Chennai Super Kings vs Kolkata Knight Riders IPL, 2023

FOUR! The skipper has taken his team over the finish line with a boundary! Tushar Deshpande bowls this full and wide outside off. Nitish Rana looks to hit through the line and gets a thick outside edge that flies towards third man for four runs. Kolkata have won the game with six wickets in hand and with 10 balls to spare as they keep their qualification hopes alive.

WIDE! Tries to keep this away from the batter and bowls another full toss outside the tram line on the off side. Nitish Rana leaves this one alone and the umpire calls this wide.

Bowls a slower delivery full and outside the off pole. Nitish Rana looks to go hard at the ball but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Bowls a low full toss at stumps. Andre Russell knocks this towards long on for a single.

Full delivery once again on the pads. Nitish Rana flicks this towards deep square leg and picks up a couple of runs. Just 4 runs needed now.

Goes really full once again and just outside off. Nitish Rana hits it straight to Moeen Ali at cover and this time they do not look for a single.

Matheesha Pathirana goes full, outside off. Andre Russell drives it through covers for one run.

A low full toss outside the off pole. Nitish Rana drills this to deep cover and takes one.

Nails the yorker and delivers this at the stumps. Nitish Rana just about manages to dig this out.

FIVE WIDES! Matheesha Pathirana gets his line all wrong as he sprays this way down leg side on a fuller length. MS Dhoni dives to his right and gets a bit of glove on it but cannot stop it from running to the boundary for five extra runs.

Andre Russell is the new man at the crease.

OUT! RUN OUT! Chennai needed an outstanding piece of fielding to break this partnership! Matheesha Pathirana bowls this on a good length and outside the off stump. Rinku Singh pushes this towards cover and takes off for a quick single. Moeen Ali attacks the ball quickly and picks up the ball before taking aim at the non-striker's end. He gets a direct hit and replays confirm that Rinku Singh is well short of the crease. he has played a remarkable knock but has not been able to finish the game for Kolkata who lose their third wicket.

Slightly short this time and at the stumps. Rinku Singh flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for the sixth single in the over.

That is FIFTY for the Kolkata captain and he is building a wonderful partnership here with Rinku Singh to get his team closer to victory! This is full and going down leg. Nitish Rana works this towards mid-wicket and takes a single to reach the landmark.

Bowls this slightly short and in line with the stumps. Rinku Singh tucks this towards deep mid-wicket for one more.

Tosses this full and onto the pads. Nitish Rana dabs this into the leg side and rushes for another single.

Loops this one full and outside the off stump. Rinku Singh knocks this towards cover and a fumble allows this to take a run.

Maheesh Theekshana comes 'round the wicket and bowls this full at the pads. Nitish Rana clips this towards deep square leg for a single.

Strategic break! Kolkata are cruising at this point and only a miracle can get Chennai over the line now. Rinku Singh and Nitish Rana have turned the tide in Kolkata's favour and it will only be fitting if these remain till the very end. Rinku Singh racked up his third half-century in the Indian T20 League and now the Kolkata skipper would hope to reach his half-ton as well, before finishing the game off.

FOUR! Rinku Singh has somehow managed to find the fence! Matheesha Pathirana bowls this right at his toes on a yorker length. Rinku Singh gets bat on it and flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for four runs. 19 runs needed in 24 deliveries.

NO BALL! Matheesha Pathirana bowls a waist-high full toss wide outside the off pole. Rinku Singh misses and the leg umpire calls this no ball. MS Dhoni decides to review this and Ball Tracking confirms that it is above the waist. Free Hit coming up...

This is great bowling from Matheesha Pathirana as he bowls yet another yorker at the stumps. Nitish Rana gets an inside edge to the right of MS Dhoni behind the wicket and they go across for a single.

Goes really full once again and in line with the stumps. Nitish Rana flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Bowls this with pinpoint accuracy at the stumps on a yorker length. Nitish Rana gets his bat down in time and digs this out to point.

Nails the yorker in line with the stumps. Nitish Rana turns this towards the fielder at mid-wicket.

Matheesha Pathirana bowls this a low full toss wide outside off. Rinku Singh gets bat to it and plays it to deep backward point for a single,

So, 12 runs off the over. Rinku Singh flicks this ball off his pads. They cross for one.

Pushed through quicker, on off. Rinku Singh bunts it out.

Floated and onleg. Rana nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller, on the pads. Rana clips it through mid-wicket and collects a brace.

FOUR! Nitish Rana now into his 40s. These two left-handers now are taking the game away from Chennai. It is much fuller, on off. Rana uses his feet and lofts it over the bowler's head for a fine boundary.

FOUR! The boundaries are now flowing for Kolkata. It is a short bal, outside off. Nitish Rana rocks bacck and cuts it powerfully through the gap at point.

On off, defended out solidly. A good over for Kolkata. They are right back in the game.

SIX! BANG! This is huge. Rinku Singh into his 40s with a biggie. This is pitched up, outside off. Rinku Singh gets down quickly and slogs it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum. He muscles it way over the fence.

Much fulller, outside off. Rana slashes it past backward point for one more.

A single now as this is punched to long on.

