So, thanks to tonight's win Rajasthan Royals keep themselves alive in the tournament. Kings XI Punjab too can still qualify for the playoffs. We still don't know which will be the other three teams. The race for the playoffs is getting intese and no team is ready to give up just yet.
This concludes the coverage. Join us for the coveage of tomorrow's matches. First in the afternoon Mumbai Indians face Delhi Capitals then later in the evening Royal Challengers Bangalore take on Sunriseres Hyderabad.
Goodnight!
Ben Stokes: I think when you are in a position like we are, you have nothing to lose. We are still hanging in. That is pleasing. The sixes are always pleasing. I went in the same mentality like I did against MI. Wanted to go hard with the new ball. We had a decent break from the last game. We normally have a quick turnaround. I cut down on the bowling part in the break to remain fresh.
Player of the Match
Ben Stokes wins the Player of the Match award for his all-round show. He bowled a spell of 2/32, took a superb catch and then fit a blistering fifty!
Steve Smith: Ebbed and flowed. But would have been great to win a few in the middle. But it is about peaking at the right time. We still need to do our bit, We have different plans as to who goes in after who gets out. Gave Buttler a chance to bat at number 5. Nice to get over the line comfortably. Helps the NRR. The last two games he has been exceptional. Has good innovation, Hits the ball in weird areas. He is a valauble player. One of the best in the world.
KL Rahul: It was a horrible toss to lose with the amount of dew later on. It did get very very easy to bat on. The wristspinners want the ball to be dry and get some grip off the surface but with the dew it got really difficult. On a sticky wicket, as it was when we batted, this was not a bad total. We didn't bowl badly, but we need to learn to bowl better with the wet ball. The dew has been unpredictable. We spoke to the groundsman, and he said there was no dew last game. You can't prepare for it, but you have to be able to adapt to that. It has been the kind of season where nothing has come easy. We have had to work hard for every point. No surprise that it has come down to the last game.
RR 185/3 after 17.3 overs.
Jordan to bowl. Smith has the strike.
17.1 WIDE! Poor ball from Jordan as he bowls way outside off stump.
17.1 Fuller delivery and Smith plays the ball to midwicket for a single.
17.2 SIX! Fuller delivery on middle stump. Buttler hammers the ball over the bowler's head for a maximum.
17.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Buttler plays the ball to sweeper cover and takes 2 runs.
17.4 WIDE! Fuller ball way outside off stump.
RR 175/3 after 17 overs.
Shami to bowl his third over. Smith has the strike.
16.1 FOUR! Shami pitches the ball up and Smith lifts the ball over mid-off for a boundary.
16.2 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Smith smacks the ball and this time on the leg side for a boundary.
16.3 Fuller delivery and Smith hits the ball to sweeper cover for 2 runs.
16.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Smith sweeps the ball to fine-leg for a boundary.
16.5 Slow good length delivery. Smith plays the ball to Shuchit at backward point and takes a single.
16.6 FOUR! Fuller delivery on off stump. Buttler smacks the ball down to square-leg for a boundary.
RR 156/3 after 16 overs.
Jordan to bowl his third over. Buttler has the strike.
15.1 Good length ball on off stump. Buttler punches the ball through extra-cover for 2 runs.
15.2 Slow fuller delivery. Buttler hits the ball to the fielder at sweeper-cover for another single.
15.3 1 Leg Bye! Slow fuller ball. The ball raps on the pads and goes around the corner. Smith takes a single.
15.4 Slow short ball outside off stump. Buttler goes for a pull but the ball hits the toe end of the bat and goes around the corner.
15.5 Fuller delivery and Buttler pushes the ball to mid-off.
15.6 SIX! Fuller delivery and Buttler hoicks the ball over long-on for a maximum.
RR 146/3 after 15 overs.
Bishnoi to bowl his last over. Samson has the strike.
14.1 Fuller delivery and Samson hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
14.2 WICKET! Samson run out (J Suchith) 48(25)
Fuller delivery and Smith hits the ball to off side. The ball goes to cover and Smith calls Samson for a single. Suchit collects the ball and gets rid of it. There is a direct hit. Samson has put in a dive but he is short of his ground. The replay confirms that.
