So, thanks to this win Kolkata Knight Riders are alive in the tournament. They started the match at the bottom of the points table and then thanks to this comprehensive win they have moved fourth in the league. We have seen the last of Rajasthan Royals in this year's IPL. Earlier today Chennai Super Kings beat Kings XI Punjab and because of the loss KXIP are also eliminated from this year's IPL.
So, what we know for sure is that Mumbai Indians have qualified for the playoffs. CSK, KXIP and RR have been eliminated from the race of the playoffs. It is now down to Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad to fight for the three playoff spots.
Tomorrow, DC take on RCB. It is a must win match for the either side.
Join us for the coverage of that match. For now it is good night!
Player of the Match
For bowling a match winning spell of 4/34 and getting quick runs, KKR's Pat Cummins is the Player of the Match.
Eoin Morgan: I thought it was around a par score. Every batsman who came back in and said that it was a beautiful wicket with the dew in. We lost wickets between 10th and 15th overs, and to finish like we did was really good. We were out there to be play a free-flowing style of cricket. That was the only way we were going to win. Especially with the dew factor expected anyways, irrespective of when it came. Bringing out Dre Russ in meant that it took the conditions out of the equation. We backed the guys to take a bit of risk even if it wasn't there. That was one thing we talked about, leading into this game. We felt that a hard length or a good length was the best spot to bowl. We tried to execute that in the first six overs and I thought Mavi was outstanding. Obviously Pat set the tone early on. Winning the game was about taking wickets, especially early. RR are a side that are top-heavy and you need to get them early. Having that aggressive mindset was important for us. Yes, I was aware of the numbers (about net run rate) but you need to first get yourself into a winning position. I don't think we could have done anything more today. So whatever happens from here is upto the Gods.
Steve Smith: We thought 180 was par. But losing four in the first four didn't help. He (Cummins) bowled nice lengths and made us play big shots. Unfortunately we are at the wrong end of the result. We started well with two wins, we won two before this one but we were inconsistent in the middle we didn't take enough responsibility. Couple of positives for us, Jofra has played exceptionally well for us. Tewatia pulled a few out of the hat for us, bowled exceptionally well through the tournament as well. You need to win those you should win. The BCCI and everyone involved to get this tournament up and running have done a fantastic. Hope we were able to put few smile on people's faces, especially in India where it's been tough.
Result
KKR win by 60 runs.
RR 131/9 after 20 overs.
Nagarkoti to bowl the last over for the match. Gopal has the strike.
19.1 WIDE! Fuller delivery down the leg side.
19.1 Short ball outside off stump. Gopal plays the ball through point for a single.
19.2 Good length ball and Aaron pushes the ball back to the bowler.
19.3 Good short ball. The ball hits high on the bat and goes to off side.
19.4 Good length ball on middle and leg. Aaron plays the ball to cover.
19.5 Short ball outside off. Aaron goes for a swing but misses.
19.6 Short ball on leg stump. Aaron goes for a cut but misses.
RR 129/9 after 19 overs.
Nagarkoti to bowl. Tyagi has the strike.
18.1 Yorker. Tyagi plays the ball to leg side and takes a single.
18.2 Another yorker. Gopal digs the ball to long-on for a single.
18.3 WICKET! Kartik Tyagi c and b Shivam Mavi 2(3)
Slow fuller ball. Tyagi plays the ball straight. Mavi extends his one hand out and takes a good catch of his own bowling.
Varun Aaron is the last batsman in.
18.4 Fuller delivery fired on leg stump. The ball hits the pads.
18.5 Short ball on off stump. Aaron plays the ball to point.
18.6 Good yorker. Aaron digs the ball out.
RR 127/8 after 18 overs.
Nagarkoti to bowl. Archer has the strike.
17.1 Fuller delivery fired on leg stump. Archer hits the ball straight to Nagarkoti and takes a single.
17.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Gopal crunches the ball down to the man at sweeper cover for a single.
17.3 WICKET! Jofra Archer c Shivam Mavi b K Nagarkoti 6(9)
Fuller delivery on off stump. Archer swings. The ball goes to long-off and Mavi takes a comfortable catch in deep.
Kartik Tyagi is the new batsman.
17.4 Full toss and Gopal hits the ball down the ground for a single.
17.5 Fuller delivery and Tyagi hits the ball to off side for a single.
17.6 Good short ball. Gopal looks to work the ball to leg side but misses. The ball goes to the keeper.
RR 123/7 after 17 overs.
Narine to bowl. Archer has the strike.
