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Punjab Kings vs Chennai Super Kings IPL, 2025, Full Score Card

Result Share

Match 22, Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, 08 Apr, 2025

Punjab Kings

PBKS

219/6

(20.0) ov

Chennai Super Kings

CSK

201/5

(20.0) ov

Punjab Kings beat Chennai Super Kings by 18 runs

Player Of The Match

Priyansh Arya,
Punjab Kings
Punjab Kings
Scorecard
Summary
Commentary
News
Chennai Super Kings
Punjab Kings
Batter R B 4s 6s SR
R Ravindra

st P Singh b G Maxwell

36 23 6 0 156.52
D Conway

retired out

69 49 6 2 140.81
R Gaikwad

c S Singh b L Ferguson

1 3 0 0 33.33
42 27 3 2 155.55
Dhoni

c Y Chahal b Y Thakur

27 12 1 3 225
R Jadeja

not out

9 5 0 1 180
V Shankar

not out

2 2 0 0 100
Extras

(b 0,lb 5,w 9,nb 1,Penalty 0)

15
Total 20.0 (RR: 10.05)
201/5

Did not bat: R Ashwin, N Ahmad, M Choudhary, K Ahmed,

Fall of wickets:

(R Ravindra, 6.3 ov) (R Gaikwad, 7.2 ov) (S Dube, 15.5 ov) (D Conway, 17.5 ov) (Dhoni, 19.1 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
A Singh
4 0 39 0 9.75
4 0 39 1 9.75
G Maxwell
2 0 11 1 5.50
M Jansen
4 0 48 0 12.00
L Ferguson
4 0 40 2 10.00
M Stoinis
1 0 10 0 10.00
Y Chahal
1 0 9 0 9.00
Batter R B 4s 6s SR

c V Shankar b N Ahmad

103 42 7 9 245.23
P Singh

b M Choudhary

0 2 0 0 0
S Iyer

b K Ahmed

9 7 0 1 128.57
M Stoinis

c D Conway b K Ahmed

4 7 0 0 57.14
N Wadhera

c Dhoni b R Ashwin

9 7 0 1 128.57
G Maxwell

c & b R Ashwin

1 2 0 0 50
S Singh

not out

52 36 2 3 144.44
M Jansen

not out

34 19 2 2 178.94
Extras

(b 0,lb 3,w 2,nb 2,Penalty 0)

7
Total 20.0 (RR: 10.95)
219/6

Did not bat: Y Chahal, A Singh, L Ferguson,

Fall of wickets:

(P Singh, 1.2 ov) (S Iyer, 2.4 ov) (M Stoinis, 5 ov) (N Wadhera, 7.2 ov) (G Maxwell, 8 ov) (P Arya, 13.4 ov)
Bowler O M R W ER
K Ahmed
4 0 45 2 11.25
M Choudhary
2 0 21 1 10.50
R Ashwin
4 0 48 2 12.00
R Jadeja
3 0 18 0 6.00
N Ahmad
3 0 32 1 10.66
4 0 52 0 13.00
Chennai Super Kings
Punjab Kings

Chennai Super Kings • 201/5 (20.0 overs)

D Conway 69 (49)

S Dube 42 (27)

L Ferguson 2/40 (4)

G Maxwell 1/11 (2)

Punjab Kings • 219/6 (20.0 overs)

P Arya 103 (42)

S Singh 52 (36)

K Ahmed 2/45 (4)

R Ashwin 2/48 (4)

Commentary

Right then, that is it from this rather one-sided affair. Next up in the Indian Premier League 2025 is a clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at the Ekana Stadium. That will be played on 4th March, Friday, at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane, says that this game was really important for them and that too with a big margin so that they can go up in the points table. Adds that after being sent in to bat first, it was pretty challenging, but the discussion was all about consolidating after the two early wickets and then, with wickets in hand, unleashing yourself in the end, and he is pretty happy with all the batting unit. Mentions that they just want to stay in the moment and aren’t thinking much about ahead, but there are many lessons for the batters from this game. States that the chat was about to cash those last 30 balls when Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh were batting and got more than 60 runs. Those batters are well capable of doing this, and they have Ramandeep and Moeen in the dugout as well. Tells that initially they thought that 180 could be a par total on this surface, and they have got that 20 runs extra going at the end of the first inning. Says that the ball was gripping up, and all the bowlers, including Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Vaibhav Arora, bowled really well and picked up those crucial wickets.

Vaibhav Arora is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his spectacular bowling display as an impact player for KKR. He took 3 wickets and just conceded 29 runs off his 4 overs. He begins by expressing his delight. On the challenge of bowling as an impact player, he says he prepares himself by learning the game situation and how the wicket is playing. Adds that he is told in advance that he will be going in as the impact player. Mentions there's not much swing left when they come to bowl the fifth or the sixth over, so they try to deploy different tactics. Highlights that the slower ones were gripping a bit, and they also tried to go for the yorkers. Mentions that they know how batters play these days and that they plan and discuss which batter can charge the first ball. Says it helps to have world-class spinners, but also admits it is the Pacers' job to give them a good start by taking early wickets.

The skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pat Cummins, says that it wasn’t a good night for them as he thought that this total was totally gettable at the end of the first inning because it was a pretty good wicket, but the batting lapses in the middle cost them. Adds that the last three games haven’t been good for them, but a few weeks ago, they batted out a score of over 280, and their batters do best when they take the game on, but they could have taken a different approach depending on the situation. Talks about the fielding, as they weren’t subpar today and dropped a couple of catches with some misfields. States that he isn’t too sure of playing Adam Zampa could have benefitted them as there wasn’t too much spin on the surface in the first inning. Concludes it that they could have done better with some alternate options, but it is a long tournament, and there is plenty of time left to catch up again.

Presentation Time...

Varun Chakaravarthy is up for a chat now. He says it was a good inning by Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and the way Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh took the innings to the deep was really impressive. Mentions that 200 was a par score and says they were confident to defend this one. Credits the fast bowlers by saying they were spot on. Appreciates Vaibhav Arora for being on the money, and all the wickets that he took were very important. On Rahane's captaincy, he says he is captaining for the first time, and this was his best game as he studied the situation nicely. Talks about them wanting to drag the game till the end and let it hand to Andre Russell as he always bowls very well in the death overs. On Klaasen, he calls him the number 1 T20 batter and that no one can take him for granted when he is around. Adds that the last couple of days were tough, as that defeat against MI was a tough one to swallow. Says they wanted to back their batters and didn't want to put the blame on individuals. On personal reflection, he says he just practices daily. Says even when you bowl a good spell, you have to start the next game from scratch. Concludes it that you need to hit the gym, go to the nets, and bowl more volumes every day to stay in the element.

Sunrisers Hyderabad just couldn't get going in this chase, and as they say, T20 matches are won and lost in the Powerplay. The spells from Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana killed off the game for them. No batters could make any sort of impact, and they need to revisit their plans a bit. Only Kamindu Mendis and Heinrich Klaasen tried their best, but the pressure was too much for them as they fell short by a big margin of 80 runs.

Earlier in the game, Kolkata Knight Riders recovered well after a shaky start to post a strong total. Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi steadied the innings, with the latter crafting a well-made half-century. The real momentum shift, however, came when Venkatesh Iyer exploded with a blistering 60 off just 29 balls, while Rinku Singh provided the finishing touch with a quick-fire cameo, propelling KKR close to the 200-run mark. For SRH, Mohammad Shami, Zeeshan Ansari, and Kamindu Mendis were the standout bowlers, but the rest struggled, especially in the death overs, conceding plenty of runs.

KKR got off to a flying start in the Powerplay, with Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana striking early to claim three quick wickets. Andre Russell also chipped in with a crucial breakthrough, though he proved a bit expensive. The spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy kept the pressure on in the middle overs, making life difficult for the SRH batters. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s tactical moves were spot on, particularly his decision to bring Arora back for an over in the middle phase - a masterstroke that led to the massive wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, all but sealing the victory for the hosts.

Kolkata Knight Riders are back to winning ways! The defending champions once again got the better of Sunrisers Hyderabad, just like they did in last year’s final. This victory not only extends their dominance over Hyderabad but also hands their opponents a third consecutive defeat. A crucial win for the hosts, and the big margin will give their NRR a significant boost - something that could prove vital as the league progresses.

16.4W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Third consecutive defeat for SRH! A complete performance by Kolkata Knight Riders as they defended their fortress of Eden Gardens! Dre Russ bashes on that in-between length by taking the pace off, just around off. Harshal Patel swings months early to pull it into the stands over the leg side but mistimes it badly, over the bowler. Andre Russell calls for his catch, moves slightly to his left and settles under it. Takes a safe catch. KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS WIN BY A HUGE MARGIN OF 80 RUNS!

16.30

An attempted yorker, on the stumps, stabbed out by Harshal back to the bowler. Andre Russell stretches his right hand out and half stops the ball.

16.21

Length ball, on middle and leg, tucked away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.11

Pace on, full, on off, Harshal Patel swings for the hills but slices it over backward point. Two fielders converge, one from the inner ring and the other from deep cover, running forward to his left. The ball lands between them. A single taken.

16.11wd

WIDE! Pace off, full, but down leg. Harshal Patel misses to flick and Wide called.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 117/9

2 (2)

1 (3)

4-0-22-3

15.61

Slower through the air, a yard behind fuller length, and outside off, spinning in. Harshal Patel prods forward and eases into the off side, in front of covers for a single. Varun Chakaravarthy finishes his spell with impressive figures of 4-0-22-3.

15.51

Good length, spinning on the pads, Shami nudges it away to deep square leg for a single.

15.51wd

WIDE! Turns way down leg on a length. Shami leaves. Wide called.

15.40

Length ball, around off, punched to point.

15.30

Another googly, on fuller length, turning to middle. Mohammad Shami is flummoxed by the turn and just about manages to get an inside edge onto the front pad.

Mohammad Shami is the last man in.

15.2W

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! VARUN CHAKARAVARTHY IS ON A HAT TRICK! A googly from Varun now, pitching outside off on a fractional fuller length. It lands and bites off the deck, spins miles into the right-hander. Simarjeet Singh lunges out to block it forward but plays all over the wrong line, and the ball sneaks through the bat and pad gap to crash into the wickets.

