| 0.0 : Right then, hello all for our coverage of Match 31 of the 2020 Indian T20 League. Plenty of entertainment in store. Not just because it is Sharjah but because we also have dynamite-teams, Punjab and Bangalore, taking on each other there. Yes, the first round goes to Punjab and a thumping win it was. But given the form Kohli's men are in, we might expect a reversal of that this time. Will we though? Stay tuned to find out... |
| Chris Gayle, the Universe Boss, is up for a chat. Says that he is looking forward to play today. Today is the day, let's see what happens, he says. Adds that it is disappointing to come and just sit and not play. The Universe Boss though states that everyone wants to see where he is. Says that there is no pressure on him and adds that fans will be happy to see him. Just another day for Chris Gayle to go out and enjoy himself, he finishes off by saying. |
| Pitch Report - Murali Kartik is in the middle along with Kevin Pietersen for the Pitch Report. KP says that this is a really good wicket. Will be more quicker than last night. States that wickets overall have slowed down but this one may be quick still. Pietersen says that the batsmen have understood how bowlers are bowling and will fine-tune their plans accordingly. Pietersen sticks to batting first for the captain winning the toss. |
| Toss - Bangalore elect to BAT! |
| Punjab skipper, KL Rahul admits they were looking to bat as well. Tells the wicket will remain same and hopes picking up early wickets can put pressure on them. Tells they have played good cricket but have been unable to win and are looking to try and execute to their best. Tells everyone knows it is a must win game for them and sees the positive as now they have no other option but try and do their best. Informs there are three changes as Mujeeb, Prabhsimran Singh and Mandeep miss out as the la |
| Bangalore (Unchanged Playing XI) - Devdutt Padikkal, Aaron Finch, Virat Kohli (C), AB de Villiers (WK), Washington Sundar, Shivam Dube, Chris Morris, Isuru Udana, Navdeep Saini, Mohammed Siraj, Yuzvendra Chahal. |
| Virat Kohli, Bangalore's skipper, says that there was no dew in the last game in the second innings. States that playing 200 games for the same franchise is unbelieveable and is grateful to the franchise. Adds that there is a lot of emotion for the franchise. Says that when the team wins it looks good for the captain but credits various individuals for the same. Kohli says that the bowlers need to focus on their skill sets and not worry too much about dimensions. States that that is the mindset |
| All set for the action to get underway! The umpires make their way out to the middle but the Punjab players are already on the field, taking their respective positions. Aaron Finch and Devdutt Padikkal are the openers for Bangalore. Glenn Maxwell to start with the ball for Punjab from around the wicket. Here comes the first ball... |
| 0.1 : Glenn Maxwell to Aaron Finch, Finch is off the mark straightaway and so are Bangalore. Flatter on middle, he rocks back and taps this towards mid-wicket for a single. |
| 0.0 : Punjab (Playing XI) - Chris Gayle (IN PLACE OF MUJEEB UR RAHMAN), KL Rahul (WK/C), Mayank Agarwal, Deepak Hooda (IN PLACE OF MANDEEP SINGH), Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Chris Jordan, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Murugan Ashwin (IN PLACE OF PRABHSIMRAN SINGH). |
| 0.2 : Glenn Maxwell to Devdutt Padikkal, Floated around off, Padikkal comes on the front foot and defends this out. |
| 0.3 : Glenn Maxwell to Devdutt Padikkal, Around off, fuller, driven to cover-point. |
| 0.4 : Glenn Maxwell to Devdutt Padikkal, Padikkal is away as he clips the flatter ball to square leg and takes one. |
| 0.5 : Glenn Maxwell to Aaron Finch, On the shorter side on the pads, Finch chips down the track and looks to work that on the leg side. Misses, gets hit on the pads. It goes to the on side and he says no to Padikkal for a run. |
| 0.6 : Glenn Maxwell to Aaron Finch, SIX! Runs, maximum! Floated on the pads, Finch gets down and sweeps this over square leg for a maximum. A flat one it was. |
| Who will bowl from the other end? Mohammed Shami it is. |
| 1.1 : Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, Back of a length on off, clipped to mid-wicket for a single. |
| 1.2 : Mohammed Shami to Aaron Finch, FOUR OFF BYES! Nips back a bit, does Finch and Rahul in. Back of a length around off, pitches and nips back in. Finch is down the track and looks to play at it but misses. So does Rahul, the keeper. It goes through to the fine leg fence for a boundary off extras. |
| 1.3 : Mohammed Shami to Aaron Finch, On middle, Finch flicks but finds Pooran at short mid-wicket. A slight fumble from the fielder there prompts Finch for a single. But the fielder recovers and throws the ball back to the striker's end. Finch though decided against the single and got back. |
| 1.4 : Mohammed Shami to Aaron Finch, Bouncer on top of the stumps, Finch ducks and lets it through. |
| 1.5 : Mohammed Shami to Aaron Finch, FOUR! Easy pickings for Finch. Fullish on off, he lofts this over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 1.6 : Mohammed Shami to Aaron Finch, A single to finish. On middle, Finch taps it to backward square leg and gets to the other end. |
| 2.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Aaron Finch, Edged but does not carry! Solid start for Arshdeep! Good length ball on off, Finch looks to defend but the ball shapes away from him. Finch looks to defend but gets a thick outside edge. Luckily Aaron looked to play it with soft hands. The ball goes to the right of first slip and guess who dives and saves runs for his side? It is the Universe Boss, Chris Gayle. Imagine the cheers if there were fans in the stadium. |
| 0.0 : Arshdeep Singh to bowl now. |
| 2.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Aaron Finch, Short ball, outside off, Finch watchfully lets it be. |
| 2.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Aaron Finch, A misfield and a single. Full and outside off, Finch drives this to Pooran at cover-point. A fumble by the left-hander and a single is stolen. |
| 2.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, Full on middle, Padikkal works this to deep square leg for a couple. |
| 2.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, FOUR! Over Gayle at short fine leg, he is tall but cannot get to it. Full on middle, Padikkal wrists this uppishly over Gayle at short fine leg and gets a boundary. The Universe Boss leapt to get a hold of it but it went over him. |
| 2.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, WIDE! Full and down the leg side, Padikkal lets it be. |
| Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, The wrists coming into play again, a single. Full on off and middle, wristed to deep square leg for one. |
| 3.1 : Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, On off, fullish, tapped to short mid-wicket for a single. |
| 3.2 : Mohammed Shami to Aaron Finch, Finch comes down the track and helps the fuller ball to deep square leg for a single. |
