Six teams have started their IPL 2021 campaign and now only two teams remain who are yet to begin their journey in this year's IPL. These two teams are Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals. The clash between the Kings and the Royals takes place tomorrow at the Wankhede stadium. Join us for the coverage of that match. For now, we shall take your leave. Good-night!
Player of the Match
KKR's Nitish Rana clinches the Player of the Match award for his inning of 80 from 56 balls in which he hit nine fours and 4 sixes. His inning was instrumental in KKR posting 18/7.
Nitish Rana, Player of the Match:I thought the ball was in my slot so I went for it and luckily got four off my first ball. In my mind there's only one thing: play my shots if the ball is there. Today I just backed myself. I have played a lot of spin growing up.
Eoin Morgan, KKR captain: I am delighted. The build-up to the tournament has been pretty good. In the camp that we had pre-tournament, the guys gelled well. Never quite sure what performance they will produce. Today was quite magnificent the way the guys batted. Guys at the top of the order. Nitish and Tripathi were absolutely outstanding and set up the game for our middle order to play in the manner we want to play. Certainly the bowling, we couldn't have asked for a better start. Chopped and changed a bit in the powerplay. Wouldn't say that. A huge amount of structure goes into the decisions on the field. Have got a fantastic head coach in McCullum. Great backroom staff. The main job is to get the best out of the squad. IPL is all about the results. Guys buying into what we want to do. Bhajji starting really well in the first overand then not playing a part but using his experience to get around the guys in the game shows the selflessness in the side. Nice to start like this it's obviously a long tournament. We were very happy with the score. We thought if we bowled half-decently we should get over the line.
David Warner, SRH captain:I didn't think there were that many runs on this wicket. They adapted really well, had a good partnership. We failed to execute the first ball of most overs and then conceded a lot at the end. We lost early wickets, and Jonny and Manish got us in a good position, so we had our chances. The dew made a difference. If the bowlers overpitched, it was easy to hit it, and with the height in their team, and with the cross-seam, it stopped a little bit on us. We would like to have won the first game, but we have four more games at this venue and hopefully we will get used to the square and the dimensions of this ground.
SRH 177/5 after 20 overs
19.1 Russell to Samad, 2 runs, full pint point yorker, Samad can only hit the ball down to long-off for a couple of runs.
19.2Russell to Samad, no run, full ball wide of off-stump, Samad swings his bat, but the ball goes away form the bat to Karthik.
19.3Russell to Samad, 1 run, full and straight ball on off-stump, Samad can only hit the ball to square-leg for a single.
19.4 Russell to Pandey, 1 run, full and straight delivery on off-stump, Pandey hits the ball to long-on for a single.
19.5 Russell to Samad, full toss outside off, Samad hits the ball to cover for a single.
19.6 Russell to Pandey, SIX! Back of the length ball, Pandey tonks the ball over deep mid-wicket fence.
KKR WIN BY 10 RUNS!
SRH 166/5 after 19 overs.
Pat Cummins to bowl. Abdul Samad is the new batsman in.
18.1 Cummins to Pandey, 1 run, fuller ball, Pandey hits the ball to deep backward square for a single.
18.2 Cummins to Samad, SIX! Back of the length ball on off-stump, Samad swings and sends the ball back in the stands.
18.3 Cummins to Samad, 2 runs, fuller ball on middle and leg stump, Samad plays the ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple.
18.4 Cummins to Samad, SIX! Fuller ball on middle, the ball in ins Samad's arc and he swings his bat to send the ball over long-on fence.
18.5 Cummins to Samad, 1 run, good-length ball on middle stump, Samad works the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.
18.6 Cummins to Pandey, no run, bouncer, Pandey goes for pull but fails to hit.
SRH 150/5 after 18 overs.
Russell to bowl.
17.1 Russell to Pandey, 1 run, low full toss, Pandey hits the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
17.2 Russell to Shankar, 1 run, fuller ball on middle and leg stump, Shankar hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
17.2 Russell to Pandey, WIDE, fuller ball way outside the off-stump.
17.3 Russell to Pandey, 1 run, fuller ball on off-stump, Pandey hits the ball down to long-off for a single.
17.4 Russell to Shankar, 2 runs, good-length ball on off-stump, Shankar hits the ball over cover for a couple.
17.5Russell to Shankar, no run , fuller ball wide of off-stump, Shankar goes for the ball but fails to hit.
17.6 Russell to Shankar, WICKET! CAUGHT! Slow fuller ball, Shankar hits the ball high in the air and Morgan takes the second catch of the night.
