Gujarat Titans vs Rajasthan Royals Ball by Ball Commentary

SIX! David Miller, take a bow! GUJARAT ARE IN THE FINAL! Pandya hugs Miller, the other Gujarat players join them. What a moment! Hardik isn't showing much emotion. Coming to the delivery - Prasidh Krishna changes his angle. He comes from round the wicket, delivers it full and around middle, David Miller swings his big blade and towers it over mid-wicket. Gujarat win by 7 wickets!

SIX! Killer Miller doing it again for Gujarat! Slightly short in length, around middle, David Miller turns inside the crease and spanks it all the way over deep mid-wicket. 4 needed off 4 balls.

SIX! This one has been pulverized! Prasidh Krishna puts it in the slot, around middle and fuller in length, Miller gives it the full whack of his blade and smokes it over wide long on. 10 needed off 5 balls.

Prasidh Krishna to bowl the last over! This is going down to the wire.

SWING AND A MISS! Outstanding from Obed McCoy. Clever change in pace, delivers it full and wide outside off, Pandya winds up for a big shot but misses. Brilliant stuff from the West Indian! Just 7 from the over. 16 needed off the last over.

FIFTY FOR MILLER! His 12th in the Indian T20 League. Short again, around off, Miller powers his pull shot to deep square leg for a run.

Slower one, short and around leg, Miller is early into the swing of his bat as he tries to pull. It takes his gloves and rolls behind to the keeper.

FOUR! BOOM! Obed McCoy goes full and around middle, David Miller uses the depth of his crease and bludgeons it through extra cover for a cracking boundary.

Shortish and around leg, Hardik clears his front leg but is cramped for room. He forces it somehow in front of square on the leg side and collects a single. Two good balls from McCoy so far.

Back of a length, outside off, Miller eases it down to long off for a run.

Short in length and outside off, Miller punches it to deep cover for one. 11 from the over, Gujarat continue to keep things under control. 23 needed off 12 balls.

SIX! THIS IS HUGE! Chahal tries to stay away from the batter's hitting zone but Miller has used his reach to attack this one. Full and flighted, wide outside off, Miller gets across, fetches it from there and launches it into the top tier at wide long on. 24 needed off 13 balls.

Fires it flat and around leg, Pandya helps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls it short and wide outside off, David moves across the stumps again and tries to punch it through the line. He mistimes his shot off the bottom part and the ball travels to long off. Only a run.

Flighted one, around middle, Hardik stays back and forces it down to long off for a single.

Flatter and shorter, wide outside off, Miller walks across the stumps and slaps it t deep cover for a run.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back to bowl his final over. This is crucial in the context of the game. Can Chahal deliver?

Aerial again but safe again! Short and on off, Miller pulls it in the air, without much timing but it falls in no man's land at deep mid-wicket. Just a single. 9 from the over, 34 needed off the last three overs.

Short and on middle, Pandya turns and pulls it to deep square leg for a run.

JUST SHORT! Pace off from Obed McCoy as he delivers it short and wide outside off, Miller is early into the shot and plays it aerially towards extra cover. Yashasvi Jaiswal dives but it falls short of him. They cross.

Around leg, on a length, Hardik works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A yorker on middle, Miller clears his front leg and whips it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Slower delivery, full toss around off and dipping into the batter, Miller gets back to punch it through the line but it takes the outside edge and speeds away from the backward point fielder.

DRINKS! Gujarat have paced this chase perfectly so far! The required rate is well under their control and with finishers like Pandya and Miller in the middle and a couple more to follow, it is safe to say that Gujarat are the favourite at the moment. However, a couple of tidy overs and a wicket or two can change the momentum completely as we are down to the final four overs now, to determine our first finalist of the Indian T20 League, 2022. Obed McCoy is back on.

Short and on off, pulled to deep mid-wicket for one. Boult is done with his four overs. 43 needed off 24 balls.

Shimron Hetmyer comes up with a great stop this time! Short in length and outside off, Miller punches it firmly to sweeper cover. Shimron Hetmyer moves across to his left, slides and stops the ball. Saves two.

Well stopped by Parag! Fuller in length and around middle, David Miller whips it to wide long on. Riyan Parag scoots across to his left, dives and parries it towards the fielder running across to his right from deep mid-wicket. Saves two.

This one deviates after landing. A knuckle delivery, around off on a length, Miller doesn't pick it, plays inside the line and gets beaten.

Aerial but safe. Slightly short and around leg, Pandya checks his flick shot and plays it aerially through mid-wicket. Takes a single.

Back of a length, around off, Miller pushes it through covers for a single.

Trent Boult to bowl the 16th over.

Chahal pushes it quicker and keeps it a tad short as well. Pandya punches it to cover-point. 50 needed now from 30 balls!

On the shorter side, around off. Miller cuts it to sweeper cover for a single.

SIX! This was the match-up, Chahal vs Miller and Miller has delivered here! Tossed up on off. Miller holds his shape and tonks it straight down the ground for a biggie.

Tossed up on off. Pandya drives it to long off for a single.

Chahal with a leg-break again that pitches on off. Miller works it with the turn towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Pitches it on off and gets it to turn away a bit. Pandya lets it turn and pushes it to long off for a single.

