Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders Indian Premier League, 2021

CHENNAI WIN BY 27 RUNS! Dwayne Bravo bowls a near-yorker around off, Ferguson digs it out to the leg side and crosses. Whistle Podu for Chennai! MS Dhoni smiles and the dugout erupts. Yet another feather in Dhoni's cap, this is his fourth title and he has achieved it in his 300th T20 match as captain. Take a bow, legend!

Varun Chakravarthy is the last man in!

OUT! Wicket number 9 goes down! Fullish and outside off, slower in pace, Shivam Mavi mistimes his heave in the air and Deepak Chahar completes the catch safely at deep mid-wicket. Can Chennai pick the final wicket on the last ball?

Play and a miss! Bravo continues to bowl slower, around middle and leg, Shivam Mavi tries to play the paddle scoop but misses.

Aerial but safe! One of many variations of Bravo. Fuller and wide outside off, Ferguson is early into the shot and flicks it in the air over mid-wicket. A single is taken.

A yorker around off, nicely nailed by DJ, Mavi brings his bat down and squeezes it through cover-point for a run.

Bravo delivers it full and around middle and leg, the angle is taking that down, Mavi attempts to flick but misses. It goes through his legs to Dhoni.

Good-length ball outside off, Ferguson misses his swing. 31 needed in the last over.

31 needed off the final over. Dwayne Bravo is entrusted the responsibility to bowl the final over. It should be Chennai's game from here, but can Kolkata script an unlikely win?

SIX! Powered! Short ball around off, Ferguson smacks it over wide long on for a biggie. Dhoni is not understanding what is Thakur trying to do. The skipper isn't looking happy.

Low full toss outside off, Ferguson drives it to deep cover for a couple.

WIDE! Another one outside off, Ferguson does not play at that. Another wide. Just delaying the inevitable.

WIDE! A slower ball way outside off, Ferguson lets it go. Wided.

NO BALL AND FOUR! Full toss above the waist on the pads, Ferguson swings it to deep backward square leg for a boundary. A Free Hit will follow.

Full toss outside off, Ferguson misses his drive.

Slower ball on off, Mavi defends it to covers for one.

WIDE! Full outside off, Mavi looks to drive but misses. Wided.

Good-length ball outside off, Mavi looks to cut but gets a bottom edge. It rolls behind in front of the keeper.

Shardul Thakur to bowl the penultimate over! Can he end with a 5-fer?

Slower ball outside off, Mavi guides it through backward point for a single.

SIX! Mavi with another! He is showing that he can bat! Bravo dishes a juicy full toss on the pads, Mavi powers it over deep square leg for a biggie.

SIX! Mavi has decided to enjoy himself here! Full and outside off, Mavi lifts it over deep point for a biggie. One of the spectators has touched the ball so it has to be changed as per the new Covid protocol.

FOUR! Too late for Kolkata! Very full outside off, Mavi slices it over short third man for a boundary.

Very full outside off, Mavi looks to drive but misses.

Full outside off, Lockie plays it to long on for one.

Dwayne Bravo to bowl now. 2-0-8-0 are his numbers so far!

Full ball outside off, Mavi drives it to extra cover. Hazlewood is done for the night and his figures read 4-0-29-2.

Full toss on the pads, Ferguson heaves it to deep square leg for one.

Full ball on off, Mavi defends it to covers for a single.

Shivam Mavi walks out!

OUT! CAUGHT! Brilliance in the field from Deepak Chahar and that should be it for Kolkata! What an effort from Deepak Chahar though! Simply terrific! Short ball on the pads, Morgan pulls it to deep square leg. Chahar comes across, jumps and catches it. He sees himself going over and throws the ball back up. He goes over the rope, comes back in and completes the catch. The third umpire takes a look at it and is happy with the effort. So, Kolkata lose their 8th wicket.

Is that a clean catch? If it is, Deepak Chahar has pulled off a stunner. Yes, clean catch, it is! The skipper of Kolkata walks back and that should seal the deal for the Men in Yellow!

Good-length ball on the pads, Morgan looks to heave it away but it goes off the pads to the leg side. Refuses to take the single.

Slower ball around off, Morgan goes for a huge slog but misses.

Who bowls now? It is Josh Hazlewood (3-0-27-1)!

Just over extra cover! Short ball outside off, Ferguson lifts it over extra cover. Gowtham, the substitute fielder, goes after it but fails to reach it. Two taken.

Slower short ball around off, Ferguson is too early into his shot. It takes the inside edge and goes back to the keeper.

Out walks Lockie Ferguson!

OUT! CAUGHT! Another wicket goes down and the dream for Kolkata is crumbling. Tripathi had no option but to go for the big shot and he perishes. Good-length ball on middle, Tripathi looks to go over long on but does not time it well at all. Moeen Ali has no problems in taking it in the deep.

On a length outside off, Tripathi drives it on the up towards deep cover. Tripathi hobbles back for two.

Good-length ball around off, Tripathi guides it to short third man. A dot ball.

Good-length ball outside off, Morgan cuts it through point for a single.

OUT! LBW! You just cannot keep Ravindra Jadeja out of the game! Chennai are all over Kolkata at the moment and we can see some glum faces among the Kolkata fans. Jadeja bowls a quicker ball on middle, Shakib Al Hasan looks to flick but misses and gets rapped on the pads. An appeal is made and the finger has gone up. Plumb in front.

Strategic Time-Out! Well, in the span of a couple of overs, Chennai have gained a chokehold on this game. Kolkata were going along nicely and were at 91/0, but after that first wicket fell, and the Men in Purple and Gold just kept losing wickets. They are at 120/6 now, needing 73 more from the last 5 overs. Things are looking bleak for Kolkata as they just have one proven batter, in Eoin Morgan, out in the middle. Rahul Tripathi injured himself earlier on and it will be interesting to see if he can bat well and support his captain. Let's see how these final 5 overs of the Indian T20 League, 2021 go!