On the pads, Rana flicks it aerially to deep mid-wicket. It meets the fielder on a bounce. They take one.

Quicker and full, on middle. Rana nudges it to mid-wicket.

Nitish Rana now ends the over with a single as he pushes this full ball to mid off.

LEG BYE! Angled into the pads now. Singh gets beaten as he fails to flick it away. The ball rolls out off his pads and they cross for a leg bye.

Fired into the pads, Rana clips it into the leg side for one.

FOUR! Up and over! Consecutive boundaries for the Kolkata skipper. Moeen Ali goes full, coming in with the arm, on middle. Rana makes some room and plays it inside out over covers for another boundary.

FOUR! Nitish Rana now gets into the act as well. It is tossed up, full and on off. Rana gets under it and drives it uppishly over covers for a fine boundary.

It is full, angled in on middle. Singh drives it into covers for a single.

Shortish, outside off, with some extra bounce. Singh cuts it through point for a single.

SIX! What a shot! Rinku Singh on fire. This is full and in the slot. Rinku Singh smokes it over the bowler's head. It goes straight as an arrow, and well beyond the ropes.

Around off, blocked out solidly.

Pushed through quicker, on off. Rinku Singh defends it to the left of the bowler.

Slower through the air, on the pads. Rana nudges it to square leg for one more.

Fuller, on the pads, Singh tucks it to short fine for one.

Angles this into the pads on a shortish length. Rinku Singh rocks back and eases this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Loops this full and outside the off pole. Rinku Singh shimmies down the wicket and dabs this towards point.

On a length, around off. Rana chops it through point for one.

On off, pushed into covers for a single.

DROPPED! Matheesha Pathirana does all the hard work but cannot hold on to this one. It is fuller, on off. Rana gets down on one knee and goes for the slog sweep. He ends up getting top-edge on it. The ball flies down to deep square leg. Matheesha Pathirana charges in from the deep and grabs the ball with two hands, although the impact with floor made the ball pop out of his palms. One taken.

FOUR! Nicely played! Nitish Rana getting in his groove now. It is floated and full, on off. Nitish Rana reverse hits it over short third man. One bounce and over the ropes.

An exhibition of variations from Matheesha Pathirana! A slower bouncer this time outside the off stump. Rinku Singh waits on the ball and opens the face of his bat to guide this down fine to thrid man for a couple of runs.

Nails the yorker at the stumps. Nitish Rana gets his bat down in time and digs this towards point for a quick single.

Bangs this in short and in line with the stumps. Nitish Rana ducks under this one and lets the ball go through to the keeper.

Back to bowling on a good length and outside the off pole. Rinku Singh guides this down to third man for a single.

Bowls this in line with the stumps on a fuller length. Rinku Singh flicks this towards mid-wicket and Ambati Rayudu pulls off a good stop diving to his right.

WIDE! Goes a bit fuller but strays down leg side. Rinku Singh looks to whip this fine but misses and the umpire calls this wide.

Matheesha Pathirana starts with a good-length delivery outside the off pole. Rinku Singh looks to hit through the line and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Strategic break! What a start this has been by the hosts. Deepak Chahar has put the opposition on the back foot here with his exceptional new ball bowling. Kolkata need their current pair of Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh to take it deep from this point on. If they are successful in doing that, then Kolkata would be well and truly back in the game. Matheesha Pathirana now comes into the attack for Chennai. He is the new superstar in Chennai and the crowds certainly show their love as soon as he gets the ball in hand.

Angles this into the pads on a fuller length. Rinku Singh clips this past backward square leg for a single and will keep strike. A nice partnership building here for Kolkata.

Goes back to bowling full and outside the off pole. Rinku Singh knocks this straight to mid off.

FOUR! Two boundaries in a row! A bit streaky but they all count. Moeen Ali bowls this short and outside off. Rinku Singh goes deep into the crease and looks to cut it late. Ends up slicing this over the slip fielder for four runs to third man.

FOUR! That is a release shot from Rinku Singh and gets a much-needed boundary! Moeen Ali fires this at the stumps on a fuller length. Rinku Singh makes room and drills this towards deep cover for four runs.

Loops this full and at the stumps. Rinku Singh blocks this to the right of the bowler.

Moeen Ali floats this full and at the pads. Rinku Singh defends this back down the pitch.

Bowls full once again and outside the off pole. Nitish Rana hits this straight to the cover fielder for a dot ball. Just four runs from this over.

Continues to go full and outside off. Rinku Singh pushes this to deep point for a single.

Flights this at the stumps on a fuller length. Nitish Rana looks to go inside out and miscues it towards deep cover-point for one.

Floats this one full and at the leg pole. Nitish Rana backs away and punches this towards the cover fielder.

Goes full once again and at the stumps. Rinku Singh knocks this hard towards long off for another single.

Maheesh Theekshana tosses this full and outside the off pole. Nitish Rana strokes this to the right of long on and takes a run.

Flights this one full and on a leg-stump line. Nitish Rana makes room and knocks this towards long off for a single to keep strike.

Loops this full and attacks the stumps. Nitish Rana dabs this into the leg side.