| 3.3 : Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, Short ball, pulled to square leg for a single. |
| 3.4 : Mohammed Shami to Aaron Finch, Another short ball, Finch came a couple of steps down, pulls to Bishnoi at fine leg and takes a single. |
| 3.5 : Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, SIX! Padikkal gets a six there. Full on middle, Padikkal whips it away off his toes and used the pace. Gets it just over mid-wicket for a maximum. |
| 3.6 : Mohammed Shami to Devdutt Padikkal, Padikkal intentionally chips the full ball over the bowler's head, to the left of mid off, takes a single. |
| 4.1 : Arshdeep Singh to Devdutt Padikkal, OUT! CAUGHT! Bangalore normally have had a very good start in the Powerplay this season. Not this time. Full ball, little bit slower, on off. Padikkal is early on the shot, looks to drive but is early. Ends up lobbing a simple catch to Pooran at cover. |
| 0.0 : Virat Kohli walks out to bat at No. 3. |
| 4.2 : Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Full ball around off, Kohli drives it through cover and takes a quick single to get off the mark. |
| 4.3 : Arshdeep Singh to Aaron Finch, Full and outside off, slightly on the slower side as well, Finch waits and then cuts it to deep point and takes one. |
| 4.4 : Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, FOUR! What a shot that was. Full and well outside off, Kohli leans in and a signature cover drive from him through the covers for a boundary. |
| 4.5 : Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, Full on the pads, Kohli flicks it to the right of Hooda at deep square leg. Hooda gets across there, dives and looks to contain it. Hooda by the initial looks seems to have cut it off but on the second attempt his leg seems to have brushed the boundary line. The umpires after having closely examined it signal a boundary. |
| 4.4 : A fumble by Hooda. Is that a boundary? Too close to the ropes he is. The umpires are having a look. Signalled a boundary then. |
| 4.6 : Arshdeep Singh to Virat Kohli, A single as this is wristed on the leg side for a quick one. |
| Ravi Bishnoi into the attack now. |
| 5.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, Floated around off and middle, kept out. |
| 5.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, Floated around off, bunted down to long on for a single. |
| 5.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Aaron Finch, Finch comes down the track to the fuller one. Gets it on the pads. It goes to the on side and a leg bye is taken. |
| 5.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, FOUR! Kohli wants to get a move on, he has played a couple of shots that indicate that. Fullish ball on off, Kohli wrists it to the right of the man at short fine leg and gets a boundary. |
| 5.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Full and well outside off, past the tramline. Kohli lets it be. |
| Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, A single. Flatter ball on middle and leg, placed on the leg side for a single. |
| 5.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Aaron Finch, A dot to end the Powerplay. Fullish on off, Finch goes back and taps it to point for a dot. 57/1 are Bangalore at the end of the Powerplay. |
| 6.1 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Outside off, punched through point for a single. |
| 0.0 : Murugan Ashwin is into the attack now. |
| 6.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Aaron Finch, EDGED AND FOUR! Definitely a bat's knick there. Flatter and outside off, Finch goes back and looks to drive but gets an outside edge. It flies in the gap between the keeper and the slip fielder and races away for a boundary. Agonising for Punjab. |
| 6.3 : Murugan Ashwin to Aaron Finch, OUT! TIMBER! Murugan Ashwin gets the wicket. Bangalore lose their second, after the Powerplay. Flatter ball on off and middle, quicker as well. Finch goes back and looks to play at it but misses. The ball crashes into the woodwork behind. |
| Washington Sundar walks out to bat now. |
| 6.4 : Murugan Ashwin to Washington Sundar, Outside off, Sundar cuts but finds point. |
| 6.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Washington Sundar, On the shorter side on off, kept out on the off side. |
| 6.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Washington Sundar, Tossed up around off, Sundar rocks back and cuts this to deep point and takes a single. |
| 7.1 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, Good running! Floated on middle and leg, Sundar whips it towards cow corner and they take two. |
| 7.2 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, Tossed up on leg, Sundar whips it to deep mid-wicket and gets a run. |
| 7.3 : Glenn Maxwell to Virat Kohli, Short ball around off, Kohli tucks this one to the square leg region for one. |
| 7.4 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, Another one that stuck onto the surface. Short on off, just like Padikkal, Sundar too checks his shot. Washington Sundar though is lucky as this one falls just short of Maxwell. |
| 7.5 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, This time milks it to long off for one. |
| 7.6 : Glenn Maxwell to Virat Kohli, Short on middle, Kohli punches it to mid-wicket and keeps the strike. |
| 8.1 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Floated outside off, driven to deep extra cover for a couple. |
| 8.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Full outside off, Kohli swipes across the line but finds the man at short mid-wicket. |
| 8.3 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Flatter on middle and leg, bunted down to long on for a single. |
| 8.4 : Murugan Ashwin to Washington Sundar, On the shorter side on off, Sundar taps it behind square on the leg side and takes one. |
| 8.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Fuller and around off, driven to long on for one. |
| 8.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Washington Sundar, Flat legbreak, outside off, dabbed to the off side for a single. |
| DRINKS! 2 wickets Bangalore have lost - both the openers are back in the hut. Kohli and Sundar are at the crease. Saving de Villiers for the late middle and death overs are Bangalore. Kohli for now is taking the quick 1s and 2s and Sundar is content knocking it around as well. Will be interesting to see when these two plan to launch. Setting a platform for de Villiers, yes! |
| 9.1 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, Fuller on the pads, helped to deep square leg for a single. |
| 9.2 : Glenn Maxwell to Virat Kohli, Flatter around off, Kohli rocks back and taps this towards long on for one. |
| 9.3 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, FOUR! Would have been a wide had he left that though. Flatter, down the leg side, Sundar decides to go after it though. Stretches and hits it to the fine leg fence. |
| 9.4 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, Full on off, leans and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 9.5 : Glenn Maxwell to Washington Sundar, Full on off, driven to long off for a single. |