NOT OUT! Shakib Al Hasan is in! Floated ball, down the leg side, Shakib looks to flick but misses. Dhoni collects the ball and whips the bails off in a flash. The third umpire is called for. They first check the UltraEdge which shows no bat. Shakib has his foot grounded and he is safe. Wide called.

Is that stumping? First, they will check the UltraEdge to make sure there was no bat on this. No spike is detected. The back foot never left the crease. Shakib Al Hasan is safe.

Shakib Al Hasan is the new man in. No signs of Rahul Tripathi.

OUT! CAUGHT! Jadeja gets a wicket off a rank long-hop! Dinesh Karthik will be disappointed that he could not put it away and Chennai are on top in this final. Jadeja dishes a short ball on the pads, Karthik looks to pull but mistimes it. Ambati Rayudu does not have to move an inch at deep square leg and he takes an easy catch. 74 needed in 31 balls.

Floated ball outside off, Morgan lifts it towards long off but just for a single.

Short ball on off, Karthik pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up outside off, Karthik goes for his favourite sweep shot but fails to get anything on it. Dhoni collects the ball and breaks the stumps but DK never left the crease.

Flatter ball on the pads, Karthik looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. It rolls back and Dhoni quickly gets to the ball.

A single to end the over! Full ball outside off, Karthik pushes it to covers for one.

Slower short ball around middle, Morgan looks to pull but it takes the top edge, hits his body and goes to the off side. A single taken.

Full ball outside off, Karthik drives it to deep cover for a single.

SIX! That's the way to make a statement! A six off the first ball. Short ball on middle, Karthik rocks back and pulls it over deep square leg for a biggie.

OUT! LBW! Gill goes and Chennai continue to pick up wickets. The final is swinging their way now. This was plumb and there was no hesitation from the umpire. Chahar bowls a low full toss around off, Gill shuffles across the stumps and looks to paddle but misses it completely. It hits him low on the pads. Chahar and Chennai appeal and the umpire has no hesitation in raising his finger. Shubman Gill knows that he is a goner and doesn't even bother to take the DRS. Kolkata are staring down the barrel.

Dinesh Karthik arrives.

A dot to start the over! A slower short ball outside off, Gill looks to pull but misses.

Shubman Gill skips down to this shortish ball outside off and bunts this to covers to scamper through for a run. 85 needed in 42 balls.

FOUR! Much needed from Gill! Fuller, way outside off, Shubman Gill reaches out and tonks this over cover for a one-bounce boundary. Fifty up for Gill, can he change gears now?

Shout for a caught behind! Drifting down the leg side, Shubman Gill gets low and looks to sweep, but misses. The keeper, Dhoni takes it and appeals loudly for a caught behind. Umpire Nitin Menon just shakes his head. No wide called and so, it might have brushed off Gill's pad.

Shorter and quicker outside off, Shubman Gill lines up to slash this away but gets an under-edge, and the ball nutmegs Dhoni and goes through. Two taken before Josh Hazlewood can stop the ball coming across from short third man.

100 up for Kolkata! Fractionally short, around middle, Shubman Gill comes down and works this through wide mid on for a couple.

The arm ball now, on middle and leg, quicker too, Gill looks to nudge this to the leg side but misses and gets hit high on the pad.

Ravindra Jadeja is back on. 2-0-25-0 are his figures so far.

A top over from the Aussie, 6 and a wicket off this! Around off, fuller, pushed to covers. 94 needed in 48 balls!

Slightly shorter, around off, swatted away by Gill to deep mid-wicket for one.

Captain Morgan opens his account! On middle, knocked through mid on for one.

OUT! TAKEN! No fireworks from Sunil Narine this time around! There is no way Ravindra Jadeja is going to drop these! You are not going to find safer hands, than Jadeja's. In no time, Kolkata have lost three wickets and Chennai are making inroads. A touch shorter, around middle and leg, Sunil Narine backs away to the leg side and powers this one towards deep mid-wicket. Ravindra Jadeja is stationed there and he takes it, backtracks, but stops before the rope. 96 needed in 51 balls.

Eoin Morgan joins Shubman Gill in the middle.

WIDE. Slips this one down the leg side, Sunil sways away from the line of the ball. Wided.

Narine gets off the mark on ball one! On a length, on the pads, whipped through mid-wicket for a couple.

Back of a length, around off, knocked through mid on for one.

Sunil Narine makes his way out to the middle. Also, Josh Hazlewood is back on.

OUT! CAUGHT! What an over this has been by Thakur! He gets 2 wickets and the momentum has shifted! A golden duck for the southpaw, Rana and he trudges back disappointed. The scrambled seam this time, on a length, around off, Nitish Rana only chips this one towards mid off, where Faf du Plessis gets forward slightly and gulps this down. 100 more needed in 54 balls.

Around off, hit to the mid off fielder for one.

WIDE. Down the leg side, Gill looks to flick but misses. An appeal for caught behind by Thakur but turned down.

Nitish Rana is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! No spider cam in the way this time! A really good catch by Ravindra Jadeja in the deep and the first wicket stand has finally been broken. A great knock of 50 from Venkatesh Iyer but his stay has come to an end. Around off, on a length this time, Venkatesh Iyer looks to slam this one down the ground, but he mistimes it high in the air towards deep cover. The ball is swirling in the air and Ravindra Jadeja does very well to keep his eyes on the ball and pouches this with his strong fingers underneath it. 102 needed in 56 balls.

