Kolkata Knight Riders vs Chennai Super Kings IPL, 2023

A dot to end the innings then! Matheesha Pathirana lands this short of a length and around off, Rinku Singh looks to pull it away, but fails to connect. CHENNAI WIN BY 49 RUNS!

Back of a length and around leg, slower too, Rinku Singh pulls it towards fine leg.

A high full toss, on off, Rinku Singh slashes at it, but gets an outside edge towards the keeper. Rinku Singh goes for the review, and the replays shows that it is below the waist and a fair delivery. Kolkata lose their review.

SIX! FIFTY FOR RINKU! A fighting knock, but it will not be in a winning cause. This is full and on middle, Rinku Singh stays there and slogs it high in the air towards deep square leg where the fielder backtracks and catches it, but steps on the boundary ropes at the same time. So, it is a maximum and the replay confirms the same.

A slower delivery now, full toss, outside off, Rinku Singh tries to reach for it, but misses.

A low full toss, on off, Rinku Singh slices it behind the stumps as MS Dhoni parries it towards short third man.

A full toss, on middle, Varun Chakaravarthy mistimes his slog towards deep mid-wicket and Rinku Singh refuses the single.

Maheesh Theekshana seems to have split the webbing as he attempted a quick return catch and the physio is out to have a look. The magic spray is applied and we are good to continue.

DROPPED! A tough chance though! This is short and on middle, Varun Chakaravarthy punches it uppishly towards the bowler where Maheesh Theekshana gets a hand to it, but fails to grab it. He has injured his fingers a bit too.

A low full toss, on off, Varun Chakaravarthy looks to drive it away, but gets an inside edge past the stumps and towards short fine leg.

Varun Chakaravarthy is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Another one bites the dust! This is brilliant catch in the deep! Maheesh Theekshana bowls this flatter, full and on middle, Umesh Yadav fails to get under it, and lofts it flat and in the air towards long on where Devon Conway dives forward to take great low catch. Kolkata eight down now!

Short and on middle, Rinku Singh works it towards long on for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Rinku Singh heaves it wide of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

DROPPED!  This is another slower one, full and on middle, Umesh Yadav goes for the slog, but mistimes it in the air towards long on where Ruturaj Gaikwad runs to his right, but fails to grab it. However, there is a direct hit at the bowler's end, but Rinku is safe.

Tushar Deshpande bangs in a bouncer, on middle, but way above the head heigh of the batter as Yadav leaves it. Wided again!

Short and on middle, slower again, Umesh Yadav miscues his pull towards mid-wicket for a brace.

Short of a length but down the leg side, Umesh Yadav misses his pull. Wided.

Swing and a miss! This is on a good length and on off, Umesh Yadav swings wildly at it, but fails to connect.

Umesh Yadav is the new man in.

OUT! LBW! MS Dhoni gets another review right! Tushar Deshpande gets his second wicket. He bowls the slower delivery, on a length and around middle, David Wiese looks to heave it away, but goes through his shot way early and misses to get hit on the pads. There is a huge appeal for LBW, but turned down! However, MS Dhoni goes for the review and UltraEdge shows no spike and Ball Tracking indicates three reds. The on-field call is changed and Kolkata are seven down!

Review taken for a LBW decision. The third umpire is called in and there is nothing on UltraEdge. Ball Tracking comes up with three reds and it is an excellent review by MS Dhoni. The onfield decision is changed to OUT!

This is full again and on off, Rinku Singh winds for a slog, but drives it towards deep point for a single in the end.

SIX! A maximum to start the over! Tushar Deshpande serves this full and on off, in the slot as well, Rinku Singh moves across and thrashes it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

A slower one again, back of a length and on leg, Rinku Singh helps it towards fine leg for a run. Only eight runs of the over then!

A full toss, on off, David Wiese forces it towards long off for a single.

David Wiese is in next.

OUT! TAKEN! Matheesha Pathirana gets the big fish, Andre Russell! He bowls another slower one, full and on middle, Andre Russell clears his front leg and tries to slog it, but goes through it a bit early and mistimes it high in the air towards long on where Shivam Dube settles under it and takes a fine catch. It is all but over for Kolkata now!

Overpitched and outside off, Andre Russell bunts it wide of extra covers.