15.1W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! CAUGHT! Every time the ball has gone uppish, it has found the hands in the field! Varun dishes out a full-length delivery around the off pole. It lands and bounces a bit off the deck. Pat Cummins clears his front leg and tries to take on the long on fielder. Lofts it up in the air but mistimes it off the inner half of the bat and offers a straightforward catch to Harshit Rana at long on. Skipper Cummins too departs now, and SRH are 114/8, and Simarjeet Singh comes out to bat now.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 114/7

14 (14)

1 (1)

4-1-29-3

14.61

On a good length, around off, Pat Cummins guides it towards backward point and sets off for a quick single. Harshal Patel also responds, but the fielder there is quick to collect the ball and makes a direct hit at the batter's end. The umpire calls it a not out as Harshal Patel has dragged his bat in time to the crease and has made it.

14.51

Full and on the pads, Patel flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

Harshal Patel is in at number 9.

14.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! This should be the game for Kolkata Knight Riders as the last hope of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Heinrich Klaasen, is gone for 33 (21) and they still need 89 runs off the last 32 balls! Arora picks up his third wicket of the night as he bowls it on a short of a length, angling into the body of the batter. He takes the pace off, and Heinrich Klaasen goes on the back foot to pull it. He mistimes it as the ball comes later on than he expected and goes off the top edge. The ball lobs up towards short fine leg, where Moeen Ali takes a few steps to his left and takes a simple catch.

14.31

Back of a length, around middle, with pace taken off, Pat Cummins gets deceived by the lack of the pace but manages to keep it down to long on for a single.

14.21

Goes fuller now and well outside off, Klaasen slices it to deep cover for a single off the outer half of the bat.

14.14

FOUR! STREAKY! Arora bowls a yorker, around off, Heinrich Klaasen leans on and looks to fetch it out to the leg side with a sweep shot. The ball takes the inside edge and goes to the left of the keeper for a boundary.

Commentary

We are back for the chase! The Kolkata Knight Riders players are in a huddle where Ajinkya Rahane is giving them a last-minute pep talk. Then, they spread out to take their respective field positions. The destructive duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are the two openers for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Head comes in as the Impact Player, replacing Zeeshan Ansari. Vaibhav Arora is the Impact Player for KKR in place of Angkrish Raghuvanshi. He will also start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

As we head into the chase, KKR holds the momentum after a strong finish and will bank on their quality bowling attack, especially spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, to defend this total. On the other hand, SRH had the game in control but let things slip at the death. Now, their hopes rest on their explosive top order, particularly Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, to provide a flying start in pursuit of this challenging target. Who will take the upper hand? The second inning promises plenty of action, so stay tuned, as the chase is about to begin!

Venkatesh Iyer of KKR is up for a chat now. He begins by mentioning that the ball was holding a bit on the surface and also feels it is not the Eden pitch that he is used to playing at. Adds that it is on the slower side. Feels that they have got a competitive total on the board and believes if they bowl well, they can defend it. Admits that he didn't get good scores in the last few innings and says he wanted to get the feel of the pitch and take some time. Credits to Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane for batting the way they did. Tells that the message was clear to take time and once you adapt, go hard at it. Says that the BCCI has made it mandatory to play domestic cricket, which he opines is a great opportunity to test themselves against the new bowlers. Concludes by saying that whenever he gets the opportunity to play domestic cricket, or even at the club level, he is ready to play because he just wants to bat as much as he can.

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, their bowling was disciplined for the first 15 overs, keeping KKR under control and preventing them from running away with the game. Every bowler chipped in with one wicket each, apart from Simarjeet Singh, showcasing a well-rounded effort. However, things fell apart in the last five overs, where they leaked a massive 78 runs, something that could haunt them later. Their fielding also left much to be desired, with some misfields and a crucial dropped catch by Nitish Kumar Reddy adding to their woes.

The turning point came when vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh took charge. Initially, they played sensibly, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking, but as the inning neared its end, they shifted gears in style. Their partnership of 91 runs in just 41 balls provided KKR with the late boost they needed. Iyer, who had struggled in the first three matches, finally found his rhythm, smashing a fiery fifty off just 25 balls. He unleashed an onslaught in the death overs, sending the ball flying to all parts of the ground and ensuring KKR finished strong.

The inning of Kolkata Knight Riders was pretty interesting, filled with ups and downs, but they managed to put up a solid total of 200/6. The big question now is, will this be enough on what looks like a good batting pitch? The answer will unfold in the second inning. KKR’s openers once again failed to provide a strong start, both departing inside the Powerplay. That left them in early trouble at 16/2, but skipper Ajinkya Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi stepped up, stitching together a crucial 81-run partnership to rescue the inning. Raghuvanshi looked impressive, bringing up his second IPL fifty, but just when things were looking settled, both he and Rahane fell in quick succession, causing KKR to slip from a promising 97/2 to 106/4.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 200/6

1 (2)

32 (17)

4-0-43-1

19.6W

OUT! RUN OUT! An anti-climactic end to the innings! Harshal Patel bowls a slower bocuner, on off. Andre Russell goes for the pull early and misses. He sets off to steal a bye but is sent back. Heinrich Klaasen, the keeper, collects and puts in an underarm throw to hit the stumps at the batter's end. The replay shows that Dre Russ is short of his crease. Kolkata Knight Riders finishes on exactly 200/5!

Is that a run out? Heinrich Klaasen collects the ball and strikes a direct hit at the striker's end. Andre Russell tries to drag the bat into the popping crease, but the side-on replay shows Dre Russ is just short of his crease when the stumps were hit. OUT!

19.51

Overpitched and outside off, Rinku Singh drills it away to sweeper covers for just one. 200 UP FOR KKR NOW!

19.51wd

WIDE! Harshal Patel bowls a bouncer, on middle and off, Rinku Singh looks to pull it away but misses. It is given a wide on field. However, SRH has taken the review. The replay shows that it is over the head of the batter and the decision stands.

19.41

Short of a length and outside off, Andre Russell stabs it towards covers for a single.

Andre Russell walks in to bat at number 7.

19.3W

OUT! TAKEN! Harshal Patel gets a wicket! Venkatesh Iyer walks back after a smashing knock of 60 off just 29 balls, lighting up the Eden Gardens. This is a slower one, full and on middle. Iyer shuffles across in his crease and looks to slog it down the ground. However, he mistimes it a bit as the ball goes miles up in the air. Aniket Verma at long on settles under it and takes a good catch. KKR 197/5 now!

19.24

FOUR! Harshal Patel loses his grip and bowls a high full toss, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer throws the kitchen sink at it and slices it over short third for a boundary. Venky has taken the review to see if it is above his waist or not. The replay shows that it is not and it is a fair delivery.

19.16

SIX! Starts the last over with a bang! A slower one, back of a length and on off. Venkatesh Iyer picks up the length early and whacks it over the long on fence for a biggie. This is getting a bit out of hands for SRH now.

Harshal Patel (3-0-30-0) to wrap the first innings with the ball.

Runs Scored 21 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 187/4

50 (26)

31 (16)

4-0-44-1

18.61lb

Follows the batter well, full and on leg, Venkatesh Iyer looks to whip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls away to square leg. A leg bye is taken. 21 runs from Cummins' last over.

18.52

FIFTY FOR VENKY! Back-to back half-centuries against SRH! He scored a fifty in last year's final as well against the same opposition. This is a full toss, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer drills it down the pitch where Cummins gets his left foot on it to parry it towards long on. A single is taken. The fielder throws it at the bowler's end where it hits the stumps and deflects away, allowing a second run.

18.44

FOUR! This is top batting from Venky! Cummins sees the batter back away and bowls this full, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer still gets his bat on to that and slices it over point for four more runs.

18.34

FOUR! Oh..what a shot! Pat Cummins bowls a good yorker, on leg, angling in. Venkatesh Iyer somehow manages to get his bat on it and jams it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

18.26

SIX! BANG! 10 off the first two balls already! Short of a length again, on middle, slower again. Venkatesh Iyer is already expecting that, stands tall and hammers it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

18.14

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Pat Cummins bangs this into the pitch and on off, takes pace off. Venkatesh Iyer moves very early across to get into position and scoops it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Who bowls the penultimate over? Cummins or Harshal? The skipper, Pat Cummins returns for his final over. He is 3-0-24-1 so far.

Runs Scored 17 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 166/4

31 (16)

30 (20)

4-0-47-0

17.66

SIX! That is outta here! 44 in the last three overs now! Simarjeet Singh serves this right in the slot, on middle. Rinku Singh just clears his from leg away and smokes it way over the long on fence for a biggie.

17.51

Hard length and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer swats it to deep mid-wicket for one.

17.44

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Simarjeet Singh bangs this into the pitch again, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Venkatesh Iyer picks up the length early and heaves it away between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for four more runs.

17.34

FOUR! Powered away! Short of a length and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer uses the width on offer and slaps it wide of extra covers for a boundary.

17.21

Back of a length and on middle, slower too, Rinku Singh pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a run.

17.11

Full toss, outside off, Venkatesh Iyer slices it on the bounce to deep point for a single. 150 up for KKR now!

Chennai Super Kings
Punjab Kings

Commentary

Right then, that is it from this rather one-sided affair. Next up in the Indian Premier League 2025 is a clash between Lucknow Super Giants and Mumbai Indians at the Ekana Stadium. That will be played on 4th March, Friday, at 7.30 pm IST (2 pm GMT), but as you know, you can join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

The victorious skipper of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane, says that this game was really important for them and that too with a big margin so that they can go up in the points table. Adds that after being sent in to bat first, it was pretty challenging, but the discussion was all about consolidating after the two early wickets and then, with wickets in hand, unleashing yourself in the end, and he is pretty happy with all the batting unit. Mentions that they just want to stay in the moment and aren’t thinking much about ahead, but there are many lessons for the batters from this game. States that the chat was about to cash those last 30 balls when Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh were batting and got more than 60 runs. Those batters are well capable of doing this, and they have Ramandeep and Moeen in the dugout as well. Tells that initially they thought that 180 could be a par total on this surface, and they have got that 20 runs extra going at the end of the first inning. Says that the ball was gripping up, and all the bowlers, including Varun Chakaravarthy, Sunil Narine, and Vaibhav Arora, bowled really well and picked up those crucial wickets.