Full on middle, Gill flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Good-length ball outside off, Gill punches it to extra cover for a dot.

Length ball on middle and leg, Gill flicks it to deep mid-wicket and takes a couple of runs.

Outside off, cut to deep point for one.

FOUR! This is brilliant batting! Short ball on middle, Gill goes on his back foot and then pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

FOUR! What a shot! Tossed up on middle, Gill goes on his knees and then reverse-sweeps it over point for a boundary.

Outside off, pushed to point.

CAUGHT? Nopes. Drama! It is a DEAD BALL! Oh, wow! Chennai would have thought that they got the wicket but since the ball touched the cable of the Spidercam, it has been ruled a dead ball and Gill survives. A tossed up ball, around middle, Shubman Gill toe-ends his shot high in the air on the leg side. Ambati Rayudu runs in and takes the catch at mid-wicket. Gill is walking back but has been asked to wait. It seems that the ball has hit the Spidercam cable and it has been called a dead ball. Dhoni does not look happy and it's a reprieve for Shubman Gill.

Slightly shorter, quicker outside off, Iyer slices this to the left of short third man for one. Also, brings up Venkatesh Iyer's fifty, in just 31 balls. He has laid the platform and will want to continue.

SIX! Kolkata were going through a lean phase and Venkatesh Iyer releases some pressure with a biggie! Fuller this time, on leg, Venkatesh Iyer gets low and thumps this one over deep square leg for a biggie.

Just 4 off this over too! Brilliant stuff from DJ Bravo! Slower in pace again, outside off, on a length, stroked through mid off for one. The required rate has now touched 11.

Another dot! Fullish, outside off, Iyer guides this but only finds backward point. Can Bravo end the over well?

A full toss, outside off, VI shimmies down but only finds Moeen Ali at extra cover with his cover drive. Dot ball.

On a fuller length, outside off, Gill plays this to the right of Moeen at extra cover for one.

A loopy full toss, on middle, Venkatesh works this through wide mid on for a single.

Shout was for two but they only manage one! Outside off, on a length, SG eases this through wide mid off for one.

SIX! BANG! That will release some pressure for Kolkata. They got just 3 runs from the last 5 balls but this delivery ends the over well for them. Fuller, around off, Venkatesh Iyer gets low, gets his blade underneath the ball and spanks this one well over wide long on. 125 needed in 72 balls.

Just a run! Fuller now, around off, hit through covers. Gill runs the first one hard and wants another but Iyer sends him back quickly.

Shortish, slightly outside off, Venkatesh Iyer dances down and knocks this through mid on. One run.

Flatter again, quicker around off, Iyer pushes it back to Jadeja.

Eases this fuller ball through mid off for a run.

Ravindra Jadeja starts with a flatter and quicker delivery around off, it lands and turns away slightly. Shubman Gill skips down and hits it to the left of RJ, who stops it with a dive.

Strategic Time-Out! Kolkata have made a very good start to the run chase! Both Shubman Gill and Venkatesh Iyer are looking in supreme form and now Kolkata would hope that these two can continue. They still have a long way to go and they cannot afford to slow down. Chennai, on the other hand, need to break this stand. Bravo bowled a superb 7th over and now Dhoni's men would hope that they can put pressure and get some quick wickets. An exciting 13 overs coming up. Ravindra Jadeja is into the attack.

Just 4 off this one! A top over by Bravo. Around off, on a length, pushed to the cover fielder.

Quality delivery. A great yorker, around off, Iyer only manages to jam this one out, back towards Bravo.

Well played. On a length, around middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer skips down the track and whips this to the right of the deep square leg fielder for a brace.

Another slower ball, full toss, around off, Gill hits it through mid-wicket and takes one.

An off pace delivery again, around off, Gill pushes it back to DJ.

Bravo starts off with a slower ball, around off, Iyer walks forward and knocks this through mid-wicket for one.

Dwayne Bravo is into the attack.

What a stop! But an overthrow is conceded in the end. A low full toss around off, Iyer drills it square of the wicket on the off side. The cover-point fielder, Ruturaj Gaikwad, dives full length to his right to stop the racing ball. A mix-up between the batters and Shubman Gill is sent back. Gaikwad has a shy at the bowler's end but misses as Gill dives in. The ball goes away towards wide mid on and they now cross for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Kolkata are 55/0! Chennai were 50/0 at this stage.

Dhoni comes up to the stumps and Deepak Chahar serves it on a good length outside off, Gill stays back and eases it down to long on for a single.

FOUR! What a shot! Skilful. Chahar lands it on a fuller length, around middle and leg, Shubman Gill jumps down the track, makes room and forces it aerially through the gap at extra cover for a boundary.

Bowls a full toss outside off, at 116 clicks, Iyer pushes it with no timing towards wide mid off. A single is taken.

Fuller and on middle, Iyer tries to flick but it takes the leading half of his blade and rolls back to the bowler. Chahar fumbles slightly but no run is conceded.

Shortish and around off, slower in pace, Gill works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Neatly done on this occasion! Thakur errs in line again, on a fuller length and down the leg side, Venkatesh Iyer picks it off his pads and helps it on its way to the fine leg fence. 11 from the over, 146 needed off 90 balls.

FOUR! Not in any control of that shot! Shardul Thakur bends his back to send across a short ball on middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer tries to pull but it takes the top edge and flies over MS Dhoni. He jumps to get fingertips on this but still, it races behind for a boundary.

Angling into the batsman, fuller and around off, Gill plays a lovely on-drive but finds the fielder at the edge of the circle at mid on. A single is taken.

Swing and a miss! A touch short and outside off, Gill throws his bat at it but fails to connect.