A low full toss, on leg, Rinku Singh drills it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Powered away! Matheesha Pathirana bowls the slower delivery, full and on off, Rinku Singh waits for it and drills it wide of mid off for a boundary.

On a length but down the leg side, Rinku Singh swings at it, but misses. Wided.

Strategic-Break! This has been a more than decent fightback from Kolkata given how they started with the bat but they still seem to be falling well short here.  Jason Roy played a sensational knock and Rinku Singh is trying his best here as well. Chennai though have been able to get wickets at regular intervals and that has made a big difference. 80 needed off 24 balls and only a miracle can save Kolkata here.

SIX! BOOM! Full and angled into the legs, Andre Russell goes deep in his crease and clears the front leg before heaving it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Full and on the pads, Andre Russell flicks it away toward deep backward square leg where the fielder makes a good diving stop to his right and keeps it down to a brace.

WIDE! Full and angled into the pads but it is spilled down the leg side for a wide.

Slower and shorter outside off, Rinku Singh reaches out and ramps it toward deep backward point for a single.

FOUR! Just over! Full and well outside the off stump, Rinku Singh moves past the off stump and drives at it. Singh ends up slicing it wide of a flying Matheesha Pathirana at short third man for another boundary.

FOUR! Misses his mark and serves a low full toss outside off, Rinku Singh creams this one through the cover region and picks up a boundary.

WIDE! Goes full and wide again but spills it beyond the tramline and the batter stays put as well. Wided.

Full and wide, beyond the tramline outside off. Rinku Singh moves toward the ball but pulls out of the shot and no wide is called. Excellent bowling.

Tushar Deshpande (2-0-11-1) is back on.

Bowled from around the wicket and shorter too, into middle and leg. Rinku Singh works it away through mid-wicket for a single.

A tad shorter and outside off, eased away in front of point for one.

Flatter one around off, Andre Russell looks to tap it away but misses.

Andre Russell is the next man in.

OUT! TIMBER! Maheesh Theekshana has the last laugh here! Theekshana spears in another yorker on middle stump and gets it to just drift a bit this time. Jason Roy looks to stay deep and tonk it downtown but fails to get under the ball and the ball sneaks in to crash into the stumps. The crowd is silenced as Roy departs after a solid knock and this might be the final nail in the coffin for Kolkata.

FOUR! Another boundary and Jason Roy is playing a special knock here. Fired in full and straight, Roy manages to sweep it on the full and gets it to the right of the man at deep backward square leg for a boundary.

FOUR! This is dragged down outside off stump, Jason Roy shuffles across and hammers it away toward cow corner for a boundary.

Change of ends for Maheesh Theekshana (2-0-19-0).

Full and outside off, Jason Roy drives it along the ground and toward deep cover for a single. Just 8 runs off it, a top over in the context of the game.

Good length around off, Rinku Singh waits for it before guiding it off the face of the bat down to third man for a run.

A toe-crushing yorker now, Jason Roy somehow manages to get it away toward fine leg and picks up a single.

Nicely bowled! Takes pace off now and bowls it shorter outside off, Jason Roy looks to pull it fine but misses.

Back of a length outside off, slapped away straight to cover-point.

FOUR! Slashed away and that will be FIFTY for Jason Roy, off just 19 balls as well. Length ball outside off, Roy throws his hands at it and slices it down toward third man for a boundary. A fighting knock this but can he keep going?

WIDE! Wild delivery to start with as this is a full toss, slinging down the leg side. Wide called.

Matheesha Pathirana comes back into the attack now. He conceded just five runs in his first over.

SIX! BANG! Angles it into middle and leg, Rinku Singh gets down on one knee and slogs it over the square leg fence for a maximum.

Angles this one into Jason Roy who manages to get it away in front of mid-wicket for one.

Flatter and quicker outside off, cut away through point for a single.

Fires this one in from over the stumps and at 107.6 clicks. Rinku Singh looks for the slog but misses and gets hit on the body. Half an appeal for LBW but it is turned down.

Short and around off, this is hit away toward deep point for just another single.

Full and on the leg stump, this is pushed away through mid on for one.

This is drifted into middle and leg, Rinku Singh mistimes the heave down to long on and collects a single.

Shorter and turning into the pads, worked away behind square leg for a single.