An absolute jaffa! Gets this one to pitch just outside off on a fuller length. Nitish Rana pushes forward and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Slightly short this time and angling down leg. Rinku Singh rocks back and tucks this towards deep square leg for one more.

Tosses this full and in line with the stumps. Rinku Singh blocks this to the left of the bowler.

Moeen Ali bowls this full and into the pads. Nitish Rana tucks this towards deep square leg for a single.

Time for some spin now, Moeen Ali gets the ball in hand.

SIX! Rinku Singh clears the ropes with ease! Tushar Deshpande serves this one full and outside the off pole. Rinku Singh leans into the shot and lofts this over long off for six runs. That spoils a good over from Tushar Deshpande and Kolkata are now 46 for the loss of three wickets after the Powerplay.

Goes a touch fuller this time and outside the off pole. Nitish Rana dabs this towards point and sets off for one.

Continues to bowl on a good length and at the stumps. Nitish Rana flicks this towards mid-wicket.

On a good length this time and outside the off pole. Rinku Singh pushes this towards mid off and sets off for a quick single.

Goes 'round the wicket and nails the yorker just outside off. Rinku Singh digs this out back towards the bowler.

Tushar Deshpande bowls this on a good length and onto the pads. Rinku Singh tucks this towards mid-wicket.

On a length, on off. Singh taps it to point and gets a single now.

FOUR! Rinku Singh does what he does best. He gets off the mark with a cracking boundary.  Very full, wide outside off. Singh leans in and carves it through covers for four runs.

Back of a length, on off. Singh punches it to point.

Rinku Singh walks out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Deepak Chahar is on fire here. He picks up his third wicket in his third over. Kolkata are 33/3 at the moment - on the third delivery of this over as well. It is a full-length ball, wide outside off. Roy tries to drive it through the line, but only manages to get a thick outside edge on it. Maheesh Theekshana takes a dolly at short third man.

Fuller, on the pads. Rana tucks it into mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

SIX! SMACKED! This one goes all the way as well. Nitish Rana now trying to get into his groove. This shot will give him a lot of confidence as well. It is a short one, on the bodyline. Nitish Rana hoicks it over mid-wicket. He hits it flat and hard for a biggie.

Fuller one, outside off. Rana drives it through point for a single now.

Full length ball, on fourth stump. Roy crunches it into cover, but Ruturaj Gaikwad dives to his right and makes a brilliant half-stop, that too, one-handed. The batters only take one.

On a length, around off. Roy makes some room and tries to work it into the off side. He ends up getting an inside edge on it.

Tushar Deshpande hurls in a length ball, in the channel. It stays very low after hitting the deck. MS Dhoni makes a half stop and kills all the pace off it, thanks to his gloves.

It is very full, on off stump. Roy clips it towards mid on.

A length ball, shaping away from outside off. Roy waits for it and guides it through backward point for a brace.

A slower length ball, over the leg stump. Rana gets inside the line and goes for the pull shot. He gets no where near it.

WIDE! A slower bumper, on middle. This one flies over the batter's head. The umpire signals a wide.

Nitish Rana, the skipper of Kolkata makes his way out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Deepak Chahar has the last laugh here. Venkatesh Iyer was looking to be in good touch, but unfortunately he nicks it this time. It is a length ball, angling across, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and tries to hit it through the line. Iyer goes through his shot but only manages to get a thick outside edge. Ravindra Jadeja is placed at the deep slip position, and he takes a really good low catch to break the second-wicket stand. Chennai have put the right foot forward so far.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer making his intentions clear. It is a full-length ball, angling across, wide outside off. Venkatesh Iyer smacks it powerfully through covers. The ball reaches the fence in a jiffy.

Back of a length, outside off. Roy punches it to deep point for one.

Good length, angled across, in the channel. Venkatesh Iyer charges towards the bowler and punches it to point for one.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer gets off the mark with a fine boundary. Too much widht on offer and Iyer does not waste this freebie. It is full, wide outside off. Iyer stands tall and crunches it through covers. The ball races away to the fence.

Four dots in a row to end the over! This is a length ball, at 128kmph, Jason Roy dabs it into covers off the outer half.

Length, on off, blocked out to point.

Two dots in a row! A good-length delivery, at 140 clicks. The ball nips in a touch off the deck. Jason Roy tries to heave it across the line but misses as the ball stays really low, that what he anticipated.

Much fuller, on off. Roy leans forward and drives it gently to mid off. Could not find the gap this time.

FOUR! Jason Roy gets the first boundary of the chase for Kolkata. It is a short ball, around middle. Roy steps forward and pulls it powerfully through the gap at mid-wicket for four runs.

A length ball, angled into the pads. Roy tucks it behind square on the leg side for two runs.

WIDE! Tushar Deshpande starts with a loosener. He spills this length ball down the leg side. The umpire extends his arms.

Venkatesh Iyer comes on as an Impact Player in place of Suyash Sharma and he will walk out to bat at number 3. Tushar Deshpande will share the new ball and bowl from the other end.