Vaibhav Arora is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his spectacular bowling display as an impact player for KKR. He took 3 wickets and just conceded 29 runs off his 4 overs. He begins by expressing his delight. On the challenge of bowling as an impact player, he says he prepares himself by learning the game situation and how the wicket is playing. Adds that he is told in advance that he will be going in as the impact player. Mentions there's not much swing left when they come to bowl the fifth or the sixth over, so they try to deploy different tactics. Highlights that the slower ones were gripping a bit, and they also tried to go for the yorkers. Mentions that they know how batters play these days and that they plan and discuss which batter can charge the first ball. Says it helps to have world-class spinners, but also admits it is the Pacers' job to give them a good start by taking early wickets.

The skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pat Cummins, says that it wasn’t a good night for them as he thought that this total was totally gettable at the end of the first inning because it was a pretty good wicket, but the batting lapses in the middle cost them. Adds that the last three games haven’t been good for them, but a few weeks ago, they batted out a score of over 280, and their batters do best when they take the game on, but they could have taken a different approach depending on the situation. Talks about the fielding, as they weren’t subpar today and dropped a couple of catches with some misfields. States that he isn’t too sure of playing Adam Zampa could have benefitted them as there wasn’t too much spin on the surface in the first inning. Concludes it that they could have done better with some alternate options, but it is a long tournament, and there is plenty of time left to catch up again.

Presentation Time...

Varun Chakaravarthy is up for a chat now. He says it was a good inning by Angkrish Raghuvanshi, and the way Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh took the innings to the deep was really impressive. Mentions that 200 was a par score and says they were confident to defend this one. Credits the fast bowlers by saying they were spot on. Appreciates Vaibhav Arora for being on the money, and all the wickets that he took were very important. On Rahane's captaincy, he says he is captaining for the first time, and this was his best game as he studied the situation nicely. Talks about them wanting to drag the game till the end and let it hand to Andre Russell as he always bowls very well in the death overs. On Klaasen, he calls him the number 1 T20 batter and that no one can take him for granted when he is around. Adds that the last couple of days were tough, as that defeat against MI was a tough one to swallow. Says they wanted to back their batters and didn't want to put the blame on individuals. On personal reflection, he says he just practices daily. Says even when you bowl a good spell, you have to start the next game from scratch. Concludes it that you need to hit the gym, go to the nets, and bowl more volumes every day to stay in the element.

Sunrisers Hyderabad just couldn't get going in this chase, and as they say, T20 matches are won and lost in the Powerplay. The spells from Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana killed off the game for them. No batters could make any sort of impact, and they need to revisit their plans a bit. Only Kamindu Mendis and Heinrich Klaasen tried their best, but the pressure was too much for them as they fell short by a big margin of 80 runs.

Earlier in the game, Kolkata Knight Riders recovered well after a shaky start to post a strong total. Ajinkya Rahane and Angkrish Raghuvanshi steadied the innings, with the latter crafting a well-made half-century. The real momentum shift, however, came when Venkatesh Iyer exploded with a blistering 60 off just 29 balls, while Rinku Singh provided the finishing touch with a quick-fire cameo, propelling KKR close to the 200-run mark. For SRH, Mohammad Shami, Zeeshan Ansari, and Kamindu Mendis were the standout bowlers, but the rest struggled, especially in the death overs, conceding plenty of runs.

KKR got off to a flying start in the Powerplay, with Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana striking early to claim three quick wickets. Andre Russell also chipped in with a crucial breakthrough, though he proved a bit expensive. The spin duo of Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy kept the pressure on in the middle overs, making life difficult for the SRH batters. Skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s tactical moves were spot on, particularly his decision to bring Arora back for an over in the middle phase - a masterstroke that led to the massive wicket of Heinrich Klaasen, all but sealing the victory for the hosts.

Kolkata Knight Riders are back to winning ways! The defending champions once again got the better of Sunrisers Hyderabad, just like they did in last year’s final. This victory not only extends their dominance over Hyderabad but also hands their opponents a third consecutive defeat. A crucial win for the hosts, and the big margin will give their NRR a significant boost - something that could prove vital as the league progresses.

16.4W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Third consecutive defeat for SRH! A complete performance by Kolkata Knight Riders as they defended their fortress of Eden Gardens! Dre Russ bashes on that in-between length by taking the pace off, just around off. Harshal Patel swings months early to pull it into the stands over the leg side but mistimes it badly, over the bowler. Andre Russell calls for his catch, moves slightly to his left and settles under it. Takes a safe catch. KOLKATA KNIGHT RIDERS WIN BY A HUGE MARGIN OF 80 RUNS!

16.30

An attempted yorker, on the stumps, stabbed out by Harshal back to the bowler. Andre Russell stretches his right hand out and half stops the ball.

16.21

Length ball, on middle and leg, tucked away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

16.11

Pace on, full, on off, Harshal Patel swings for the hills but slices it over backward point. Two fielders converge, one from the inner ring and the other from deep cover, running forward to his left. The ball lands between them. A single taken.

16.11wd

WIDE! Pace off, full, but down leg. Harshal Patel misses to flick and Wide called.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 117/9

2 (2)

1 (3)

4-0-22-3

15.61

Slower through the air, a yard behind fuller length, and outside off, spinning in. Harshal Patel prods forward and eases into the off side, in front of covers for a single. Varun Chakaravarthy finishes his spell with impressive figures of 4-0-22-3.

15.51

Good length, spinning on the pads, Shami nudges it away to deep square leg for a single.

15.51wd

WIDE! Turns way down leg on a length. Shami leaves. Wide called.

15.40

Length ball, around off, punched to point.

15.30

Another googly, on fuller length, turning to middle. Mohammad Shami is flummoxed by the turn and just about manages to get an inside edge onto the front pad.

Mohammad Shami is the last man in.

15.2W

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! VARUN CHAKARAVARTHY IS ON A HAT TRICK! A googly from Varun now, pitching outside off on a fractional fuller length. It lands and bites off the deck, spins miles into the right-hander. Simarjeet Singh lunges out to block it forward but plays all over the wrong line, and the ball sneaks through the bat and pad gap to crash into the wickets.

15.1W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! CAUGHT! Every time the ball has gone uppish, it has found the hands in the field! Varun dishes out a full-length delivery around the off pole. It lands and bounces a bit off the deck. Pat Cummins clears his front leg and tries to take on the long on fielder. Lofts it up in the air but mistimes it off the inner half of the bat and offers a straightforward catch to Harshit Rana at long on. Skipper Cummins too departs now, and SRH are 114/8, and Simarjeet Singh comes out to bat now.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 114/7

14 (14)

1 (1)

4-1-29-3

14.61

On a good length, around off, Pat Cummins guides it towards backward point and sets off for a quick single. Harshal Patel also responds, but the fielder there is quick to collect the ball and makes a direct hit at the batter's end. The umpire calls it a not out as Harshal Patel has dragged his bat in time to the crease and has made it.

14.51

Full and on the pads, Patel flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single to get off the mark.

Harshal Patel is in at number 9.

14.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! This should be the game for Kolkata Knight Riders as the last hope of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Heinrich Klaasen, is gone for 33 (21) and they still need 89 runs off the last 32 balls! Arora picks up his third wicket of the night as he bowls it on a short of a length, angling into the body of the batter. He takes the pace off, and Heinrich Klaasen goes on the back foot to pull it. He mistimes it as the ball comes later on than he expected and goes off the top edge. The ball lobs up towards short fine leg, where Moeen Ali takes a few steps to his left and takes a simple catch.

14.31

Back of a length, around middle, with pace taken off, Pat Cummins gets deceived by the lack of the pace but manages to keep it down to long on for a single.

14.21

Goes fuller now and well outside off, Klaasen slices it to deep cover for a single off the outer half of the bat.

14.14

FOUR! STREAKY! Arora bowls a yorker, around off, Heinrich Klaasen leans on and looks to fetch it out to the leg side with a sweep shot. The ball takes the inside edge and goes to the left of the keeper for a boundary.

STRATEGIC BREAK. KKR continues to hold the upper hand in this contest and they are just Klaasen's wicket away from making their win look like an obvious one. SRH has a huge and steep hill to climb, as they require another 95 runs off the last 6 overs remaining. With every passing over, this game is slipping out of their hands. If Klaasen bats till the end, if not for the win, SRH will definitely save itself from an embarrassing defeat and also prevent the net run rate from deflating dramatically. But with Klaasen still unbeaten, there will surely be a hint of scare. KKR will better try to get rid of him as quickly as possible. Here's Vaibhav Arora (3-0-21-2) back into the attack.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 106/6

28 (18)

12 (12)

4-0-30-1

13.61

Dragged length, around middle, Klaasen knocks it down to long on for a single.

13.51

Nagging length, around off, Cummings punches it to long on for a single.

13.41lb

Leg bye! Short and around off and middle, stays a bit low as well, Heinrich Klaasen swivels on his toes and looks to pull it. He gets surprised by the lack of the bounce and misses. Gets hit on the back pad and takes a run for leg bye as the ball rolls away towards short fine leg.

13.30

BEATEN! Dragged length and wide outside off, Heinrich Klaasen throws his hands at it and gets beaten on the underedge. The keeper Quinton de Kock collects it behind the wickets and appeals for a caught behind, but the bowler looks not interested. The replays present that there was an inside edge on it.

13.26

SIX! A MASSIVE ONE NOW! Narine keeps it short and around off, Heinrich Klaasen stays on the back foot and smokes it over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

13.16

SIX! CLOBBERED! Narine drops it short and into the stumps, Heinrich Klaasen crouches a bit and thumps it over the deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 91/6

15 (13)

11 (11)

3-0-15-1

12.61

Dragged length, around off, with pace off, Klaasen knocks it down to long on for a single.

12.51

BEATEN! On a good length with pace taken off, around middle and leg. Pat Cummins gets deceived by the lack of the pace as he looks to defend it in the end but gets beaten on the inside edge.

12.44

FOUR! STREAKY! Short of a length, around the right shoulder of the batter, Pat Cummins swivels and looks to pull it but gets a top edge. The ball goes over the head of the keeper behind the wicket and races away to the boundary.