SIX! Another muscular stroke from Jason Roy! This is pushed through on middle, Jason Roy heaves this one in between long on and deep mid-wicket and hits the ropes on the flush. Another maximum!

Flatter one, outside off, Rinku Singh stays on the back foot and cuts it away to deep point for one more.

On middle and leg, this is swatted away flat and hard toward deep mid-wicket for just a single.

FOUR! All over it! Short and on middle, Jason Roy gets in position and muscles it away in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

Fires this one full and outside off, Jason Roy initally winds up to go leg side, but adjust and drills it towards deep point for one. 19 runs off the over!

Short and on off, Rinku Singh dabs it towards point for a run.

SIX! Rinku Singh joins the act now! This is flighted, full and on off, Rinku Singh moves across a bit and lofts it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

Flatter, full and on off, Jason Roy mistimes his reverse-sweeps in front of short third man for a single. There is a stiffled appeal for LBW, but turned down.

FOUR! A boundary now! This is short and around off, Jason Roy makes room and smashes it over extra covers for a four more runs.

SIX! Up, up and away! Ravindra Jadeja tosses this one up, full and on middle, Jason Roy gets down and slogs it well over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Full and around off, Jason Roy drills it towards deep point for one.

A good yorker now, on middle, Rinku Singh jams it out wide of covers for another run.

BEATEN! This is on a good length and on off, shaping away, Rinku Singh looks to push it away, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Matheesha Pathirana bangs in a bouncer which goes way over the head of the batter, Rinku Singh leaves it alone. Wided.

A slower one now, length again and on off, Jason Roy uses his feet and chps it towards backward point for a run.

On a length and on off, Jason Roy looks to cut it away, but gets an inside edge onto his pads.

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

Run out chance....missed! Great reflexes by Jadeja though! He bowls this quicker, full and on middle, Jason Roy drives it down the pitch where Jadeja picks it and throws it backwards between his legs at the bowler's end stumps and the ball hits too, but the bail do not come off while Singh is out of his crease. After that, Roy calls for the run and is halfway down the track when he is sent back, but the throw from Jadeja is too wide and Roy gets back home.

Floated, full and on off, Rinku Singh connects with the reverse-sweep towardds deep point for a single.

Flatter, full and on off, Rinku Singh looks to reverse-sweep, but misses.

Tossed up, full and on off, Rinku Singh blocks it out.

Strategic-Break! Chennai are well and truly on top of this game. They have managed to pick up wickets and also kept the runs in check. The required run-rate is creeping up for Kolkata and they will need to score runs quickly, but also keep their wickets which will be a huge task. Also, Rinku Singh walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Ravindra Jadeja gets his man! Nitish Rana tries to go big again, but holes out instead. Jadeja bowls this a bit quicker, short and on off, Nitish Rana tries to slog it away, but fails to get under it and mistimes it in the air towards deep mid-wicket where Ruturaj Gaikwad pouches it safely. Kolkata lose their skipper and are in huge trouble in this run-chase.

FOUR! Nitish Rana greets Ravindra Jadeja with a boundary! Jadeja starts with a short delivery, on off, Nitish Rana waits for it and guides it past short third man for a boundary.

SIX! Three in a row! Moeen Ali slows it up, on middle, Jason Roy this time gets into position quickly and reverse-sweeps it over the deep point fence for the third maximum in the over.

SIX! This one is even bigger! This is floated, full and on middle, Jason Roy goes down on his knees once again and slog-sweeps it with more power over the deep mid-wicket fence for another biggie.

SIX! BANG! Jason Roy wastes no time! Moeen Ali tosses this one up, full and on middle, Jason Roy goes down and slog-sweeps it over the deep square leg fence for a biggie.

Flighted, full and on off, Nitish Rana pushes it through covers for a run.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Jason Roy drives it towards long on for a single.

Jason Roy comes out to the middle now.

OUT! LBW! Moeen Ali strikes on his first delivery! He begins with a floated delivery, full and on off, turning away a bit, Venkatesh Iyer goes down and tries to sweep it away, but misses and gets hit on the pads. There is a huge appeal for LBW, and up goes the finger. Venkatesh Iyer goes for the review though. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking indicates three reds. Iyer will have to make that long walk back now. Kolkata three down now!