16.1 Short ball and Acrher hits the ball to cover.
16.2 Short ball. Archer goes for a wild swing. The ball goes just over the stumps.
16.3 Fuller delivery and Archer smacks the ball to long-off for a single.
16.4 FOUR! Fuller ball and Gopal plays a reverse hit for a boundary.
16.5 Another fuller delivery and another reverse hit from Gopal. The ball goes down the ground and Gopal takes 2 more runs.
16.6 FOUR! Another fuller delivery and Gopal goes for another reverse hit for a boundary.
RR 112/7 after 16 overs.
Shivam Mavi to bowl. Archer is on strike.
15.1 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Archer looks to play the ball to leg side. The ball takes a leadinmg edge and goes down to long-off for a single.
15.2 Short ball wide of off stump. Gopal looks for a cut but misses.
15.3 Fuller delivery on off stump. Gopal plays the ball to off side and takes a single.
15.4 Good length ball around off stump. Archer smacks the ball down the ground for a single.
15.5 Fuller ball outside off stump. Gopal hits the ball to the man at sweeper cover for a single.
15.6 Fuller delivery on middle and leg. Archer digs the ball out and takes a quick single.
RR 107/7 after 15 overs.
Charavarthy to bowl his last over. Tewatia has the strike.
14.1 Short ball. Tewatia slogs and the ball goes to sqaure leg for a couple of runs.
14.2 Fuller ball and Tewatia plays the ball down to long-on for a single.
14.3 Short ball and Gopal hits the ball down to long-off for another single.
14.4 WICKET! Rahul Tewatia c Karthik b Chakravarthy 31(27)
Fuller delivery wide of off stump. Tewatia goes for a wild slog. The ball hits the toe end of the bat. The ball balloons high in the air and Dinesh Karthik takes yet another catch.
Jofra Archer is the new batsman.
14.5 Fuller ball and Gopal chips the ball wide of the bolwer for a single.
14.6 Fuller delivery and Archer plays the ball to extra cover for a run.
RR 101/6 after 14 overs.
Cummins to bowl his last over. Tewatia has the strike.
13.1 Fuller delivery on off stump. Tewatia drives the ball to mid-off.
13.2 Fuller ball on middle and leg. Tewatia plays the ball to deep midwikcet for 2 runs.
13.3 Good length ball on middle stump. Tewatia moves across to scoop the ball but misses.
13.4 Fuller delivery on off stump. Tewatia hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
13.5 Short ball. Gopal pulls. The ball goes to deep midwicket as Gopal completes 2 runs.
13.6 Well directed bouncer. Gopal looks to guide the ball to third man but misses. The ball flies to the keeper.
RR 96/6 after 13 overs.
Chakravarthy to bowl his third over. Tewatia has the strike.
12.1 Fuller delivery on off stump. Tewatia hits the ball to long-off for a single.
12.2 Another fuller deivery and Gopal hits the ball down the ground for another single.
12.3 Short delivery on leg stump. Tewatia pulls and sends the ball down to backward square leg for another single.
12.4 Short ball and Gopal cuts the ball to the fielder at short third-man.
12.5 Fuller delivery and Gopal drives the ball to off side.
12.6 Fuller delivery and Gopal plays the ball to off side.
RR 93/6 after 12 overs.
Narine to bowl his third over. Gopal is on strike.
11.1 Fuller ball and Gopal comes down the track to guide the ball to leg side.
11.2 Fuller ball and Gopal plays the ball to long-on for a single.
11.3 FOUR! Too short and too wide. Tewatia smashes the ball through cover for a boundary.
11.4 Fuller ball and Tewatia plays a textbook frontfoot defensive block.
11.5 SIX! Fuller delivery and Tewatia slogs to send the ball back in the stands.
11.6 Short ball and Tewatia hits the ball down the ground for a single.
RR 81/6 after 11 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy to bowl. Buttler has the strike.
10.1 FOUR! Short ball. Buttler goes on the backfoot to punch the ball to cover. The ball takes thick outside edge and runs down to third-man for a boundary.
10.2 Fuller delivery and Buttelr drives the ball to off side.
10.3 Fuller ball and Buttler plays the ball to the man at sweeper cover for 2 runs.
10.4 WICKET! Buttler c Cummins b Chakravarthy 35(22)
Short ball on off stump. Buttler goes on the backfoot and smashes the ball to deep midwicket. Pat Cummins standing there takes a comfortable catch.
Shreyas Gopal is the new batsman.
10.5 Short delivery on middle stump. The ball hits the pads. There is a loud appeal for LBW but the ball is going down the leg side.
10.6 Short ball and Gopal plays the ball to leg side for a single.
RR 74/5 after 10 overs.
Nagarkoti to bowl his second over. Tewatia has the strike.