OUT! CAUGHT! Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to break the shackles. He thinks that he has read the pitch well, although he ends up giving away his wicket. Deepak Chahar provides the host with the early wicket that they were after. This is very full, wide outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz reaches out and slashes hard at it. The ball catches the outside edge and flies high towards deep point. Tushar Deshpande runs to his right in the deep, and takes a sharp running catch near the ropes.

A length ball, outside off, this one shapes away a touch. Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to block it away but does so inside the line.

Back of a length, outside off. Roy rocks back and punches it to deep point for one.

It is full, tailing into the batter. Gurbaz tries to flick it away, but it rolls out after deflection off his leg. The batters cross for a single, but Gurbaz is in some pain here.

Great shape on this time. It is fuller, lands outside off and shapes further away. Rahmanullah Gurbaz does not seem to be in any rush. He wants to take his time and assess the conditions here. The Afghani batters shoulders his arms at it.

WIDE! Deepak Chahar now spills this length ball down the leg side. Rahmanullah Gurbaz fails to work it around the corner. The umpire signals a wide.

Kolkata and Roy are off the mark here. It is a length ball. Roy clips it behind square on the leg side off his hips.

Two runs to end the inning! It is very full, on off. Dhoni smacks it down the ground. It goes towards long on. The batters take a couple. Chennai ends at 144/6.

Vaibhav Arora cleans him up, although it is a Free Hit. Dhoni has one last delivery left to face. Brilliant yorker once again from Aroro, this time on the money.

NO BALL! Vaibhav Arora nails his wide yorker on this occasion but the siren goes off this time. Free Hit coming up.

WIDE! Vaibhav Arora fires in a wide yorker, but it lands outside the tramline. The umpire signals a wide, but Nitish Rana challenges the same. The third umpire confirms that it is not a legal delivery.

The crowd has let us know that it is MS Dhoni who makes his way out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ravindra Jadeja could not apply the finishing touches here. Well through the inning for all the 5 wickets so far. The crowd went silent every single time, but now once Varun Chakaravarthy took the catch they are going beserk here, as they know MS Dhoni will be the next man in. Vaibhav Arora follows the batter down leg with a slower bumper. Jadeja goes for the ramp shot but ends up chipping it to short third man. Varun Chakaravarthy makes no mistake there.

Very full, on middle and leg. Jadeja whips it through the gap at mid-wicket. We all know how quick Jadeja is between the wickets. He comes back for the second run with ease. Is he even aging?

Short ball now, around middle. Dube pulls it behind square on the leg side. One taken. Jaddu on strike now. Can he roll back the time here?

Vaibhav Arora nails his yorker this time, Dube only manages to jam it past mid on. The batters get enough time to take two runs though.

Full and wide now. Dube works it to long off for just a single. What a over this has been from Thakur. Just 5 runs come off the penultimate over.

Pace up this time, full and on the pads. Shivam Dube has no room on offer. He inside-edges it on his pads.

WIDE! A slower bumper, outside off. Dube tries to play the ramp shot but misses. The umpire signals a wide due to height.

Fuller, and wide of off. Jadeja drills it to long on for one more.

Shivam Dube now rotates the strike. This is a length ball, on off. Dube punches it down the park.

Shardul Thakur fires in a yorker this time, outside off. Jadeja shuffles and whips it to deep square leg for one.

Thakur serves it full, angling across, wide of off. Ravindra Jadeja goes for the slog sweep but gets no where near the ball.

Exceptional running. This is on the pads. Dube whips it to deep mid-wicket. Rinku Singh comes across and keeps it down to two runs.

Shortish, around leg. Dube pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a brace this time.

Fuller, on middle. Jadeja nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

TWO WIDES! Pushed through quicker, down leg. Dube misses to flick it away, also Gurbaz fails to make an instant stop. They sneak a single and the umpire signals a wide.

SIX! High and handsome! Incredible shot. This is very full, on leg. Shivam Dube clears his front leg and smokes it across the line. The ball flies over the mid-wicket fence.

Quicker and flatter, on leg. Jadeja wrists it to mid-wicket for one more.

A bit short, on middle. Dube mistimes his hoick to square leg. One taken.

A googly, around middle. Jadeja works it to cover-point.

A single now as Dube knocks this full ball down the park.

SIX! All the way! Shivam Dube makes the most of the Free Hit. It is a short one, on the bodyline. Dube swivels on his back foot and dispatches it over the square leg fence.

NO BALL! Oh no! This could shift the momentum in Chennai's favour now. Suyash Sharma tosses it up, outside off. Jadeja gets it past the keeper off the outside edge. They take one. The umpire signals a no ball, as the bowler oversteps. Free Hit coming up.

An appeal for caught behind, but the umpire shows no interest. It is a googly, wide of off, that leaves the left-hander. Ravindra Jadeja rocks back and tries to cut it away but gets beaten on the outside edge. Suyash Sharma says that he heard something and Nitish Rana takes the review. The UltraEdge though confirms no bat is involved. Kolkata lose a review here.

SIX! BANG! This is huge! Goes straight into the stands. Ravindra Jadeja now injecting some life in this crowd. A short ball, on middle. Ravindra Jadeja swivels and tonks it over the square leg fence.

Flighted and full, wide of off. Dube carves it through covers for an easy single.