12.30

A well-directed bouncer from Rana, angling into the body of the batter. Pat Cummins gets into an awkward position as he looks to cut it at first. But he withdraws his shot in the end and looks to duck it, but the ball follows him and zips past his gloves to the keeper. Cummins loses his balance and falls on his back on the pitch. He then looks at the umpire to call it a dead ball as he mentions Harshit's towel dropping on the ground, right before he was about to deliver the ball. But, it is not entertained by the umpire.

12.20

Hits the deck hard, on short of a length, around middle and leg, Pat Cummins gets squared up and hops up to defend it to mid-wicket.

12.11

Begins with a back-of-a-length ball, around off, Heinrich Klaasen rides the bounce and drops it down to deep cover for a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 84/6

13 (11)

6 (7)

3-0-16-1

11.61

Short and around off, turns back in, Klaasen punches it to long on for a single.

11.51

Dragged length, around off, Cummins pushes it to the right of the bowler, who makes a fumble there and parries away to long on. The batters take a single.

11.40

Floated it up, around off, Pat Cummins looks to slice it to the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

11.30

Touch fuller and outside off, Pat Cummins comes forward and looks to drive it but misses.

11.22lb

LEG BYES! On a nagging length, around middle, turns back in sharply, Pat Cummins looks to punch it to the off side but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball kisses his thigh pad and goes towards third man as the batters take a couple of runs for leg byes.

11.10

Short and around off, Pat goes back and punches it to cover.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 80/6

5 (2)

12 (10)

3-0-19-1

10.61

Tossed it up, around off, Cummins drives it to deep cover for a single.

10.54

FOUR! INNOVATIVE! Varun bowls it quicker and on a nagging length, into the stumps. Pat Cummins shuffles across and ramps it to deep fine leg for a boundary to get off the mark.

10.4W

OUT! CAUGHT! Sunrisers Hyderabad lose their sixth, and Varun Chakaravarthy picks up his first wicket of the night! He switches to over the wicket again and bowls it on a dragged length, around off, keeping the pace of the ball a bit quicker. Aniket Verma clears his front leg and looks to slog it across towards mid-wicket. He mistimes it off the cue end of the bat and the fielder Venkatesh Iyer in the deep takes a few steps forward and takes it around his waist height.

Skipper Pat Cummins walks out to bat.

10.41wd

WIDE! Darts in a bit quicker, on a nagging length and wide outside off, from around the wicket. Aniket Verma leaves it alone and it is called a wide.

10.31

Touch short and outside off, Klaasen cuts it to deep cover for a single.

10.21

Quicker and keeps it short, into the stumps, Aniket turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

10.10

Drops it short and around off, Verma pats it down to point.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 72/5

5 (3)

11 (9)

2-0-14-1

9.61

Back of a length and just around off, it lands and spin back in. Aniket gets on top of the bounce and pushes it through the cover region for a single. Halfway through in the chase, SRH are 72/5.

9.61wd

Short and on middle, turning down the leg, Aniket Verma leaves it alone. Wided!

9.54

FOUR! Gets off the mark in style! Short and outside off, Aniket Verma stays back and cuts it away through point for a boundary.

9.40

Flighted, full and middle, Aniket Verma blocks out.

Aniket Verma walks out at number 7.

9.3W

OUT! TAKEN! Sunil Narine strikes! Once again, the strategic break brings in a wicket for the fielding side. This is another off-break, short and on off, turns away. Kamindu Mendis tries to heave it away but has to drag it and fails to get the timing right. It flies straight towards deep mid-wicket, where Anukul Roy (Sub) takes a fine catch. Sunrisers Hyderabad are in deep, deep trouble now.

9.22

An off-break, short and on off, turns away, Kamindu Mendis slaps it down the ground wide of long on for a brace.

9.11

Floated, short and on middle, Heinrich Klaasen swats it towards long on for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK. This game is well under the clutches of the Kolkata Knight Riders as they have managed to get rid of the dangerous top four of SRH before the halfway mark. The partnership between Kamindu Mendis and Nitish Kumar Reddy was just blossoming into something productive, but KKR have successfully managed to take wickets regularly. Kamindu Mendis is looking promising on his IPL debut and is joined by the power-hitter Heinrich Klaasen, with the asking rate well over 12 runs per over. The pressure is rightly on SRH as they face a dual challenge of not losing any more wickets quickly and also keeping up with the scoring rate. Sunil Narine (1-0-5-0) is to continue after the break.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 63/4

25 (18)

10 (8)

2-0-11-0

8.60

Goes short again, outside off, Kamindu Mendis slashes at it but misses.

8.50

Flatter, short and on off, Kamindu Mendis steers it to point.

8.41

Quicker, full and on middle, Heinrich Klaasen drills it to long on for another run.

8.34

FOUR! Put away! A bit slower, short and turning down the leg side, Heinrich Klaasen pulls it away to the fine leg fence for an easy boundary.

8.21

Flighted, full and on middle, Kamindu Mendis changes his stance and plays the reverse sweep well wide of deep point. Venkatesh Iyer quickly runs to his right to take it on the bounce. They cross.

8.11

Floated, short and on leg, Heinrich Klaasen eases it to long on for a single.

Spin in tandem now. Change of ends for Varun Chakaravarthy. He replaces Andre Russell.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 56/4

4 (5)

24 (15)

1-0-5-0

7.61

Another short delivery, on off, Heinrich Klaasen punches it to long on for one more.

7.51

Goes short again and on off, Kamindu Mendis flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

7.41

Flighted, full and on leg, Heinrich Klaasen clips it through square leg for another run.

7.30

A bit short and on leg, Heinrich Klaasen pats it to mid-wicket.

7.21

Uppish but safe! Floated, full and on off, turns away, Kamindu Mendis looks work it away but gets a leading edge wide of cover-point for a run.

7.11

Tossed up, fulll and on middle, Heinrich Klaasen eases it to long on for a single.

Sunil Narine is brought into the attack. He replaces Varun Chakaravarthy. Also, a change of ball as the fourth umpire walks out with the suitcase of the replacement balls. The previous one got lost between the two stands, behind the deep fine leg fence, and hence, a new ball has been taken.

Runs Scored 18 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 51/4

22 (13)

1 (1)

1-0-18-1

6.66

SIX! BOOM! 18 runs and a wicket from the over then! Andre Russell bangs this onto the pitch but down leg again. Kamindu Mendis swivels on his toes and hooks it well over the fine leg fence for another biggie. The ball seems to have gone into the gap between the stands, and we will need a replacement.

6.51

Very full and on off, Heinrich Klaasen drills it past the bowler and wide of mid off. The fielder dives to his right to make a half-stop. They corss.

Heinrich Klaasen walks out to bat at number 6, with SRH in all sorts of trouble.

6.4W

OUT! TAKEN! Dre Russ's golden arm works again for KKR! Pitched up and on middle, there to be hit. Nitish Kumar Reddy can slog it anywhere on the ground, but he is a bit early into his shot and half-heartedly flicks it uppishly and straight down the throat of long on. Sunil Narine takes a few steps forward and gobbles it up. The bowling change brings in another wicket for the hosts, and SRH are 44/4 now!

6.31

Full again and on middle, Kamindu Mendis tucks it through mid-wicket for a single.

6.24

FOUR! Up and over! Fuller one and just around off, Kamindu Mendis gets under it and lofts it nicely over extra covers for a boundary.

6.16

SIX! BANG! Kamindu Mendis greets Dre Russ with a big hit! This is short of a length and angling into the leg side. Mendis picks it up nicely and just helps it on its way over the deep backward square leg for a biggie.

Andre Russell replaces Vaibhav Arora.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 33/3

5 (9)

19 (14)

1-0-4-0

5.61

Loopy, full and on middle, Kamindu Mendis knocks it to long on for one. Sunrisers Hyderabad are 33/3 at the end of the Powerplay!

5.51

Flatter, short and on middle, Nitish Kumar Reddy nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

5.40

Flighted, full and on middle, Nitish Kumar Reddy clips it to mid-wicket.

5.30

A big shout for LBW, but turned down! However, Ajinkya Rahane takes the review here despite QDK not so sure about it. This is tossed up, full and on middle, turns in a bit. Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to play with a straight bat but misses and gets hit on the pads. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows it is missing the leg stump. KKR lose a review!

5.20

Floated, full and on middle, Nitish Kumar Reddy tucks it to short mid-wicket.

5.12

Varun Chakaravarthy starts with a shorter delivery, on leg, angling in, Nitish Kumar Reddy flicks it through square leg and comes back for the second run. Good running!

Varun Chakaravarthy is introduced into the attack now. He replaces Harshit Rana.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 29/3

16 (9)

4 (8)

3-1-21-2

4.61

Ends with a short ball, around off, NKR pats it down towards backward point and steals a single.

4.50

BEATEN! Arora hits the deck hard, on back of a legth, around off, angling in, gets to nip back in, a leg cutter as it seems so. Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to pull it but gets deceived by the lack of the pace and gets beaten on the inside edge.

4.46

SIX! DISPATCHED! Arors bowls a full toss, a freebie, around leg, Nitish Kumar Reddy lunges and uses his wrists to flick it. The ball sails over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

4.34

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Short of a length, around off, on the right shoulder of the batter, Nitish Kumar Reddy goes back and pulls it. The ball goes all along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

4.20

A yorker around leg, NKR gets squared up, and he looks to flick it. Gets a leading edge towards cover for no run.

4.14

FOUR! EASY PICKINGS! Arors owls it down the leg side and on a length, Nitish Kumar Reddy just waits for it and picks it up, He flicks it towards deep backward square leg for a boundary.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 14/3

4 (8)

1 (3)

2-0-8-1

3.62

Back of a length, angling into the body of the batter, Mendis shifts his weight to the back foot and looks to pull it. He mistimes it in the air as the ball gets big on him. The ball goes towards deep square leg for a couple of runs before Ramandeep Singh picks it up and throws it to the keeper.

3.52

A slower ball again, on a length and wide outside off, Kamindu Mendis shuffles across and opens the bat face to guide it. He beats the diving short third man fielder to his left and takes a couple of runs.

3.40

PACE AND BOUNCE! Rana bangs the deck hard with a short ball, on the left shoulder of the batter, Kamindu Mendis goes back and looks to pull it but the ball gets big on him. He misses out as the ball goes to the keeper.