SRH 144/4 after 17 overs.
Varun Chakvarthy to bowl.
16.1 Varun to Pandey, 2 runs, good-length ball on off-stump, Pandey hits the ball down to long-off for a couple of runs.
16.2 Varun to Pandey, 1run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Pandey hits the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a single.
16.3 Varun to Shankar, no run, bouncer from Varun, Shankar hits the ball just around the coner.
16.4 Varun to Shankar, 1 run, good-length ball, Shankar hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
16.5 Varun to Pandey, 1 run, good-length ball, Pandey plays the ball to the leg-side for a single.
16.6 Varun to Shankar, SIX! Back of the length delivery, Shankar rocks back and hits the ball over deep mid-wicket.
SRH 131/4 after 16 overs.
15.1 Prasidh to Nabi, 1 run, fuller ball on off-stump, Nabi hits the ball through midwicket for a single.
15.2 Prasidh to Pandey, 1 run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Pandey hits the ball to mid-off for a run.
15.3Prasidh to Nabi, FOUR! Good-length ball on off-stump, Nabi swings his bat and send the ball down to long-off for a boundary.
15.3 Prasidh to Nabi, WIDE! fuller ball fired down the leg side.
15.4Prasidh to Nabi, bouncer from Prasidh, Nabi is early in his pull shot, the ball hits the back of Nabi's head. Nabi looks fine.
15.5 Prasidh to Nabi, SIX! Fuller ball on off-stump, Nabi swings his bat and sends the ball flying over long-off fence for a maximum!!!
15.5 Prasidh to Nabi, WIDE! Short ball way outside the off-stump.
15.6 Prasidh to Nabi, WICKET! CAUGHT! Slow fuller delivery on off-stump. Nabi swings his bat. The ball lobs to Morgan at cover.
SRH 119/3 after 15 overs.
Varun Chakravarthyto bowl.
14.1 Varun to Pandey, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Pandey hits the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
14.2 Varun to Nabi, 2 runs, short of the the length ball on middle and leg stump, Nabi hits the ball to the leg side for a couple.
14.3 Varun to Nabi, no run, good-length ball on off-side, Nabi hits the ball to point
14.4 Varun to Nabi, 1 Leg Bye, good-length ball on off-side, the ball hits the pads and goes to off-side, Nabi takes a single.
14.5 Varun to Pandey, 1 run, slow ball, Pandey hits the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
14.6 Varun to Nabi, back of the length ball on off-stump, Nabi hits the ball behind point.
SRH 102/3 after 13 overs.
Cummins to bowl.
12.1 Cummins to Bairstow, 1 run, fuller-length ball on middle and leg stump, Bairstow hist the ball to backward square-leg for a single.
12.2 Cummins to Pandey, 1 run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Pandey hits the ball to mid-off for a single.
12.3Cummins to Bairstow, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Bairstow moves across but the ball beats him and goes to the keeper.
12.4 Cummins to Bairstow, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Bairstowgets an under edge of the bat and the ball rolls to the keeper.
12.5Cummins to Bairstow, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Bairstow hits the ball to backward point.
12.6 Cummins to Bairstow, WICKET! CAUGHT! Back of the length ball on off-stump. Bairstow makes room and cuts the ball to backward point.
SRH 89/2 after 11 overs.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl.
10.1 Prasidh to Pandey, WIDE! Short ball fired down the leg side.
10.1Prasidh to Pandey, FOUR! Back of the length ball, Pandey smacks the ball through mid-wicket for a boundary.
10.2 Prasidh to Pandey, no run, good-length ball on middle and leg, Pandey moves across the stumps as the ball goes to the keeper.
10.3 Prasidh to Pandey, 1 run, back of the length ball, Pandey hits the ball to the leg side for a single.
10.3Prasidh to Bairstow, WIDE! Fuller ball fired down the leg side.
10.4 Prasidh to Bairstow, FOUR! Back of the length ball, Bairstow lifts the ball over the keeper for a boundary.
10.5 Prasidh to Bairstow, no run, fuller ball on off-stump, Bairstow hits the ball just around the corner.
10.6Prasidh to Bairstow, 1 run, good-length ball on off-stump, Bairstow runs the ball down to third-man for a single.
SRH 77/2 after 10 overs.
Varun Chakravarthy to bowl.
9.1 Varun to Bairstow, no run, good-length ball on off-stump, Bairstow plays the ball to point,
9.2 Varun to Bairstow, 1 run, good length ball on off-stump, Bairstow hits the ball behind point for a single.
9.3 Varun to Pandey, 2run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Pandey hits the ball to mid-wicket for a couple.