Strategic break! The middle phase has been ruled by the Kolkata spinners as they have dented the Chennai batting order massively. The hosts have lost half of their side but they have two set batters at the crease and the fans will be hoping for some fireworks towards the end especially with MS Dhoni yet to come. Kolkata will want to break this partnership at the earliest and they will know that their death bowling has not been at its best so far in the tournament. A crucial phase in the game awaits us as the tie could shift in either team's favor in the last four overs of this inning. Suyash Sharma (2-0-13-0) is back into the attack.

Back of a length, around middle, at 116 clicks. Dube closes the face of the bat and nudges it to mid-wicket for one more. Good recovery by Thakur after going for a boundary on the very first delivery.

Much fuller, angled across, outside off. Jadeja drives it down the park for a single.

Shardul Thakur now pulls his pace back, shorter, wide of off. Ravindra Jadeja tries to reach out but could not time his stroke.

A length ball, around middle and leg. Dube gets it to square leg off the inner half. They cross for one.

A length ball, around off. Dube cue ends it back to the bowler.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Chennai. Shivam Dube capitalises on the pace on offer straightaway. A loosener though from Thakur to start his second spell. It is a short ball, angling down leg. Dube swivels and pulls it down to fine leg for a fine boundary.

Bowls this quick and outside off, a tab bit fuller. Ravindra Jadeja pushes at the line of the ball and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Goes wide outside the off stump on a shortish length. Shivam Dube cuts this firmly towards deep point to make it five ones in five balls.

Short once again and outside the off pole. Ravindra Jadeja hits this uppishly towards long on for the fourth single of the over.

Bowls this onto the pads on a shortish length. Shivam Dube clips this through mid-wicket and takes one more.

Continues to bowl short and offers width outside off. Ravindra Jadeja cuts this towards deep point for yet another run.

Varun Chakaravarthy bowls this short and wide outside off. Shivam Dube slaps this towards deep cover and takes a single.

Fights this one full and outside the off pole. Ravindra Jadeja dabs this straight to the fielder at point.

Short and wide outside off. Ravindra Jadeja cross-bats this back to the bowler's left.

Loops this one full and on an off-stump line. Shivam Dube knocks this towards cover an over throw allows them to take a run.

Short once again and on a leg stump line. Ravindra Jadeja goes deep in the crease and tucks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Goes full and just outside off. Shivam Dube clips this down to long on and picks up an easy one.

Suyash Sharma bowls a googly short and outside the off stump. Ravindra Jadeja taps this towards short third man and takes a single.

Loops this one full and outside the off pole. Ravindra Jadeja dabs this through cover-point for a run.

Fires this one into the stumps on a shortish length. Ravindra Jadeja gets cramped for room but manages to keep the ball out.

Tosses this full and into the stumps. Ravindra Jadeja gets his front foot well forward and blocks this towards cover.

Goes back to bowling over the wicket and serves this outside off on a shorter length. Shivam Dube rocks back and flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls this short and outside off from 'round the wicket. Shivam Dube knocks this back towards the bowler.

Sunil Narine bowls this full and onto the pads. Shivam Dube looks to whip this away but misses.

Loops this one full and outside the off pole. Shivam Dube eases this down to long off for a run and will retain strike.

SIX! Shivam Dube is taking the attack to the Kolkata spinners! Suyash Sharma tosses this full and outside off. Shivam Dube goes inside out and drills this over deep cover for six runs.

Flights this one full and outside off. Ravindra Jadeja dabs this towards cover and takes a quick run.

Bowls this quicker in the air and outside the off pole on a shortish length. Shivam Dube works this through cover-point for a single.

Slightly short this time and outside off. Shivam Dube knocks this firmly to the cover fielder.

Suyash Sharma flights this one full and outside off, starts with a googly. Shivam Dube looks to feel for it and gets beaten on the outside edge.

Ravindra Jadeja comes in to bat now. Also, Suyash Sharma finally comes into the attack for Kolkata.

OUT! BOWLED! Moeen Ali has been castled and Sunil Narine ends the over in the same way that he started it! He gets this one to skid through on a shortish length and from just outside off. Moeen Ali looks to go on the back foot and defend this but gets beaten on the inside edge and his stumps are disturbed. Chennai have lost half their side now and are in a spot of bother. Kolkata will be absolutely thrilled with their bowling effort so far.

Bowls this slightly short and outside the leg stump. Shivam Dube flicks this towards deep square leg for a run.

Flights this one onto the pads on a fuller length. Sunil Narine flicks this towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Tosses this full and in line with the stumps. Shivam Dube blocks this back towards the bowler.

Sunil Narine loops this one full and outside off. Moeen Ali pushes this towards point and takes a run to open his account.

Moeen Ali is the new batter in.

OUT! TIMBER! Sunil Narine gets a wicket finally and he also seems to be completely unemotional about it! This is tossed up full and just outside off, spinning into the stumps. Ambati Rayudu gets a stride forward and looks to sweep across the line but misses and his stumps are shuttered. Chennai lose their fourth wicket and the Ambati Rayudu's short stay at the wicket comes to an end. The hosts need a good partnership here so that their big hitters can go hard towards the end.