| 9.6 : Glenn Maxwell to Virat Kohli, Another single and Bangalore are 83/2 at the end of 10 overs. On leg, Kohli taps this behind square on the leg side and takes one. |
| 10.1 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Full and outside off, driven to deep cover and Kohli wants a couple, gets it. |
| 10.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, This time he drives it straight to Jordan at wide long off. Just the single. |
| 10.3 : Murugan Ashwin to Washington Sundar, OUT! CAUGHT! This one tests Jordan's hands. Jordan was upto the task, takes it with good hands. Floated googly around off, Sundar does not pick it. Lets out a no-look slog sweep but gets it high in the air, towards wide long on. Jordan there, keeps his eyes on the ball, takes it with a tumble backwards. |
| 10.4 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Around off, fuller, driven to long on for a single. |
| 10.3 : Shivam Dube walks out to bat now, at No. 5. |
| 10.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Shivam Dube, Outside off, Dube looks to guide it on the off side but misses completely. |
| 10.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Shivam Dube, Dube wrists the flatter ball to the leg side for a single. |
| 11.2 : Glenn Maxwell to Virat Kohli, Flighted on middle, Kohli rocks back and taps it towards square leg for one. |
| 11.1 : Glenn Maxwell to Shivam Dube, Floated on middle, knocked down to long on for a single. |
| 11.3 : Glenn Maxwell to Shivam Dube, A stifled appeal for LBW but probably some bat involved here. Full on leg, Dube looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads. Maxwell appeals but to no avail. |
| 11.4 : Glenn Maxwell to Shivam Dube, On leg, worked towards fine leg for a couple. |
| 11.5 : Glenn Maxwell to Shivam Dube, On the shorter side on middle and leg, Dube taps it on the on side and takes a single. |
| 11.6 : Glenn Maxwell to Virat Kohli, Another single to close the over. Full and around off, bunted down to long on by Kohli for one. |
| 12.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, On middle, helped to fine leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Ravi Bishnoi is back in the attack. 1-0-7-0 so far. |
| 12.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Shivam Dube, Flatter ball on off, knocked to the on side for a dot. |
| 12.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Shivam Dube, Short and outside off, cut to deep point for a single. |
| 12.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, On middle, clipped to the leg side for a single. |
| 12.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, Flighted outside off, Kohli leans in and drives. Agarwal at cover fields it well. Excellent from him. Keeps Kohli quiet. A dot. A diving stop from Agarwal there. |
| 12.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Shivam Dube, Not a wide. Dube though is not happy. Flat and well outside off, Dube looks to cut but misses. He looks to the umpire hoping that it will be signalled a wide but it was not to be. Within the tramline, reckon the umpires. |
| Chris Jordan into the attack now. |
| 13.1 : Chris Jordan to Virat Kohli, Full and outside off, driven to extra cover for a single. |
| 13.2 : Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Good length ball but down the leg side from around the wicket, Dube lets it be. Wided. |
| Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, Fullish on middle, placed towards long on for a single. Kohli wants two but there is just the single on this occasion. |
| 13.3 : Chris Jordan to Virat Kohli, Good length ball around off, driven towards cover-point for a single. |
| 13.4 : Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, On a good length on middle and leg, Dube flicks but finds Gayle at short mid-wicket. |
| 13.5 : Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, On a length on top of off, hit to deep extra cover for a single. |
| 13.6 : Chris Jordan to Virat Kohli, Very full on middle, Kohli gets it off the inner half after deflecting off his boot towards the off side for a single. |
| 14.1 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, Full around off, tapped to the leg side for a single. |
| 14.2 : Ravi Bishnoi to Shivam Dube, SIX! WHOA! Short ball on off, Dube goes back and pulls it over long on for a maximum. |
| 0.0 : DRINKS! Bangalore after a very good start have taken the foot off the gas. The ploy to send two left-handers in Washington Sundar and Shivam Dube has so far not worked out. That though can turn around if Shivam Dube can get going. KL Rahul, on the other hand, will be happy with how his spinners have fared. Who will dominate the final 6? |
| 14.3 : Ravi Bishnoi to Shivam Dube, SIX! Back-to-back sixes for Shivam Dube. Full on middle, Dube whacks it over mid-wicket this time. |
| 14.4 : Ravi Bishnoi to Shivam Dube, WIDE! Quicker one but down the leg side, Dube lets it be. Rahul misses it and a run is sneaked in by the batters as well. |
| Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, A quick run. Full and around off, driven to point. Kohli takes a quick single. |
| 14.5 : Ravi Bishnoi to Shivam Dube, On the shorter side outside off, Dube chops it towards cover off the back foot and takes a single. |
| 14.6 : Ravi Bishnoi to Virat Kohli, A couple to finish the over, 19 overall from the over. Full on middle, Kohli looks to heave on the leg side but mistimes it through the carpet, to deep square leg. Takes a couple. |
| 15.1 : Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, Dropped? No falls just short. Outside off on a good length, Dube hits it uppishly towards long off, to his right. Maxwell runs there but it falls just short, on a bounce, to him. He collects and throws at the non-striker's end where Kohli had strayed out. Had Maxwell hit there, Kohli would have been out. |
| 15.2 : Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, Dube lofts the good length ball over point and takes a single. |
| 15.3 : Chris Jordan to Virat Kohli, A single as Kohli looks to glance but gets an inside edge onto his boots. It goes to the off side and a quick run is taken. |
| 15.4 : Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, Shivam Dube works this on the leg side for a single. |
| 15.5 : Chris Jordan to Virat Kohli, WIDE! Good length ball but down the leg side, Kohli looks to play at it but misses. |
| Chris Jordan to Virat Kohli, LEG BYE! Full and on the pads, Kohli looks to flick but misses. It comes off his pads to the off side and a leg bye is taken. |
| 15.6 : Chris Jordan to Shivam Dube, OUT! CAUGHT! Jordan gets his first wicket in the tournament. This is the Chris Jordan we all know. Short ball, outside off, Dube looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes to where short fine leg would have been. KL Rahul himself runs there and pouches it. |
| 16.1 : Murugan Ashwin to AB de Villiers, AB de Villiers is off the mark! Floated on off, de Villiers stretches and hits uppishly through cover for one. |
| 16.2 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Tossed up on off, Kohli milks it through covers for one. |
| 0.0 : Finally, AB de Villiers walks out to bat now. Also, Murugan Ashwin is back in the attack. |