3.31

Rana rolls his fingers on the ball and pitches it up, around off, Nitish nudges it wide of mid on for a quick single.

3.20

Short of a length, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy looks to cut it but gets it off the inner half of the bat back to the bowler.

3.10

Back of a length, around off, Nitish Kumar Reddy leaves it alone.

Runs Scored 0 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 9/3

0 (5)

0 (0)

2-1-6-2

2.60

DROPPED! Andre Russell has spilled a chance and Kamindu Mendis survives! Arora bowls it slightly fuller and around off, Kamindu Mendis leans on and flicks it. He mistimes it off the cue end of the bat and the ball goes towards mid on. Andre Russell runs in to his left there and leaps a bit to take it with a reverse cup, over his head, but the ball bursts out through his hands.

2.50

On a good length and into the pads, Kamindu Mendis misses his flick shot and gets hit on the front pad.

2.40

Lovely Bowling! Full and around off, angling away from the batter, Kamindu Mendis looks to drive it on the up but gets beaten on the outside edge.

2.30

Lands it full again and well outside off, seaming away, Kamindu Mendis chops it out to the keeper off the inside edge to the keeper.

2.20

Full and outside off, Kamindu Mendis looks to drive it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Kamindu Mendis is the next man in.

2.1W

OUT! CAUGHT! Kolkata Knight Riders are all over Sunrisers Hyderabad now as they have taken the third wicket, and the skipper, Ajinkya Rahane, is pumped up! Arora picks up his second wicket and bowls it slightly fuller and well outside off, gets it to shape away from the batter. Ishan Kishan wants to cash in on this width offered as he comes forward and drives it hard. The ball goes off the bottom part of the bat and towards cover. Ajinkya Rahane moves to his left a bit and takes it with outstretched hands. A brilliant catch to end the inning of Kishan as he goes for 2 (5) and KKR are 9/3.

Nitish Kumar Reddy is the next man in.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 9/2

2 (6)

2 (4)

1-0-3-1

1.6W

OUT! CAUGHT! Sunrisers Hyderabad lose their second in the second over only, and they are into early trouble in this big chase. Harshit bowls it on a good length and well outside off, with pace taken off, and tries to keep it away from the batter. Abhishek Sharma looks to cut it but manages to get a thick outside edge only as the ball goes to the first slip where Venkatesh Iyer fumbles in the first attempt but takes it in the second one with both hands. KKR are 9/2 and Abhinav Sharma is gone for 2(6).

1.50

On a good length and wide outside off, with pace taken off, stays a bit low as well, Abhishek Sharma watches it carefully and decides not to offer any shot at it.

1.41

Nagging length and well outside off, Ishan Kishan covers the off stump and slahses it hard but straight to deep point for a single.

1.30

BEATEN! Corrects his length and line, on a hard length and in the channel outside off, Ishan Kishan looks to slice it to the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

1.31wd

WIDE! Goes a bit fuller but wide of outside off, Ishan Kishan chases it but fails to connect it. Called a wide.

1.21

A quick single! Slightly back of a length and into the stumps, Abhishek Sharma looks to flat-bat it down the ground but gets an inside edge onto his pads. He runs off for a quick single as the ball rolls away towards the right of the bowler beside the pitch.

1.10

Lands it on a good length and around off, Sharma drops it down to backward point.

Harshit Rana to share the attack.

Runs Scored 6 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 6/1

1 (2)

1 (2)

1-0-6-1

0.61

Short of a length, around off, Sharma rides the bounce and pats it down wide of backward point for a single.

0.50

Back of a length, around off, Abhishek Sharma stands tall and slices it off the bottom part of the bat to cover point.

0.41

Nagging length, around off, Kishan cuts it wide of cover point for a single to get off the mark.

0.30

On a good length, around off, Ishan leaves it alone.

Ishan Kishan walks out to bat at number 3.

0.2W

OUT! CAUGHT! Vaibhav Arora provides an early breakthrough on his second ball only, and the dangerous Travis Head is back into the hut! Arora bowls it on a good length and outside off, trying to keep it away from the batter's arc. Travis Head swings at it and mistimes it highly in the air towards mid off. Harshit Rana backtracks a bit and takes it with both hands just outside the circle before tumbling onto the ground. SRH are 4/1, and Head is gone for 4(2).

0.14

FOUR! WOW! WHAT A START TO THE CHASE! Sunrisers Hyderabad and Travis Head are underway straightaway and with some style! Arora bowls it fuller and around off, Travis Head comes forward and chips it aerially. He is a bit early into his shot and miscues it, but the ball clears the mid off fielder to his left and goes to the boundary.

Commentary

We are back for the chase! The Kolkata Knight Riders players are in a huddle where Ajinkya Rahane is giving them a last-minute pep talk. Then, they spread out to take their respective field positions. The destructive duo of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma are the two openers for Sunrisers Hyderabad. Head comes in as the Impact Player, replacing Zeeshan Ansari. Vaibhav Arora is the Impact Player for KKR in place of Angkrish Raghuvanshi. He will also start proceedings with the ball. Here we go...

... THE RUN CHASE ...

As we head into the chase, KKR holds the momentum after a strong finish and will bank on their quality bowling attack, especially spinners Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy, to defend this total. On the other hand, SRH had the game in control but let things slip at the death. Now, their hopes rest on their explosive top order, particularly Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, to provide a flying start in pursuit of this challenging target. Who will take the upper hand? The second inning promises plenty of action, so stay tuned, as the chase is about to begin!

Venkatesh Iyer of KKR is up for a chat now. He begins by mentioning that the ball was holding a bit on the surface and also feels it is not the Eden pitch that he is used to playing at. Adds that it is on the slower side. Feels that they have got a competitive total on the board and believes if they bowl well, they can defend it. Admits that he didn't get good scores in the last few innings and says he wanted to get the feel of the pitch and take some time. Credits to Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Ajinkya Rahane for batting the way they did. Tells that the message was clear to take time and once you adapt, go hard at it. Says that the BCCI has made it mandatory to play domestic cricket, which he opines is a great opportunity to test themselves against the new bowlers. Concludes by saying that whenever he gets the opportunity to play domestic cricket, or even at the club level, he is ready to play because he just wants to bat as much as he can.

For Sunrisers Hyderabad, their bowling was disciplined for the first 15 overs, keeping KKR under control and preventing them from running away with the game. Every bowler chipped in with one wicket each, apart from Simarjeet Singh, showcasing a well-rounded effort. However, things fell apart in the last five overs, where they leaked a massive 78 runs, something that could haunt them later. Their fielding also left much to be desired, with some misfields and a crucial dropped catch by Nitish Kumar Reddy adding to their woes.

The turning point came when vice-captain Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh took charge. Initially, they played sensibly, rotating the strike and keeping the scoreboard ticking, but as the inning neared its end, they shifted gears in style. Their partnership of 91 runs in just 41 balls provided KKR with the late boost they needed. Iyer, who had struggled in the first three matches, finally found his rhythm, smashing a fiery fifty off just 25 balls. He unleashed an onslaught in the death overs, sending the ball flying to all parts of the ground and ensuring KKR finished strong.

The inning of Kolkata Knight Riders was pretty interesting, filled with ups and downs, but they managed to put up a solid total of 200/6. The big question now is, will this be enough on what looks like a good batting pitch? The answer will unfold in the second inning. KKR’s openers once again failed to provide a strong start, both departing inside the Powerplay. That left them in early trouble at 16/2, but skipper Ajinkya Rahane and young Angkrish Raghuvanshi stepped up, stitching together a crucial 81-run partnership to rescue the inning. Raghuvanshi looked impressive, bringing up his second IPL fifty, but just when things were looking settled, both he and Rahane fell in quick succession, causing KKR to slip from a promising 97/2 to 106/4.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 20 overs : 200/6

1 (2)

32 (17)

4-0-43-1

19.6W

OUT! RUN OUT! An anti-climactic end to the innings! Harshal Patel bowls a slower bocuner, on off. Andre Russell goes for the pull early and misses. He sets off to steal a bye but is sent back. Heinrich Klaasen, the keeper, collects and puts in an underarm throw to hit the stumps at the batter's end. The replay shows that Dre Russ is short of his crease. Kolkata Knight Riders finishes on exactly 200/5!

Is that a run out? Heinrich Klaasen collects the ball and strikes a direct hit at the striker's end. Andre Russell tries to drag the bat into the popping crease, but the side-on replay shows Dre Russ is just short of his crease when the stumps were hit. OUT!

19.51

Overpitched and outside off, Rinku Singh drills it away to sweeper covers for just one. 200 UP FOR KKR NOW!

19.51wd

WIDE! Harshal Patel bowls a bouncer, on middle and off, Rinku Singh looks to pull it away but misses. It is given a wide on field. However, SRH has taken the review. The replay shows that it is over the head of the batter and the decision stands.

19.41

Short of a length and outside off, Andre Russell stabs it towards covers for a single.

Andre Russell walks in to bat at number 7.

19.3W

OUT! TAKEN! Harshal Patel gets a wicket! Venkatesh Iyer walks back after a smashing knock of 60 off just 29 balls, lighting up the Eden Gardens. This is a slower one, full and on middle. Iyer shuffles across in his crease and looks to slog it down the ground. However, he mistimes it a bit as the ball goes miles up in the air. Aniket Verma at long on settles under it and takes a good catch. KKR 197/5 now!

19.24

FOUR! Harshal Patel loses his grip and bowls a high full toss, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer throws the kitchen sink at it and slices it over short third for a boundary. Venky has taken the review to see if it is above his waist or not. The replay shows that it is not and it is a fair delivery.

19.16

SIX! Starts the last over with a bang! A slower one, back of a length and on off. Venkatesh Iyer picks up the length early and whacks it over the long on fence for a biggie. This is getting a bit out of hands for SRH now.

Harshal Patel (3-0-30-0) to wrap the first innings with the ball.

Runs Scored 21 Runs

Score after 19 overs : 187/4

50 (26)

31 (16)

4-0-44-1

18.61lb

Follows the batter well, full and on leg, Venkatesh Iyer looks to whip it away but misses and gets hit on the pads as the ball rolls away to square leg. A leg bye is taken. 21 runs from Cummins' last over.