Good length, around off. Dube gets an inside edge on it. Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes a sharp stop behind the sticks.

Short once again, outside the off stump. Ambati Rayudu opens the face late and runs it down to third man for just a single.

Shorter, in the channel. Dube punches it past backward point off his back foot. One taken.

Shivam Dube strides out to the middle.

OUT! CAUGHT! Shardul Thakur gets rid of the set batter as soon as he comes into the attack. Nitish Rana's changes are doing the job for him. Excellent captaincy. Chennai lose their third wicket and the Chepauk has gone silent. It is a short ball, around middle. Conway swivels and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Although he does not middle it and Rinku Singh makes no mistake in the deep.

A good-length ball, on top of leg. Devon Conway lifts his front leg and tries to flick it away but gets pinged on his thigh pads.

Shardul Thakur bangs in a short ball, on off. Ambati Rayudu rides the bounce and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. He only manages to find the fielder. One taken.

Strategic break! Chennai were off to a steady start but lost a wicket in the Powerplay. They kept the scoreboard ticking nicely but have had to deal with an in-form Varun Chakaravarthy whose two wickets have helped Kolkata maintain control of the scoring rate. Devon Conway is out in the middle but seems to be struggling with his running and that could definitely affect Chennai's plans. They will hope to keep the Kolkata spinners at bay in the middle phase as they look to make a late surge and get to a decent total. Kolkata will need to keep chipping away at the wickets but will know that the hosts bat deep. Shardul Thakur has been brought into the attack.

Floated and full, this one holds in the deck. Ambati Rayudu gets on his front foot, but the ball chips back to the left of the bowler, off the upper half of the blade. Fortunately it lands safely. One taken.

Short, on leg. Conway flicks it into square leg and rotates the strike.

Flatter one, sliding down leg. Ambati Rayudu tickles it around the corner and gets off the mark with a single.

Tosses it up, around middle. Rayudu prods and defends it into the deck.

Quicker and fuller, on off. Ambati Rayudu blocks it out watchfully.

On leg stump, Conway tucks it to mid-wicket for a single.

Ambati Rayudu is the new batter at the crease.

OUT! CAUGHT! Simple catch for Jason Roy at long off. Ajinkya Rahane tries to break the shackles, but holes out instead. It is quicker and full, on off. Rahane dances down the track, gets to the pitch of the ball and lofts it high in the air towards long off. He does not get his timing right, and it does not travel the distance that he would've wanted. Varun Chakaravarthy is doing the trick for Kolkata early on here.

Shorter one, in the channel. Ajinkya Rahane gets on his toes and blocks it out.

Pushed through quicker, on off. Conway knocks it down to mid on for one run this time.

Darted on the pads, Conway clips it through mid-wicket for a brace.

Varun Chakaravarthy appeals and the finger goes up. Devon Conway has a chat with his partner and goes for the review. It is an offspinner, around off. Conway tries to defend it on his front foot but takes a blow on his pads. The UltraEdge shows no spike as the ball passes the blade. The Ball Tracking though confirms that the ball is missing the wickets. Devon Conway survives. Excellent use of the review by Chennai.

This is good running! Slightly short, outside off. Ajinkya Rahane cuts it through point for a single.

Quicker and flatter, in-line with the stumps. Rahane closes the face of the bat and nudges it into mid-wicket. They take one more. A tidy start by Narine with the ball, although he needs to get a wicket besides his name, rather sooner than later.

A single now as this is tucked past mid on.

Shorter, turning into the batter. Rahane stays back and flicks it behind square on the leg side for one.

Fires it into the pads, Conway uses the angle and flicks it down to fine leg for one.

BEATEN! It is tossed up, outside off, turning away a touch. Conway tries to have a poke at it but only to get beaten on the outside edge.

Half-tracker, outside off. Ajinkya Rahane pulls it down to long on for a single.

Very full, wide of off. Conway dabs it out to point, only to find the fielder. A brilliant over from Vaibhav Arora comes to an end. At the end of Powerplay, Chennai at 52/1.

Swing and a miss! On a good length, outside off. Conway tries to work it on the leg side but is a touch early into his shot.

Vaibhav Arora bangs in a short ball, on leg stump. Conway tries to heave it across the line but misses. He gets inside the line but is unable to put it away.

Pitched up, wide of off. Rahane leans in and drives it through the cover region for another single.

Fuller in length, angled in on off from 'round the wicket. Conway knocks it to the right of mid off and crosses.

Conway charges down the wicket to this length ball. Although Arora cramps him up for room. The ball goes to the leg side off the inner half. The batters cross for two runs.

SIX! STAND AND DELIVER! Ajinkya Rahane has got hold of this one and sends the cherry into the crowd! Harshit Rana bowls this on a fullish length and on an off-stump line. Ajinkya Rahane hits through the line and deposits the ball over long on for six runs.

Continues to bowl on a good length and outside off. Ajinkya Rahane dabs this towards cover and looks for a run that is not there. Devon Conway sends him back.

FOUR! Deft touch from Ajinkya Rahane as he gets his first boundary! Harshit Rana bowls this on a good length and just outside the off stump. Ajinkya Rahane waits on it and guides this down to third man for four runs.