| 16.3 : Murugan Ashwin to AB de Villiers, Short on off, de Villiers punches it to the right of Murugan who does well to stop runs. |
| 16.4 : Murugan Ashwin to AB de Villiers, Another short one, this time AB punches it to long on and rotates the strike. |
| 16.5 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Tossed up googly around off, Kohli looks to play a big sweep towards mid-wicket but gets an inside edge which goes fine of fine leg. Two taken! |
| 16.6 : Murugan Ashwin to Virat Kohli, Another good over from Punjab! Excellent day at the office for Murugan. He finishes with 2/23 from his 4, brilliant. Loopy ball on off, Kohli milks it to the off side and keeps the strike. |
| 17.1 : Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Full around off, Kohli hits it across the line to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 17.2 : Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, Very well bowled by Shami! Slower ball on a length outside off, de Villiers swings but gets deceived by the slowness of this delivery and misses. |
| 17.3 : Mohammed Shami to AB de Villiers, OUT! Caught! Shami strikes and this is a big wicket for Punjab! This might as well make a difference of 15-20 runs in the total. A very full ball on off, de Villiers looks to smoke it over long off but he hits it off the lower half of his bat. It goes high in the air and just about goes past the 30-yard circle. Deepak Hooda settles under it and takes a simple catch. He is a good fielder and was never going to drop this. |
| 17.4 : Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, Around off, Kohli drives it wide of sweeper cover and gets a couple. |
| 17.5 : Mohammed Shami to Virat Kohli, OUT! Caught! This over might as well be the game changing over in this game. First de Villiers and now Kohli, Shami has given his skipper what he would have dreamed of. A very well-disguised slower short ball around the body. Kohli looks to pull but he is way too early in his stroke. The ball hits the back part of his bat and lobs to the front and right of the keeper. Rahul runs in and dives to take a stunning catch. |
| Who will walk out next? It is Udana. |
| 17.3 : Who will walk out next? Morris or Udana? Morris it is. |
| 17.6 : Mohammed Shami to Isuru Udana, Short ball around the body, Udana pulls it towards square leg and keeps the strike. Fantastic over from Shami. Just 4 runs and two massive wickets off it. |
| 18.1 : Chris Jordan to Isuru Udana, Good length ball on off, Udana taps it towards cover and gets a single. |
| 18.2 : Chris Jordan to Chris Morris, Another single. Punjab strangling Bangalore here with some fantastic death bowling. Good length ball on off, Morris plays it to mid off for one. |
| 18.3 : Chris Jordan to Isuru Udana, Shortish ball, Udana pulls it to long on and rotates the strike. |
| 18.4 : Chris Jordan to Chris Morris, SIX! Much needed for Bangalore! Short and wide outside off, Morris does not power hit but hits it well enough to send it over the short side of the ground, over point for a biggie. |
| 18.5 : Chris Jordan to Chris Morris, Good smart comeback from Jordan. He sees Morris move away from his stumps so he bowls a yorker wide outside off. Morris is too far away and does not hit. |
| 18.6 : Chris Jordan to Chris Morris, Single to end the over! 10 off it. Not bad from CJ! On middle and leg, Morris milks it to long on and keeps the strike. A very good day at the office for Jordan as well. Does not finish his full quota of 4 but has done pretty well in his 3 overs! |
| 19.1 : Mohammed Shami to Chris Morris, FOUR! Brilliant execution and just the start Bangalore needed to the final over. A yorker on middle and off, Morris moves inside his stumps and scoops it over short fine leg for a boundary. |
| 19.2 : Mohammed Shami to Chris Morris, Full on the pads, Morris whips it over square leg but gets just a single. |
| 19.3 : Mohammed Shami to Isuru Udana, SIX! Smashed! That is brilliant from Udana! Short ball on middle, Udana smashes his pull well over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 11 off the first half of the final over. |
| 19.4 : Mohammed Shami to Isuru Udana, In the air but safe! Low full toss on off, Udana chips it wide of the diving cover fielder and gets a single. |
| 19.5 : Mohammed Shami to Chris Morris, SIX! Another poor final over from Punjab! 18 off the over so far. Knuckle ball on off, Morris gets under it and smashes it over the long off fence for another biggie. Second of the over. |
| 19.6 : Mohammed Shami to Chris Morris, SIX! BOOM! Morris finishes the innings in style. Massive final over for Bangalore. 24 coming off the final one. Full on middle and leg, Morris heaves it over mid-wicket. There is a man in the deep but he sees the ball just go over him for a biggie. Supreme finish for Bangalore. BANGALORE FINISH WITH 171/6! |
| Bangalore finish in style. A good total, one they were looking for as well. A cracking finish to say the least. Morris has done an excellent job, an unbeaten 25 from 8 balls towards the end. |
| Bangalore who have normally been exceptional during the Powerplay with the bat, were not so this time. They got off to a good start, courtesy the dimensions at Sharjah as well but lost Padikkal in the 5th over. Finch was coming down the track often but made little impact. He fell in the next over after the Powerplay. |
| At 62/2, one would have been expecting de Villiers but Washington Sundar strode out to bat. Surprising. But anyway, the move did not pay off with Sundar departing after making 13 from 14 balls. Right, de Villiers now? No, Shivam Dube. Hmm...perhaps Bangalore are saving de Villiers for the death overs? Anyway, the partnership between Kohli and Dube was for 43 before Dube fell after hitting a good couple of sixes earlier. |
| Finally, in walked AB de Villiers. But...the impact was very minimal. He made just two. Shocking, disappointing and all that you can think of. And even more of a shocker, Kohli fell, 2 balls later, 2 runs shy of his half ton. Well, Rahul's side would have curtailed a good deal of runs with that, right? On the face of it, yes. But Chris Morris had other plans. A blitzkrieg towards the end and he saw Bangalore just over 170, something Bangalore can well fancy to defend. |
| Punjab's bowling was on the mark overall, but slipped into oblivion towards the end. 34 runs in the last 2 overs after having gotten de Villiers and Kohli earlier on, not good from Rahul's team. Shami and Ashwin got 2 wickets each but the former was extremely expensive while the latter was exceptional, with an economy rate under 6. Jordan bowled well and snared a wicket. Arshdeep was on the expensive side in his two overs while bagging a wicket. Disciplined but torn apart towards the end. |
| Murugan Ashwin is down for a chat. He states that Punjab allowed Bangalore a bit free towards the end. Adds that he wants to bowl well and help his team win as much as possible. States that he is bowling a lot of googlies this time around. |