Change in bowling. Yuzvendra Chahal returns to bowl. His two overs are very crucial for Rajasthan at the moment.

FOUR! Miller finds his timing this time and now 60 needed from 36 balls! Ashwin with a full ball on middle. Miller stays upright and drills it straight down the ground for a boundary.

A fuller one on middle. Pandya pushes it to long on for a single.

WIDE! It is full and outside off. Pandya lets it go.

FOUR! Poor delivery by Ashwin and Pandya does not miss out! A full toss on off. Pandya hits it hard and finds the gap brilliantly between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

Great work by Riyan Parag in the deep! A slightly shorter-length delivery on middle. Pandya times it well as he works it to the right of long on. Parag though runs to his right quickly and dives to keep it to just two runs.

Ashwin drags it down again on middle. Miller pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

On the shorter side on middle. Pandya punches it to long on for a single.

A full toss, outside off. Pandya pushes it towards extra cover for a single. He asks for a no ball to the umpire but the umpire says it is a fair enough ball.

Angling into leg. A length delivery this and Miller looks to clip it away. He gets the inside edge of his blade onto his pads and the single is taken as the ball rolls towards the off side.

Obed McCoy with a slower one at 120.9 kph. Pandya drives it to long off for a single.

Bangs it short on off. Miller pulls it firmly towards deep square leg for a single.

In the air but in the gap! A length delivery, outside off. Miller goes inside-out over towards the extra-cover region and the batters run two as the ball falls in the gap.

Obed McCoy starts with a delivery on the shorter side, around off. Miller dabs it to point.

Obed McCoy gets a change of ends. His first over went for 18 runs, can he redeem himself?

Yes. he does! A flatter one and slightly short on off. Miller goes back and cuts it towards deep cover for a single. 80 needed now from 48 balls!

A carrom ball on middle. Pandya flicks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. Can Ashwin end the over well?

Ashwin bowls it a bit slower on leg. Miller leans forward and pushes it to long on for a single.

A fuller one on middle. Pandya drills it to long on for another single.

Angling into middle again. Miller works it to long on for a single.

A flatter and quicker one on middle. Miller tries to work it towards the leg side. He gets the inside edge towards short fine leg.

Ravichandran Ashwin is back on. 2-0-21-0 are his figures so far. A slip in place for Miller...

Krishna bowls a short ball again and this time angling into leg. Miller looks to pull but misses. The ball hits his body and a leg bye is taken as the ball rolls towards the leg side. 85 needed now from 54 balls!

On the shorter side again, around off. Pandya rides the bounce and pushes it to covers for a single.

FOUR! Pandya watches his innings on the big screen, the innings he played the last time against Rajasthan and now follows it with a boundary! Back of a length, outside off. Pandya looks to cut but gets the thick outside edge. The ball races away towards the third man fence for a boundary. 100 up, Gujarat are ahead in this game at the moment!

Back of a length, on off. Pandya punches it to covers.

Angling into middle and leg. Miller works it to fine leg for a single.

Krishna starts the new spell with a lovely delivery! Lands it on a good length and the ball straightens after pitching. Miller looks to defend it but the ball beats the outside edge of his blade.

Prasidh Krishna is back on. 2-0-16-0 are his figures so far.

FOUR! Finds the gap! Too full in length and outside off, Hardik Pandya drives it with good timing and beats the mid off fielder to find the fence. 18 from the over and despite picking a wicket, it's a poor one from Obed McCoy.

Wide! Full and down the leg side again, Pandya attempts to flick but misses. This over is going on endlessly.

FOUR! A touch short and around leg, Hardik deflects it neatly and finds the fence at fine leg.

Wide! Down the leg side, Pandya tries to flick but misses.

Mishit! Back of a length, outside off at 134.2 kph, Miller stands back to slap it through the line but it takes the toe end and goes through mid on for a run.

IT'S A NO BALL! Obed McCoy digs it in short to greet the batter and it goes over the head of Miller. Second bouncer in the over and it's given as a no ball. Free Hit coming...

David Miller is the next man in.

OUT! Wade holes out! A well-judged catch near the fence by Jos Buttler. What a day Buttler is having! Short in length, around off at 131 clicks, Wade hangs on the back foot and pulls it over mid-wicket. The connection seems proper but it's not enough to clear the fence. Buttler jumps and catches it over his head. Obed McCoy thought it's gone all the way and was looking away. Then, to his surprise, he gets to know that Buttler has caught the ball. The West Indian takes a huge sigh of relief and smiles. Wade departs and Gujarat are losing the plot slightly here. 104 needed off 63 balls.

Around middle and off, on a length, Pandya helps it through mid-wicket and collects a single.

FOUR! Timing and placement. Short in length and outside off, Hardik Pandya stays on the back foot and cracks it wide of backward point for a boundary.

Wide! A wayward bouncer, down the leg side, Pandya leaves.

Obed McCoy is into the attack now.

FOUR! Fine shot! Full and floated, around off, Matthew Wade brings out the reverse sweep and places it through the gap between short third man and backward point. Spoils a great over.

Terrific delivery. Loopy and around off, turning back in a mile, Wade goes back to cut but is cramped for room. He somehow keeps it out to covers.

Around off, forced down to long on for a run.

Goes on the back foot to a short ball and strokes it past the cover fielder for a run.