9.4 Varun to Pandey, 1 run, fuller ball, Pandey drives the ball down to long-off for a single.
9.5 Varun to Bairstow, FOUR! Short and wide, Bairstow cuts the ball between the two men behind point for a boundary.
9.6 Varun to Bairstow, no run, back of the length delivery, Bairstow cuts the ball to backward point.
SRH 69/2 after 9 overs.
Pat Cummins to bowl.
8.1 Cummins to Bairstow, FOUR! Fuller ball, Bairstow smacks the ball back past Cummins down the ground for a boundary.
8.2 Cummins to Bairstow, fuller ball on off-stump, Bairstow hits the ball to off-side for a single.
8.3 Cummins to Pandey, 2run, back of the length delivery on middle and leg stump, Pandey plays the ball behind square of the leg side for a couple.
8.4 Cummins to Pandey, 1 run, good-length ball on off-stump, Pandey works the ball behind point for a single.
8.5 Cummins to Bairstow, 1 run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Bairstow hits the ball to cover for a single.
8.6 Cummins to Pandey, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Pandey plays the ball just around the corner.
SRH 60/2 after 8 overs.
Andre Russell to bowl.
7.1 Russell to Bairstow, FOUR! Russell bowls a bouncer, Bairstow pulls, the ball takes the top edge and the ball runs down to third-man.
7.2Russell to Bairstow, no run, another bouncer, Bairstow goes for a pull but this time fails to connect.
7.3Russell to Bairstow, SIX! Another bouncer, Bairstow whacks the ball to deep mid-wicket.
7.4Russell to Bairstow, no run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Bairstow hits the ball to point.
7.5Russell to Bairstow, FOUR! Half-tracker from Russell, Bairstow hits the ball to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
7.6 Russell to Bairstow, 1 run, good-length ball on off-stump, Bairstow swings his bat, the ball takes the inside edge and runs down to fine-leg for a single.
SRH 35/2 after 6 overs.
Pat Cummins to bowl.
5.1 Cummins to Pandey, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Pandey plays the ball to mid-on for a single.
5.2 Cummins to Bairstow, no run, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, the ball hits the pads.
5.3 Cummins to Bairstow, back of the length ball on middle stump, Bairstow plays the ball behind square on the leg side for a single.
5.4 Cummins to Pandey, no run, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Pandey hits the ball to the leg side.
5.5 Cummins to Pandey, no run, good-length delivery on middle and leg stump, Pandey plays the ball to the leg side.
5.6 Cummins to Pandey, 1 run, fuller delivery on middle and leg stump, Pandey hits the ball to mid-on for a single.
SRH 20/2 after 4 overs.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl.
3.1 Prasidh to Bairstow, 2 runs, back of the length ball on middle stump, Bairstow plays the ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
3.2Prasidh to Bairstow, 1 run, back of the length delivery, Bairstow plays the ball to off-side for a single.
3.3Prasidh to Pandey, 5 runs, fuller ball, Pandy plays the ball to point, an overthrow gifts SRH five runs.
3.4 Prasidh to Bairstow, 1 run, back of the length ball, Bairstow plays the ball to the off-side for a single.
3.5 Prasidh to Pandey, no run, back of the length ball, Pandey plays the ball to point.
3.6Prasidh to Pandey, no run, back of the length ball, Pandey swings his bat but fails to connect.
SRH 11/2 after 3 overs.
Shakib to bowl.
2.1 Shakib to Saha, OUT! BOWLED! Back of the length ball on off-stump. Saha makes room to cut the ball. The ball takes the inside edge and hits the stumps.
Jonny Bairstow walks out to bat.
2.2 Shakib to Bairstow, no run, fuller ball on off-stump, Bairstow pushes the ball to cover.
2.3Shakib to Bairstow, no run, fuller ball, Bairstow leans and blocks the ball.
2.4Shakib to Bairstow, no run, back of the length ball, Bairstow hits the ball to backward point.
2.5Shakib to Bairstow, no run, fuller ball, Bairstow leans and blocks.
2.6Shakib to Bairstow,1run, fuller ball, Bairstow drives the ball to the off-side for a single.
SRH 10/1 after 2 overs.
Prasidh Krishna to bowl.
1.1 Prasidh to Warner, 2runs, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Warner hits the ball to backward square leg for a couple of runs.
1.2Prasidh to Warner, no run, short ball on off-stump, Warner hits the ball to the off-side.