Moeen Ali comes into the attack now.

Short again and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer mistimes his pull in the air this time, but it lands safely in the vacant mid-wicker region as the batters get another run.

Short and on middle, Nitish Rana looks to pull it, but gets top edge which lands well wide of fine leg. A run is taken.

Short and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer cuts it hard wide of deep point where Devon Conway dives to his right to make an excellent stop. They cross.

Full and on off, Nitish Rana taps it in front of covers for a single.

Short of a length and around off, Nitish Rana looks to cut it away, but misses.

FOUR! Good shot! Akash Singh serves this full and around middle, Nitish Rana moves across a bit and clips it towards the vacant deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Slower through the air, on middle, Nitish Rana knocks it towards mid on for another run. Kolkata are 38/2 at the end of the Powerplay!

Flighted, full and on off, Nitish Rana slices it towards point.

Floated, short and on off, Venkatesh Iyer looks to play at it, but gets an outside edge wide of short third man where the fielder dives to his right to stop it. They cross.

Quicker, full and on off, Venkatesh Iyer looks to sweep it away, but missse as the ball just misses the stumps.

Tossed up, full and on off, Nitish Rana drives it towards covers for a single.

Fires this one full, but down the leg side, Nitish Rana leaves it alone. Wided.

Maheesh Theekshana starts with a short delivery, on off, Venkatesh Iyer pushes it towards extra covers for a single.

FOUR! Short but just not short enough. Sits up for the batter and Nitish Rana pulls it away in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

Hard length around off, this is punched away toward cover for a single.

A good bumper now over the stumps and Venkatesh Iyer ducks under it.

FOUR! Short ball over the stumps, Venkatesh Iyer pulls this one away and the ball races away into the fence.

Follows the batter down the leg side and this is bowled on a hard length as well. Venkatesh Iyer punches it out toward cover.

Back of a length around off and angling in. Venkatesh Iyer looks to stand tall and pull but gets hurried on. The ball takes the top edge and hits the left shoulder before popping up around the point region.

Another dot ball to end! Slower one, full and angling across the off stump. Nitish Rana looks to paly at it but is beaten by the lack of pace.

Three dots in a row now! Length again, around the top of off, Nitish Rana looks to drive straight but the ball comes off the inner half and the bowler gets a hand on it as well.

Back of a length around off, punched away off the back foot but straight to cover-point.

Short of a good length and around middle, Nitish Rana stays back and keeps it out on the deck.

FOUR! Streaky! Length ball angled across the left-hander, Nitish Rana looks to drive but gets an outside edge that runs away into the third man fence.

On a length and around leg stump, Nitish Rana looks to nudge it away but misses. The ball goes off the pads toward point and Venkatesh Iyer is halfway down the track. Rana sends him back and luckily for him, Ravindra Jadeja fails to hit the stumps at the bowler's end.

Back of a length and around off, Venkatesh Iyer looks to work it leg side but mistimes it back to the bowler.

WIDE! Banged in short and over the stumps, a bit too high though and a wide is called.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Full and down leg, Venkatesh Iyer works it away behind square leg and the ball races away into the fence.

SIX! Venkatesh Iyer has had enough and goes aerial. Good length around middle, Iyer comes forward and forces the lofted shot over the bowler's head and gets it over the ropes for a maximum.

Length ball on the pads again, Venkatesh Iyer fails to get it away and MS Dhoni makes a good stop diving to his right.

Full and angling into the pads, Venkatesh Iyer flicks it straight to the man at backward square leg. A boundary was missed there!

Bowled back of a length and over the off stump, Venkatesh Iyer goes on the back foot to block it out.

SIX! Breaks the shackles does Nitish Rana! This is banged in short and over middle and leg, Rana takes it on and pulls it flat into the ropes for a maximum.

Back of a length and around off, Nitish Rana hangs back and watchfully keeps it out on the off side.

Full and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer looks to drive at it but gets an inside edge onto the pads. The ball goes toward cover and they scamper through for one.

Leg bye! Fullish length around leg stump, Nitish Rana looks to flick but misses. The ball goes off the pads and rolls toward square leg. They pick up a leg bye as there is a stifled appeal for LBW. It is turned down though.