Flighted and outside off, Wade slices his drive towards point.

Flatter and on off, Pandya goes back and punches it through covers for a run.

Presses forward and pushes a full ball to covers.

Skidding down from leg, Wade tries to flick but misses and is hit on the pads.

The skipper, Hardik Pandya walks out to bat.

OUT! GILL IS RUN OUT! A big mix-up and Gujarat have lost a needless wicket. Floated delivery, full and around middle, Shubman Gill works it with gentle hands towards mid-wicket and scampers back for the second run. Matthew Wade takes a start but then stops. Shimron Hetmyer attacks the ball near the circle and fires a throw at the bowler's end. Devdutt Padikkal goes to collect it and breaks the stumps in a jiffy. Gill is not even in the frame. He walks back disappointed.

Flatter and shorter on middle, Wade goes back and tucks it through mid-wicket for one.

Wide! Skidding down the leg side, Wade tries to work it off his pads but misses. A good take by Samson.

Brilliant stop! Short in length and outside off, Wade goes back to cut but fails to beat the point fielder. Yashasvi Jaiswal dives to his right and saves a certain boundary.

Quicker and fuller on off, Shubman Gill eases it down to long on for a run.

Floated and full, wide outside off, Wade leaves it thinking it to be wide. But it's not.

Loopy and full, around leg, Gill clips it through mid-wicket for a run.

A touch short and on off, Wade is on the back foot as he turns it towards mid-wicket for one.

Full and down the leg side, helped towards backward square leg for one.

Around off, fuller in length, defended.

Fuller and outside off, driven through covers for a single.

DRINKS! This is the highest Powerplay score for Gujarat this season and it is exactly what they needed while chasing a big score in a crunch game. They lost the in-form Saha early but these two have been positive and the momentum is on Gujarat's side now. Rajasthan need to break this partnership and a couple of tidy overs will help bring some pressure back on Gujarat. Yuzvendra Chahal to bowl after the break...

Floated and full, around off, Wade pushes it towards wide mid off for a run. 17 from the over and Gujarat have amassed 64 runs in the Powerplay for the loss of one wicket. 125 needed more.

A slider around off, on the shorter side and it skids into the batter, Wade goes back and pushes it to covers.

Flatter through the air, on middle, Gill works it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

FOUR! It's raining boundaries here. Fuller and around leg, Shubman Gill flicks it across the line and finds the gap past square leg.

FOUR! Slapped! Ashwin cuts down in his length, delivers it short and around off, Shubman Gill rocks back and slaps it through point.

SIX! That's a clinical blow! Full and flighted, around off, Shubman Gill advances down the track, makes some room and lifts it inside-out over extra cover for a biggie.

Wide! Ashwin begins with a delivery down the leg side, Gill tries to sweep but misses.

Change in bowling. Ravichandran Ashwin to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

A length ball, on off. Gill defends it towards mid off for a single. 16 from the over and Gujarat are moving along nicely here!

FOUR! Glorious shot! Boult overpitches, around off. Gill lunges forward and creams it through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Lucky for Gill but such has been this game so far, batters have been pretty lucky! Boult comes 'round the wicket and lands on a length angling into middle. Gill looks to push it towards the off side but is cramped for room. He gets the inside edge and the ball goes over the stumps and past the diving Samson for a boundary at fine leg.

On a length, on middle. Wade pushes it towards mid off with soft hands and takes a single.

A fuller delivery on middle. Wade drives it to mid on where the fielder misfields and the batters run two.

FOUR! Poor delivery and Wade punishes it! Shorter-length delivery angling into middle and leg. Nice friendly height for Wade to pull and he does that to a great effect, in the gap towards the square leg fence.

Will Trent Boult bowl an extra over in his opening spell? The answer is yes. The Kiwi is steaming in again...

WHAT A STOP! Jos Buttler is on fire in this match. Saves three runs with his athleticism here. Fuller and around off, Wade drills his drive through the line and it scoots away. Buttler dives across to his right from mid off and saves a certain boundary. One run taken, two in total from this over, outstanding from Krishna.

Krishna drifts on the pads. Gill works it towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Four dots in a row now! Full delivery on middle. Gill skips down the track but ends up hitting it straight to mid off.

Angling on middle and a fullish length this time. Gill nudges it to square leg.

Nice sound off the bat! Shortish length around off. Gill punches it towards the cover fielder.

Back of a length, on middle. Gill works it towards mid-wicket.

FOUR! Wade is off to a quick start here! A fullish delivery angling into middle and leg. Wade flicks it through mid-wicket for a lovely boundary.

FOUR! An edgy boundary for Wade but in the end, his soft hands have saved him. Boult with a length delivery, around off. Wade looks to push at it but gets the thick outside edge. He plays it with soft hands and the ball goes between the first slip and the second slip fielders for a boundary.

A fullish delivery, around off. Wade drives it without much timing towards mid off. Buttler there moves to his left swiftly and stops it. Fires a direct hit as well but Wade is well inside his crease.

Drifting on the pads. Wade clips it towards deep backward square leg for a couple.

Lands on a length, on off. Wade blocks it out.

A fullish delivery on middle. Gill clips it to fine leg for a single.