Jos Buttler is the new batsman.
14.3 Short delivery outside off. Buttler goes for cut but the ball goes past the outside edge of the bat.
14.4 Fuller delivery which hits the pads. There is a loud appeal for LBW. The umpire gives that as NOT OUT. KL Rahul takes the review and the review shows tha the ball is pitching outside leg stump.
14.5 Short ball and Buttler plays the ball to leg side for a single.
14.6 Fuller delivery and Smith plays the ball to backward point.
RR 144/2 after 14 overs.
Jordan to bowl his second over. Smith has the strike.
13.1 Slow yorker on middle stump. Smith blocks the ball.
13.2 Slow short delivery outside off stump. Smith plays the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
13.3 FOUR! Fuller delivery on middle stump. Samson flicks the ball to fine-leg. Shami gives the ball a chase but he won't be able to stop the ball.
13.4 Short ball outside off stump. Samson gets on the top of the bounce and cuts the ball. Arshdeep stops the ball in the deep and prevents a boundary. Samson takes 2 runs.
13.5 Short ball and Samson pulls the ball to short fine-leg for a single.
`13.6 FOUR Fuller delivery and Smith guides the ball down to third-man for a boundary.
RR 132/2 after 13 overs.
Ashwin to bowl. Smith has the strike.
12.1 Fuller delivery and Smith comes out of his crease to play the ball to leg side for a single.
12.2 Short ball and Samson plays the ball to leg side for a single.
12.3 Short ball and Smith plays a late cut to short third-man for a quick single.
12.4 Short ball and Samson cuts. The ball goes on one bounce to Arshdeep at third-man.
12.5 SIX! Back on length delivery and Samson goes deep in his crease to pull the ball over square-leg for a maximum.
12.6 FOUR! Short ball and Samson rocks back to cut the ball through the fielder at backward point for a boundary.
RR 119/2 after 12 overs.
Bishnoi to bowl his third over. Smith is on strike.
11.1 Fuller delivery and Smith plays the ball to fine-leg for a couple of runs.
11.2 FOUR! Fuller delivery and Smith slaps the ball through midwicket for a boundary.
11.3 Fuller delivery and Smith blocks the ball.
11.4 Short delivery and Smith hits the ball straight. Bishnoi stops the ball.
11.5 Fuller delivery and Smith plays the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
11.6 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Samon defends the ball off his front foot.
RR 112/2 after 11 overs.
M Ashwin to continue. Uthappa is on strike.
10.1 Short ball and Uthappa plays the ball to leg side for a single.
10.2 Short ball and Samson hits the ball to sweeper cover for another single.
10.3 Short delivery. Uthappa goes for a reverse sweep but misses.
10.4 SIX! Short ball and Uthappa slaps the ball over deep midwicket for a maximum.
10.5 WICKET! Uthappa c Pooran b Murugan Ashwin 30(23)
Fuller delivery. Uthappa goes for another big shot. Uthappa slog sweeps and the ball goes straight to Nicholas Pooran at deep midwicket.
Steve Smith is the new batsman.
10.6 Fuller delivery and Smith works the ball down to long-on for a single.
RR 103/1 after 10 overs.
Bishnoi to bowl his second over. Uthappa has the strike.
9.1 WIDE! Poor ball by Bishnoi as he bowls down the leg side.
9.1 Fuller delivery and Uthappa drives the ball to extra-cover.
9.2 Fuller delivery and Uthappa sweeps the ball to backward square-leg for a single.
9.3 SIX! Samson goes big and goes long. Fuller delivery and Samon hits the ball over cover for a maximum.
9.4 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Samon plays the ball to leg side.
9.5 Fuller delivery and Samson plays the ball with soft hands to midwicket for a single.
9.6 Short delivery and Uthappa plays the ball to square leg for a run.
RR 93/1 after 9 overs.
Arshdeep to bowl his third over. Samson is on strike.
8.1 SIX! Shot ball on middle stump. Samson stands firm in his crease and pulls the ball. The ball goes high in the air and out of the park.
8.2 Fuller delivery and Samson hits the ball to the fielder at sweeper cover for a single.
8.3 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Uthappa flicks the ball to backward square-leg for a single.