| Right then, Bangalore have something to bowl at and would be backing themselves. So too would Punjab, the reason, you ask? The Universe Boss is in the team. That should make the chase an exciting one. Stay tuned as the chase dawns shortly... |
| 0.1 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, No run, played towards covers. |
| 0.0 : We are back for the chase! The Bangalore players are in a huddle near the ropes. Some words of wisdom from their skipper. Then they take their positions on the field. Punjab's openers are KL Rahul and Mayank Agarwal. Hmm...Gayle at No. 3 it looks like. Chris Morris to start with the ball for Bangalore. Here we go... |
| 0.2 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, Full on middle, flicked to short mid-wicket. |
| 0.3 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, Outside off on a good length, dabbed towards third man. Punjab and their skipper are underway in the chase with a single. |
| 0.4 : Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal, Short and outside off, Agarwal slashes hard at it but misses. |
| 0.5 : Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal, Full on off and middle, Agarwal leans and defends that to short mid-wicket. |
| 0.6 : Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal, Outside off on a good length, Agarwal looks to defend but misses completely. 1/0 at the end of the first over. |
| 1.1 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, Full on middle and leg, clipped to short mid-wicket. |
| 0.6 : Who will bowl from the other end? Navdeep Saini it is. |
| 1.2 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, FOUR! Places it beautifully down the leg side. Full and on the pads, Rahul tickles it to the fine leg fence. Just helping it on its way. |
| 1.3 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, Outside off, Rahul looks to cut but ends up chopping it back on the pitch. Deflects off the track and goes to de Villiers behind. |
| 1.4 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, Fullish and outside off, Rahul cuts well but Kohli, at point, dives to his right and cuts it off. Lovely fielding there. |
| 1.5 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, Fullish and around off, Rahul drives it towards mid off off the back foot. |
| 1.6 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, Good length ball around off, Rahul punches it off the back foot towards cover-point. Good bowling this from Bangalore. Just 5 runs from the first two overs. |
| 2.1 : Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal, WIDE! A full ball but down the leg side. Agarwal watchfully lets it be. |
| Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal, Full on middle, Agarwal clips it uppishly over square leg and takes a couple. Good shot. |
| 2.2 : Chris Morris to Mayank Agarwal, Full on middle, Agarwal flicks it past Padikkal at square leg and takes a single. |
| 2.3 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, Good length ball on middle, Rahul taps it towards mid on and takes a single. Siraj, at mid on, fumbles and the ball goes through him as he failed to collect it properly. Rahul takes another one. 2 in total. |
| 2.4 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, Bumper on top of the stumps, goes over the head of the batsman. |
| 2.5 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, SIX! He sees that and hits it well, Rahul. Short ball, Rahul pounces on it. Pulls it over deep square leg for a maximum. He goes over 400 runs this season with that hit. |
| 2.6 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, A single to finish as Rahul got away there. Fullish and around off, Rahul backs away and looked to heave that on the off side. However, he gets an inside edge, the ball goes just wide of the stumps, to short fine leg. The batters sneak in a single. Not far from the stumps that! |
| Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack now. |
| 3.1 : Yuzvendra Chahal to KL Rahul, Full and on the pads, Rahul misses his flick to get hit on the pads. |
| 3.2 : Yuzvendra Chahal to KL Rahul, Full on middle and off, the leg break, turned to the leg side for one. |
| 3.3 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, SIX! Goes inside out and gets a maximum. Full and outside off, he launches it over covers for a maximum. |
| 3.4 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, Outside off, he places this straight to the man at backward point. |
| 3.5 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! This time he gets a boundary. Short ball, this has been pulled away to the mid-wicket fence. |
| 3.6 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! And he goes again, Mayank Agarwal. Flat and spinning away after landing around off, he lifts it over covers again. Gets it to the left of Saini at wide long off. Saini ran there but the ball beats him to the boundary. |
| Navdeep Saini is back in the attack. |
| Is that a maximum? Has that hit the adverising board on the full? If so, it is a maximum. Yes, the umpires signal so. |
| 4.1 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, SIX! Starts the over with a good six, Rahul. Around off, Rahul lofts this over mid-wicket. Gets it to the boundary. Did it touch the advertising rope on the full? The umpires have a look. After multiple replays indicate that it did, six has been signalled. |
| 4.2 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, KL Rahul taps this towards cover-point and takes a quick single. |
| 4.3 : Navdeep Saini to Mayank Agarwal, A dot as this is tapped to point. |
| Is that out? In by a good distance, Agarwal. |
| 4.4 : Navdeep Saini to Mayank Agarwal, NOT OUT! Agarwal was well in. Looked close to the naked eye but the batsman was well in. Good length ball outside off, Agarwal places this to cover-point and wants a quick run this time. The throw is to the bowler's end and it hits. The umpires take it upstairs to have a look for the run out as the fielding side appeal for the same. Replays roll in and....Agarwal is well in. Single in the end, but a risky one. |
| 4.5 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, A single as this is tapped towards point and Rahul runs quickly to the other end. |
| 4.6 : Navdeep Saini to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! A boundary to finish. Fullish and around off, Agarwal lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary, towards long off. |
| Isuru Udana to bowl now. |
| 5.1 : Isuru Udana to KL Rahul, Length ball outside off, driven through the covers for a single. |
| 5.2 : Isuru Udana to Mayank Agarwal, Full and around off, driven past mid off for a single. |
| 5.3 : Isuru Udana to KL Rahul, Off-pace ball on the pads, glanced towards Chahal at square leg for a single. |
| 5.4 : Isuru Udana to Mayank Agarwal, Full on the pads, Agarwal looks to flick but gets it off his pads. It goes to the left of de Villiers who does well to stop that. |
| 5.5 : Isuru Udana to Mayank Agarwal, SIX! Another 50-run stand between these two, they have made it a habit. Full on off, Agarwal lofts it over long on for a biggie. |
| 5.6 : Isuru Udana to Mayank Agarwal, Low full toss on middle and leg, Agarwal hits it towards mid on and sneaks in a single. End of the Powerplay and Punjab are motoring here, 56/0. Need 116 runs in 84 balls. |