Shortish and on off, Shubman Gill stays back this time and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Thakur begins with a very full ball around off, Shubman Gill jumps down the track, yorks himself and does well to dig it out at the last moment.

Shardul Thakur is into the attack.

Around leg on a length, Iyer uses his feet and whips it through square leg for a couple. 12 from the over and Kolkata have raced to 36 in four overs.

Back of a length outside off, Iyer slaps it off his back foot but finds Moeen Ali at backward point.

Play and a miss! Josh Hazlewood follows the batsman down the leg side with a length ball, Iyer swings and misses.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer is picking his spots and finding the gaps. This one is on a length, around off and angling away, Iyer keeps his balance on the back foot and whacks it through cover-point.

Angling into the batsman, Gill pushes it towards mid on for a run.

IN THE AIR... FOUR! Did that carry? Short in length around off, Shubman Gill advances down the track and flat-bats it towards wide mid off. Shardul Thakur runs forward, puts in a dive but it drops just below his outstretched hands and sneaks past him. It races away after that for a boundary.

Wide! Wrong line from Josh Hazlewood. Starts the over with a delivery down the leg side, Gill tries flicking but misses.

Drifting down the leg side, on a length, from 'round the wicket, Iyer fails to flick. It probably brushes his pads on its way to Dhoni. No signal from the umpire.

FOUR! Once again Venkatesh Iyer follows up the dot ball with a boundary. Gloriously done again. Fuller and around off, Iyer unfurls a lovely drive through extra cover for a boundary. He is already punishing Chennai here.

Well bowled! Clever change in pace and length. Chahar goes fuller and just outside off at 120 kph, Iyer is deceived completely and fails to put the bat on the ball.

FOUR! Shot! Fractionally short and around off, angling away, Venkatesh Iyer rocks back and smacks it past the diving point fielder for a boundary.

Fuller and on the pads at 133.9 kph, Iyer flicks but finds the mid-wicket fielder.

Chahar goes wide of the crease and delivers a slower one on a length at 120 clicks, Gill works it behind square leg for a single.

Serves it on a length around middle and off, nipping in, Gill tries to flick but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It deflects to the left of backward point and they cross.

Forces a length ball towards wide mid off and scampers across to the other end.

SIX! Dismissed! Just rubbing salt into the wounds. Shortish and around middle, this time Iyer stands still inside the crease to ride the bounce and smokes it over fine leg for a biggie.

DROPPED! MS Dhoni has put down Venkatesh Iyer, the man in form. How costly will this prove? Back of a length, around middle at 142 kph, Venkatesh Iyer steps back to punch it through the line but gets a thick edge behind to the keeper. Dhoni reacts to his left but fails to hold on to the catch.

Back of a length around off, Venkatesh Iyer stands back inside the crease and punches it towards the bowler.

The Aussie begins well. Slightly short and on middle, Gill walks down the track and drags his pull shot to mid on for a single.

Who will bowl from the other end? Josh Hazlewood, it is.

Fuller in length and outside off, Shubman Gill plays a mistimed off drive, to the left of mid off, and takes off for a single. 6 from the first over.

On a good length, around off and shaping away, Shubman Gill pushes it from the crease to covers.

A touch short again, on top of off, Gill sticks back and tries to run it down but it shapes back in a bit to take the bottom edge. The ball rolls in front of the keeper, Venkatesh Iyer looks for a run but is sent back as MS Dhoni attacks the ball.

Back of a length, around off at 130.9 kph, Shubman Gill stays back and plays it down to point.

Angles in a length ball around leg, Gill walks forward a bit and attempts to work it around but misses. It takes his pads and rolls back to the bowler.

FOUR! Kolkata are away in style. Deepak Chahar goes short and on middle, Shubman Gill gives the charge and pulls it magnificently over mid-wicket for a cracking boundary.

Wide! False start from Chahar. Slips a full ball down the leg side, Shubman Gill tries to flick but misses.

OUT! TAKEN! A wicket on the final ball of the innings. Faf du Plessis was looking to end the innings on a high but he loses his wicket. He will not care though as he has done what was needed from him. A length delivery, on middle, Faf du Plessis hits this one hard towards long on. Looks like it will fly over the ropes, but the shot does not have enough wings to do so. Venkatesh Iyer holds onto this in the deep. CHENNAI END ON 192/3!

Eoin Morgan misfields! That should have just been a run, but the skipper misfields and allows them to come back for the second. Short of a length, around off, Faf looks to hit it down the ground but miscues it towards mid off. Morgan runs across, slides, tries to collect the ball but lets it off his grasp. One more taken. Two, in the end.

In the arc around off, Moeen muscles this down towards long off for one. Can Mavi keep his nerve in these last 2 deliveries?

Well bowled by Mavi! A good first half of the over from him, just 4 off it. A slower, back-of-a-length delivery, around middle, pulled awkwardly to deep square leg for one.

Another full toss, around middle and leg, at 140 clicks, Faf du Plessis clips this to the right of deep square leg for a couple of runs.

A full toss, around middle and leg, heaved to deep mid-wicket for one.

Shivam Mavi will bowl the final over. Can Chennai reach 200?

A single to end the over! Around off, fuller, hit down to long off for one. 13 off the penultimate over!

SIX! Ali continues to score boundaries for fun! Flatter this time, around off, Moeen Ali stands his ground and just smokes this one over the bowler for a biggie.

Tossed up, on middle, Faf du Plessis makes room and looks to play the inside-out shot over covers, but gets an inside edge, on his pads. The ball deflects to the off side for one.

EDGY! Flatter, outside off, Moeen Ali dances down and swings hard at this. The ball catches the outside edge and finds Sunil Narine on the bounce, at short third man. Only a run.