FOUR! Ends the over with another boundary! A Short ball on off. Wade pulls it aerially towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary. A decent over till the 5th ball has gone for 14 runs in the end.

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs for Gujarat! It is full and down the leg side. It is swinging and goes further away from Samson as he dives to his right. Wade though was looking to flick it but misses and Gujarat get five bonus runs as the ball races away towards the fence at fine leg.

Matthew Wade is hurt after taking a blow on his left elbow. It's bruised and the physio has come out.

Ouch! That's nasty. Back of a length, on off. Wade looks to pull but misses and the ball hits him on the elbow.

Lands on a length, around off. Wade defends it behind square on the off side.

In the air...but safe! Back of a length, on off. Gill looks to work it towards the leg side. He closes the face of his blade early and the ball goes off the leading edge towards the right of the cover fielder. Yashasvi Jaiswal moves across to his right and dives but fails to get a hand on it. A single taken.

FOUR! Shot! Gill is underway with a boundary as well! It is short and outside off. Gill frees his arms and cracks it through wide mid off for a boundary.

Krishna just like Boult starts with a short delivery and it is outside off. Gill leaves it alone.

Prasidh Krishna to bowl from the other end.

Tight line to end the over! A fantastic start from Boult! He serves a length ball, on off and Wade blocks it out solidly.

Lands on a good length and outside off. Wade decides to leave it alone.

FOUR! Wade opens his account with a boundary and Gujarat are underway! Short and wide outside off. Wade cuts it over point for a boundary.

Fuller in length, on off. Wade blocks it out.

Who will bat at number 3? Gujarat have not thrown in any surprise. It's Matthew Wade. Two slips waiting...

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Trent Boult strikes with his second ball and Saha, the Powerplay enforcer for Gujarat is gone for a duck! Back of a length again, around off and it is angled across the batter. Saha looks to work it towards the leg side. However, the angle of the ball takes the outside edge of his blade and it goes towards Samson behind the stumps. He takes an easy catch and Trent Boult draws first blood.

Boult starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, around off. Saha rides the bounce and punches it towards cover-point.

So a couple to end the innings! A length ball, on off. Ashwin goes back and pulls it towards deep mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. Rajasthan finish with 188/6 after 20 overs!

Trent Boult is in next.

OUT! Another run out! Yash Dayal delivers it full but way wide outside off, Ravichandran Ashwin leaves it alone. Riyan Parag comes steaming in to steal a bye but Ashwin is not going anywhere. Meanwhile, Wriddhiman Saha throws the ball to the bowler, who does the rest. Parag is unhappy as he returns. It's called a wide. What a dramatic finish to this innings!

Free Hit coming and the new batter, Ravichandran Ashwin will take it...

OUT! NO BALL and RUN OUT! Buttler departs off a no ball but the siren came late and in a bid to take two runs off the final ball, Buttler departs! Full delivery on off. Buttler hits it to long on and the batters charge for the second run. Alzarri Joseph fires a throw at the batter's end and Buttler dives to make his ground. However. he is short as Saha whips the bails off.

A very full delivery on off. Buttler hits it hard towards long off and the batters run two. The throw from the deep was a weak one unless Jos would have been in trouble.

Dot ball! A low full toss on off. Buttler goes deep again and hits it straight to the cover fielder in the ring. The bowler falls in the process of delivering the ball.

SIX! There is no stopping Jos Buttler now! This is the batter world fears! In the slot again on off. Buttler just stays deep and hits it all the way over long on for a biggie. 96 metres hit, this!

A low full toss on middle. Parag hits it to long on for a single.

A fullish delivery, outside off. Parag slashes it towards deep backward point as the bat comes off his hands. They take two runs though. The third umpire checks for a short run but finds Parag has done enough to get two runs.

SIX! In the slot, and Buttler gets his first maximum of the innings! Full delivery on off. Buttler stays deep in his crease and launches it straight down the ground for a biggie. 13 from the over, Rajasthan will be pushing for 190 here!

FOUR! Edgy from Buttler again but he gets the boundary! Length delivery and it's a cutter from Shami. Buttler looks to heave it over the leg side. However, he gets the thick outside edge over short third man for a boundary.

A length delivery on middle. Parag works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Riyan Parag walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! This time Shami gets the wicket and Shimron Hetmyer departs without troubling the scorers much today! It is very full and angling into middle from 'round the wicket. Shimron Hetmyer looks to go for a big shot down the ground. However, he fails to get enough power and elevation on this shot and ends up hitting it straight to Rahul Tewatia at long on. He takes the catch and the dangerous finisher of Rajasthan is gone early.

Rashid Khan drops a tough chance here! A shorter-length delivery again, around off. Buttler looks to heave it towards the leg side but gets a big top edge. The ball goes in the air towards mid-wicket. Khan runs forward and dives to catch it but fails to pouch it. A single taken.

Shami starts with a short one angling into the body. Shimron Hetmyer looks to pull but gets the inside edge onto his body. A single is taken as the ball deflects towards the off side.

Mohammad Shami to bowl the 19th over.

Alzarri Joseph ends the over with a good short ball! Angling it into middle and leg. Buttler ducks under it. 14 from this over and Rajasthan are well on their way to getting 180 here!