1.3Prasidh to Warner, WICKET! CAUGHT! Good-length ball on off and middle stump. The ball moves a bit. The ball takes a thick outside edge and goes straight to Dinesh Karthik.
Manish Pandey walks out to bat.
1.4 Prasidh to Pandey, no run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Pandey drives the ball to mid-off.
1.5 Prasidh to Pandey, no run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Pandey is early in his pull. The ball hits Pandy on the body.
1.6 Prasidh to Pandey, no run, good-length ball on off-stump, Pandy hits the ball to cover.
SRH 8/0 after 1 over.
Harbhajan to bowl.
0.1Harbhajan to Saha, no run, back of the length ball drifting down leg, Saha hits the ball to short fine.
0.2 Harbhajan to Saha, no run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Saha hits the ball to cover.
0.3 Harbhajan to Saha, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Saha pulls the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
0.4 Harbhajan to Warner, DROPPED! Tossed up delivery on off-stump, Warner slices the ball, Pat Cummins at backward point drops the catch, Warner takes a single.
0.5Harbhajan to Saha, no run, fuller ball, Saha pushes the ball to cover.
0.6Harbhajan to Saha, SIX! Fuller ball, Saha hits the ball over cover for a maximum!!!!!
Welcome back! The chase is bout to commence. David Warner andWriddhiman Saha are the two openers for SRH. Harbhajan Singh will be bowling the first over.
KKR 187/6 after 20 overs.
Bhuvneshwarto bowl.
19.1 Bhuvneshwar to Karthik,SIX! Fuller ball wide of off-stump, Karthik moves across and slogs the ball to backward square-leg.
19.2 Bhuvneshwar to Karthik, FOUR! Short ball, Karthik swings his bat, the ball takes the top edge of the bat and goes over the keeper for a bounadry.
19.3 Bhuvneshwar to Karthik, back of the length ball, Karthik hits the ball to the leg-side for a couple.
19.3Bhuvneshwar to Karthik, WIDE! Fuller ball wide of off-stump.
19.4Bhuvneshwar to Karthik, 2 runs, fuller delivery on middle and leg stump, Karthik hits the ball down to deep mid-wicket for a couple.
19.5Bhuvneshwar to Karthik, 1 run, back of the length ball, Karthik pulls and sends the ball to backward square-leg for a single.
19.6 Bhuvneshwar to Shakib, WICKET! CAUGHT! Fuller ball wide of off-stump, Shakib swings, the ball lobs in the air, Abdul Samad running backwards takes a good catch.
KKR 171/5 after 19 overs.
Natrajan to bowl.
18.1 Natrajan to Shakib, WIDE, fuller ball fired down the leg side.
18.1 Natrajan to Shakib, 1 run, fuller ball, Shakib hits the ball down to long-on for a single.
18.2 Natrajan to Karthik, 1 run, fuller ball wide of off-stump, Karthik sweeps the ball down to long-on for a single.
18.3 Natrajan to Shakib, no run, fuller ball which goes past the outside edge of the bat.
18.4 Natrajan to Shakib, 1 run, fuller ball outside off, Shakib hits the ball to sweeper-cover for a single.
18.5 Natrajan to Karthik, FOUR! Fuller ball, Karthik smacks the ball down the ground for a boundary.
18.6 Natrajan to Karthik, 1 run, fuller ball wide of off-stump, Karthik sweep the ball to the leg side for a single.
KKR 162/5 after 18 overs.
to bowl.
17.1 Nabi to Morgan, 1 run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Morgan hits the ball to mid-off for a sharp single.
17.2 Nabi to Rana, no run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Rana hits the ball to extra-cover.
17.3 Nabi to Rana, WICKET! CAUGHT! Back of the length delivery on off and middle stump. Rana slogs. The ball goes high in the air and Vijay Shankar at long-off takes a fine catch.
Dinesh Karthik walks out to bat.
17.4 Nabi to Morgan, WICKET! CAUGHT! Fuller-length delivery on off-stump, Morgan sweeps the ball. Abdul Samad at the boundary rope on backward square-leg jumps and takes a good catch.
Shakib Al Hasan walks out to bat.
NABI on a HAT-TRICK!
17.5 Nabi to Karthik, 1 run, back of the length ball on off-stump. Karthik hits the ball down to long-off for a single.
17.6 Nabi to Shakib, 1 run, good-length ball, Shakib plays the ball for a single.
KKR 152/2 after 16 overs.
Natrajan to bowl.