18.52

FIFTY FOR VENKY! Back-to back half-centuries against SRH! He scored a fifty in last year's final as well against the same opposition. This is a full toss, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer drills it down the pitch where Cummins gets his left foot on it to parry it towards long on. A single is taken. The fielder throws it at the bowler's end where it hits the stumps and deflects away, allowing a second run.

18.44

FOUR! This is top batting from Venky! Cummins sees the batter back away and bowls this full, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer still gets his bat on to that and slices it over point for four more runs.

18.34

FOUR! Oh..what a shot! Pat Cummins bowls a good yorker, on leg, angling in. Venkatesh Iyer somehow manages to get his bat on it and jams it away to the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

18.26

SIX! BANG! 10 off the first two balls already! Short of a length again, on middle, slower again. Venkatesh Iyer is already expecting that, stands tall and hammers it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

18.14

FOUR! Innovative and effective! Pat Cummins bangs this into the pitch and on off, takes pace off. Venkatesh Iyer moves very early across to get into position and scoops it over the keeper's head for a boundary.

Who bowls the penultimate over? Cummins or Harshal? The skipper, Pat Cummins returns for his final over. He is 3-0-24-1 so far.

Runs Scored 17 Runs

Score after 18 overs : 166/4

31 (16)

30 (20)

4-0-47-0

17.66

SIX! That is outta here! 44 in the last three overs now! Simarjeet Singh serves this right in the slot, on middle. Rinku Singh just clears his from leg away and smokes it way over the long on fence for a biggie.

17.51

Hard length and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer swats it to deep mid-wicket for one.

17.44

FOUR! TWO IN TWO! Simarjeet Singh bangs this into the pitch again, on middle, sits up nicely for the batter. Venkatesh Iyer picks up the length early and heaves it away between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for four more runs.

17.34

FOUR! Powered away! Short of a length and outside off. Venkatesh Iyer uses the width on offer and slaps it wide of extra covers for a boundary.

17.21

Back of a length and on middle, slower too, Rinku Singh pulls it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a run.

17.11

Full toss, outside off, Venkatesh Iyer slices it on the bounce to deep point for a single. 150 up for KKR now!

Simarjeet Singh (3-0-30-0) returns into the attack.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 17 overs : 149/4

20 (16)

24 (14)

3-0-30-0

16.61

Back of a length and on middle, takes pace off, Venkatesh Iyer pulls it to deep square leg for one more. 15 runs off the over, 27 in the last two!

16.51

Hard length and on off, Rinku Singh steers it to point for one.

16.44

FOUR! Make that three in a row! Harshal Patel goes very full and around off. Rinku Singh gets right underneath it and smashes it between mid off and extra covers for another boundary. Rinku is finding momentum now!

16.34

FOUR! Very sloppy in the field and another boundary! This is a full toss, well outside off. Rinku Singh does well to reach it and slices it towards deep point. Aniket Verma runs to his right and sits on one knee to stop it but only parries it to the fence for four runs.

16.24

FOUR! Top shot! Sweet sound of the bat! Harshal Patel bangs this into the pitch and on middle. Rinku Singh stands tall, gets on top of the bounce and smacks it away powerfully to the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

16.11

A slower one, on a length and on off, Venkatesh Iyer guides it through backward point for a single.

Harshal Patel is back on. He is 2-0-15-0 so far and replaces Simarjeet Singh.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 16 overs : 134/4

11 (10)

18 (14)

4-0-29-1

15.64

FOUR! Easy pickings! A juicy full toss, outside off, Rinku Singh reaches out for it well and scythes it over extra covers for a boundary. 12 runs off the over!

15.51

Much fuller this time, on middle, angling in, Venkatesh Iyer backs away and drills it to long off for a run.

15.44

FOUR! Nicely done! Mohammad Shami bangs this one into the pitch and just outside off. Venkatesh Iyer stays back, uses the pace on the ball to ramp it over short third for a boundary.

15.32

Pitched up and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer flicks it away through mid-wicket for a brace.

15.20

Swing and a miss! A clever slower bouncer, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer goes through his pull very early and misses.

15.11

Fuller and on off, Rinku Singh drives it through covers for a single.

STRATEGIC BREAK! KKR are at a crucial juncture after the first 15 overs as they have 122/4 on the board. Their best batter of today, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, fell just a couple of overs ago after registering his fifty, and they need a strong finish here. This ground is known for a good batting surface, and the defendable score in the first inning is well over 200, which KKR will have in their mind for sure. They have Andre Russell, Moeen Ali and Ramandeep Singh in the dugout, and thus, they will bank on them to get them past the 200 mark. On the other hand, SRH have tilted this game in their favor with two key wickets, and they will want to have a couple more. An interesting passage of play is ahead of us, and with that, Mohammad Shami comes back into the attack.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 15 overs : 122/4

11 (10)

6 (8)

3-0-30-0

14.60

Overpitched, on off, Venkatesh Iyer carves it out to the left of mid off. Zeeshan Ansari slides to the left and stops the ball.

14.56

SIX! Helped on its way! A bit wayward from Simarjeet as he bangs short, on the leg stump, it climbs around the right shoulder of Venkatesh. He goes back into the crease, waits and pulls it behind deep fine leg for a six.

14.41

18 balls since the last boundary! Short, on middle, pulled to deep mid-wicket for a single.

14.30

Another slower one, at 119.2 kph, on a good length, around off, Rinku Singh charges down to flat bat, but mistimes it off the toe-end of the bat on the pitch.

14.22

Slower, shorter and on the leg stump. Rinku Singh waits for it and pulls along the ground to the right of deep backward square leg. Harshal Patel slides to his right to stop. A slight fumble from him, but recovers quickly and keeps it to two only.

14.10

Right into the blockhole, on the leg stump. Rinku Singh gets slanted and jams it out to the pitch.

Change of ends for Simarjeet Singh. His figures read (2-0-21-0) so far.

Runs Scored 5 Runs

Score after 14 overs : 113/4

3 (4)

5 (8)

2-0-15-0

13.61

Short again, angling into the batter, on off, Rinku Singh inside edges as he looks to pull. The ball deflects off his thigh pad to the left of the keeper. Klaasen slides to his left to stop the ball, but it evades him and runs down to deep third. A single taken.

13.51

Into the surface, short and on the leg stump, Venkatesh Iyer pulls towards deep square leg for a single.

13.40

At 126.1 kph, fairly outside off, on a good length, Venkatesh Iyer swings to cut it square, but misses to connect.

13.31

Hard length, on the leg stump line, angling on middle. Rinku Singh prods forward and eases out to the cover region for a single.

13.31wd

WIDE! A wayward delivery, down leg, on a length. Rinku Singh lets it be. Wide called.

13.20

Shorter and across middle, Rinku Singh gets on the back foot, and taps it out to the point region.

13.11

Around the stumps, on a good length, on off, Venkatesh Iyer taps it across to the vacant mid on region for a single.

Harshal Patel (1-0-10-0) is back into the attack.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 13 overs : 108/4

3 (5)

1 (1)

1-0-4-1

12.61

Too full, around off, Venkatesh Iyer gets forward and drives wide of long off for a single to end the over.

12.51

Bowls right arm, from around the wicket now. Short and outside the off stump. This is punched off the back foot for a single at deep cover.

Rinku Singh walks out to bat now.

12.4W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! A sensational catch by Harshal Patel. Another important wicket for SRH. Kamindu gives the ball some air, and lands on a fuller length, just outside off. Angkrish Raghuvanshi comes charging down the track and tries to loft it inside out over cover. But doesn't quite get his bat properly under the ball and ends up slicing it over backward point. Harshal Patel comes running forward as the ball dips ahead of him. He dives forward and scoops it before the grass, with his fingers underneath the ball. After several checks, the third umpire also deems that it is a fair catch. KKR have slipped from 97/2 to 106/4 as Raghuvanshi departs for 50 (32).

Is that a clean catch? On first glance, it looks like Harshal Patel has taken the catch cleanly, but the umpires wants to make sure. The replays shows that the fingers are underneath the ball and it is another wicket for SRH.

12.30

Sliding on the leg stump, full in length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi stabs it beside the turf.

12.21

Dropped short at 91.6 kph, on the stumps, Iyer hangs back and pulls along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single.

12.11

FIFTY FOR ANGKRISH RAGHUVANSHI! A gritty knock from him! Kamindu Mendis comes into the attack and floats it up, full and around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi drives inside out to widish long off for a single. Second IPL fifty for the young right hander.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 12 overs : 104/3

1 (3)

49 (29)

2-0-21-0

11.60

On a hard length, over the top of the stumps. Venkatesh Iyer charges down the track and stays leg side. Punches it, but straight to the cover fielder.

11.51

Short at 121.5 kph, on the body, Angkrish Raghuvanshi jabs it to the backward square leg region for a single.

11.44

FOUR! The 100 is up for Kolkata Knight Riders with this graceful stroke from Raghuvanshi! Fuller and just around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi drives it a bit uppishly, but into the cover gap for a boundary.

11.31

Pace on, over the top of middle, Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and punches through cover for a single.

11.20

Play and a miss! Around off, full in length, Iyer tries to push to the off side, but misses.

11.11

DROPPED! Nitish Kumar Reddy is the culprit! Wasn't the most difficult of chances there, and he is fuming with himself! Back of a length, on middle, Raghuvanshi pulls over mid-wicket. Nitish Kumar Reddy, from the deep, runs and dives forward to catch, but the ball goes in and out of his palms and rolls beside him. A single taken.

Venkatesh Iyer is the next man in.

Runs Scored 13 Runs

Score after 11 overs : 97/3

38 (27)

43 (26)

3-0-25-1

10.6W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A big wicket in the context of this game! Zeeshan breaks this established partnership and KKR lose their third wicket on 97. Zeeshan slows it up, and lands fuller, just outside off. It pitches and spins off the deck. Ajinkya Rahane is a tad bit early to play the reverse sweep. The ball grazes Ajinkya's gloves and lobs to the right of the keeper. Heinrich Klaasen reacts quickly and moves to the direction of the ball. Takes a fine catch.

10.51

Nice and full, around off, a googly, driven through cover for a single.

10.44

FOUR! Innovative, and mighty effective! Zeeshan goes a bit short, around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi switches his stance quickly and reverses it over backward point for a one-bounce boundary.