FOUR! Ali finds the gap! The 50-run stand comes up between these two as well! Slightly shorter, around middle and leg, Moeen Ali stands back and whacks this one between deep mid-wicket and long on. Boundary.

PLAY AND A MISS! Flatter, around middle, angling away, Moeen Ali makes room and swings but fails to connect.

Varun Chakravarthy will bowl the 19th over. Has given away 25 runs in his three overs.

FOUR! What an over this has been for Chennai, 19 off it! 200 is well within the grasp! Fuller on middle, Faf du Plessis whips this one wonderfully and bags a one-bounce boundary at deep mid-wicket. An outing to forget for Lockie Ferguson as he concedes 56 in his quota of 4 overs.

SIX! Oh, wow! He is just so good! Lockie Ferguson goes for the slower option, too wide, in the slot too, Faf du Plessis anticipates this well, as he gets low and hammers this one over the extra cover fence.

WIDE. Slower one now, on a length but sliding down the leg side, Faf du Plessis moves away from the delivery and leaves it.

On middle, heaved towards mid-wicket by Moeen for one.

FOUR! Top shot! In the arc around off, on a length, Moeen Ali stands tall and smacks this over covers. Takes a bounce and goes past the rope.

Superb effort from Kamlesh Nagarkoti (sub)! He might not be playing, but he does well here. On a length, on the pads, Moeen Ali flicks this towards fine leg. Kamlesh Nagarkoti, in the deep, runs to his left, dives, and pushes the ball away. Saves a couple of runs for his side.

Morgan misfields! Outside off, length, the Saffa hits this towards Eoin at extra cover, who rushes forward and fumbles, letting the batters cross ends.

SIX! Moeen started this over with a six and ends with a six! 14 off the over but apart from the biggies, Shivam Mavi bowled well. On middle, on a good length, Moeen Ali makes room and casually lifts this one over the bowler for a biggie.

On middle, fuller in length, Faf makes room and milks this to long on. Rotates the strike with a run.

Another dot. In the slot around off, du Plessis hits this one back to Mavi.

Update - We are hearing that Rahul Tripathi is getting treated for his hamstring. Kolkata will hope that he is fine and can come out to bat later.

Fullish, outside off, hit down the ground to long off for one.

Good comeback from Shivam! Yorker, right at the base of off, Moeen digs it out to the leg side. Dot ball.

SIX! CLEAN STRIKE! Ali decides to cut loose now. The slower ball was well picked up by Ali. It is around off and the Englishman waits and waits and at the right time, swings his blade and smokes this one well over deep mid-wicket. Mavi is under pressure early in the over.

Shivam Mavi is back into the attack.

A single to end. On middle, Moeen swings this one over mid-wicket and takes one. So, after conceding a boundary on the first ball of the over, Lockie Ferguson only leaks 4 off the remaining 5 balls. 8 off the over!

Straight to the man! Slower, fuller, around off, hit to the fielder at mid off.

Short, around off, Faf du Plessis rocks back and guides it through point for one.

Well bowled! A fuller ball, outside off, Faf du Plessis swings at this but misses.

Another instance of good running. On a fuller length, on the pads, this is turned through mid-wicket by Faf. As soon as the shot is hit, Moeen Ali charges across for a couple. In the end, they complete it with ease.

STREAKY FOUR! Unlucky for Lockie! Chennai will take this. A slower one, back-of-a-length delivery, around off, angling in, Faf du Plessis makes room by moving to the leg side and looks to push this through the off side. The ball kisses the outer half of the blade and pierces the gap between backward point and short third man. Boundary.

Lockie Ferguson is back on. 2-0-29-0 are his figures so far.

Fullish, around off, dug out through point for one. 6 off this one. A good over by Venkatesh Iyer.

Good running from these two! In the slot, outside off on a length, Faf du Plessis stays back and slaps this through point. They decide to take two. Mavi throws it towards Dinesh Karthik but it is not the best throw and Faf dives in. Two.

A pacy delivery now, on the pads, Ali looks to flick but misses. The ball ricochets off the pads to the right of square leg for a leg bye.

Fuller this time, on the pads, flicked nicely through square leg for one.

Slower, around off, knocked down towards mid-wicket for one.

That's a great start by Iyer! Outside off, on a length, Moeen looks to push this one but does so tentatively. Gets beaten.

Venkatesh Iyer comes into the attack, replacing Varun Chakravarthy.

A dot to end Narine's spell for the night. He ends with figures of 4-0-26-2. Another fruitful outing. Around off, fuller, du Plessis pushes this to the right of Sunil.

Shortish, around off, Faf goes back and taps it down to point. He yells a loud 'NO!' for the single.

Mo gets off the mark straightaway! Fuller, around off, Moeen has lofted it over covers, into the vacant space, for a run.

Moeen Ali is the next man in.

Strategic Time-Out! Chennai have been put in a very good position here as Faf du Plessis is rollicking along. Robin Uthappa was looking good for his 31 before he departed. They have a solid platform set for a big finish. Faf du Plessis is set and now they will hope the batters coming in can keep the runs flowing. Kolkata would hope that Uthappa's wicket opens the floodgates and they get some quick wickets. What will happen next?

Robin Uthappa has been given out LBW! He decides to take the review. The UltraEdge shows no bat while the Ball Tracker shows all reds. Uthappa goes and he takes the review along with him.