8.4 Fuller delivery on off stump. Samson plays the ball down to long-on for a single.
8.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Uthappa walks across his stumps and plays the ball to leg side for a run.
8.6 FOUR! Fuller delivery around off stump. Samson guides the ball down to third-man for a boundary.
RR 79/1 after 8 overs.
Ravi Bishnoi to bowl his first over. Uthappa has the strike.
7.1 Fuller delivery and Uthappa plays the ball down to long-on for a single.
7.2 Fuller delivery and Samson blocks the ball.
7.3 Fuller delivery and Samson hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
7.4 Fuller delivery and Uthappa sweeps the ball to backward square leg for a single.
7.5 Fuller delivery and Samson hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
7.6 FOUR! Good length delivery and Uthappa plays a reverse sweep for a boundary.
RR 70/1 after 7 overs.
M Ashwin to bowl his second over. Uthappa has the strike.
6.1 Fuller delivery and Uthappa plays the ball to leg side for a single.
6.2 Short delivery outside off stump. Samson gets an under edge of the ball and the ball roll to backward point.
6.3 Fuller delivery and Samson drives the ball down to long-off for a single.
6.4 Fuller delivery and Uthappa works the ball to deep midwicket for a run.
6.5 Short delivery and Samson hits the ball through cover. The fielder at sweeper cover stops the ball as Samson takes a run.
6.6 Fuller delivery and Uthappa sweeps the ball to get a single.
RR 66/1 after 6 overs.
Chris Jordan to bowl his first over. Stokes is on strike.
5.1 SIX! Fuller delivery on off stump. Stokes powers the ball over long-off for a maximum and get to his fifty!
5.2 Good length delivery on off stump. Stokes comes out of his crease and plays the ball to leg side.
5.3 WICKET! Stokes c Hooda b Jordan 50(26)
Good length delivery on middle stump. Stokes plays on shot too many and hits the ball straight to Deepak Hooda at mid-off.
Sanju Samson is the new batsman.
5.4 Short delivery outsid off stump. Samson guides the ball down to third-man for a single.
5.5 Slow fuller delivery on middle stump. Uthappa plays the ball to the fielder at short fine-leg for a run.
5.6 FOUR! Good length delivery outside off stump. Samson creams the ball through backward point for a boundary.
RR 54/0 after 5 overs.
Shami to bowl his second over. Uthappa has the strike.
4.1 Good length delivery outside off stump. Uthappa works the ball down to third-man for a single.
4.2 FOUR! Stokes is in full flow. Fuller delivery on off stump. Stokes makes room and hammers the ball through extra-cover for a boundary.
4.3 Full toss outside off stump. Stokes hits the ball to Gayle at short third-man.
4.4 Good length ball on middle and leg. Stokes makes room and hits the ball to the fielder at point.
4.5 Full toss outside off stump. Stokes hits the ball down to long-on for a run.
4.6 Good length delivery outside off stump. Uthappa hits the ball in the air and the ball falls just short of the fielder at mid-on.
RR 48/0 after 4 overs.
M.Ashwin to bowl his over. Stokes has the strike.
3.1 Good length delivery. Stokes goes for a reverse sweep but misses.
3.2 Short delivery and Stokes makes room to hit the ball to the fielder at extra-cover.
3.3 FOUR! Good length delivery, Stokes times his reverse sweep well this time and the ball races past point for a boundary.
3.4 SIX! Fuller delivery and Stokes smacks the ball over the bowler's head for a maximum.
3.5 SIX Fuller delivery and Stokes sweeps the ball over backward square-leg for a maximum.
3.6 Fuller delivery. Stokes goes for a reverse sweep but misses.
RR 32/0 after 3 overs.
Arshdeep to bowl his second over. Stokes has the strike.
2.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Stokes is early in his shot and the ball goes to the keeper.
2.2 FOUR! Short delivery outside off stump. Stokes pulls and the ball goes through backward square-leg for a boundary.
2.3 Fuller delivery on leg stump. Stokes pushes the ball to mid-off and takes a quick single.
2.4 Good length delivery on off stump. Uthappa guides the ball to leg side and takes a run.
2.5 FOUR! Full toss down the leg side. Stokes moves across and hits the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.