15.1 Natrajan to Rana, 1 run, back of the length delivery, Rana plays the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
15.2 Natrajan to Tripathi, WICKET! CAUGHT! Slow good-length ball on off-stump. Tripathi swings his bat. The ball takes the toe end of the bat and goes high in the air. Saha follows the ball and takes a good catch.
Andre Russell walks out to bat.
15.3 Natrajan to Rana, 1 run, fuller-length ball wide of off-stump, Rana hits the ball through backward point for a single.
15.4 Natrajan to Russell, FOUR! Fuller length delivery down the leg side, Russell helps the ball down to fine-leg.
15.5 Natrajan to Russell, no run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Russell swings his bat but fails to connect.
15.6 Natrajan to Russell, 1 run, fuller ball, Russell moves across and hits the ball to the leg side for a single.
KKR 145/1 after 15 overs.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl.
14.1Bhuvneshwar to Rana, FOUR! Fuller-length delivery wide of off-stump, Rana makes room and slaps the ball through backward point for a boundary.
14.2Bhuvneshwar to Rana, 1 run, back of the length delivery on off-stump, Rana works the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
14.3Bhuvneshwar to Tripathi, SIX! Fuller-length delivery on middle stump, the ball is in Tripathi's arc and he swings his bat to send the ball flying over cow corner region.
14.4Bhuvneshwar to Tripathi, FOUR! Deliberate fromTripathi, good-length delivery on off-stump, Tripathi guides the ball down to third-man.
14.5 Bhuvneshwar to Tripathi, no run, full and straight ball on middle stump, Tripathi blocks the ball.
14.6Bhuvneshwar to Tripathi, FOUR! Good-length ball on off-stump, Tripathi runs the ball down to third-man for a boundary and get to his FIFTY!
KKR 126/1 after 14 overs.
Sandeep Sharma to bowl.
13.1 Sandeep to Tripathi, 2 runs, fuller-length delivery on middle and leg stump, Tripathi plays the ball down to fine-leg for a couple of runs.
13.2Sandeep to Tripathi, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle and leg stump, Tripathi plays the ball to short third-man for a single.
13.3 Sandeep to Rana, SIX! Full-toss outside off-stump, Rana goes deep in his crease and hammers the ball over backward square-leg for a maximum!!!!
13.4Sandeep to Rana, no run, good-length ball on off-stump, Rana attempts a reverse hit but fails to connect.
13.5Sandeep to Rana, 1 run, back of the length ball on middle stump, Rana hits the ball down to long-off for a single.
13.6 Sandeep to Tripathi, 2runs, short ball, Tripathi helps the ball to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
KKR 105/1 after 12 overs.
Nabi to bowl
11.1Nabi to Tripathi, FOUR! Fuller delivery drifting down the leg-stump, Tripathi sweeps and sends the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary.
11.2Nabi to Tripathi, 1 run, good-length ball on off-stump, Tripathi hits the ball to sweeper-cover for a single.
11.3 Nabi to Rana, SIX! Fuller-length deliver on off-stump, Rana goes on one keen and slogs the ball over square-leg for a maximum!!!!
11.4Nabi to Rana, 1 run, good-length ball on middle-stump, Rana plays the ball to the leg side for a single.
11.5 Nabi to Tripathi, no run, good-length ball, Tripathi hits the to the man at mid-on.
11.6 Nabi to Tripathi, 1 run, good-length ball on off-stump, Tripathi hits the ball to short third for a single.
KKR 92/1 after 11 overs.
Natrajan to bowl.
10.1 Natrajna to Tripathi, 1 run, fuller ball on middle and leg, Tripathi plays the ball to the leg side for a single.
10.2 Natrajan to Rana, 1 run, good-length ball on off-stump, Rana helps the ball down to third-man for a single.
10.3 Natrajan to Tripathi, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Tripathi hits the ball to the off-side.
10.4 Natrajan to Tripathi, 1 run, fuller delivery which Tripathi play to the leg side for a single.
10.5 Natrajna to Rana, no run, fuller ball on the leg stump, Rana pushes the ball to the off-side.
10.6 Natrajan to Rana, SIX! Natrajan bowls a bouncer. Rana goes deep in his crease and pulls to send the ball over the fine-leg fence and back in the stands.
KKR 83/1 after 10 overs.
Vijay Shankar to bowl.
9.1 Shanka to Rana, 1 run, fuller-length delivery wide of off-stump, Rana hits the ball to sweeper-cover for a single.
9.2 Shankarto Tripathi, FOUR! Shankar bangs the ball short and Tripathi goes deep in his crease to help the ball to backward square-leg for a boundary.