9.1 Good length delivery on middle stump. Tewatia blocks the ball.
9.2 Good length delivery on middle and off. Tewatia punches the ball to long-off and takes a single.
9.3 Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler drives the ball to mid-off.
9.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery on leg stump. Buttler moves away and lifts the ball over mid-off for a boundary.
9.5 Short ball and Buttler pulls to send the ball to backward square-leg for 2 runs.
9.6 Fuller delivery. Buttler guides the ball to backward square leg for a run.
RR 66/5 after 9 overs.
Narine to bowl his second over. Buttler has the strike.
8.1 SIX! Short ball. Buttler rocks back and hammers the ball down the ground for a maximum.
8.2 Fuller delivery and Buttler pushes the ball to off side.
8.3 Another fuller delivery and Buttler plays the ball to off side.
8.4 Short ball and Buttler plays the ball to deep midwicket for 2 runs.
8.5 Fuller ball and Buttler plays the ball to off side for a single.
8.6 Short ball and Tewatia nudges the ball to leg side for a single.
RR 56/5 after 8 overs.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti to bowl his first over. Buttler has the strike.
7.1 Good length delivery on middle and leg. The ball raps on the pads.
7.2 FOUR! Nagarkoti bangs the ball short. Buttler plays a short arm jab and the ball goes down to backward square-leg for a boundary.
7.3 1 Leg Bye! Short ball angling into the leg stump. The ball raps on the pads and goes to leg side. Buttler takes a single.
7.4 Short delivery outside off stump. Tewatia cuts. The ball goes high in the air and falls in no man's land. Tewatia completes 2 runs.
7.5 Short ball outside off stump. Tewatia smashes the ball to mid-off where Russell stops the ball.
7.6 FOUR! Cracked over cover. Fuller delivery outside off stump. Tewatia swings his bat to send the ball for a boundary.
RR 45/5 after 7 overs.
Sunil Narine to bowl his first over. Tewatia has the strike.
6.1 Good length ball outside off stump. Tewatia smashes the ball to off side and takes a single.
6.2 Good length ball and Buttler plays the ball to leg side for a single.
6.3 Good length ball on off stump. Tewatia plays the ball to midwicket for a single.
6.4 Fuller delivery on middle and off. Buttler plays the ball to off side and takes a single.
6.5 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Tewatia defends.
6.6 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Tewatia plays a reverse sweep but cannot find the gap.
RR 40/5 after 6 overs.
Varun Chakravathy to bowl his frist over. Rahul Tewatia is the new batsman. Buttler is on strike.
5.1 Fuller delivery and Buttler plays the ball to leg side for a single.
5.2 Short ball and Tewatia plays the ball to leg side.
5.3 Good length ball on off stump. Tewatia pushes the ball to off side.
5.4 Good length ball on off stump. Tewatia gets an inside edge and the ball goes to leg side and Tewatia takes a single.
5.5 Fuller ball on middle and leg. Buttler punches the ball off his backfoot to leg side and takes a single.
5.6 Fuller ball and Tewatia punches the ball to cover for a quick single.
RR 37/5 after 5 overs.
Cummins to bowl his third over. Buttler has the strike.
4.1 FOUR! Good length ball outside off stump. Buttler thumps the ball through extra-cover for a boundary.
4.2 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Buttler goes on the backfoot to work the ball to backward square leg for a single.
4.3 Good length delivery on off stump. Parag plays the ball to leg side.
4.4 Fuller delivery on off stump. Parag blocks the ball.
4.5 Good length ball on off stump. Parag goes on the backfoot to play the ball to off side.
4.6 WICKET! Riyan Parag c Karthik b Cummins 0(7)
Well directed short ball from Cummins. Parag has no idea about the ball. The ball hits the high end of the bat. Dinesh Karthik is again in the action and he takes another good catch.
RR 32/4 after 4 overs.
Mavi to bowl his second over. Samson has the strike.
3.1 Good length delivery on middle stump. Smson plays the ball to mid-on.
3.2 Good length delivery on off stump. Samson drives the ball to mid-off.
3.3 WICKET! Samson c Karthik b Shivam Mavi 1(4)
Good length delivery on off stump. The ball jags a bit. Samson goes for a drive on the up. The ball takes the outside edge and goes straight into to Dinesh Karthik's gloves.
Riyan Parag is the new batsman.
3.4 Good length delivery on middle stump. Parag blocks the ball.
3.5 Fuller ball on off stump. Parag plays the ball to point.
3.6 Good length delivery outside off stump. Parag leaves the ball alone.
RR 32/3 after 3 overs.
Cummins to bowl his second over. Stokes is on strike.