2.6 Fuller delivery and Stokes hits the ball down to long-on to take a single and retain the strike.
RR 21/0 after 2 overs.
Mohammed Shami to bowl from the other end. Uthappa has the strike.
1.1 1 Leg Bye! Short ball which raps on Uthappa's thigh pads. The ball goes to leg side and Uthappa takes a single.
1.2 FOUR! Good length delivery outside off stump. Stokes hits the ball through cover for a boundary.
1.3 Fuller delivery. Stokes moves across his stumps and goes for a scoop. He mistimes the shot and the ball hits his helmet.
1.4 Short delivery outside off stump. Stokes pulls and the ball falls jist short of a diving Glenn Maxwel at mid-on.
1.5 Good length delivery on off stump. Stokes plays the ball to off side and takes a single.
1.6 SIX! Short delivery and Uthappa pulls. The ball goes flying over backward square-leg boundary for a maximum.
RR 9/0 after 1 over.
Arshdeep Singh to bowl the first over. Uthappa has the strike.
0.1 Good length delivery on middle stump. Uthappa shuffles across and blocks the ball.
0.2 Fuller delivery on middle and off. Uthappa plays the ball to mid-on and takes a single to get RR's chase underway.
0.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Stokes drives the ball away from the fielder at point for 2 runs.
0.4 Fuller delivery on off stump. Stokes swings his bat. The ball takes the outside edge and the ball goes to backward square-leg for 2 runs.
0.5 Good length delivery wide of off stump. Stokes leaves the ball for the keeper.
0.6 FOUR! Good length delivery on middle and leg. Stokes takes two steps out of his creaese and plays the ball over mid-on for a boundary.
The chase is about to begin. KXIP players are in a huddle with KL Rahul insipiring his team. Ben Stokes and Robin Uthappa make their way to the middle to open the inning for RR.
KXIP 185/4 after 20 overs.
Archer to bowl the last over of the inning. Gayle has the strike.
19.1 Good yorker fired on leg stump. Gayle hits the ball to off side and takes a single.
19.2 DROPPED! Fuller delivery on middle stump. Maxwell shuffles across and hits the ball to Aaron at short fine-leg. Aaron drops the catch and Maxwell takes a single.
19.3 SIX! Fuller delivery and Gayle hits the bal over deep midwicket for a maximum. The shot takes him to 99.
19.4 WICKET! Gayle b Jofra Archer 99(63)
Yorker. The ball takes the inside edge and hits the off stump. Gayle is dissapointe and he throws his bnat away in disgust.
Deepak Hooda is the new batsman.
19.5 Good length delivery and Hooda plays the ball to fine-leg for a single.
19.6 Slow short delivery outside off stump. Maxwell goes for a big shot but misses.
KXIP 172/3 after 19 overs.
Tyagi to bowl his last over. Gayle has the strike. Glenn Maxwell is the new batsman.
18.1 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle plays the ball to off side and takes a single.
18.2 NO BALL! Full toss above waist high. Maxwell plays the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.
FREE HIT!
18.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Maxwell goes for a shot on the off side but misses.
18.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Maxwell goes for a shot on the off side but misses again.
18.4 Full toss and Maxwell hits the ball to backward square leg for a single.
18.5 SIX! Short ball outside off stump. Gayle pulls and the ball goes flying over deep midwicket for a maximum.
18.6 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle hits the ball down to long-off for a single.
KXIP 162/3 after 18 overs.
Stokes to bowl his last over. Gayle has the strike.
17.1 FOUR! Fuller delivery on off stump. Gayle clears his front leg and swings his bat to send the ball to deep midwicket for a boundary.
17.2 WIDE! Short ball outside off stump.
17.2 1 Leg Bye! Fuller ball which hits on the pads. The ball goes to leg side and Gayle takes a single.
17.2 Slow short ball outside off stump. Pooran slaps the ball to deep midwicket for a single.
17.3 SIX! Fuller delivery on middle and leg. Gayle smashes the ball over deep midwicket for a maximum.
17.4 Slow delivery on off stump. Gayle hits the ball to long-off for a single.
17.5 WICKET! Pooran c Rahul Tewatia b Stokes 22(10)
Slow delivery on good length. Pooran swings his bat and the ball flies to square-leg. Rahul Tewatia jumps and extends his hands to take a good catch.