FOUR! He has now made 39 from 17 balls since Devdutt Padikkal has gone out! A low full toss on middle and leg. Buttler stays deep in the crease again and hits it in the gap towards cow corner for a boundary.

FOUR! Now then, Buttler is finding boundaries at regular intervals now! Fuller delivery on middle, Buttler heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

A fullish delivery on middle. Shimron Hetmyer whips it to deep square leg for a single.

Nails a yorker on middle. Buttler manages to push it towards covers for a single.

FOUR! Boundary to start the over and Alzarri Joseph is under pressure straightaway! Back of a length, around off. Buttler stays deep in his crease and slams it straight down the ground for a boundary.

Alzarri Joseph comes back into the attack. His first over went for 13 runs.

A short-length ball, outside off. Buttler slaps it to long off for a single. 18 from the over, can Rajasthan reach 180 here?

FOUR! Third boundary of the over and exactly the over Rajasthan and Buttler needed! Dayal goes full and outside off yet again. Buttler this time gets his bat on it and slices it to the left of backward point for a boundary.

WIDE! A yorker-length delivery and outside off. Buttler looks to get his bat on it but misses.

FOUR! Fifty for Jos Buttler but he is lucky here yet again! Credit to him though as he has hung in there. It is a very full delivery, outside off. Buttler looks to slice it away. He gets a thick outside edge and the ball goes past the short third man fielder, Alzarri Joseph who fails to get down in time.

A fuller delivery, around off. Buttler hits it straight to covers.

FOUR! Ohh...luck is surely going Buttler's way here! Back of a length, around off. Buttler slaps it towards long off. Pandya there tries to settle under it but he slips and the ball goes over him towards the long off fence.

FOUR! Once again, Jos Buttler with a miscued shot. However, he gets a boundary. Short delivery on middle. Probably a slower ball and Buttler is early on the pull shot. The ball goes aerially towards deep square leg. Rashid runs to his right and dives to stop it but fails.

Change. Yash Dayal (1/12) returns to bowl at the death.

Slower and fuller on off. Shimron Hetmyer with a solid front-foot block. Just three from the over and Rajasthan need Buttler to get going here! Rashid Khan is done with his four overs, 0 for 15. Economical.

Fires it quicker on middle. No room for the batter to work with and Shimron Hetmyer blocks it out.

Just a single again! A flatter delivery on middle. Buttler knocks it down to long on for a single.

Another googly that pitches on middle. Shimron Hetmyer tries to work it towards the leg side. However, he gets the leading edge towards cover-point for a single.

A googly on middle and flatter. Buttler goes back and pushes it to long on for a single.

A fuller delivery on off. Buttler drives it straight to the cover fielder in the ring.

Rashid Khan is back on.

Full again, outside off, Buttler strokes it in front of square on the off side and takes a single.

Fuller and outside off, Buttler drives it crisply through extra cover and the ball races away. The sweeper cover fielder, Jayant Yadav (sub), makes a fine stop and saves two runs.

Back of a length, around off, Buttler goes on the back foot and pushes it to covers.

FOUR! Fine timing and accurate placement. Fuller in length, around middle and leg, Buttler picks it up off his pads and flicks it with sweet timing through mid-wicket. It bisects the two fielders in the deep and finds the fence.

Miscued! Short in length, around off, Shimron Hetmyer goes for the pull shot and mistimes it aerially. It flies wide of mid-wicket and goes safely in the deep. They cross.

Shimron Hetmyer is the next man in.

OUT! Drags it on! Hardik Pandya strikes and removes Padikkal who was starting to look dangerous. It's an off-cutter, on a length and outside off at 130.7 kph, Devdutt Padikkal is through with his cross-batted shot early and gets an inside edge. It rattles the stumps and Rajasthan lose their third wicket. A timely breakthrough for Gujarat.

Goes on the back foot and tucks it in front of square leg for a quick run. 18 from the last over of Kishore.

FOUR! Boom! 14 from the last three balls and there is a momentum shift now. Short in length, around off, Devdutt Padikkal rocks back and whacks it to deep point for a boundary.

FOUR! Edgy! Sai Kishore does his best to deceive the batter but an outside edge saves Padikkal. A premeditated charge from the batter, seeing that Kishore fires it full and wide outside off. Devdutt Padikkal is beaten in flight, still throws his bat at it and edges it wide of the keeper and short third man for a boundary.

SIX! Out of here! This shot will help in releasing some pressure. Fuller and on middle, turning in, Devdutt Padikkal again finds it in his range and smokes it over wide long on for a maximum.

Quicker and fuller, around leg, Buttler knocks it down to long on for one.

Wide! Too full and way wide outside off, Jos leaves it alone. 100 up!

Flatter and shorter on middle, Devdutt Padikkal goes on the back foot and punches it through mid-wicket for a run.

DRINKS! Gujarat have managed to take the big wicket of Sanju Samson who was looking in supreme touch and since then the scoring rate has dipped a bit. However, Jos Buttler is still there and there is a lot of batting to follow. Gujarat will need wickets here to restrict Rajasthan to under 180 otherwise things can drift away from them in the death overs.

Back of a length, around off, Padikkal stays back and wrists it through square leg for a run.

On a length, around off, Padikkal stays back and plays it down to point.