Bangs this in short and in line with the stumps. Devon Conway pulls this towards deep square leg for a single.

Bowls this one slightly fuller and outside off. Devon Conway charges down the wicket and hits this hard but straight to the fielder at cover.

Harshit Rana serves this on a good length and on a leg-stump line. Devon Conway tries to flick this leg side but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Bowls this on slightly short and onto the pads. Devon Conway tucks this towards mid-wicket and takes a single to keep strike.

FOUR! Devon Conway finds the gap to perfection! Varun Chakaravarthy continues to bowl full but this is slightly overpitched. Devon Conway needs no second invitation as he strokes this towards deep cover for four runs.

Loops this one full and outside off. Ajinkya Rahane eases this down to long on and takes a run to open his account.

Ajinkya Rahane comes in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Varun Chakaravarthy draws first blood and that is why he has been brought so early into the attack! He bowls a leg-spin delivery flighted full and on an off-stump line. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to get down on one knee and heave this into the leg side but gets an outside edge that lobs up towards the short third man fielder. Vaibhav Arora has the easiest of catches to take and he makes no mistake grabbing hold of the ball. Varun Chakaravarthy is emotionless and does not react as he just walks towards the huddle made by his team. Kolkata desperately needed this breakthrough as Chennai are capable of putting on a solid opening stand.

Tosses this full and outside the off stump. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to go aerial but miscues this to the right of mid on for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Varun Chakaravarthy is welcomed to the bowler's crease with a boundary! Varun Chakaravarthy floats this one full and outside the off pole. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets well forward and sweeps this towards deep backward square leg for four runs.

FOUR! Valiant effort in the deep by Rinku Singh but it will be yet another boundary for Devon Conway! Vaibhav Arora bowls this full and at the pads. Devon Conway flicks this past the fielder at mid-wicket and the ball races towards the ropes. Rinku Singh puts in a dive but his foot is touching the boundary as he pushes the ball away and it will be four runs.

On a good length and gets it to nip back in off the surface from outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to cut but gets cramped for room and under edges this to the right of the keeper. They still manage to steal a run.

Goes full and angles this in from outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad pushes this straight to the fielder at mid off.

Angles this into the pads on a fuller length. Devon Conway clips this towards deep square leg for a single.

Short and wide outside the off pole. Ruturaj Gaikwad slashes hard at this one but finds the fielder at deep backward point for a single.

Vaibhav Arora attacks the pads on a good length from 'round the wicket. Devon Conway tucks this into the leg side and takes one.

Delivers this one wider outside off and slightly back of a length. Ruturaj Gaikwad guides this down to third man and takes two runs as the fielder is quite wide.

Attacks the stumps on a good length. Devon Conway blocks this past the fielder at backward point for an easy run.

FOUR! Devon Conway gets his first boundary now and the runs are flowing nicely for Chennai! Harshit Rana bowls this short and going down leg. Easy pickings for Devon Conway as he pulls this towards deep backward square leg for four runs.

Back to bowling on a good length and outside the off stump. Ruturaj Gaikwad guides this past backward point for a single.

Goes full this time and outside the off pole. Ruturaj Gaikwad drills this straight to the man at cover.

Harshit Rana starts off with a good-length delivery slightly wide outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets forward and defends this back towards the bowler.

Who will share the new ball? It is going to be Harshit Rana.

Delivers this on a good length and outside the off pole. Devon Conway is watchful as he blocks this towards the point fielder. Nine runs from the first over and Chennai are off to a steady start.

Bowls this one back of a length and outside the off stump. Ruturaj Gaikwad miscues his cut towards point for a single.

FOUR! Ruturaj Gaikwad gets the first boundary for Chennai and he has absolutely caressed this to the fence. Vaibhav Arora bowls this full and outside off. Ruturaj Gaikwad gets his front foot forward and strokes this towards deep cover-point for four runs.

On a good length this time and outside the off stump. Devon Conway dabs this towards cover with soft hands to take a run.

Goes 'round the wicket and serves this full on the pads. Devon Conway flicks this towards deep square leg for two well-taken runs to open his account as well.

Vaibhav Arora starts with a full delivery just outside the off pole. Ruturaj Gaikwad clips this towards mid on and sets off for a quick single to get off the mark.

The match is set to begin. The crowd has filled in good numbers at Chepauk. Well, MS Dhoni is featuring tonight so this was bound to happen. The Kolkata players make their way out on the field. Followed by Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway, the opening pair that has stolen plenty of hearts this season. It will be Vaibhav Arora to start with the new ball. Here we go...

Nitish Rana, the captain of Kolkata says they would have batted first as well. Claims that the wicket looks a little sticky so they would have preferred to bat first and set a total so that they could try and defend the target with their spinners. Claims that there has been pressure from the first game until now as this is one of the best competitions in the world and they cannot take any game lightly. Mentions that if any department fails it could cost them the game and they need all three departments to perform well together. Informs they have one change as Vaibhav Arora replaces Anukul Roy in the side.