2.1 WICKET! Karthik b Cummins 18(11)
Big blow to RR's chances!!! And what a stunning catch by DK! Fuller delivery on off stump. Stokes goes for a big shot. The ball takes a thick outside edge. The ball is flying. DK throws himself to take the catch and he is able to complete a near immposible catch. Stokes has to walk back.
Sanju Samson is the new batsman.
2.2 Fuller delivery and Samson works the ball to leg side for a single.
2.3 Fuller delivery and Smith plays the ball straight with soft hands.
2.4 FOUR! Good length delivery on middle stump. Smith works the ball to backward square-leg for a boundary.
2.5 Good length delivery on leg stump. The ball takes the inside edge and hits the pads.
2.6 WICKET! Smith b Cummins 4(4)
Played on! Good length delivery on off stump. Smith goes for a drive. The ball takes the inside edge and hits the stumps.
RR 26/1 after 2 overs.
Shivam Mavi to bowl from the other end. Steve Smith is the new batsman. Stokes is on strike.
1.1 Good length ball on middle stump. Stokes pushes the ball to mid-off.
1.2 Good length ball on middle stump. Stokes comes down the track and hits the ball straight. The ball hits the stumps at the non-striker's end.
1.3 WIDE! Short delivery wide of off stump. Stokes leaves the ball for the wicketkeeper.
1.3 Slow ball on good length. The ball hits the bat and just falls in front of Shivam Mavai. Stokes survives again.
1.4 Fuller delivery on leg stump. Stokes plays the ball to leg side and takes 2 runs.
1.5 FOUR! Fuller delivery wide of off stump. Stokes comes down the track and smacks the ball through cover for a boundary.
1.6 Fuller delivery on leg stump. Stokes plays the ball to leg side and takes a single.
RR 19/1 after 1 over.
Pat Cummins to bowl the first over for KKR. Uthappa is on strike.
0.1 SIX! Short ball on middle stump. Uthappa flicks and the ball flies over backward square-leg boundary for a maximum.
0.2 WIDE! Short ball down the leg side. Good work by the keeper saves a ceartain boundary. Uthappa takes a single to give Stokes the strike.
0.2 Fuller ball on off stump. Stokes blocks the ball.
0.3 FOUR! Stokes is lucky here. Fuller delivery wide of off stump. Stokes goes for a shot. The ball takes the inside edge and runs down to fine-leg for a boundary.
0.4 SIX! Outrageous shot from Stokes. Good length ball outside off stump. Stokes moves across and scoops the ball to send it over fine-leg for a maximum.
0.5 Good length ball on off stump. Stokes hits the ball to off side and takes a single.
0.6 WICKET! Uthappa c K Nagarkoti b Cummins 6(2)
Fuller ball on middle and off stump. Uthappa flicks and the ball flies straight to Kamlesh Nagarkoti at deep square-leg.
RR's chase is about to begin. KKR players make their way to the middle. Robin Uthappa and Ben Stokes to open the inning for RR.
KKR 191/7 after 20 overs.
Tyagi to bowl the last over of the inning. Cummins has the strike.
19.1 Fuller delivery on middle and leg. Cummins hits the ball down the ground for 2 runs.
19.2 WICKET! Cummins c Samson b Kartik Tyagi 15(11)
Fuller delivery wide of off stump. Cummins goes for a big shot. The ball takes thick outside edge and flies to Sanju Samson. Samson takes a good catch.
Kamlesh Nagarkoti is the new batsman.
19.3 Low full toss and Nagarkoti plays the ball to leg side for a single.
19.4 Fuller ball on off stump. Mogan hits the ball to long-off. Morgan turns down a single.
19.5 Fuller delivery on leg stump. Morgan hits the ball to backward square-leg and again turns down a single.
19.6 SIX! Aaaanndd Morgan finishes the inning in styler. Fuller delivery and Morgan tonks the ball straight down the ground for a maximum.
KKR 182/6 after 19 overs.
Stokes to bowl his third over. Morgan has the strike.
18.1 Good length delivery wide of off stump. Morgan gets an inside edge and the ball goes to off side. Morgan takes a single.
18.2 SIX! Slow fuller delivery o off stump. Cummins hammers the ball over long-off for a maximum.
18.3 Full ball on off stump. Cummins plays the ball to off side for a single.
18.4 SIX! Slow fuller ball on leg stump. Morgan comes down the track and thumps the ball over deep midwicket for a maximum.
18.5 SIX! Full slow ball. Morgan hammers the bal over Stokes' head for a monster hit.
18.6 FOUR! Fuller delivery wide of off stump. Morgan guides the ball to third-man for a boundary.
KKR 158/6 after 18 overs.
Archer to bowl out. Cummins has the strike.
17.1 Fuller delivery just outside off stump. Cummins backs away and exposes all three stumps. The ball just goes past the off stump.