9.3Shankarto Tripathi, 1 run, fuller-length delivery on off-stump, Tripathi plays the ball to the leg-side for a single.
9.4 Shankar to Rana, 1 run, good-length ball wide of off-stump, Rana slaps the ball to sweeper-cover for a single.
9.5 Shankar to Tripathi, 1 run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Tripathi steps out and hits the ball to sweeper cover for a single.
9.6 Shankar to Rana, SIX! Short ball and Rana pulls to send the ball over fine-leg fence for a maximum and get to his FIFTY!!!!
KKR 641/0 after 8 overs.
Nabi to bowl.
7.1 Nabi to Rana, 1 run, fuller delivery on middle stump, Rana plays the ball to the leg-side for a single.
7.2 Nabi to Tripathi, 1 run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Tripathi hits the ball through cover for a single.
7.3Nabi to Rana, 1 run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Rana guides the ball sweeper-cover for a run.
7.4Nabi to Tripathi, SIX! Fuller delivery on off-stump.Tripathi smacks the ball to send it back in the stands.
7.5 Nabi to Tripathi, 2runs, good-length delivery on off-stump, Tripathi hits the ball down to third-man for a couple of runs.
7.6 Nabi to Tripathi, BEATNE! Good-length ball on off-stump, the ball turns and beats the bat.
KKR 53/1 after 7 overs.
Rashid Khan to bowl.
6.1 Rashid to Rana, 1 run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Rana sweeps the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.
6.2 Rashid to Gill, 1 run, short ball on off-stump, Gill pushes the ball to cover for a single.
6.3 Rashid to Rana, no run, slow delivery on middle stump, Rana plays the ball to the leg-side.
6.4 Rashid to Rana, no run fuller delivery on off-stump, Rana plays the ball to third-man.
6.5 Rashid to Rana, 1 run, good-length delivery on leg stump, Rana plays the ball down to long-on for a single.
6.6 Rashid to Gill! BOWLED! Tossed up delivery on off-stump. Gill is early in his sweep and the ball goes through his defenses to hit the off-stump.
KKR 50/0 after 6 overs.
Mohammed Nabi to bowl.
5.1 Nabi to Rana, no run, slow delivery on middle stump, Rana works the ball to the leg-side.
5.2Nabi to Rana, FOUR! good-length delivery on middle and leg stump, Rana helps the ball down to fine-leg for a boundary,
5.3Nabi to Rana, no run, fuller delivery on off-stump,Rana tries a reverse hit but misses.
5.4Nabi to Rana, 1 run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Rana plays the ball to short third-man for a single.
5.5Nabi to Gill, no run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Gill hits the ball to cover.
5.6Nabi to Gill, no run, good-length ball on off-stump, Gill hits the ball to the off-side.
KKR 45/0 after 5 overs.
Natrajan to bowl
4.1 Natrajan to Gill, SIX! WHAT A SHOT! Fuller delivery on middle stump, Gill swings his bat and sends the ball over the long-on fence for a maximum!!!!
4.2Natrajan to Gill, 1 run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Gill pushes the ball to backward point for a single.
4.3 Natrajan to Rana, no run, good-length delivery on middle and leg stump, Rana drives the ball to the on-side.
4.4Natrajan to Rana, no run, fuller-length delivery on off-stump, Rana blocks the ball, the ball takes the inside edge and just rolls around.
4.5Natrajan to Rana, FOUR! Fuller-length delivery on off-stump, Rana slogs and sends the ball to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.
4.6Natrajan to Rana, 1 run, full-toss on off-stump, Rana punches the ball to mid-off for a single.
KKR 33/0 after 4 overs.
Sandeep Sharma to bowl.
3.1 Sandeep to Rana, FOUR! Fuller-length delivery wide of off-stump,Rana lifts the ball over cover for a boundary.
3.2 Sandeep to Rana, FOUR! Back of the length delivery on off-stump, Rana steps out of his crease and thumps the ball through extra-cover for another boundary.
3.3 Sandeep to Rana, FOUR! Three in three!!!! Good-length delivery on off-stump, Rana scoops the ball to send it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.
3.4 Sandeep to Rana, 1 run, fuller delivery on off-stump, Rana pushes the ball to mid-off for a single.
3.5 Sandeep to Gill, no run, back of the length ball on off-stump, Gill steps out and hits the ball to cover.
3.6 Sandeep to Gill, 1 run, good-length delivery on middle and leg stump, Gill tucks the ball to the leg-side for a single.
KKR 19/0 after 3 overs.