KXIP 148/2 after 17 overs.
Tyagi to bowl his third over. Gayle has the strike.
16.1 Good yorker on middle stump. Gayle digs the ball out.
16.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle gets an inside edge and the ball rolls around the stumps. Gayle and Pooran take a quick single.
16.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Pooran opens the face of his bat and guide the ball to backward square-leg for a single.
16.4 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle hits the ball down to long-off for a single.
16.5 Full toss. Pooran hits the ball down the ground. Smith at long-on saves a boundary. Pooran takes 2 runs.
16.6 SIX! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Pooran smacks the ball over long-off for a maximum.
KXIP 137/2 after 16 overs.
Aaron to bowl his last over. Gayle has the strike.
15.1 Good length delivery on off side. Gayle guides the ball to the fielder at point.
15.2 Full and straight delivery on middle stump. Gayle blocks the ball.
15.3 Slow fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle punches the ball down to long-off and takes a single.
15.4 SIX! Good length delivery on middle and leg. Pooran swings his bat and the ball sails over fine-leg for a maximum.
15.5 Slow fuller delivery on middle stump. Pooran plays the ball to backwad point.
15.6 Slow delivery on middle stump. Pooran is early into his shot and the ball hits the thigh pads.
NO BALL as Aaron has over stepped.
FREE HIT!
15.6 SIX! Slow delivery outside off stump. Pooran gets his front leg out of the way and smashes the ball over cover for a maximum.
KXIP 123/2 after 15 overs.
Stokes to bowl his third over. Rahul is on strike.
14.1 Slow fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul lets the ball roll to the keeper.
14.2 Slow delivery on off stump. Rahul hits the ball and the ball goes to deep midwicket as Rahul completes a single.
14.3 WIDE! Short ball way outside off stump.
14.4 Slow delivery on middle and leg. Gayle goes for a big shot. The ball goes to deep midwicket and Gayle jogs to the other end for a single.
14.5 WICKET! Rahul c Rahul Tewatia b Stokes 46(41)
Slow delivery outside off stump. Rahul goes for a big shot. The ball goes to deep square-leg where Rahul Tewatia takes a good catch.
Nicholas Pooran is the new batsman.
14.5 WIDE! Poor ball by Stokes as he bowls the ball down the leg side.
14.5 Slow delivery on leg stump. Gayle plays the ball to leg side and takes a single.
14.6 Slow delivery on middle stump. Pooran blocks the ball.
KXIP 118/1 after 14 overs.
Archer is back in the attack. Rahul is on strike.
13.1 Slow fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul makes room. The ball takes the inside edge and goes to leg side.
13.2 FOUR! Good length delivery on leg stump. Rahul whacks the ball to backward square-leg for a boundary.
13.3 Slow good length delivery outside off stump. Rahul hits the ball straight back wide of Archer.The ball goes down to long-off. Rahul takes a single.
13.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery on off and middle. Gayle swings his bat. The ball takes inside edge and the ball rolls down to fine-leg for a boundary.
13.5 Fuller delivery and Gayle hits the ball to off side and Gayle takes 2 quick runs.
13.6 Short delivery outside off stump. Gayle lets the ball fly to the keeper.
KXIP 107/1 after 13 overs.
Tewatia to bowl his third over. Gayle has the strike.
12.1 Short ball outside off stump. Gayle goes for a slog but misses.
12.2 Fuller delivery and Gayle hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
12.3 Fuller delivery and Rahul sweeps the ball to backward square leg for a single.
12.4 SIX! Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle swings his bat. The ball has the height. The ball just goes over Ben Stokes at long-on for a maximum.
12.5 Good length delivery. Gayle comes out of his crease and plays the ball to leg side for a single.
12.6 Good length delivery and Rahul drives the ball to off side for a single.
KXIP 97/1 after 12 overs.
Stokes to bowl his second over. Rahul has the strike.