OUT! LBW! Sunil Narine gets the much-needed breakthrough for Kolkata and Chennai lose their second. The review does not save Robin and he has to walk back. Narine serves this slightly fuller, around off and spinning in a bit, Uthappa strides forward and looks to employ the reverse-sweep but he misses and gets pinged on the front pad. An appeal and the umpire does not take long to raise his finger. Robin Uthappa goes for the review this time. It does him no good as there is no bat on the UltraEdge and the Ball Tracker shows three reds. Not the end that Robin would have wanted to his innings, but he will be pretty pleased nonetheless as he has provided the push in the middle phase for the Men in Yellow.

SIX! WOW! Robin Uthappa is on the charge! What a hand he is playing! Flatter this time, around middle, Robin Uthappa stays back, waits, and then thwacks this one across the line, over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

WIDE. Fuller, way outside off, left alone by Robin.

Fuller, floated, around off, it stops a bit before coming on, du Plessis pushes this to the leg side for one.

Another couple! Low full toss outside off, Uthappa drives it through the line as his bottom hand comes off the handle. It goes aerially but wide of the diving extra cover fielder. They pick up a couple before Iyer collects it in the deep. 12 runs from it, another good one for Chennai.

Quicker ball on middle and leg, du Plessis flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter ball on off, at 90.2 kph, du Plessis defends it to cover.

Inside edge! Flatter ball on off, Uthappa looks to defend but it goes off the inside edge, hits the pads and rolls to the off side. The batters cross ends as DK is busy appealing.

SIX! Muscled! Floated ball on off, Uthappa goes down on his knees and then muscles it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. The 50-run stand comes up between Robin and du Plessis, off just 25 balls.

Glorious shot from Uthappa! Very full outside off, Uthappa digs it out through point. Iyer comes across from deep cover and makes an excellent one-handed stop. Two taken.

Loopy ball on middle, du Plessis looks to defend but it goes off the inside edge towards deep mid-wicket. A couple of runs taken.

DROPPED! Tough chance as that was hit really hard! Floated ball on off, Uthappa absolutely smashes it back to the bowler. Narine gets both hands to it but fails to hold on. A single is pinched as the extra cover fielder goes to collect the ball.

Loopy ball on off, du Plessis lifts it over mid off for one. 600 runs this season for Faf du Plessis.

Loopy ball on off, Uthappa sweeps it to deep square leg for a single. 100 up for Chennai!

Flatter ball outside off, Robin Uthappa cuts again but this time he fails to beat the diving backward point fielder.

Runs continue to flow for Chennai! Flatter ball outside off, Uthappa cuts it through point for a couple of runs.

SIX! What a way to reach his 50! Outstanding innings in a big final from Faf du Plessis! He is looking really ominous and Kolkata need to get rid of him as soon as possible. Full and on off, du Plessis nonchalantly lifts it over long off for a biggie. 17 from the over, Lockie Ferguson is having an off day.

Sunil Narine is back on. 2-0-10-1 so far.

WIDE! Ferguson bowls a full ball way outside off, Faf lets it go. Wided.

Fullish ball on middle, whipped to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower ball outside off, pushed to covers for a single.

FOUR! This is absolutely brilliant! Faf is looking in some form here! Another delivery on the shorter side outside off, du Plessis flat-bats it over extra cover for a boundary.

FOUR! Pulled away! Faf du Plessis plays this shot really well. Ferguson goes short on off, du Plessis pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good-length ball outside off, du Plessis cuts it straight to point.

SIX! Wow! Top shot from Robin Uthappa! Shortish on off, Uthappa stands back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie. 15 runs from the over.

Lockie Ferguson (1-0-12-0) returns.

Shorter and outside off, du Plessis punches it to deep cover for one.

SIX! This might be the shot that breaks the shackles. Loopy ball outside off, Faf du Plessis reaches for it and then lifts it over long off for a biggie.

A dot ball! Flatter ball outside off, du Plessis looks to cut but fails to put the bat on the ball.

EDGY! Quicker ball outside off, Uthappa looks to heave it away but it goes off the inside edge to the deep mid-wicket region. A single.

Flatter ball on off, Faf works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Full ball outside off, du Plessis drives it to deep cover for a single. A successful over comes to an end from Sunil Narine.

Change in bowling. Shakib Al Hasan (2-0-18-0) comes back on.

Flatter ball on off, du Plessis defends it to covers and takes off for a single. Uthappa is not interested and sends him back.

Quicker ball on the pads, Uthappa pushes it to the leg side for one.

Flighted on middle, du Plessis works it to long on for one.

An interesting shot to play! Floated ball around off, Uthappa looks to play the reverse sweep on his first ball. It hits the gloves, hits the pads of Dinesh Karthik and goes to point. A single taken.

OUT! CAUGHT! A wicket after the break. How often have we seen this? A lot of times and that is what has happened here. Gaikwad decides to take Narine on straightaway after the Time-Out and perishes. Narine dishes a floated ball on off, possibly a carrom ball, Gaikwad steps out and looks to smack it out of the park but slices it off the outer half to long off. Shivam Mavi is waiting in the deep and he makes no mistake. A big wicket for Kolkata and Sunil Narine is delighted.

Robin Uthappa makes his way out now.

Flighted ball on the pads, Gaikwad flicks it to square leg and takes a single. A tidy over from Varun Chakravarthy.

Strategic Time-Out! Chennai have started this game really well as their openers have laid the platform for the rest of the team. They have already added 61 in the first 8 overs and would look to build on the same in the middle overs. Kolkata will be happy that the run flow has slowed down slightly but still will be looking for wickets. This will be an important phase as the spinners of Kolkata have been on fire. Let's see how Chennai's batters navigate against them.

On middle, du Plessis flicks it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Quicker short ball on off, Gaikwad pulls it to long on for a single.

Flatter ball on middle, Faf rocks back and then tucks it to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Flighted ball on the pads, clipped to deep square leg for a single.