17.2 Fuller delivery on middle and leg. Cummins moves across and punches the ball down the ground. Good work by Stokes in the deep prevents a boundary. Cummins takes 2 runs.
17.3 Good length delivery on middle stump. The ball goes in the air and falls in no man's land. Cummins takes 2 more runs.
17.4 Good length delivery wide of off stump. Cummins hits the ball to off side and takes a single.
17.5 1 Leg Bye! Good length delivery wicj comes back in. The ball hits Morgan's back leg and goes to off side. Morgan takes a single.
17.6 Good bouncer from Archer to complete his spell. Cummins ducks to let the ball go to the keeper.
KKR 152/6 after 17 overs.
Stokes to bowl. Morgan has the strike.
16.1 Slow fuller ball. The ball hits the pads and Morgan looks to work the ball to leg side.
16.2 Slow short ball wide of off stump. Morgan goes for a big shot but misses.
16.3 Another slow delivery back of length. Morgan goes for a shot but misses.
16.4 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Morgan plays the ball to leg side and takes a quick single.
16.5 1 Leg Bye! Good length delivery on middle stump. The ball raps on the pads and geos to leg side. Cummins takes a single.
16.6 FOUR! Slow short ball wide of off stump. Morgan waits for the ball and then cuts it at last second to send it through backward point for a boundary.
KKR 145/6 after 16 overs.
to bowl. Russell has the strike.
15.1 SIX! Fullere delivery on middle and leg. Russell takes his front foot out of the way and tonks the ball over long-on for a maximum.
15.2 SIX! Fuller delivery wide of off stump. Russell reaches for the ball and smashes the bal to long-off. The ball just goes over the fielder at long-off.
15.3 WICKET! Russell c (sub)Miller b Kartik Tyagi 25(11)
Karthik would be a relived man. Fuller ball wide of off stump. Russell goes for another big shot. The ball goes flat over extra-cover. David Miller at sweeper cover position takes a good catch.
Pat Cummins is the new batsman.
15.4 Fuller delivery and Cummins plays the ball to off side for a single.
15.5 Fuller delivery on leg stump. The ball hits the pads and goes to leg side.
15.6 1 Leg Bye! Fuller ball on leg stump. The ball hits the pads and goes to off side. Morgan takes a single.
KKR 132/5 after 15 overs.
Archer is back in the attack. He will be bowling to Russell.
14.1 Good length delivery on off stump. Russell defends.
14.2 FOUR! Russell is lucky here. Good length ball on off stump. Russell gets a thick outside edge of his bat. The ball goes wide of a diving Sanju Samson down to thrid-man for a boundary.
14.3 SIX! Good length delivery on off stump. Russell swings his heavy bat to send the ball flying over deep midwicket for a maximum.
14.4 Good length delivery on off stump. Russell plays the ball wide of the fielder at point and takes a single.
14.5 Fuller delivery on off stump. Morgan plays the ball with soft hands to off side.
14.6 Short delivery outside off stump. Morgan swings but misses. The ball goes to the keeper.
KKR 121/5 after 14 overs.
Shreyas Gopal to bowl his third over. Russell has the strike.
13.1 Short delivery on middle and leg. Russell goes on the backfoot and blocks the ball with a dead straight bat.
13.2 Fuller delivery. Russell comes down the track for a big shot. The ball takes the inside edge and goes to leg side. Russell takes a single .
13.3 FOUR! Short delivery outside off stump. Morgan hammers the ball straight down the ground for a boundary.
13.4 FOUR! Short delivery wide off stump. Morgan smashes the ball over extra-cover for a boundary.
13.5 SIX! Fuller delivery on off stump, Morgan cracks the ball to send it over long-off.
13.6 SIX! Short ball outside off stump. Morgan goes deep in his crease and hit the ball. The ball sails over deep midwicket boundary for a maximum.
KKR 100/5 after 13 overs.
Tewatia to bowl his last over. Dinesh Karthik is the new batsman. Morgan has the strike.
12.1 FOUR! Fuller ball outside off stump. Morgan slog sweeps. The ball goes to deep midwicket. Riyan Parag puts in a dive for a catch but the ball goes away from him.
12.2 Good length delivery and Morgan plays the ball to long-on for a single.
12.3 WICKET! Karthik c Smith b Rahul Tewatia 0(1)
Karthik's problems against spinners continues. Fuller ball on middle stump. Karthik leans to defend the ball. The ball takes a thick inside edge and lobs to Steve Smith at short midwicket. Smith makes no mistake in completing an easy catch.
Andre Russell is the new batsman.
