes deep inside the crease and muscles the pull over mid-wicket for a biggie.
12.3 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, Full on off, driven through to long off for a run.
12.4 : S Gopal to S Gill, Dragged short once again, it's pulled away into the leg side for another single.
12.5 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, SIX! Straight as an arrow. Tossed right up there, in the slot, Uthappa plants his front foot forward, gets close to the pitch and smokes it back over the bowler's head. It's a flat hit and that's one more biggie for Kolkata. They're inching towards victory here.
12.6 : S Gopal to R Uthappa, Nice shape in, around off before going away as it lands on a driving length. The batter prods forward and defends it out well.
Ben Stokes brought on to bowl.
13.1 : Ben Stokes to S Gill, FOUR LEG BYES! Angling in on leg stump, Gill tries to tickle it fine down the leg side. But it goes off his pads instead as the ball finds its way to the boundary line.
13.2 : Ben Stokes to S Gill, Shubman Gill has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery.
13.3 : Ben Stokes to S Gill, Short ball into the body, pulled down towards fine leg. Gill gets off strike.
13.4 : Ben Stokes to R Uthappa, The batsman has flicked the ball off his pads. One run added to the total.
13.5 : Ben Stokes to S Gill, Drives this full ball to the cover fielder with the full face of the bat.
13.6 : Ben Stokes to S Gill, Wide! And it ends in a rather anti-climatic manner, but the victory was always going to come. KOLKATA WIN BY 8 WICKETS AND 37 BALLS REMAINING! Stokes angles this down the leg side as Gill fails to flick. The umpire signals a wide.
A thumping victory for Kolkata. Where Rajasthan struggled so much with the bat, the visitors have just battered the hosts' bowling attack like it was a flat wicket. It poses a big question as to what happened in the first innings. Lynn and Narine set the tone and more or less finished the job at hand as the duo put 91 runs between them for the opening stand, with the former scoring a fast fifty. Uthappa and Gill then came in and put the finishing touches on a comfortable chase.
Rajasthan just appeared listless with the ball. A complete contrast to the first innings where the batsmen struggled so much to make proper connection with the ball. Whether it be spinner or pacer, the Kolkata opening pair successfully attacked anyone they faced and put the game to bed more easily than anyone would have thought. Plenty for the home side to ponder and work on. Earlier in the evening, Rajasthan managed to post 139 on the board on the back of a fine fifty from Steven Smith, but it
Rajasthan skipper, Ajinkya Rahane, says that 150-160 would have been a good total. Admits that they didn't bowl according to the plan and there is a lot to learn from this match. Hopes his boys will take lessons from this outing. Rues the dropped catch and the moment when the bails didn't come off when Chris Lynn was batting. Informs that the thought behind playing two wrist spinners was that the wicket was going to be on the slower side and that's why they gave Sudhesan Midhun a game today.
Chris Lynn also comes up for a little chat. He is all smiles and first admits that he got a little bit of luck again tonight. Adds that they were in full control of the match after a nice Powerplay. On the incident when the bails didn't come off, Lynn replies that he thought he either got bowled or caught behind but was surprised what happened. Praises the batting of Sunil Narine and terms it unbelievable. Mentions that they just want to keep things simple. States that it's a big tournament and
Kolkata skipper, Dinesh Karthik, says it was a clinical effort from his side. States that there are a lot of slow surfaces in India which you need to adapt to fast, but admits that his boys are doing that well. On Harry Gurney, he mentions that he's got the confidence and the skills, so isn't surprised that he's had a good debut.
Man of the Match, Harry Gurney, says this was the kind of pitch which suited his cutter options, so is happy to make his debut here. Adds that he works on his variations a lot so is happy it's paying off. When asked about the knuckle ball, he says he's still working on it but is unsure if he'll use it in this season of the competition.
That's all from Super Sunday. We witnessed a couple of one-sided matches where Bangalore suffered yet another loss while Kolkata gave a royal thrashing to Rajasthan. On Monday, Punjab will be hosting Hyderabad at 2000 local (1430 GMT). Do join us for all the action. Cheers!