| Mohammed Siraj to bowl now. |
| 6.1 : Mohammed Siraj to Mayank Agarwal, Full on middle, Agarwal clips it well over short mid-wicket. It goes to the right of Morris at deep mid-wicket. Morris runs in there, puts in a good dive and contains that to a couple. |
| 6.2 : Mohammed Siraj to Mayank Agarwal, Outside off, steered towards third man for a single. |
| 6.3 : Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, Full and outside off, driven to Kohli at cover who fumbles and allows a single to be taken. |
| 0.0 : Drinks! Boom! Boom! Bang! That is how Punjab have started off their chase. A very similiar start to Bangalore's. They were 57/1 at the end of the Powerplay. It was post Powerplay when Punjab pulled things back with the ball. Bangalore will look to do the same. A very surprising tactic from Kohli as we have still not seen Sundar who has been superb in the Powerplay. Let's see if Kohli has some special trick in his sleeve. |
| 6.4 : Mohammed Siraj to Mayank Agarwal, Short ball, Agarwal looks to pull but is early in the shot. Gets it uppishly off the bottom half. It falls safely on the off side though. |
| 6.5 : Mohammed Siraj to Mayank Agarwal, FOUR! Gets it over backward point this. Fullish around off, Agarwal gives himself some room on the off side and hits this to the backward point fence. |
| 6.6 : Mohammed Siraj to Mayank Agarwal, A single as this falls safe of the man at fine leg. Shortish ball, Agarwal pulls, the ball goes in the air but lands on the bounce ahead of fine leg. A single added. |
| Yuzvendra Chahal is back in the attack. 1-0-15-0 for him. |
| 7.1 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, On middle, played back to the bowler. |
| 7.2 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, 4 WIDES! Down the leg side, Agarwal lets it be. De Villiers misses it. The ball goes past and is racing away to the fine leg fence. Siraj and Udana give chase, Siraj dives and looks to contain it from going inside the boundary. But he fails to do so, a boundary off extras. |
| Yuzvendra Chahal to KL Rahul, A single as this is tapped on the off side for one. |
| 7.3 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, Flatter on middle, Agarwal taps it on the leg side for a single. |
| 7.4 : Yuzvendra Chahal to KL Rahul, Shorter and outside off, pushed through the covers for a single. |
| 7.5 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, SIX! That is a lovely shot! Flat ball around off, Agarwal lifts it over the bowler's head for a maximum. |
| 7.6 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Mayank Agarwal, OUT! BOWLED! This is brave bowling from Chahal, tosses it up after being hit for a biggie on the last ball. Chahal gets to 200 wickets in T20s as well. Floats a legbreak around middle, it pitches and spins away. Agarwal swings across the line but misses to read the spin. The ball hits the off stump and Chahal is pumped here. |
| 8.1 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, Sundar starts with a shortish ball around leg, Rahul turns it to deep square leg for one. |
| 8.2 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Flighted on middle, Gayle starts his innings this season with a calm front foot defense. |
| 8.3 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Gayle is off the mark! Floated on off, Gayle taps it to the on side and takes a single to get his first run of the season. |
| 8.4 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, Shorter outside off, Rahul looks to scoop it over fine leg but misses. The ball hits his pad and lobs away from short fine leg. Rahul looks to take a run but it is Gayle at the other end. He does not want it. |
| 8.5 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, Short on off and middle, Rahul pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one. |
| 0.0 : Who will walk out to bat now? The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, it is. Also, Washington Sundar is in the attack now. |
| 8.6 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Short around off, Gayle punches it behind point and keeps the strike. |
| 9.1 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Length ball on leg, Gayle looks to turn that on the leg side but misses to get hit on the body. |
| 9.2 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Full on middle, Gayle defends it to cover. |
| 9.3 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Fullish around off, Gayle taps it towards point and comes down the track for a single but sensing there was none walks back. |
| 9.4 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Full on the pads, Gayle closes the face of his bat and looks to flick but misses. It comes off his pads to the leg side and a leg bye is sneaked in. |
| 9.5 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, Full and around off, chopped to backward point for a single. |
| 9.6 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Length ball outside off, tapped to point for a dot. Just the 2 runs off it. Punjab need 88 runs in 60 balls. |
| 10.1 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, On middle, clipped to Kohli at mid-wicket for one. |
| 10.2 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Flatter ball around off, Gayle looks to hit it through the line but misses completely. |
| 10.3 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Full on off, Gayle prods forward and blocks it out. |
| 10.4 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Flatter and on off, Gayle looks to drive but ends up hitting it slightly uppishly through cover-point for a single. |
| 10.5 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, On the shorter side on the leg pole, Rahul backs away and dabs this towards long on and gets to the other end. |
| 10.6 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Around off, fullish, bunted down to long on for a single. Punjab are 88/1 after 11 overs. Need 84 runs in 54 balls. |
| Mohammed Siraj is back in the attack. 1-0-9-0 so far. |
| 11.1 : Mohammed Siraj to Chris Gayle, Full and on off, driven past mid on for a single. |
| 11.2 : Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, Full and around off, it pitches and bounces sharply. Takes the splice of Rahul's bat as he looked to defend and goes to Kohli at cover. |
| 11.3 : Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, Full on the pads, swung away to fine leg for a single. |
| 11.4 : Mohammed Siraj to Chris Gayle, Full and well outside off, Gayle had moved to the leg side and looks to heave this on the off side. Ends up getting an inside edge to the left of de Villiers. A single is sneaked in. |
| 11.5 : Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, SIX! Swung away and swung away for a maximum. Length ball on off, Rahul swings across the line and helps it well over wide long on. |
| 11.6 : Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, SIX! Goes again, a brilliant end to the 12th over, 15 off it. Full and around off, Rahul lofts this mightily over long on and that sailed well over. Looks like it has gone out of the stadium. 69 runs needed in 48 balls for Punjab now. |