11.1 Slow fuller delivery. Rahul hits the ball to long-off for a single.
11.2 Short delivery on middle and off. Gayle pulls the ball and it goes down to long-on and Gayle completes a single.
11.3 Slow delivery outside off stump. Rahul plays the ball to sweeper cover for a single.
11.4 Slow fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle hits the ball down to long-off for a single.
11.5 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul drives the ball down to the fielder at sweeper cover for a single.
11.6 Short delivery outside off stump. Gayle pulls and the ball goes to deep midwicket and Gayle adds another run to the KXIP total.
KXIP 91/1 after 11overs.
Twatia to bowl his second over. Gayle has the strike.
10.1 Fuller delivery and Gayle hits the ball down to long-off for a run.
10.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul hits the ball down to sweeper cover for a single.
10.3 SIX! And Gayle brings his fifty in style. Good length delivery outside off stump and Gayler slogs the ball over deep midwicket for a maximum.
10.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle plays the ball to off side.
10.5 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle plays the ball high in the air. Tewatia for the catch but he cannot. Gayle takes a single.
10.6 Good length delivery and Rahul works the ball to leg side for a single.
KXIP 81/1 after 10 overs.
Kartik Tyagi to bowl his second over. Rahul has the strike.
9.1 Fuller delivery on off and middle. Rahul plays the ball to leg side.
9.2 SIX! Good length delivery outside off stump. Rahul times the ball over extra-cover for a maximum.
9.3 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul guides the ball down to third-man for a run.
9.4 Good fuller delivery on off stump. Gayle blocks the ball.
9.5 Slow yorker on middle stump. Gayle plays the ball to deep midwicket and takes a run.
9.6 Short ball outside off stump. Rahul goes for pull but the ball away from his arc.
KXIP 73/1 after 9 overs.
Rahul Tewatia to bowl his first over. Gayle is on strike.
8.1 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle hits the ball to off side.
8.2 Short delivery outside off stump. Gayle leaves the ball for the keeper.
8.3 Short delivery outside off stump. Gayle hits the ball to the fielder at sweeper cover and takes a run.
8.4 Fuller delivery and Rahul drives the ball through extra-cover for a run.
8.5 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle plays the ball to off side.
8.6 Good length delivery outside off stump. The ball goes past the outside edge of the bat.
KXIP 71/1 after 8 overs.
Ben Stokes to bowl his first over. Rahul has the strike.
7.1 Fuller delivery on middle and off. Rahul plays the ball to backward square-leg for a single.
7.2 FOUR! Slow fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle goes for a drive off the frontfoot. The ball takes a thick outside edge and the ball goes wide of the wicketkeeper down to third-man for a boundary.
7.3 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle plays the ball to leg side for a single.
7.4 Slow fuller delivery and Rahul hits the ball down to long-on for a run.
7.5 Slow fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle gets an inside edge and the ball rolls to the keeper.
7.6 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle hits the ball down to long-off for a run.
KXIP 63/1 after 7 overs.
Shreyas Gopal to bowl his first over. Gayle has the strike.
6.1 Fuller delivery on off stump. Gayle defends the ball off his front foot.
6.2 Fuller delivery and Gayle plays the ball to leg side and takes a run.
6.3 Short delivery. Rahul rocks back and pulls the ball to midwicket for a single.
6.4 SIX! Tonked over square-leg. Fuller delivery and Gayle swings his bat and the ball goes flying over the square-leg for a maximum.
6.5 Short delivery and Gayle plays the ball down to long-on for a run.
6.6 Fuller delivery and Rahul plays the ball to off side for a run.
KXIP 49/1 after 6 overs.
Aaron to bowl his third over. Rahul has the strike.
5.1 Fuller delivery on off stump. Rahul whacks the ball to deep midwicket and takes 2 runs.
5.2 SIX! The ball is out of the park. Aaron bowls the ball short and Rahul pulls to send the ball flying over square-leg.
5.3 Slow fuller delivery on off stump. Rahul drives the ball to mid-off.
5.4 Fuller delivery on leg stump. Rahul plays the ball to deep midwicket and takes 2 runs.
5.5 Fuller delivery on middle stump. Rahul plays the ball to leg side.
5.6 FOUR! Fuller delivery on off stump. Rahul hammers the ball to deep midwicket for a boundary.
KXIP 39/1 after 5 overs.