Loopy ball on middle, Gaikwad gets on his front foot and then pushes it back towards the bowler. Varun Chakravarthy tries to collect the ball but fails as he collides a bit with Faf du Plessis. There is a chance for a single but Faf decides against it. Fairplay.

Six singles off the over! Full on middle and leg, Gaikwad flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

This time, Narine bowls quicker and on off, du Plessis looks to flick but it takes the leading edge and goes to the off side. A single taken.

Short ball on middle, Gaikwad pulls it to deep mid-wicket for another run.

Another flatter ball on middle, du Plessis nudges it to deep square leg for a single.

Shortish ball on off, Gaikwad rocks back and then clips it to the deep mid-wicket region for one.

Looks like Rahul Tripathi has a knock. He is limping off the field at the moment. Kolkata will be hoping that it is nothing that the magic spray cannot solve.

Narine starts with a flatter ball on middle, du Plessis works it to deep mid-wicket. He calls for two but has to settle for a single as Rahul Tripathi attacked the ball in the deep.

Fullish and on middle, it's knocked down to mid on for another single. 8 from the over and Chennai are 50 for no loss at the end of the Powerplay.

FOUR! Faf du Plessis buys a boundary from a Free Hit. Flatter and shorter on off, du Plessis hangs on the back foot and powers it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Change in bowling. Sunil Narine is handed the ball now...

Short and outside off, Faf du Plessis cuts but finds the point fielder. No ball for overstepping. Free Hit time...

Even quicker, fires it full and on middle at 104 clicks, Ruturaj Gaikwad flicks it towards mid-wicket and takes a single.

Quicker again, a touch short and around off at 103.5 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes back and hits it towards mid-wicket.

Quicker through the air on this occasion, around middle, Faf du Plessis tickles it towards square leg for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy begins with a delivery that is nicely tossed up, around off, Faf du Plessis stays on the back foot and defends it down.

Fuller and around off at 137.4 clicks, du Plessis eases it to extra cover and keeps strike with a single.

Bowling change. The man with the wizard hat, Varun Chakravarthy, is introduced into the attack.

FOUR! Up and over mid on! Back of a length, around off, Faf du Plessis attempts for an aerial shot, doesn't get hold of it but has just enough to clear mid on. Another boundary.

Edgy! Full and around off, shaping in, Ruturaj Gaikwad pushes inside the line and edges it towards short third man. The fielder dives to make the stop and they cross.

On a good length, around off and moving back in a bit, Faf sits back and plays it down to covers. They take another run.

Fractionally short and around off, shaping in, Ruturaj Gaikwad taps it down to short third man and pinches a single. He is now the leading run-scorer of this season! Outstanding.

Shortish and on off, angling in, Ruturaj Gaikwad pulls from the crease, not much timing and it goes to mid-wicket.

Swing and a miss! Short and wide outside off, at 151.2 kph, Faf du Plessis tries to slam it over point but misses. 12 from this over, 25 in the last two. Chennai are maximizing the Powerplay overs after a slow start.

FOUR! Brilliant from Faf! Top shot. Lockie Ferguson serves it in the slot, on a length and around off, du Plessis crunches it past the diving mid off fielder for a boundary.

Does Shakib Al Hasan bowl his third over on the trot? Nopes. Shivam Mavi has a change of ends.

On middle, turned in the gap on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Quality shot! The quicker you bowl, the faster you travel. A very full ball, around middle and leg at 151 clicks, Ruturaj Gaikwad steps back to make room and squeezes it out through point for a boundary.

Risky single! Back of a length, outside off, Faf du Plessis stands back and plays a mistimed punch to cover-point. They attempt for a quick run and Eoin Morgan has a shy at the striker's end. Misses by a big margin.

Starts with a fuller delivery on middle, Faf du Plessis does well to work it towards deep square leg, to the left of the fielder in the deep and it's an easy couple.

Tossed up around off, Faf du Plessis drills it down to long off and collects another single. 13 from the over!

Fuller and around off, it's dragged off the inner half to long on for a single.

So, just the one over for Mavi as Lockie Ferguson replaces him.

Short and around middle, Gaikwad goes deep inside the crease to cut but finds point.

SIX! This one has gone the distance! Flatter and shorter on middle, skidding in, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes deep inside the crease and hammers it all the way over mid-wicket.

FOUR! Good shot! Tossed up on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes down on one knee and smashes his sweep shot through square leg.

Oops! That has missed the leg stump by a whisker and Dinesh Karthik has also failed to collect the ball. Floated one, full and on middle and skidding in, Faf du Plessis steps back to make room and drive but fails to connect cleanly. It sneaks behind, DK is a bit late and fails to collect. They cross and it's given as a bye.

Beaten again! A touch short and outside off, at 139.3 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad hangs on the back foot and tries to cut but misses. A fine second over bowled by Shivam Mavi.

Pitches it up and around off at 139.5 kph, Ruturaj Gaikwad presses forward and pushes it to mid off.

Swing and a miss! Well bowled. Mavi hurls it on a good length around off and gets it to straighten off the seam, Ruturaj Gaikwad tries to loft it with a straight bat but is beaten all ends up.

Misfield! On a shortish length and close to off, Gaikwad plays late and guides it towards short third man off the outer edge. Varun Chakravarthy misfields and concedes a couple of runs.

Mavi errs in line on this occasion, it's a little too straight and du Plessis wastes no time in using his wrists. He works it through square leg and collects a single.

Right on the button. Mavi begins with a delivery around off, on a length and angling in, Faf du Plessis presents a straight bat in defense.

Short this time, wide outside off, Gaikwad cuts but picks out the backward point fielder. A good first over by Shakib.

Quicker one, around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad gets back and pushes it out to the off side. Not in the gap.