Bhuvneshwar to bowl.
2.1Bhuvneshwar to Gill, FOUR! Fuller-length delivery on middle stump, Gill flicks the ball through the on-side for a boundary.
2.2Bhuvneshwar to Gill, 1 run, fuller-length delivery on middle and leg stump, Gill drives the ball to mid-on for a single.
2.3 Bhuvneshwar to Rana, no run, slow delivery on middle and leg stump, Rana hits the ball in the air and the ball falls in front of Abdul Samad at mid-on.
2.4Bhuvneshwar to Rana, no run, fuller-length delivery on off-stump, Rana pushes the ball to point.
2.5Bhuvneshwar to Rana, 1run, fuller-length delivery on off-stump, Rana drives the ball to mid-off for a single.
2.6Bhuvneshwar to Gill, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Gill pushes the ball to the off-side.
KKR 13/0 after 2 overs.
Sandeep Sharma to bowl.
1.1 Sandeep to Shubhman, no run, back of the length delivery on off-stump, Gill steps out of his crease and pushes the ball to cover.
1.2Sandeep to Shubhman, 1 run, fuller-length delivery on off-stump, Gill drives the ball to the off-side for a single.
1.3 Sandeep to Rana, FOUR! back of the length delivery on off-stump, Rana comes out of his crease and swings the bat. The ball takes the thick inside edge and rolls down to fine-leg for a boundary.
1.4Sandeep to Rana, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Rana helps the ball to the off-side.
1.5Sandeep to Rana, FOUR! fuller-length delivery wide of off-stump, Rana smashes the ball over extra-cover for a boundary,
1.6Sandeep to Rana, no run, slow good-length delivery on off-stump, Rana is early into his pull shot as the ball goes past the meat of the bat.
KKR 4/0 after 1 over.
Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl.
0.1 Bhuvneshwa to Rana, FOUR! Fuller delivery wide of off-stump. Rana thumps the ball through extra-cover for a boundary.
0.2Bhuvneshwa to Rana, no run, good-length delivery on middle and leg stump, Rana works the ball to the leg side.
0.3Bhuvneshwa to Rana, BEATEN! good-length delivery on off-stump, the ball nips away from Rana as looks to push the ball. The ball beats the bat and goes to the keeper.
0.4Bhuvneshwa to Rana, no run, good-length delivery on middle stump, Rana plays the ball to the leg-side.
0.5Bhuvneshwa to Rana, no run, good-length delivery on off-stump, Rana pushes the ball in the direction of the man at backward point.
0.6Bhuvneshwa to Rana, no run, appeal for LBW! good-length delivery on middle and leg stump, the ball hits the pads as the bowler appeals but the umpire is unmoved.
Right then the two umpires make their way to the middle. SRH players are in a huddle. After a word from Warner, the SRH players disperse. And outcome Shubhman Gill and Rahul Tripathi the two KKR openers.
Stick around as KKR's batting starts shortly!
Both teams have stacked their playing XIs with the spinners. Harbhajan, Shakib, and Varun Chakravarthy are three spinners for KKR. SRH will be relying on the services of Rashid, Nabi, and Abdul Samad. It looks like both Warner and Morgan feel that spin is the mantra to win on this pitch! But the question on everyone's mind at the moment will be the exclusion of Kane Williamson from SRH playing XI in favor of Jonny Bairstow. Also, KKR have left out Sunil Narine. Big call for both teams to leave Williamson and Narine from their teams.
Teams
Kolkata Knight Riders: Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan(c), Dinesh Karthik(w), Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Pat Cummins, Harbhajan Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy
Sunrisers Hyderabad: David Warner(c), Jonny Bairstow, Wriddhiman Saha(w), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Sandeep Sharma
Eoin Morgan, KKR captain:I haven't looked at the coach dynamic, but they have been magnificent in the background. We missed out narrowly last year with qualifying so we will try and go one better this time. Our four foreign players are Russell, Shakib, Cummins, and myself.
David Warner, SRH captain:We're bowling first. This wicket will play a little differently, it's a lot drier. There wasn't much dew in the last training session, and so that won't make much of a difference. We know what we can chase, to be honest.Our foreign players are me, Rashid Khan, Mohammed Nabi, and Jonny Bairstow.
Toss
SRHwin toss and opt to bowl.
Glimpse of the pitch!
Pitch Report
Lots of barren pitches, it is a much drier pitch. It is important what lengths spinners bowl on this pitch, says Murali Karthik.
Just In!