Kartik Tyagi to bowl his first over. Gayle has the strike.
4.1 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle goes for a shot on off side but misses and the ball goes to the keeper.
4.2 FOUR! Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle hammers the ball through mid-off for a boundary.
4.3 SIX! Good length delivery on middle stump. Gayle pulls and the ball flies over deep midwicket for a maximum.
4.4 FOUR! Fuller delivery outside off stump. Gayle makes room and slaps the ball through the gap between the fielder at extra-cover and mid-off for a boundary.
4.5 Short ball on leg stump. Gayle ducks and lets the ball go to the keeper.
4.6 Fuller delivery on off stump. Gayle hits the ball to the fielder at mid-on.
KXIP 25/1 after 4 overs.
Aaron to bowl his second over. Rahul has the strike.
3.1 Fuller delivery on middle and off. Rahul hits the ball to off side.
3.2 Length delivery outside off stump. Rahul goes on the backfoot and plays the ball down to third-man for a run.
3.3 WIDE! Poor delivery by Aaron as he bowls yet another ball down the leg side.
3.3 SIX! Short delivery. Gayle pulls and the ball flies over square-leg boundary for a maximum.
3.4 DROPPED! Short ball again. Gayle goes for a pull shot again. The ball goes miles high in the air. Riyan Parag at fine-leg drops the catch. Gayle takes 2 runs.
3.5 Short delivery on middle stump. Gayle plays the ball to leg side and takes a single.
3.6 Good length delivery on off stump. Rahul works the ball to leg side.
KXIP 14/1 after 3 overs.
Archer to bowl his second over. Rahul has the strike.
2.1 Good length delivery on middle and leg stump. Rahul goes on the backfoot and blocks the ball.
2.2 FOUR! Short delivery outside off stump. Rahul cuts and the ball flies just over a jumping Ben Stokes at point for a boundary.
2.3 Short delivery and Rahul goes on the backfoot to punch the ball to cover.
2.4 Another short delivery on off stump. Rahul goes on the backfoot and plays the ball to backward point.
2.5 Good length delivery on off stump. Rahul guides the ball down to third-man for a single.
2.6 Short delivery on middle stump. Gayle leaves the ball for the keeper.
KXIP 9/1 after 2 overs.
Varun Aaron to bowl from the other end. Rahul has the strike. Chris Gayle is the new batsman.
1.1 WIDE! Poor ball from Aaron as he bowls the dowm the leg side. Rahul takes a single as the keeper fails to collect the ball.
1.1 Good length delivery on leg stump. Gayle leaves the ball for the keeper.
1.2 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle is happy in leaving the ball for the keeper.
1.3 Good length delivery outside off stump. Gayle pushes the ball to cover.
1.4 Good length ball on off stump. The ball moves away from Gayle after pitching and the ball goes past the outside edge of the bat.
1.5 Gayle getting a bit impatient. Good length delivery on middle and leg stump. Gayle comes down the track and plays the ball to leg side but the ball goes to the fielder at leg side.
1.6 WIDE! Short ball way above Gayle's height
1.6 WIDE! Another ball delivery from Aaron as he bowls down the leg side.
1.6 FOUR! Short delivery on leg stump. Gayle comes down the track and swings his bat. The ball takes the inside edge and runs down to fine-leg for a boundary.
KXIP 1/1 after 1 over.
Jofra Archer to bowl the first over for RR. On strike is KL Rahul.
0.1 Fuller delivery on off stump. Rahul gets an isnde edge and the ball goes to leg side.
0.2 Fuller delivery outside off stump. Rahul drives the ball to cover.
0.3 Short delivery on middle stump. Rahul goes on the backfoot to block the ball with a straight bat.
0.4 Good length delivery outside off stump. Rahul drives the ball to cover.
0.5 Good length delivery on middle and off stump. Rahul goes on the backfoot and plays the ball to off side and takes a single.