10.36

SIX! Well played! A leggie, full and around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi takes his front foot out of the way and lofts it straight over the bowler's head for a cracking six.

10.22

Too full, on the leg stump, Angkrish Raghuvanshi reverse sweeps it along the ground, to deep backward point. Nitish Kumar Reddy runs and slides to his left to intercept the ball. Two taken.

10.10

Slides on middle, full in length, Ajinkya leans ahead and drives it out to the off side.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 10 overs : 84/2

38 (26)

30 (21)

3-0-24-1

9.66

SIX! AN AUTHORITATIVE SHOT! Pat hits the deck hard and bowls it on a hard length, angling into the batter. Ajinkya Rahane transfers his weight to the back foot and butchers it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. KKR are 84/2 at the halfway point of the inning.

9.51

Good fielding! Full and around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi drives it towards mid off. The fielder does well there to make a dive to his left and stops the ball. Just a single for the batter.

9.41

An off-cutter and on a good length, wide outside off, Ajinkya Rahane cuts it to deep cover for a single.

9.30

Touch full and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane swings hard and looks to loft it down the ground. He misses out and looks in frustration.

9.20

Hard length and wide outside off, keeps it away from the batter as he sees Rahene shuffling in the crease. Ajinkya looks to ramp it over short fine leg but the ball comes later and gets his underedge and goes to the keeper, Heinrich Klaasen, on the bounce.

9.11

Back of a length, on top of off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi waits for it and runs it down to deep third for a single.

Runs Scored 4 Runs

Score after 9 overs : 75/2

28 (19)

31 (22)

2-0-12-0

8.61

A leg break but short and outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi cuts it to deep cover for a single.

8.51

Floated it up, around off, Rahane flicks it to long on for a single.

8.41

Keeps it shorter and outside off, Angkrish cuts it to deep cover and runs off the first one very quickly. He wants a second one but is sent back by his skipper.

8.30

Dragged length and touch outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi cuts it off the back foot but straight to backward point.

8.21

A leg break, full and around off, Ajinkya Rahane slices it to deep cover for a single.

8.10

On a nagging length, around leg, Rahane looks to flick it but gets a leading edge towards extra cover.

Runs Scored 10 Runs

Score after 8 overs : 71/2

26 (16)

29 (19)

1-0-10-0

7.64

FOUR! GLORIOUS! Patel serves it much full and around off, right in the slot, Angkrish Raghuvanshi lunges and creams his drive in the gap towards extra cover. Zeeshan Ansari tries to intercept it at cover but gets his fingertips on it only as the ball goes to the boundary.

7.50

BEATEN! Patel hits the deck hard, on a back of a length but with pace taken off completely. Angkrish Raghuvanshi looks to cut it off the back foot but gets deceived by the lack of the pace on the ball.

7.41

Full again but with pace off, around off, Rahane comes forward and drives it to the right of the bowler for a single.

7.31

Touch fuller and into the pads, Angkrish flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7.20

Full and around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi leans on and drives it back to the bowler, who stops it on his follow-through.

7.14

FOUR! Angkrish Raghuvanshi greets Harshal Patel with a boundary! Patel bowls it much fuller and wide outside off, Angkrish crouches and extends his arms to reach out. He slices it towards deep backward point. Ishan Kishan runs in to his left and puts in a dive but fails to stop the ball from going to the boundary.

Strategic Break! Despite losing a couple of wickets early on, Kolkata Knight Riders have recovered well. However, they know that these two at the crease need to extend this partnership further to set up a solid base for their power hitters to go big at the death. Sunrisers Hyderabad have done well so far, but they will want to pick up a couple of more wickets to put pressure on the middle order, which is yet to fire for the home side. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us. Also, Harshal Patel comes into the attack now.

Runs Scored 8 Runs

Score after 7 overs : 61/2

28 (18)

17 (11)

1-0-8-0

6.60

Nearly a chopped on! Too short from Zeeshan and well outside off, Ajinkya Rahane throws his hands at it and looks to cut it. Gets an underedge as the ball goes past the off stump and hits the keeper's pads.

6.51

On a nagging length, around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi goes back and pushes it to deep mid-wicket for one.

6.40

Tossed it up, around middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi comes forward and defends it right under his eyes.

6.31

Short and around leg, Rahane turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

6.24

FOUR! A MISFIELD AND A BOUNDARY! Zeeshan keeps it short again a leg break and outside off. Ajinkya Rahane stays on the back foot and cuts it towards deep backward point. Nitish Kumar Reddy runs in to his left and slides to stop the ball but makes a mess of it. The ball goes over the ropes.

6.12

Drops it short and around middle, Ajinkya Rahane goes back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket. Kamindu Mendis does wel to run in to his right and saves two runs for his side.

Time for some spin now as Zeeshan Ansari comes into the attack.

Runs Scored 15 Runs

Score after 6 overs : 53/2

16 (9)

21 (14)

1-0-14-0

5.66

SIX! CLOBBERED! Short of a length, around middle and leg, not a good line to any batter. Angkrish Raghuvanshi swivels on his toes and pulls it over the deep fine leg fence for a biggie to end the over. KKR are 53/2 after the Powerplay.

5.51lb

Leg bye! Singh hits the deck hard, and into the body, with pace taken off. Ajinkya Rahane is a tad early into his shot as he swivels to pull it, but the ball comes later than he expected. He wears it on the right bicep and takes a leg bye as the ball rolls away towards cover-point.

5.41

On a good length, on top of off, coming in with the angle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi waits for it and opens bat face to pat it down towards extra cover for a quick single.

5.31

A quick single! Back of a length and around off, Rahane taps it in front of cover and gets to the other end quickly.

5.26

SIX! CRACKING SHOT! Singh bowls it on a hard length and angling into the body of the batter, tries to not give any room. Ajinkya Rahane swivels on his toes and swings it. The ball sails over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

5.10

Begins with a good-length ball, touch outside off, Ajinkya Rahane crouches and flat-bats at it to cover. He wants to have a single but is sent back by his partner.

Runs Scored 12 Runs

Score after 5 overs : 38/2

9 (7)

14 (10)

3-0-17-1

4.64

FOUR! KKR gradually finding their rhythm! An expensive over from Shami! On a good length, around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi comes down the track, and lofts it over backward point. The ball keeps dribbling towards the fence as the deep backward point fielder runs across to his left to stop the ball. Stretches his hands over his shoulders, but the ball bounces on one of the practice pitches and nips away and bounces high enough above the chasing fielder to go into the fence. 12 runs from this over, 21 from the last two.

4.51

Back of a length, on top of off, Ajinkya Rahane gets on the back foot and tucks it between mid on and mid-wicket for a single.

4.46

SIX! Into the orbit! The KKR skipper is up and running with a couple of biggies already! Delivered right into the slot from Shami, on off, full, Ajinkya Rahane bends his back knee and picks it up nicely. Whips it aerially behind deep backward square leg for a cracking six.

4.30

Pitched on a good length, outside off, at 141.1 kph, Ajinkya Rahane weighs on the back foot and punches hard, but to the cover region where the fielder makes a diving stop to his right.

4.20

Hard length, on off, Ajinkya Rahane hangs back and works it straight to the point fielder.

4.11

Good length, around off, at 137.4 kph, Angkrish leans back and punches through cover-point for a single.

Runs Scored 9 Runs

Score after 4 overs : 26/2

7 (6)

4 (5)

2-0-15-1

3.60

A good response from Cummins! Bashes the hard length, nipping back in from off, Ajinkya Rahane is cramped up for room as he tries to work the ball to the off side. Misses to connect and the ball deflects off the back thigh pad and carries to Klaasen behind the wickets.

3.56

SIX! BOOM! A yard behind fuller length, around off, nipping a shy bit in, Ajinkya Rahane picks it well and deposits it behind deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

3.41

On the back of a length, coming a bit quicker off the deck on the body. Angkrish Raghuvanshi miscues the pull shot, clears square leg and lands on the bounce towards deep square leg. Just a single.

3.30

Fuller again, just outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi tries to cut it away, but inside edges onto the thigh pad. The ball rolls near the stumps, and he sniffs a single but is sent back by Rahane on a sharp call. Raghuvanshi retreats back to get home as Cummins charges towards the ball. But the batter gets home safely in the end.

3.22

Oopsie! A schoolboy error in the field there! Full and around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi gets on the front foot and drives to the cover fielder, who lets the ball through to the deep, allowing a couple of runs.

3.10

Bangs it hard on the surface, around off, skids and bounces more off the deck. Angkrish Raghuvanshi premeditates and charges down to cut it square but misses as the ball passes over his angled bat.

Runs Scored 3 Runs

Score after 3 overs : 17/2

1 (4)

1 (1)

2-0-5-1

2.60

Back of a length, on off, Rahane climbs on the ball and punches it to the point fielder.

2.50

Touch fuller and around off, Rahane leans forward and works it to the off side.

2.41

Nagging length, around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi opens the bat face and guides through point for a single to get off the mark.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi walks in to bat at number four.

2.3W

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Sunil Narine is in total surprise with the umpire's finger being raised up on the appeal from Shami. Looks at Rahane in hope, and then decides not to take the referral. Again, KKR lose both their openers very cheaply! Shami spears it across off, on a very fuller length, Sunil Narine bends low to carve it out to the off side, but gets a thick outside edge. The ball carries back to Heinrich Klaasen who takes a sharp catch, diving low to his left. Sunil Narine departs and KKR are 16/2 now.

2.21

A good shot and an equally good fielding from Cummins! Full and on the stumps, flicked by Ajinkya to the right of mid on where Pat Cummins slides to the ball and stops it. Just a single.

2.11

Fuller and on middle, Sunil Narine lofts it over mid on for a single.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 2 overs : 14/1

0 (1)

6 (5)

1-0-6-1

1.60

A successful over for the SRH skipper! Back of a length, on off, Ajinkya Rahane hops on the back foot and pats it to the bowler.

The skipper of KKR, Ajinkya Rahane, will bat at number three.

1.5W

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Skipper Pat Cummins bowls according to his field and gets the breakthrough in his first over! He bangs it into the surface, on the middle stump line. Quinton de Kock stays on the back foot and attempts to pull it behind square leg, but gets the timing incorrect. Does go through the shot aerially, off the higher part of the bat. The ball sails only as far as Zeeshan Ansari stationed at deep square leg. He runs in a few steps forward and takes a simple catch on his haunches. Quinton de Kock departs on 1 (6). KKR are 14/1.