Back of a length, around off, Buttler clears his front leg for a big heave but only drags it down to wide long on for one. Jos is struggling here for timing.

IN THE AIR... Safe! Hardik Pandya surprises the batter with a half-tracker, around middle, Buttler top-edges his attempted pull shot and it flies to fine leg. Shami charges across to his right but it falls in front of him. They take two runs.

Delivers it on a good length around middle, Devdutt Padikkal stays back and taps it down to covers for a quick run.

Wide! Slips a length ball down the leg side, Devdutt Padikkal tries to glance but misses.

Oohhh...this one stays a bit low. Hardik puts it on a length around off, Devdutt Padikkal keeps his eyes glued to the ball and does well to block it out.

The skipper, Hardik Pandya comes on to bowl now.

9 from the over! Shortish and around off, Devdutt Padikkal strokes it past the sliding cover fielder for a single.

Arm ball around middle and leg, Buttler presents a straight bat and it takes the inner edge. The ball rolls through square leg and they take a run.

Too full and outside off, it's drilled down to long off for a single.

Flatter and on off, punched from the back foot to short cover.

Skidding away from the batter, outside off, Devdutt Padikkal goes back to cut but misses.

SIX! Nails it! Full and flighted, around off, Devdutt Padikkal finds it in his range. He sits down and smashes it in front of square on the leg side for a biggie.

Quicker through the air, short and around middle, Padikkal hangs back and forces it through mid-wicket for one. Another tidy over, just 3 runs from it.

Googly around middle and leg, Buttler moves back and nudges it behind square leg for a run.

Flatter and shorter on off, Devdutt Padikkal goes back and hits it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Beaten comprehensively. A googly around off, Devdutt Padikkal stays inside the crease as he attempts to play inside the line. Gets beaten.

Shortish and on off, Devdutt Padikkal stays back and taps it down to backward point.

Flighted and around off, Jos Buttler sweeps it through to fine leg and picks up a single.

Rashid Khan to continue...

Shorter and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal looks to cut but misses. The pace of the ball beats Devdutt Padikkal there!

Devdutt Padikkal walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one of those Sanju Samson's dismissals. He holes out at long on after a brisk knock yet again! This is tossed up on middle. Samson makes a bit of room to go inside-out and goes for a lofted shot. However, the ball goes off the inside half of his blade and towards long on where Alzarri Joseph takes a good running catch. A very good knock from the Rajasthan skipper but if he would have stayed for a bit more, Rajasthan would have been in a commanding position.

A flatter one on middle. Buttler works it to deep square leg for a single.

Bit of turn there! Lands around middle and leg, and it straightens a bit. Samson looks to work it towards the leg side but gets the leading edge towards long off for a single.

Darted on middle and leg. Buttler skips down the track and looks to go for a big one. However, he gets the inside half of his blade and the ball goes towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tossed up on off. Samson makes a bit room and dances down the track. Hits it firmly towards long off for a single.

On the shorter side, on middle. Samson goes back and works it towards long on for a single. Brilliant over, just 2 from it.

Slower and a googly that pitches on off. Samson gets well forward and defends it.

This is pushed quicker on middle. Samson blocks it out.

A fuller delivery on middle. Buttler knocks it down to mid-wicket for a single.

Beaten again! Lands around off. Buttler plays for the googly but the ball turns away and beats Buttler all ends up. Completely foxed.

Lovely delivery! It is fuller and around off. Turning away a bit. Buttler looks to drive but misses.

FOUR! This is poor bowling and Samson is not going to miss out! It is short and wide. Samson stays back and cuts it hard through point for a boundary. 12 from the over!

Angling into leg and it is an easy single for Buttler as he tucks it towards deep square leg.

Kishore targets the stumps and goes flatter. Samson goes back and works it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Finds the gap, too much width and Samson is at the top of his game! Shorter and around off. Samson waits for it and cuts it through backward point for a boundary.

Kishore with a fullish delivery on middle. It is a bit slower and Buttler nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Darted on leg, Samson works it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Another change in bowling. Sai Kishore to roll his arm.

Single to end the over! Khan with a flatter one on middle. Samson pushes it to long on for a single. A tidy start from the Afghan!

Shorter and around off. Samson cuts it towards deep point. Wade in the deep runs to his left and dives near the fence to keep it to just two. Good fielding!

Angling into middle and leg again. Buttler nudges it to deep mid-wicket for another single.

Khan with a googly on middle and it is quicker too. Buttler defends it off the back foot.

Samson steps down the track and pushes this delivery on middle past the bowler for a single.

Khan starts with a flatter delivery on middle. Buttler goes back and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Strategic break. It has been all Sanju Samson so far. The early fall of a wicket has not deterred Rajasthan as their skipper has come out with aggressive intent. Jos Buttler also played a few nice shots but has flown under the radar. The Englishman can switch gears any time but is happy to play second fiddle at the moment. Let's see how things pan out in the middle overs. Here comes Rashid Khan...

Back of a length, on middle. Samson goes back and blocks it. Solid in defence there, Sanju! 13 from the over!

Good delivery. Joseph goes fuller and outside off. Samson does not make much foot movement and looks to drive it but misses.

SIX! This is the talent of this man, when he gets going it is very hard to stop him. 50 up for Rajasthan as well! Joseph bangs it short and delivers it around leg. Samson stays back and pulls it over deep backward square leg for a maximum.