Nitish Rana comes out to the middle with his side in a spot of bother.

OUT! CAUGHT! A catastrophe for Kolkata as they lose their second wicket now. Tushar Deshpande hits the deck hard and bowls it outside off, seaming it away from the right-hander. Narayan Jagadeesan reaches out and throws his hands at it. The ball flies off the outer half toward wide third man where Ravindra Jadeja comes racing in and dives down to his left to take an excellent catch just above thr turf. Chennai with the perfect start here!

Starts off with a hard-length ball around off, Narayan Jagadeesan looks to pull but mistimes it toward mid on.

Tushar Deshpande to share the attack.

Another swing and a miss and what a brilliant first over from Akash Singh, just one run and a wicket off it. This is full and outside off, swinging away, Venkatesh Iyer comes forward and looks for the expansive drive but misses.

Nicely bowled! Immaculate length, angling in from around off and straightening off the deck. Venkatesh Iyer looks to play at it but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Kolkata use their Impact Player now as Venkatesh Iyer walks out to bat at number 3. He replaces Suyash Sharma.

OUT! KNOCKS HIM OVER! Terrific delivery from Akash Singh as he bowls it on a good length and angles it in from around off. Sunil Narine steps out and looks to drive it on the up but the ball shapes away beautifully beating the outside edge. The ball goes on to knock the off stump off the ground and Narine departs for a duck. Kolkata in trouble early in the chase.

Good movement! Goes fuller now and pushes it wider, Sunil Narine backs away and looks to drive but the ball swings away and beats the bat once again.

Swing and a miss! Good length, in the channel around off and shaping away a touch. Sunil Narine looks to thrash this one through the cover region but misses.

Starts off with a length ball on off and this one swings back in. Narayan Jagadeesan punches it on the up toward wide mid off and gets across for a single. Kolkata are underway!

A couple of runs to end and 17 runs come off the final over. Full and outside off, MS Dhoni can't get under it and only manages to hit it away toward long off. The batters set off for the first run quickly and turn back for two before making it with ease. Chennai finish with a mammoth score of 235/4 on the board!

Misses! Another full toss from Kulwant Khejroliya at a juicy height and outside off, MS Dhoni slogs hard across the line but fails to make a connection.

A high full toss yet again and MS Dhoni misses out. He has reviewed it though. This is high and well outside the off stump, Dhoni throws his hands at it but fails to connect. The third umpire checks the replays and finds that the ball is indeed above waist height and it will be a no ball. Free Hit coming up for MS Dhoni.

MS Dhoni walks out to bat now to the biggest roar from the crowd.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ravindra Jadeja mistimes one and Rinku Singh holds on to a pressure catch. Kulwant Khejroliya serves a high full toss this time, on the pads and it is there to be put away. Jadeja whips it off his legs and hits it flat behind deep square leg. Rinku Singh there runs to his left and grabs it with both hands. Jadeja departs after a quick-fire cameo.

SIX! This is sensational hitting and Chennai have surpassed the 230-run mark with 3 balls to go. Misses the yorker yet again and serves a full toss, Ravindra Jadeja stays deep and muscles it away flat and over the mid-wicket fence for another maximum.

Full and straight at 140 clicks, Ravindra Jadeja gets the front leg out of the way and drills it right back down the ground for a couple of runs.

SIX! Over the ropes! Kulwant Khejroliya misses the yorker and serves a low full toss on middle, Ravindra Jadeja holds his shape and gets under it before lofting it over the wide long on fence for a maximum.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Kulwant Khejroliya (2-0-27-1).

FOUR! Poor delivery to end and 19 runs come off it! Short and wide, begging to be hit. Ajinkya Rahane slaps it away hard and toward deep cover for another boundary.

SIX! Back-to-back! This is full and in the slot on middle and leg, Ajinkya Rahane swings across the line and launches it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

SIX! Quicker one on off stump, Ajinkya Rahane walks down the track and lifts it right back over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Jason Roy has pulled something there while fielding on the first ball of this over and he has gone out of the field now.

Flatter one, angled into leg stump, Ajinkya Rahane attempts the reverse sweep but misses out.

Floated up outside off, Ravindra Jadeja drags the slog across to deep mid-wicket for a run.