MS Dhoni, the skipper of Chennai informs that they will bat first. States that as the tournament has progressed the wicket has gotten a bit slower. Tells that he always suggests the batters to assess the conditions quickly. Informs that it is good to keep revisiting what a good score is as the game progresses. Fells that they haven't done enough in the field. Adds that he will be happy even if they improve 5-10 percent in the field, other than that he is delighted with the way his boys have performed until now.

Impact Players for Kolkata -  Anukul Roy, Narayan Jagadeesan, Umesh Yadav, Venkatesh Iyer, Lockie Ferguson.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Rahmanullah Gurbaz (WK), Jason Roy, Nitish Rana (C), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Shardul Thakur, Sunil Narine, Vaibhav Arora (In place of Anukul Roy), Harshit Rana, Suyash Sharma (In place of Venkatesh Iyer), Varun Chakaravarthy.

Impact Players for Chennai - Matheesha Pathirana, Nishant Sindhu, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, Akash Singh.

Chennai (Unchanged Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu, Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C/WK), Deepak Chahar, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.

TOSS - The captains are out in the middle. The coin is flipped into the air and lands in favor of Chennai. They have elected to BAT first.

PITCH REPORT - Sanjay Manjrekar is out in the center and he says that he does not like to state the obvious but has to inform us that it is very hot at the stadium. He adds that the square boundaries have different dimensions with one side 61 m and the other 70 m so we need to watch out for the left-hand and right-hand combination. He is joined by Matthew Hayden who claims that the pitch looks exactly like it was back in 2010 when he played. Mentions that it is very dry and there is a lack of grass on the surface. Goes on to say that the ball will hold up on this so there will be a lot of spin used. Ends by saying that both sides have loads of spinners so the par score is 160-165 and even though 200 has been achieved four times at this venue, it will not happen today.

Kolkata will be very disappointed with how things have panned out in this campaign and they may just have missed the captaincy along with the batting prowess of Shreyas Iyer in the squad. They have been unable to string together a run of victories and the inconsistency in their performances has their qualification hopes hanging by a thread. They have depended heavily on individual brilliance to get over the line and Nitish Rana has been unable to get the team to gel together with the quality they have in hand. That said they have some devastating batters in their line-up and they have classy mystery spinners who could play a massive role on the Chepauk wicket. Their pace bowlers have been very expensive and their lack of death bowling options has cost them closely-fought encounters. Will they be able to keep their season alive with a crucial win? Or will Chennai dominate their opponents in home conditions? We will find out soon. Stay tuned for the toss and team updates.

Chennai continue to show the world why they are considered the juggernaut of franchise T20 cricket as they look destined for yet another playoff appearance. They started the competition strong but a minor stumble towards the middle phase had their fans sweating but two wins in a row have managed to calm down the nerves in the fan base and the dressing room. MS Dhoni continues to be a colossal figure on the field and he has not lost any of his leadership skills as he looks to hunt for his fifth Indian T20 League title. Their success has historically been founded on the good work done by their batters along with their spinners and both departments have maintained their performance in this edition. The return of Deepak Chahar has got some solidity back to their pace bowling unit that has been carried wonderfully by the youngsters in the squad. They will hunt for a win that confirms their qualification for the next stage and helps take them to the top of the table.

Hello, and a warm welcome, ladies and gentlemen to our coverage of match number 61 in the 16th edition of the Indian T20 League as we are about to witness an enthralling encounter between two teams with different ambitions in the game. We are at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium as Chennai welcome Kolkata to a ground renowned for being hostile towards their opponents. The home crowd will be hoping their side can condemn their opponents to another loss in this edition. The last time the two teams faced each other at Eden Gardens, Chennai posted a mammoth total of 235 on the board and won by a margin of 49 runs. The momentum is definitely with the home side as they look to get their third win on a trot in the quest for the top two places on the table while on the other hand, Kolkata need to win their remaining two games to give themselves any hope of survival.

... MATCH DAY ...

It is now time for Match number 61 in the India T20 League 2023 as Chennai go up against Kolkata at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. The hosts, have enjoyed a fruitful season and it has been a positive return to their home ground. Chennai are in the top four and a win here would almost certainly seal their playoff berth. They have a stable batting line-up with the likes of Devon Conway and Ajinkya Rahane shining bright. This has been then backed up by the power-hitting of Shivam Dube. On the bowling front, Ravindra Jadeja has been highly consistent with Tushar Deshpande being amongst the leading wicket-takers and then Matheesha Pathirana has been phenomenal at the death. They will certainly be a difficult side to beat at home. On the other hand, Kolkata have blown hot and cold all season but have somehow kept themselves in the playoffs hunt. They do need to win remaining all games though and it won't be an easy ask at all. Skipper Nitish Rana along with the likes of Venkatesh Iyer and Rinku Singh have led the charge with the bat and Jason Roy too have played well. Their bowling has struggled somewhat with Sunil Narine and Umesh Yadav being out of form. Varun Chakaravarthy though has been a diamond in the rough for them and young leggie Suyash Sharma has also bowled brilliantly. It is Chennai who have the edge in this one but Kolkata can take down any side on a given day. A cracker of a contest awaits. Who are you backing?