Shivam Mavi to operate from the other end.

FOUR! First of the final. Short and around leg, drifting down with the arm, Ruturaj Gaikwad goes down on one knee and sweeps it powerfully to the deep square leg fence.

Shakib dishes out an arm ball, flat and on middle, du Plessis gets back and turns it in front of square leg for a single. He is off the mark now.

Loopy and full, wide outside off, Faf du Plessis mistimes his drive back to the bowler.

Shakib begins with a flighted delivery, full and around off, Gaikwad gets forward and drives it gently to mid off. They scamper across for a quick run. Chennai are up and running!

Are you readyyyyyy? The grand finale of the Indian T20 League, 2021 is close to getting underway. First, the Kolkata players make their way out into the middle and look to spread out to their respective positions out on the field. Faf du Plessis and Ruturaj Gaikwad will open the innings for Chennai and they stride out now. It will be some spin to get this final underway as Shakib Al Hasan will begin proceedings with the ball. Here he comes...

Did you know? Kolkata have won all six matches when they were chasing a target in the UAE leg of this edition. They have got the chance to execute their winning formula again. But... if we consider the last 13 finals of the Indian T20 League, the team batting first has won 8 times. Who has the advantage?

Brendon McCullum, the Kolkata coach, is up for a chat. The Kiwi says that he just tries to spend time with the guys and make sure that they follow the processes and they are relaxed as well. Adds that they pick them off one by one and spend a lot of time, but it is not easy. Goes on to say that being in a bubble has been beneficial for them. States that enjoyment is the key and when they came for the second half, they needed to let go of the past and trust the team. Adds that he truly believes that they can win.

MS Dhoni, the Chennai skipper, says that they wanted to bowl first as well. Feels that initially the ball stops a bit and as the game progresses, it settles down slightly. Adds that they cannot control the toss and are prepared for both. Tells us that it has been a long journey and mainly with the franchise cricket and it feels good to complete 300 T20 games as captain. Informs that they are playing the same team. Regarding having a few extra days to relax is good or bad, Dhoni replies that often what really dictates terms is the result and mentions that they are equipped to deal with any situation.

The captain of Kolkata, Eoin Morgan, says that they will bowl first and the wicket looks good, slightly dry and there has been dew in the last couple of games. Adds that it takes hard work and determination to win any trophy and this has been a 2-year journey for Kolkata to try and lift the trophy and they will try to give it their all. Informs that they are unchanged from the last game. Tells that the fact that they are in the final means that his captaincy has been good, but he has been short on runs with his batting and hopes that he comes good today.

Chennai (Unchanged Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Faf du Plessis, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Robin Uthappa, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Dwayne Bravo, Shardul Thakur, Deepak Chahar, Josh Hazlewood.

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sunil Narine, Shakib Al Hasan, Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy.

Toss - MS Dhoni and Eoin Morgan are in the middle for the all-important toss. MS flips the coin, Heads is the call and it is Heads. KOLKATA ELECT TO BOWL!

Pitch report - Simon Doull and Matthew Hayden are near the surface to inspect the conditions. The Kiwi starts by saying that both sides would like to bowl first as that has been the trend here in Dubai (the last 8 matches have been won while chasing). Hayden adds that this is a cracking wicket and he reckons that 170 is on the cards. Simon Doull reminds us that Chennai defended 156 on this very pitch which was last used on 19th September. He signs off by saying that it looks a belter.

You can't ignore the leadership of Dhoni and Morgan. Their bats have largely remained silent but their captaincy has been roaring. As Harsha Bhogle tweeted a day back - 'In franchise T20 cricket, a good captain is almost worth two players!' Mahi or Moggie, whose captaincy will steal the show this evening?

Battle of the heavyweights! Both Chennai and Kolkata have displayed excellent consistency in this edition, the former from the start and the latter in the second phase. The roadmap to the finale for them has been quite similar. Batting of the top order and the variety in the bowling attack are the main reasons for their success and there have been odd contributions from the middle order as well. However, the middle order batting has been the soft underbelly for these two sides and that area could be targeted this evening. Who will stand taller?

We all know how Eoin Morgan scripted England's renaissance in the shorter formats of the game, and how Brendon McCullum revived New Zealand's fortunes with his aggressive style of captaincy. When two people of the same quality meet, they end up building a winning team. It took time but eventually, Kolkata have blossomed into a fearless unit, capable of taking down any team. They've two trophies so far but it's been so long that they reached this grand stage. Now the time has come to end this drought and add the third title to their name.

MS Dhoni has built a legacy for himself and under him, Chennai have seen more highs than lows. 2020 was an aberration in the rich history of this franchise under MSD but they quickly left that behind and once again find themselves on the cusp of glory. It was vintage Dhoni in Qualifier 1 and his 6-ball winning cameo sent the world of cricket into a frenzy. The fire is still burning and everyone would be wishing for one final firework from him. You never know, this could be Dhoni's last League game as a player for Chennai. Enjoy till it lasts!

Chennai versus Kolkata! If not Mumbai, these two teams know how to win trophies and repeat it as well. One more piece of silverware is waiting to dazzle their cabinet but only one can have it - who will it be? Will Dubai get painted in 'Yellove' or are we going to see the City of Gold glitter in 'Purple and Gold'? All the answers lie ahead.

That much-awaited evening has finally arrived! Dubai, a city known for its riches, is going to witness this incredible moment of one team getting crowned as the champions of this amazing League. This season has been full of drama and fun, and let's wish for a game worthy of a grand finale. On that note, allow us to welcome you all for one last time in the 14th edition of the Indian T20 League. Sit back and enjoy all the action...

... THE GRAND FINALE ...