This is full and on the stumps, Ravindra Jadeja clogs it away flat and hard toward wide long on. Jason Roy from long on runs around and gets to it but pulls up a bit as the batters pick up a couple of runs. Hopefully, Roy is fine but he is walking off the field for now.

Varun Chakaravarthy (3-0-30-1) to bowl the penultimate over.

FOUR! Cheeky but effective! A low full toss and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane plays it on the full and reverse ramps it down to third man for a boundary.

Full and quick, angled into the legs, Ravindra Jadeja gets an inside edge onto the pads as the ball rolls onto the off side. They get across for a single.

Well bowled! Nails the yorker again around off, Ravindra Jadeja looks to jam it out but fails to get any bat on it.

Ravindra Jadeja comes out to the middle now.

OUT! TAKEN! Straight to the man and Kolkata breathe a sigh of relief. Kulwant Khejroliya goes full and finds the blockhole on off stump. Shivam Dube stays deep in his crease and thumps it down the ground toward long off but hits it flat. The ball goes straight down the throat of Jason Roy and he makes no mistake. Dube departs but he has done his job with that fiery knock.

SIX! BANG! Shivam Dube brings up his FIFTY now and that too off just 20 balls, it's just carnage out there in the middle. Short ball, angled into the body, Dube swivels and pulls it all the way over the square leg fence for a maximum.

Fullish delivery, angled in from around the stumps, this is heaved away toward deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Kulwant Khejroliya comes back into the attack. He conceded 14 runs in his first over.

FOUR! FIFTY for Ajinkya Rahane in more than double-quick time and Chennai are racing toward 200 runs at the moment. This is dug in short and around off, Rahane gets on top of the bounce and pulls it aerially toward deep backward square leg for a boundary. 17 off that over!

Good length on the pads, tucked away behind square leg for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Full again, spilled down the leg side again as well and another wide is called.

Full and outside off, Shivam Dube reaches out and thumps it aerially toward deep extra cover for just another single.

Full and on the legs, this is worked away 'round the corner for a run.

WIDE! Attempted slower one, full and just down the leg side. Wide called.

SIX! Wow, that has been smacked away! Good length around off stump, Ajinkya Rahane picks it up and whacks it a long way over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Starts off with a back-of-a-length delivery outside off, Shivam Dube frees his arms and flat-bats it down to long off for a single.

Strategic-Break! It is raining sixes here in Kolkata as Shivam Dube and Ajinkya Rahane have gone berserk in the last couple of overs or so. Kolkata need someone to step up, but death bowling has been their problem throughout the season and they will hope that they can somehow restrict Chennai not take this game away from them. An exciting last four overs awaits us. Andre Russell to bowl after the break.

Floated up full and outside off, this is driven square of the wicket to deep cover-point for a run.

Shorter one around off, Ajinkya Rahane reverse-sweeps it wide of the man at short third man and picks up a single.

Quicker and flatter around off, hit away off the back foot down to long off for a single.

Quicker and the length is pulled back ever so slightly, taking it across the left-hander. Shivam Dube swings hard across the line but misses.

SIX! Up, up, and away! Tossed up again, full and around middle, Shivam Dube clears the front leg and smokes it right back over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Lovely delivery! Tosses it up full and on off stump, it is the googly, Shivam Dube looks to slog it away but is beaten in the flight and in turn as well.

Fuller and on off, Shivam Dube forces it towards long off where Jason Roy dives to his left to stop it. Only a single. 15 runs off the over though, another big one for Chennai!

Overpitched and on off, Shivam Dube drills it wide of deep point where Rinku Singh runs to his left and slides to make a good stop. Two runs taken! With that, the 50-run partnership comes up between these two batters in just 16 balls.

Another slower delivery, on a length and on off, Ajinkya Rahane pushes it through point for a run, he wants the second, but is sent back.

A dipping yorker now, slower too, Shivam Dube digs it out towards long on for a single.

FOUR! A boundary now! This is slower one, on a length and around off, Shivam Dube punches it wide of mid off for four more runs.

SIX! Shivam Dube is dealing in sixes here! David Wiese lands this on a hard length and on off, Shivam Dube heaves it over the long on fence for a biggie.

22 runs off the over! This is a low full toss, on off, Shivam Dube slices it towards deep point for a run. Chennai are well on course to go beyond that 200-run mark!