0.6 WICKET! Mandeep c Stokes b Jofra Archer 0(1)
What a peach of a delivery from Archer. The pacer bangs the ball short. Mandeep looks to block the ball. The ball hits the bat and lobs to point. Ben Stokes puts in a dive forward and takes a stunning catch.
RR players are in a circle. They are looking relaxed with smiles on everyone's face. They come together in a huddle. The two umpires make their way to the middle. KXIP openers KL Rahul and Mandeeep Singh come out of the dugout. We are good to go.
KXIP Playing XI
KL Rahul(w/c), Mandeep Singh, Chris Gayle, Nicholas Pooran, Glenn Maxwell, Deepak Hooda, Chris Jordan, Murugan Ashwin, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh
RR Playing XI
Robin Uthappa, Ben Stokes, Steven Smith(c), Sanju Samson(w), Jos Buttler, Riyan Parag, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Shreyas Gopal, Varun Aaron, Kartik Tyagi
Steve Smith: We will bowl. Don't know what happens here with the dew, so we are gonna chase tonight. It's been a bit of up and down tournament for us. It's been a tough one, we've got Varun Aaron in tonight. He brings a lot of pace and comes in for Rajpoot. Hopefully, he can add something for us in the Powerplay.
KL Rahul: I would've looked to bowl as well, but looks like a good wicket, so will remain the same for the 40 overs. It's just everything coming together, the last four or five games, we've come really well. It's good to see and it's been a complete team effort. We would look to go out there and enjoy ourselves. Same team
Toss
RR captain Steve Smith wins the toss and opts to bowl.
Pitch Report
There is grass covering on the pitch but it is still a good track to get plenty of runs.
Deccan Herald’s Dream XI
KL Rahul (c & wk), Chris Gayle, Sanju Samson, Steve Smith, Ben Stokes, Rahul Tewatia, Jofra Archer, Mohammad Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi, Kartik Tyagi
Impact player for RR
Ben Stokes:One of the best all-rounders in modern-day cricket, he found form with a stylish century in a tough chase against MI. He took on the season's best bowling attack and was successful. They need him to keep the scores coming.
Impact player for KXIP
Chris Gayle: He has made a huge difference in their batting fortunes. KXIP have won five matches on the trot with him in the eleven. Gayle has so far hit two fifties and smashed 15 sixes.
Form Guide (last five matches)
Kings XI Punjab: W-W-W-W-W
Rajasthan Royals:W-L-W-L-L
Head to Head
Matches played: 20
Kings XI Punjab: 9
Rajasthan Royals: 11
Kings XI Punjab are fourth on the points table with 12 points from 12 matches. Rajasthan Royals are seventh with 10 points from 12 games. It is a must win match for Rajasthan Royals. Kings XI Punjab have five matches on bounce. Rajasthan Royals too are coming in this match on back of a thumping win over Mumbai Indians. Expect fireworks in this match!
Good evening and welcome to the coverage of match 50 of the Indian Premier League. Tonight Kings XI Punjab face Rajasthan Royals at Sheik Zayed Stadium.
The SWOT for RR
Strengths:Ben Stokes and Sanju Samson are back among the runs and that's good news. Skipper Steve Smith also needs to lead from the front in the batting. A few of his leg-spinners could also surprise the opposition.
Weaknesses: It's a one-man bowling unit. Jofra Archer has tried to win games on his own but it's too much. Can Smith find some domestic bowlers who can step up? Mayank Markande would be one good choice.
Opportunities: They have a very small chance of reaching the play-offs. They need a total team performance to take them forward.
Threats: Their entire campaign has been a mixed bag. Can they find some inspiration somewhere?
The SWOT for KXIP
Strengths:The batting has been on fire in the second half of the league phase. KL Rahul, Chris Gayle, Mandeep Singh and Nicholas Pooran are all in form. Mayank Agarwal was also in prime form before he was injured. Glenn Maxwell is the only one who appears to be stuck in a rut.
Weaknesses:The bowling is still fragile and can be taken apart. Mohammad Shami has been the difference in many matches but he cannot carry the burden alone.
Opportunities:They have a strong chance to enter the play-offs but they need to keep the momentum going.
Threats:There are so many teams vying for limited play-off spots, so a few mistakes can end their journey quickly.
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