The news from the stadium is that Harbhajan Singh has been presented with the KKR cap. So we are like to see former MI and CSK spinner play his first match for KKR.
Deccan Herald's dream XI
David Warner, Shubman Gill, Kane Williamson, Eoin Morgan (captain), Dinesh Karthik (wicketkeeper), Abdul Samad, Rashid Khan, Varun Chakravarthy, T Natarajan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Prasidh Krishna
WrestleMania in the US, Russell-Mania in India!
Impact Player for KKR
Varun Chakravarthy: He was one of the finds and bagged last season's only five-wicket haul. Chakravarthy’s stocks rose phenomenally after IPL 2020 and he twice came close to representing India in white-ball cricket only to miss out because of fitnessand avoids injuries, he could be the next mystery spinner to make an impact for the Men in Blue.
Impact Player for SRH
Rashid Khan: The leg spinner was SRH’s leading wicket-taker with 20 scalps in 2020. With an economy of just 5.37, Rashid had the best economy among bowlers who got 20 or more wickets last year and there were eight of them. He gets wickets and dries up runs as well.
Team News
Good news! No injury concern for either team.
Did you know?
Last five matches
SRH: L-W-W-W-W
KKR: W-L-L-W-L
Head to Head record
Matches Played: 19
SRH wins: 7
KKR wins: 12
KKR Threats: Russell’s fitness is always a cause for concern. Can the dynamic power-hitter find his touch again? If not, KKR will need to find someone else like Eoin Morgan or Dinesh Karthik to deliver the big finish for them.
KKR Opportunities: The arrival of Shakib Al Hasan solves plenty of issues for the team. He can take Narine's place as a wicket-taking spinner. With his ability to bat at no. 3, KKR will have good right-left combos through the batting order. Shakib’s numbers in the IPL are decent. In 63 IPL games, he has scored 746 runs at a strike rate of 126.66. With the ball, he has picked up 59 wickets at an economy of 7.46.
KKR Weaknesses: An unreliable opening combo and fading Windies stars. KKR tried four different batsmen to open the innings with Shubman Gill in 14 league games last season. These openers were Sunil Narine, Rahul Tripathi, Tom Banton, and Nitish Rana. The constant churn at the top of the order prevented the team from getting brisk starts. Also, the West Indies duo of Russell and Narine seemed past their prime.
KKR Strengths: They have a battery of fast bowlers. Pat Cummins and Lockie Ferguson are known for accuracy and pace. There is the Indian pace trio of Shivam Mavi, Prasidh Krishna and Kamlesh Nagarkoti. While Krishna delivers the ball from a height, Mavi and Nagarkoti are skiddy. Andre Russell can bowl at least two overs at the death and his backup Ben Cutting is equally proficient.
KKR SWOT ANALYSIS
SRH Threats: An injury cloud always looms large around SRH. Williamson warmed the bench at the start of last season because of an injury sustained while training. All-rounder Mitchell Marsh got injured in last year's first match and opted to skip the tournament this year. Ace pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar picked up an injury after a few games and was ruled out. Indian all-rounder Vijay Shankar had a similar story. Wriddhiman Saha was also ruled out for a crucial match.
SRH Opportunities: SRH have a poor record against KKR. Last year, they lost both league stage matches against Kolkata. This is a chance for them to hit back.
SRH Weaknesses: They are too reliant on Warner giving them blistering starts. If Warner and Williamson get out early, a relatively inexperienced middle-order can struggle in a big chase. The middle-order comprising Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar and Priyam Garg are anchor batsmen and are not known to easily send the ball out of the park.
SRH Strengths: SRH are blessed with quality overseas players. David Warner as the captain and leg-spinner Rashid Khan have sealed their places in the team. Phenomenally consistent Kane Williamson is always reliable and the English duo of Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy can tear any opposition apart. The Afghan duo of Mohammed Nabi and Mujeeb Ur Rahman are supremely talented spinners. Then there is all-rounder Jason Holder who continues to deliver the goods with the bat and the ball.
SUNRISERS SWOT ANALYISIS
Great to have Bhuvi back in team: SRH skipper David Warner
Sunrisers Hyderabad captain David Warner on Friday said the return of senior India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar will strengthen his side which is already quite balanced in all departments.
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SRH need to improve record against KKR | IPL 2021 SunRisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders: SWOT Analysis
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Good evening! Match 3 is here!
Welcome to the DH live coverage of match 3 between the SunRisers Hyderabad and the Kolkata Knight Riders. IPL is back in Indiaand both teams will look to make a winning start at MA Chidambaram Stadium.
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