| 12.1 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Around off, fuller, hit uppishly to wide long on for one. |
| 12.2 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, Short ball on off and middle, Rahul swipes this to deep square leg for a single. |
| 12.3 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, SIX! THE UNIVERSE BOSS IS BACK! Overpitched on off, Gayle comes on the front foot and sends this over the bowler's head for a maximum. |
| 12.4 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, On middle, bunted down to long on for a single. |
| 12.5 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, On off, Rahul swings across the line and hits it to deep square leg for a single. |
| 12.6 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, SIX! GAYLE FORCE! Fullish ball on the stumps, Gayle swivels and hits it over the fine leg fence. |
| 13.1 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, KL Rahul pushes the good length ball on the off side for a single. |
| 0.0 : Chris Morris is back in the attack now. 2-0-14-0 for him. |
| 13.2 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, OUT! Played backfoot defense. |
| Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, NOT OUT! Gayle takes the review and survives. He was pretty confident that he got bat. Full and almost in the blockhole on leg, Gayle looks to hit but to the naked eye it looked like he missed. Gets hit on the pads, Morris appeals and the umpire concurs, raises his finger. Gayle has a chat with Rahul and then takes the DRS. He reckons he knicked it and...yes, replays confirm that. The Universe Boss stays. |
| 13.3 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, Full and around off, dabbed to Kohli at cover. |
| 13.4 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, Gayle takes a quick single by tapping this full ball to short mid-wicket. Races to the other end, safely. |
| 13.5 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, A single as Rahul drives the full ball to long on. Gets to his 50 as well, off 37 balls. Well played, Rahul. What a knock from him again. |
| 13.6 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, A single to finish. Just the 4 off it. Full and on leg, clipped to square leg for a single. |
| 0.0 : Review time! Gayle has opted to have a look at the on-field review against him for the LBW. Feels he has got some bat on it. What does Ultra Edge say? A spike as the ball passes the bat....NOT OUT! |
| 13.6 : Navdeep Saini is back in the attack. |
| 14.1 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Outside off, Gayle swings across the line but misses to connect. |
| 14.2 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Fullish on off, bunts this down aerially to wide long on for a single. |
| 14.3 : Navdeep Saini to KL Rahul, Good length ball around off, Rahul gives room on the off side and hits it in front of point for a single. |
| 14.4 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Length, around off, driven to cover. |
| 14.5 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Heave-ho and a miss! Fullish and outside off, Gayle lets out a mighty swing across the line but misses the ball completely. |
| 14.6 : Navdeep Saini to Chris Gayle, Very full down the leg side, Gayle clips it to deep mid-wicket and takes the single. Just 3 off the Saini over. |
| Mohammed Siraj is back in the attack. |
| 15.1 : Mohammed Siraj to Chris Gayle, WIDE! Full and well outside off, Gayle looks to whack it through the line. Misses and a wide called as it was way outside off. |
| Mohammed Siraj to Chris Gayle, FOUR! Hits it firmly and gets a boundary. 50-run partnership between these two as well. Kohli is not happy that Siraj is not bowling to the plan. Full on off and middle, Gayle lifts it powerfully over the bowler's head for a boundary. |
| 15.2 : Mohammed Siraj to Chris Gayle, SIX! 35 runs needed in 28 balls now. Full and just outside off, Gayle lofts that high and well over wide long off. |
| 15.3 : Mohammed Siraj to Chris Gayle, Very full, just outside off, driven on the off side for one. |
| 15.4 : Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, SIX! Up, up and away. Short ball, Rahul swivels and pulls this mightily over deep square leg for a six. |
| 15.5 : Mohammed Siraj to KL Rahul, Very full, outside off, dug out to sweeper cover for a single. 19 off the over so far. |
| 15.6 : Mohammed Siraj to Chris Gayle, Just the one. 20 off the over. Low full toss on the pads, Gayle closes the face of his bat to glance this to backward square leg. Takes a single. |
| DRINKS! Punjab are cruising with their skipper adamant to not leave it too late and have that nervous end. The boys from North of India look well on course to do the double over Kohli's men. They need just 26 off 24 balls. If they manage to lose it from here then it will be a disaster class from them. Only a miracle can see Bangalore win this game. Can they do the unthinkable? |
| 16.1 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, SIX! Monster from Universe Boss! Short and quick on off, Gayle smashes it into the roof over long on for a 96m biggie. |
| 16.2 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Slow and turning away from the southpaw. It is outside off, Gayle leaves it alone. |
| 16.3 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, SIX! Another biggie. Not as big as the previous one but still gets half-a-dozen. Short but not that short, Gayle smashes it over long on for second maximum of the over. |
| 16.4 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, Flat around off, the Universe Boss pulls it to long on for one. |
| 16.5 : Washington Sundar to KL Rahul, On the pads, Rahul looks to pull but he misses. The ball hits his pad and goes to the on side. They take a leg bye. |
| 16.6 : Washington Sundar to Chris Gayle, FIFTY FOR GAYLE! The fans were asking for the Gayle storm to arrive this season and it has arrived. His first game and the Universe Boss scores a fifty like a boss. Take a bow! All his teammates and the support staff are on their feet and applauding the champion. Flat and short ball on off, Gayle punches it to long off to get to his milestone. He points to the sticker on his bat which says, 'the Universe Boss'. |
| 17.1 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, WIDE! Too wide outside off, Gayle leaves it and it has been wided. |
| Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, Shortish slower ball, Gayle swings across the line but misses. |
| 17.2 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, WIDE! Morris misses his line and bowls one down the leg side. CG looks to flick but misses. |
| Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, On the pads, Gayle turns it to the on side and gets to the other end. 8 away from a win. |
| 17.3 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, Full on off, Rahul taps it back to the bowler. |
| 17.4 : Chris Morris to KL Rahul, Low full toss on middle, Rahul glances it to mid-wicket and rotates the strike. |