1.41lb

At 143.6 kph, at the stumps, on a length, Sunil Narine misses to connect and the ball deflects off the thigh pad to the off side. They cross for a leg bye as the ball rolls in front of cover-point.

1.30

A full toss and on off, Sunil Narine carves it out to covers, but Aniket Verma does well to intercept the ball.

1.20

A good comeback delivery from Pat Cummins! Nails the yorker at the legs, Sunil Narine tries to whip to the leg side, but the ball goes between his legs to the keeper.

1.16

SIX! Cummins is greeted with a lusty blow! The first six of the evening! Pat hurls on a good length, keeping it around off, Sunil Narine gets a good bounce to work with and stays on the back foot. Pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a cracking six.

The skipper of SRH, Pat Cummins, brings himself as he will bowl from the other end.

Runs Scored 7 Runs

Score after 1 overs : 7/0

1 (5)

0 (1)

1-0-2-0

0.60

BEATEN! At 144.4 kph, on a good length, just outside off, nibbling away. Quinton de Kock tries to slash through the point region but misses as the ball nips away and beats the outside edge. 7 runs from the opening over then.

0.50

Back of a length around off, Quinton de Kock hops on the back foot and keeps it out to the point region.

0.40

On a good length, across off, Quinton de Kock taps it off the back foot to backward point.

0.31lb

At 140.4 kph, length, angling at the pads, Sunil Narine lifts his front leg to nudge it into the leg side, but misses. The ball deflects off his pads into the leg side. They cross for a leg bye.

0.21

On the back of a length, on the stumps, Quinton de Kock tucks it across between mid-wicket and square leg for a single. QDK is off the mark, and first runs off the bat.

0.14lb

FOUR LEG BYES! Swinging into the pads, on a fullish length, Quinton de Kock misses to tickle it away and the ball deflects off the front pad and runs away to the deep fine leg fence.

0.11wd

WIDE! Shami starts off with a loosener. Around the stumps, angling way down the leg side, on a length. QDK leaves. Wide called.

All in readiness for this contest to get underway in the City of Joy. As per the traditions, the bell has been rung by the great Sri Lankan, Muttiah Muralitharan, who is accompanied by Rinku Singh of KKR. A buzzing Eden Gardens with a sea of purple and an odd sprinkling of orange here and there welcomes the two umpires who walk out to the middle. The two openers for KKR, Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine, arrive at the crease. The new ball has been handed over to Mohammad Shami, who will open the attack for SRH. The clock ticks off, and here we go...

The captain of Kolkata Knight Riders, Ajinkya Rahane says that the pitch looks good but they were going to bowl first as well. Adds that he hopes the wicket helps their spinners. Mentions that they have had a chat about how to improve things, but this format is all about playing with freedom. Informs that Moeen Ali comes in for Spencer Johnson.

The skipper of Sunrisers Hyderabad, Pat Cummins, says that they are going to bowl first. Adds that it looks like a good wicket and says that he is not good with reading the wickets that much. Mentions that he played against KKR last year in the final, and there have been a couple of changes in both sides from that match, so the contest will be pretty good between them. States that they bring out their best with this aggressive approach, and a lot of wickets didn’t actually fall through reckless batting, and it is more about scoring runs. Emphasizes that the boys in the group are pretty positive and it is a long tournament, so they are looking at that point of view. Tells that Aniket has been amazing as he doesn’t care about who is bowling at the other end and just plays his game, and that’s what they have told him. Further adds that there has been a lot of information about this ground in their preparation for today's game, with how the pitch is playing and how the conditions will play here.

Impact players nominated by Sunrisers Hyderabad - Abhinav Manohar, Jaydev Unadkat, Travis Head, Rahul Chahar, Wiaan Mulder.

Sunrisers Hyderabad (Playing XI) - Abhishek Sharma, Ishan Kishan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Aniket Verma, Kamindu Mendis (On IPL debut), Pat Cummins (C), Simarjeet Singh (In for Abhinav Manohar), Harshal Patel, Mohammad Shami, Zeeshan Ansari.

Impact players nominated by Kolkata Knight Riders - Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Anukul Roy, Rovman Powell and Luvnith Sisodia.

Kolkata Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Ajinkya Rahane (C), Rinku Singh, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Moeen Ali (In for Spencer Johnson), Sunil Narine, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Harshit Rana, Varun Chakaravarthy.

TOSS UPDATE - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Sunrisers Hyderabad and Pat Cummins elects to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Pommie Mbangwa and Eoin Morgan are inspecting the deck at the Eden Gardens. Pommie starts by mentioning about the dimensions and says it is 75 meters straight, while the squares are 62 meters and 64 meters respectively. Highlights that if there is enough pace on the pitch, the batters can try and ramp behind, where it measures 57 meters and 56 meters. Eoin Morgan joins him and briefs about the playing area. He observes it's really firm and well put together with a good covering of grass. Gets closer to the area near the crease and says it's an interesting area as it is pretty dry. Points that as a batter, if you lunge forward, you have to be very careful, because as a bowler, if they pitch ahead, they will get that turn. But also deems apart from that, it is a batter's paradise. Mbangwa stresses scoring more than 200 if you bat first. Also highlights that the lowest total defended here is 176. Morgan then concludes that dew might arrive, and hence, the ball will skid through as well.

This clash presents a fascinating battle of redemption arcs. While both teams' big names have stumbled, their youngsters have stepped up and injected fresh energy. KKR will draw confidence from last season's 3-0 dominance over SRH, including the final, but their shock home and away defeats to RCB and MI, respectively, have exposed some vulnerabilities in key facets. Can Sunrisers Hyderabad exploit this opening to conquer Eden Gardens, or will Kolkata Knight Riders' wounded champions respond? Stay tuned for the toss and teams coming up shortly.

Meanwhile, SRH's explosive batting template has shown cracks after their blazing start. Travis Head continues his onslaughts, but Abhishek Sharma's sudden slump has disrupted their batting dominance. The middle-order instability has exposed their over-reliance on the openers, though rookie Aniket Verma's fearless strokeplay offers hope. More alarmingly, their star-studded bowling attack has bled runs in the first six overs, and they’ve been among the worst in containing runs during the Powerplay, which is a worrying trend they'll need to reverse quickly.

KKR's campaign has gotten off to a shaky start, with their vaunted batting lineup failing to fire. The openers, Quinton de Kock and Sunil Narine, have struggled to provide strong starts, while the middle-order trio of Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, and Venkatesh Iyer, usually so destructive, have been uncharacteristically quiet. Amid these struggles, young Angkrish Raghuvanshi has emerged as a rare bright spot with his composed strokeplay. Their bowling hasn't fared much better, with only Varun Chakaravarthy posing consistent threats. The absence of an unfit Anrich Nortje has further depleted their attack, leaving the defending champions looking uncharacteristically vulnerable as they look to find their mojo.

The defending champions KKR are coming off a demoralizing defeat to Mumbai Indians, while SRH's campaign has nosedived dramatically since their record-breaking 286-run opener, suffering back-to-back losses. With identical stuttering starts to their seasons, tonight's clash presents a crucial opportunity for either side to kickstart their redemption arc.

Hello, everyone! Looking for your midweek dopamine fix? Your prescription is ready! Match 15 of IPL 2025 brings last season's finalists back face-to-face as defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders host Sunrisers Hyderabad in the electrifying City of Joy! Eden Gardens becomes the theater as the purple army stands ready on home turf while the Orange Army arrives hungry for redemption.

... MATCH DAY ...

The drama of the Indian Premier League intensifies as it progresses in its second week, and the stage is set for a blockbuster repeat of last year’s final! The Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad will roar to life as Sunrisers Hyderabad, hungry for redemption, take on the reigning champions, Kolkata Knight Riders. With pride, momentum, and early tournament bragging rights on the line, this clash promises fireworks. Both teams arrive wounded into this clash. KKR's batting was exposed by MI, which pegged them straight down to the bottom of the table, whereas SRH's plundering batting dominance was dashed and dismantled first by LSG, in their backyard, and then by the Delhi Capitals, in an away game. For KKR, their middle order has become their biggest wrinkle to iron out. The usually reliable Rinku Singh and powerhouse Andre Russell have misfired when needed most, forcing their solid top order to carry water for the entire team. As the old saying goes, ’you're only as good as your weakest link’, and right now, KKR's middle is dragging them down like an anchor. While clouds loom over their middle order, sunshine breaks through at the top - the dynamic duo of Quinton de Kock and skipper Ajinkya Rahane have been run machines, with young Angkrish Raghuvanshi adding fresh energy with his impressive batting stints. KKR's bowling has been equally inconsistent, with none of their bowlers breaking into the top 10 wicket-takers. Their collapse to 116 against MI and inability to stem the flow of runs in pressure situations highlight areas needing urgent attention. That said, early setbacks often serve as wake-up calls, and history shows this is a team that peaks when it matters. These early stumbles may well be the foundation for a stronger comeback as the tournament progresses. On similar lines, the Sunrisers Hyderabad are too, stacked in the bottom half of the table with a couple of stinging defeats so far. After announcing their arrival with a thunderous 286-run spectacle, Sunrisers Hyderabad's explosive batting unit has surprisingly lost its fizz. The team that made 250-plus totals look routine has seen its run production dip alarmingly in recent outings. While Travis Head remains the consistent run-machine, others have faltered - Abhishek Sharma's performances have been inconsistent, and Ishan Kishan's blazing century now seems a distant memory. However, amidst these struggles, a new star is emerging. The young Aniket Verma has electrified the middle order with his explosive cameos, including a dazzling 74 off just 41 against Delhi Capitals. While on the bowling front, the pace department including skipper Pat Cummins and Mohammad Shami as the spearheads, has somewhat looked a bit brittle. Hence, both sides have some things to be improved on similar lines as they head into this clash. Be it at the Eden Gardens or in Hyderabad, the Kolkata Knight Riders have edged out SRH in four out of their recent five clashes, including that finale win in 2024. Can SRH turn the tables, or will KKR prove their dominance once again? Buckle up for Match 15 as this is IPL at its electrifying best!

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