12.4 Good length delivery on middle and leg. Russell goes on the backfoot to block the ball.
12.5 Fuller delivery on off stump Russell plays the ball to off side for a single.
12.6 Good length delivery wide of off stump. Morgan hits the ball to off side but cannot take a single.
KKR 94/4 after 12 overs.
Shreyas Gopal to bowl his second over. Morgan has the strike.
11.1 Fuller delivery. Morgan reverse sweeps. The ball goes straight to the man at short third. Morgan takes a quick single.
11.2 Short ball. Tripathi goes for a shot. The ball takes the inside edge and just misses the stumps.
11.3 Short delivery and Tripathi plays the ball to leg side for a single.
11.4 Good length delivery wide of off stump. Morgan hits the ball to leg side and takes 2 runs.
11.5 WIDE! Fuller delivery wide of off stump.
11.5 Good length delivery wide of off stump. Morgan gets a thick edge and the ball falls just short of Varun Aaron at short third-man. Morgan takes a single.
11.6 WICKET! Tripathi c Uthappa b Shreyas Gopal 39(34)
Wickets keep tumbling for KKR!!! Short ball on off stump. Tripathi pulls. The ball goes to backward square-leg where Robin Uthappa takes a good catch. Uthappa had his eyes on the ball all the time.
KKR 88/3 after 11 overs.
Tewatia to bowl his third over. Tripathi has the strike.
10.1 Short ball on leg stump. Tripathi goes on the backfoot and hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
10.2 Fuller delivery and Morgan plays a reverse sweep. A misfielde gifts Morgan a single.
10.3 Fuller deivery outside off stump. Tripathi drives the ball to cover but cannot find the gap.
10.4 Short delivery and Tripathi works the ball through midwicket for a single.
10.5 Fuller delivery wide of off stump. Morgan comes out of his crease to play a big shot. He mishits the ball and the ball goes to off side.
10.6 Good length delivery on middle and leg. Morgan guides the ball to long-on for a single.
KKR 84/3 after 10 overs.
Kartik Tyagi to bowl his second over. Eoin Morgan is the new batsman and he is on strike.
9.1 Back of the length delivery outsdie off. Moragan hits the ball to off side and takes a single.
9.2 Good length delivery outside off stump. Tripathi hits the ball through extra-cover for a single.
9.3 Short ball on middle stump. Morgan cuts and the fielder at point stops the ball.
9.4 SIX! Short ball on leg stump. Morgan pulls and the ball flies over fine-leg for a maximum.
9.5 Short ball on middle and leg. Morgan makes room and hits the ball through extra-cover for 2 runs.
9.6 Good length delivery on middle and leg. Morgan hits the ball to point.
KKR 74/3 after 9 overs.
Tewatia to bowl his second over. Tripathi has the strike.
8.1 FOUR! Short ball wide of off stumpo. Tripathi smashes the ball through cover for a boundary.
8.2 Another short delivery wide of off stump. Tripathi hits the ball to deep midwicket and takes a single.
8.3 WICKET! Shubman Gill c Buttler b Rahul Tewatia 36(24)
Important wicket for RR. Fuller delivery fired on middle stump. Gill gives into the temptation of playing a big shot. The ball lobs high in the air. Jos Buttler in deep takes a good catch.
Sunil Narine is the new batsman.
8.4 Short ball wide of off stump. Tripathi reaches the ball and hits to off side for a single.
8.5 Fuller delivery on off and middle. Narine plays a forward defensive shot.
8.6 WICKET! Narine c Stokes b Rahul Tewatia 0(2)
Needless from Narine. He swings his bat on the very first delivery he faces. Fuller ball on middle stump. Narine clears his front foot and hits the ball in the air. The ball goes high in the air and Ben Stokes at long-on takes an easy catch.
KKR 68/1 after 8 overs.
Kartik Tyagi to bowl his first over. Gill has the strike.
7.1 Fuller dleivery outside off stump. Gill goes for a shot on the off side but the ball goes away from the bat to the keeper.
7.2 Good length delivery on off stump. Gill plays the ball to off side and takes a single.
7.3 Good length delivery on off stump. Tripathi palys the ball on the off side. The fielder at sweeper cover stops the ball and Tripathi takes a single.
7.4 Good length delivery on off stump. Gill hits the ball to off side and takes a run.
7.5 Slow short ball wide of off stump. Tripathi goes for an upper cut but the ball beats the bat and goes to the keeper.
7.6 Fuller delivery on middle and leg. Tripathi drives the ball to long-on and takes a single to retain strike for the next over.
KKR 64/1 after 7 overs.
Rahul Teratia to bowl his first over. Tripathi has the strike.