| 17.5 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, Length ball on off, Gayle taps it to point. |
| 17.6 : Chris Morris to Chris Gayle, Slower yorker outside off, Gayle jams it to cover. |
| 18.1 : Isuru Udana to KL Rahul, Yorker outside off, Rahul looks to play it through on the off side but misses. |
| 18.2 : Isuru Udana to KL Rahul, WIDE! Shortish ball, seemed to have slipped out of Udana's hand. It is well, well outside off. Rahul leaves it. |
| Isuru Udana to KL Rahul, Full on middle, Rahul lifts it to the left of Morris at long on. Gets a single. 5 away from a win. Can Gayle finish with a biggie? |
| 18.3 : Isuru Udana to Chris Gayle, Full on the pads, Gayle looks to flick but misses. The ball hits his pad and goes to the on side. They take a leg bye. |
| 18.4 : Isuru Udana to KL Rahul, Good over this from Udana. Very full outside off, Rahul strokes it to short extra cover. |
| 18.5 : Isuru Udana to KL Rahul, Around off, Rahul squeezes it to deep point and takes one. |
| 18.6 : Isuru Udana to Chris Gayle, Full toss on off, Gayle flicks it to deep mid-wicket and keeps the strike. 2 needed off the final over. |
| Who will bowl the final over? It will be Chahal. Can he do the unimaginable? |
| 19.1 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Chris Gayle, Dot ball! Short and spinning in, Gayle tucks it to mid-wicket. |
| 19.2 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Chris Gayle, Another dot! 2 needed in 4 now. Loopy ball pitching outside the tramline, outside off. Gayle leaves it thinking it to be wide but it is not as it spun in after pitching. Look of disbelief from the Universe Boss. |
| 19.3 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Chris Gayle, Just a single. 1 needed off the final 3 balls. Excellent from Padikkal in the deep. Loopy ball outside off, Gayle stretches and sweeps it to the right of deep mid-wicket. Padikkal dives and saves it from going to the fence. Just a single taken. |
| 19.4 : Yuzvendra Chahal to KL Rahul, Another dot! Flat and short around off, Rahul punches it uppishly but cannot find the gap. It is to point. |
| 19.5 : Yuzvendra Chahal to KL Rahul, OUT! RUN OUT! Gayle is well short of his crease and Punjab now need 1 off the final ball. Floated ball on off, Rahul drives it to cover and calls for a run. Gayle is neither the youngest nor the quickest. They take off for a run but the throw at the keeper's end is a good one by Padikkal. De Villiers whips the bails off and Gayle is well short. |
| 19.6 : Yuzvendra Chahal to Nicholas Pooran, SIX! Just over! Nicholas Pooran has done it and Punjab almost threw it away once again but have found a way to get over the line. Tossed up on off, Pooran comes down the track and hits it over long on. Morris runs to his right and jumps but the ball is well away from him and over the ropes. PUNJAB WIN BY 8 WICKETS! |
| 19.5 : Who will walk out to face the final ball? Pooran, Maxwell or someone else? It is Pooran! |
| 19.6 : Spectacular! Quite spectacular from Punjab. Equally from Bangalore as well but in the end, they have to contend with a loss now. Magnificent stuff from Rahul's men. Well done by Kohli's men as well. But the better of the two won it in the end. |
| He pummeled a hapless Washington Sundar for two maximums in the 17th over. Before that, he and Rahul smashed 20 off the 16th over, where Siraj bowled. Rahul got to a well made half-ton and the Universe Boss followed him to his 50 as well. Excellent batting from both but more so from the latter as he was struggling to find his feet earlier, but did well to recover and launch some into orbit.  |
| Virat Kohli, Bangalore's captain, says that it was quite surprising, admits that he thought that the game would finish in the 18th over. But it ended up going down to the wire. On the change in de Villiers' batting position, Kohli says that it was more to do with the left-hand, right-hand batting combinations and the legbreak bowlers that Punjab have. Admits honestly that it was a plan that did not work out. States that the pitch did not assist them much when Bangalore were batting earlier. C |
| The Universe Boss, Chris Gayle, is up for a chat. He says that he was not nervous in the end. States that the Universe Boss, himself, never fears. Adds that the surface was very sticky and proved a very tricky one to bat on. On how he felt at batting at No. 3, Gayle chuckles and asks Kevin Pietersen if he thinks that the Universe Boss' record at No. 3 is not good. All have a heary laugh. |
| Winning captain and also the MAN OF THE MATCH for his splendid 61 off 49 balls, KL Rahul, says that he has no idea, no words to describe what happened earlier. States that they needed to do well. Says that towards the end, it got too close to comfort but in the end they did manage to get through. Rahul says that losing continuously was frustrating for everyone, the support staff, the team, the players. Adds that it has been a crazy rollercoaster so far. States that as a first time as captain, |
| Right then, what a humdinger it was. Decided on the last ball. Well....Looks like our wait for a Super Over clash gets a little longer. Or does it? What do we mean by that? Well, on Friday, 16th October 2020, two giants, Mumbai and Kolkata face off against each other. Woah...let's hope a Super Over comes our way then. Join us at 1800 Local (1400 GMT) for that clash. Until then, take care and good night... |
| Punjab started off in their usual fashion. You know, the openers give them a good start, and the same was the case here as well. A good 78-run partnership between Rahul and Agarwal, with the latter taking Chahal to the cleaners before getting bowled. |
| After Agarwal departed, in walked...the UNIVERSE BOSS, Chris Gayle. The first game for him this season, coming after the halfway mark in the League. Rahul was playing carefully after Agarwal got out, working the singles and diligently latching onto the bad balls and punishing it. The Universe Boss...well he was struggling to find his feet. Understandable because he has not played competitive cricket since February this year. So, he took his time to find the middle of his bat. But once he cons |
| After some pyrotechnics, sensing that they have gotten close to a victory, both Rahul and Gayle played watchfully against Morris and Udana towards the end. It went to the last over, surprising and should not have been. But it did. Super Over? Some hopes as Punjab were struggling to get 2 in the last over...yes just 2 runs. Gayle was run out in the penultimate ball as well. 1 needed in the last ball....Super Over?....Nope, Pooran gets a six and sees Punjab home, ending the dry run. |
| Virat Kohli and co. would have reckoned all was over the way Gayle and Rahul went hammer and tongs against Siraj and Sundar towards the end. But Punjab, somehow, took it to the last over, the last ball and that offered some hope for Bangalore. But it was punctured on the last ball as Punjab coasted through. Just the one wicket overall for Kohli's men, that of Agarwal, snared by Chahal. Morris and Saini bowled well with a tight economy rate but did not get any wickets. Chahal and Siraj were tonke |
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