Back of a length and angling into leg. Samson looks to work it towards the leg side but misses and the ball hits his body. It rolls behind and narrowly goes away from the stumps as Sanju escorts.

SIX! Sanju Samson is looking in supreme touch today! Stand and deliver stuff! A length ball, on off. Samson just stays in his crease and tonks it over long on for a biggie.

Joseph starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, angling into the body at around 146 clicks. Buttler just awkwardly manages to defend it towards the leg side for a single.

Alzarri Joseph is into the attack now.

FOUR! Another delightful shot! Samson is in the mood here. Fuller and around off, Samson heaves it over mid-wicket and collects his third boundary. Has hit one biggie also. 14 from the over, the ploy to give Shami an extra over has not worked for Hardik.

FOUR! Struck well. Aerial for a while but away from the fielder. A touch short in length, around off, Samson hammers it off the back foot towards mid on. The fielder there dives across to his left but it falls wide and races behind.

Short in length, on middle, Buttler turns and pulls it to deep square leg for a single.

A yorker on middle at 144 clicks, Buttler digs it out down to mid on. Three dots now after five wides.

On a good length, around off, Buttler punches from the back foot but not in the gap, finds the cover fielder.

Lands it on a length around off, Buttler stays back and pushes it to covers.

FIVE WIDES! Not an ideal start to a new over. Shami fails to control his line and the inward movement takes it further away from the batter and the keeper. All the action happened down the leg side and it's a bonus boundary for Rajasthan at fine leg.

Will Hardik Pandya take a gamble of giving Shami his third over in the Powerplay? Yes, here is Shami with his third over!

Delivers it on a shortish length around leg, Samson gets behind the line and defends it down. 10 from the over!

In the channel outside off, short in length, Sanju watches it closely and allows it through to the keeper.

On a length, around middle and off, Samson punches from the back foot to wide mid off.

FOUR! Another one from the flashing blade of Sanju Samson. Back of a length, around off and angling away, Samson packs a punch from the back foot. Doesn't bother to keep it down and sends it blazing through extra cover.

Angles across a full ball, outside off, Samson allows it through to the keeper.

There seems to be some problem with the ball as the six went into the crowd. The umpires have changed the ball and the action resumes...

SIX! Goodness, me! Sanju has effortlessly dismissed this one. Yash Dayal serves a length ball, around leg, Sanju Samson picks it off his pads and lofts it nonchalantly over long on.

Will Yash Dayal continue after a successful first over? Yes, he will.

Close to off, on a length and moving back in, Buttler tries to play close to his body but gets an inside edge onto the front pad.

Beauty from Shami! Another inswinger to beat the inside edge of Buttler's bat. It's a great contest. Jos is trying to hit through the line but is not reading the variations accurately all the time.

Wide! Slips a length ball down the leg side, Buttler tries to flick bt misses.

FOUR! Connects this time and connects well. Shami comes up with an outswinger this time. Lands it on a length and outside off, Buttler plays it with the movement and crunches it through covers. He is not trying to hit it hard this evening, just caressing his shots in the gap.

Beaten! Shami delivers an inswinger, on a length and outside off, Buttler tries to punch it from the back foot but it beats the inside edge of his bat.

Around middle and leg, on a length, Jos eases it through square leg and returns for the second run.

Shortish and around off, Buttler mistimes his shot back towards the bowler.

The skipper, Sanju Samson walks in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Yashasvi Jaiswal walks. Brilliant from the young man. Yash Dayal had Yashasvi Jaiswal in his pocket in this over. He outfoxed him on many occasions with the movement and the change in length and this time, Dayal forced an outside edge. He hurls it around off, on a length and shaping away, Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to drive but only manages to edge it behind. Wriddhiman Saha catches it, they appeal, the umpire stays still but Yashasvi Jaiswal turns and starts to walk.

A miscued shot! Yash Dayal digs it in short to surprise the batter, Yashasvi Jaiswal plays a reactive pull shot, without any timing, it just clears the infield at mid-wicket. Two runs are taken.

Spears it in, very full and around middle, Yashasvi Jaiswal keeps it out back towards the bowler.

On a length and around off, Yashasvi Jaiswal mistimes his punch on the off side.

Fuller and close to off, shaping away a bit, Yashasvi Jaiswal drives it off the front foot to mid off.

A gentle delivery from Yash Dayal. He serves it in the zone outside off, taking it away from the batter with the seam movement, Jaiswal flashes his bat at it but fails to connect.

Yash Dayal will start from the other end.

FOUR! Great timing again from the bat of Buttler and he seems to have regained his lost touch already. Shami pitches it up and lands it around off, Buttler strokes it elegantly through extra cover. Once it beats the fielder inside the ring, it's always a boundary.

Shami returns to bowling on a length and around off, Jos Buttler allows it through to the keeper.

FOUR! Off the mark in style! Shami delivers it full and outside off, Buttler leans into the drive and caresses it through the gap between mid off and extra cover. It races away on this lightning-quick outfield.

Watchful from Jos! Shami hurls across a length ball, close to off and it shapes away off the seam, Buttler watches the line and shoulders arms.

Rajasthan are away! Back of a length, around middle and angling in, Yashasvi Jaiswal works it behind square leg and opens his account with a single.