6.1 Fuller delivery and Tripathi pushes the ball to Tewatia.
6.2 Fuller delivery on off side. Tripathi drives the ball through extra-cover. Stokes at deep stops the ball as Tripathi takes a run.
6.3 Short ball and Gill plays the ball to leg side for a single.
6.4 Fuller dleivery. Tripathi goes for a sweep but misses. The ball goes to Samson and he dislodges the bails in a jiffy. There is a check for stumping. The replay shows that the batsman is safe.
6.5 WIDE! Fuller delivery fired down the leg side.
6.5 SIX! Fuller delivery and Tripathi hits the ball to clear long-on for a maximum.
6.6 Short ball and Tripathi hits the ball to off side.
KKR 55/1 after 6 overs.
Aaron to bowl his second over. Gill has the strike.
5.1 Good length delivery on off stump. The ball swings back in. Gill manages to work the ball to mid-on and take a quick single.
5.2 FOUR! Slow ball outside off stump. Tripathi makes room and smashes the ball. The ball bisects the two fielders on the off side and goes for a boundary.
5.3 1 Leg Bye! Another slow ball on middle and leg. The ball hits the pads and goes to leg side and Tripathi takes a single.
5.4 Good length delivery on off stump. Gill drives the ball to long-off and takes a single.
5.5 Fuller delivery on leg stump. Tripathi works the ball to leg side and takes a single.
5.6 FOUR! Slow fuller delivery on leg stump. Gill waits for the ball and then flicks it to send it dowm to backward square-leg for a boundary.
KKR 43/1 after 5 overs.
Ben Stokes to bowl his first over. Gill is on strike.
4.1 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gill plays the ball to cover.
4.2 Good length delivery on middle and leg. Gill plays the ball to leg side and takes 2 runs.
4.3 Good length delivery on middle and leg. Gill pushes the ball to mid-on and takes a single.
4.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Tripathi goes for a big shot off his front foot. The ball takes the inside edge and goes to mid-on and Tripathi takes a single.
4.5 Good length delivery on off stump. Gill plays the ball to leg side and takes a single.
4.6 SIX! Stokes bangs the ball short. Tripathi pull and the ball just flies over the fielder at square-leg for a maximum.
KKR 28/1 after 4 overs.
Shreyas Gopal to bowl his first over. Gill has the strike.
3.1 FOUR! Fuller delivery on off stump. Gill drives the ball. The ball just goes over the head of the fielder at mid-off for a boundary.
3.2 FOUR! Short ball and Gill powers the ball through midwicket. Stokes puts in a dive in the deep to stop the ball but he cannot.
3.3 Fuller delivery and Gill drives the ball to off side for a single.
3.4 FOUR! Third boundary of the over. Fuller delivery and Tripathi sweeps. The ball goes to backward square leg for a boundary.
3.5 Short delivery outside off stump. Tripathi goes on the backfoot and plays the ball to cover.
3..6 FOUR! Expensive over for RR. Short ball and Tripathi rocks back to pull the ball over midwicket for a boundary.
KKR 15/1 after 3 overs.
Archer to bowl his second over. Tripathi has the strike.
2.1 Well directed short ball from Archer. Tripathi leaves the ball for the keeper.
2.2 Short ball on middle and leg. The ball raps on the thigh pads and goes to leg side. Tripathi wants to take a single but Gill refuses.
2.3 Short ball. Tripathi works the ball to short fine-leg and takes a single.
2.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gill plays the ball to off side.
2.5 Good length ball on middle and leg. Gill plays the ball to midwicket and takes a single.
2.6 Short ball on leg stump. Tripathi jumps and plays the ball to off side.
KKR 13/1 after 2 overs.
Varun Aaron to bowl from the other end. Gill has the strike.
1.1 Short ball outside off stump. Gill slashes the ball to the fielder at cover.
1.2 Fuller deliverey on off stump. Gill drives the ball to the man at mid-off.
1.3 FOUR! Short ball on off stump. Gill pulls and the ball races down to backward square-leg for a boundary.
1.4 BEATEN! Slower ball on good length outside off stump. Gill goes for a drive but the ball goes past the outside edge of the bat.
1.5 FOUR! Flicked to deep midwicket. Fuller delivery on off stump. Gill swings and lofts the ball to send it to deep midwicket for a boundary.
1.6 FOUR! Aaron bangs the ball short. Gill pulls again and this time the ball goes to square-leg for third boundary in the over.
KKR 1/1 after 1 over.
Jofra Archer to bowl the first over for RR. On strike is Gill.
0.1 Fuller delivery on off and middle. Gill looks to play the ball to leg side. The ball takes the leading edge and runs down to third-man. Gill takes a single.
0.2 WICKET! Nitish Rana c Samson b Jofra Archer 0(1)
Golden Duck for Rana!!! Short ball on middle stump. Rana looks for a defensive shot. The ball goes past the bat and into Sanju Samson's gloves. The RR players appeal and the umpire gives that as OUT. Rana takes the review and the review shows that there is a definite edge. Rana has to walk back.
Rahul Tripathi is the new batsman.
0.3 Fuller delivery on middle and leg. Tripathi blocks the ball.
0.4 BEATEN! Good length ball which moves back in sharpy. The ball cuts Tripathi in two halves and goes to the keeper.
0.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Tripathi comes down the track to play the ball to off side but the ball beats the bat and goes to the keeper.
0.6 Short ball. Tripathi leaves the ball for the keeper.
The two umpires make their way to the middle. RR players are in a huddle and are sharing a laugh. KKR openers Shubhman Gill and Nitish Rana make their way to the middle.
So big news from the toss is that Andre Russell is back in the playing XI for KKR. And he replaces Lokie Ferguson.
KKR Playing XI
Shubman Gill, Nitish Rana, Sunil Narine, Eoin Morgan(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Andre Russell, Rahul Tripathi, Pat Cummins, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy
RR Playing XI
Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Sanju Samson(w), Steven Smith(c), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi
Eoin Morgan: We would have prefered to chase. It's not a night for holding back and on top of that we need to improve the NRR. He (Andre Russell) is back and it is great to have him back and so let's hope tonight is the night. Lockie is out. Rinku Singh misses out and Shivam Mavi comes in. As a side you want to get into a position to win the game and then think about other (NRR) scenarios
Steve Smith: We will bowl first, dew seems to be coming in and that's the big reason. We have bowled well majority of the tournament and hopefully we will go well tonight. The games we haven't done well, our senior batters haven't done well and fortunately Stokes and Samson are in good nick. We are unchanged.
Toss
RR captain Steve Smith wins the toss and opts to bowl.
Important news before the toss is that Andre Russell could be playing in the match
Deccan Herald’s Dream XI
Ben Stokes, Steve Smith (c), Sanju Samson, Rahul Tripathi, Eoin Morgan, Dinesh Karthik (wk), Varun Chakravarthy, Kartik Tyagi, Varun Aaron, Kamlesh Nagarkoti, Jofra Archer,
Impact player for KKR
Varun Chakravarthy: Varun Chakravarthy is one of the finds of the tournament. With 15 scalps he his side’s leading wicket taker. The batsmen in the league are still trying to figure out his variations.
Impact player for RR
Ben Stokes: With a fifty and a hundred in the previous two matches, Ben Stokes seem to have got his mojo back. He has been the reason for RR’s two successful chases is last two matches. Stokes is also bowling his full quota of overs.
Form Guide (last five matches)
Kolkata Knight Rides: L-L-W-L-W
Rajasthan Royals: W-W-L-W-L
What happened in the reverse fixture?
Shivam Mavi’s spell of 4-0-20-2 set up a 37-run win for KKR.
Head to Head
Matches played: 22
Kolkata Knight Riders: 11
Rajasthan Royals: 10
No Result: 1
Good evening and welcome to the coverage of match 54 of the Indian Premier League. The match is between Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals. As we build up to the first ball of this enticing fixture which is a must win for both the teams to stay relavant in the league, you can also follow the coverage of match 53 between Chennai Super Kings and Kings XI Punjab.
The SWOT for RR
Strengths:The batting has finally found some consistency. Ben Stokes has settled into his role as an opener and Sanju Samson has found some of his best form. Robin Uthappa, Steve Smith and Jos Buttler have also played vital cameos in recent matches.
Weaknesses:Jofra Archer continues to be the lone bowling warrior. He needs support but the Indian pacers have not been able to provide it. The spin duo of Rahul Tewatia and Shreyas Gopal have kept the batters quiet but have not got enough wickets.Opportunities:It's a must-win match that will get them to 14 points. With some luck, they might be able to sneak into the play-offs.
Threats: Their run rate is pretty bad, so a victory may actually not be enough to take them forward.
The SWOT for KKR
Strengths:The bowlers have impressed in a number of matches throughout the campaign. Lockie Ferguson, Pat Cummins, Varun Chakravarthy, Sunil Narine are all wicket-taking options. They have been supported by the Indian pace trio of Prasidh Krishna, Shivam Mavi and Kamlesh Naragkoti.
Weaknesses: The batting has let them down too often. The line-up is almost always getting shifted. The team also has a tendency to lose wickets early, which puts too much pressure on the rest of the batsmen.
Opportunities:It's a must-win match that will get them to 14 points and give them the best chance to battle for a play-off spot.
Threats: Even a victory may not be enough as their net run rate is awful.