Shami begins from 'round the wicket for the left-hander. He angles in a length ball around middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal tries to flick but misses. It clips his pads and drops next to the pitch.

We are all set to begin! The two umpires make their way out to the middle. The Gujarat players make their way out to the middle as well and they are greeted with a big roar from this jam-packed Eden Garden crowd. Jos Buttler and Yashasvi Jaiswal are the openers for Rajasthan. Mohammad Shami has the new cherry in his hand. Here we go...

We are in the City of Joy, folks! It's a fresh pitch and we might see a fresh approach from both these teams today. They have power-hitters in their lineup and they will need them to shine tonight as Eden Gardens has seen 16.7 sixes per game since 2018 in the Indian T20 League.

Rashid Khan comes up for a quick chat. The Afghan says that it's a great opportunity for them, to play in Qualifier 1. Adds that they want to keep everything simple. Further says that as a team they want to learn from their mistakes and enjoy the game. Tells that he has played in the playoffs before and in one final, and that experience will help him in this game. States that it's all about enjoying the game and giving 100 per cent. Shares that he was missing his line and length in the first few games, so he focused on that, worked on target bowling, and that's how he got better. Feels that they have played enough cricket all around the world, so they just need to adjust as soon as possible to the conditions, and most of the players have played here before. Hopes that they will do that quickly.

Sanju Samson, the skipper of Rajasthan, says that they have done quite well batting first and tells that it looks like a decent wicket. Adds that it is important to focus on this game and it is important to keep the emotions aside and focus on cricket. Mentions that they have been playing good cricket and they just need to continue that and keep it simple. Informs that they are playing an unchanged XI.

Hardik Pandya, the skipper of Gujarat, says they want to bowl first as the pitch looks like a decent one to bat on. Adds that there have been no games here in the last few months, so it will be good to know what you are chasing. Shares that they reached safely here and they have prepared well. Mentions that they want to treat this game as a simple one and not create demons in their heads. Wants his team to make sure that the intensity is high and that they are aware of what the situation demands. Informs about the only change as Lockie Ferguson gets replaced by Alzarri Joseph.

Rajasthan (Unchanged Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Jos Buttler, Sanju Samson (C) (WK), Devdutt Padikkal, Ravichandran Ashwin, Shimron Hetmyer, Riyan Parag, Trent Boult, Yuzvendra Chahal, Prasidh Krishna, Obed McCoy.

Gujarat (Playing XI) - Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Shubman Gill, Matthew Wade, Hardik Pandya (C), David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Sai Kishore, Yash Dayal, Alzarri Joseph (In place of Lockie Ferguson), Mohammad Shami.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of Gujarat. They have elected to BOWL first.

Pitch Report - Matthew Hayden is down for the pitch report. He says that the ground is magnificent but it is not big. Tells that the pitch has a lot of grass cover and quicks will come into play. Adds that there is black soil here and he expects pacers to get some bounce. The Aussie reckons that there won't be much turn as it is a fresh pitch. Mentions that 170-180 will be a par score here and he expects the team winning the toss to bowl first.

The forecast was worrying but the good thing is that it's not raining and the players are out on the field, going through their warm-up drills. Let's hope the conditions remain the same and we get 40 overs of uninterrupted action.

There is a slight chance of rain playing a spoilsport in the city of joy, and already two hours have been added over the originally stipulated 200 minutes of match time. In case a minimum five-over game cannot be completed, the result will be determined by a Super Over. However, the standings of the league stage will be considered in determining the winner if the playing conditions do not allow even the Super Over to take place. The rain threat is not that alarming, and in all possibilities, we shall have a full game. Let's hope that our not-so-beloved friend, i.e. rain, stays away.

Gujarat came out on top in the group stage game between these two teams earlier in the season. Will the same story continue tonight? Or will Rajasthan avenge that defeat and book a place in the final for the first time since the inaugural season?

Rajasthan, on the other hand, looked like one of the most complete outfits right from the start of the tournament, and their final position at the end of the league stage was almost on the expected lines given the strength of their squad. Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal have been outstanding with bat and ball respectively, but the form of Buttler in the second half of the season will be a bit of concern. However, the stage is big and expect big players from both teams to bring their A-game in this crunch game.

Gujarat were the table-toppers in the group stage and were the one team that truly played like a team this season. Their bowling was always going to be their stronger suit, but the way their batting group has stepped up has been pleasantly surprising for many. The top order and especially the number 3 spot is still a concern, but the likes of David Miller, Rahul Tewatia and Rashid Khan have timed and again proved their worth with the bat to show the never-say-die attitude of this team. Hardik Pandya, the skipper, has also played a key role with his all-round abilities and captaincy and let’s see how they go about their business in this big game.

Hello and a very warm welcome to Qualifier 1 of the 2022 season of the Indian T20 League where Gujarat will lock horns against Rajasthan at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. These two have been the best teams of the season and are rightly contesting for a direct place in the summit clash. The losing team though won't be knocked out and will enjoy the perks of finishing in the top two by unlocking yet another shot in Qualifier 2. That said, both sides would want to avoid the longer route to the grand finale. Fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a thrilling ride as both teams come out all guns blazing this evening.

... MATCH DAY …