EDGED AND FOUR! Umesh Yadav bowls this full and on off, angling away, Shivam Dube looks to push it away from his body, but gets an outside edge past the keeper and towards the third man fence for a boundary.

A full toss, on off, Ajinkya Rahane moves a bit in his crease and drills it towards sweeper covers for a single.

FOUR! This is class from Ajinkya Rahane! Umesh Yadav pitches this up, on off, Ajinkya Rahane stays there and plays a glorious cover drive for a boundary. 16 runs off the over already with theee balls still to go.

SIX! Innovative and effective! Umesh Yadav lands this on a good length and around middle, Ajinkya Rahane moves across a bit, and scoops it well over the fine leg fence for a maximum.

SIX! Ajinkya Rahane gets into the act now! Umesh Yadav serves this full and around leg, Ajinkya Rahane picks it up and clips it over the deep backward square leg for another biggie.

Umesh Yadav (2-0-13-0) is back into the attack.

SIX! Two in two! Varun Chakaravarthy bowls this quicker, full and on off, Shivam Dube this time smashes it wide of long on as the ball hits the boundary cushions on the full for another maximum. 14 runs off the over then!

SIX! BOOM! Shivam Dube wastes no time! This is flighted, full and on middle, in the slot as well, Shivam Dube stays in his crease and slogs it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

Short again and on off, Ajinkya Rahane pushes it through covers for a run.

Tossed up, full and on off, Shivam Dube taps it in front of short covers for a single.

Short and on off, Shivam Dube punches it towards short covers.

Shivam Dube is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Varun Chakaravarthy strikes! A huge breakthrough for Kolkata as they see the back of Devon Conway. This is floated, full and outside off, Devon Conway makes room and tries to loft it over extra covers, and hits it from the middle of the bat, but does so much straighter as the ball flies in the air towards long off where David Wiese comes forward a bit and takes a fine catch. Conway stands there in disappointment, but he goes back after playing another fine knock. Chennai two down now!

A googly now, on off, turning in, Ajinkya Rahane taps it towards cover-point.

Slower through the air, short and on off, Devon Conway moves back and lifts it in front of long off for a run.

Flatter, full and on middle, Ajinkya Rahane sweeps it towards deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Fine shot! Suyash Sharma bowls this quicker, short and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane makes some room and cuts it well wide of sweeper covers for a boundary.

Tossed up, on middle, Ajinkya Rahane uses his feet and chips it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

A huge appeal for LBW, but turned down! Nitish Rana goes for the review after some discussion with Narayan Jagadeesan. Suyash Sharma floats this up, full and on leg, turning in a bit, Ajinkya Rahane goes for the sweep, but misses and gets hit on the pads. However, UltraEdge shows not bat involved and Ball Tracking shows wicket's is umpire's call. The on-field call of Not Out remains, but Kolkata keep their review.

Short and outside off, Ajinkya Rahane cuts it through point for a run.

Flatter, full and on middle, Devon Conway works it through mid-wicket for a single.

Quicker, full and around off, Devon Conway looks to reverse-sweep it, but misses and Narayan Jagadeesan gathers it and appeals, but turned down.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! This is flighted, full and on middle, Devon Conway goes down and sweeps it wide of deep square leg where Kulwant Khejroliya runs to his right and Andre Russell comes from deep mid-wicket, but both of them pull out fearing a collision and the ball goes to the fence for a boundary.

DROPPED! A tough chance though! This is tossed up, full and on middle, Devon Conway looks to work it away, but goes through the shot early and the ball pops in the air in front of the bowler where Varun Chakaravarthy dives forward, but fails to grab it. Conway gets a life!

Floated and around middle, Ajinkya Rahane uses his feet and lofts it on the bounce towards long on for a single.

A tad short and on middle, punched away down the ground for a single.

FIFTY for Devon Conway, a fourth one on the bounce and he is in sensational form. Flatter one around off, Conway cuts it toward point and the batters scamper through for a risky single. Conway will now look to carry on and get a big one from here.

Throws this one wide outside the off stump and Devon Conway slaps it hard but straight to point. Conway lets out a big grunt of frustration as well.

Around leg stump and turning away, Devon Conway nudges it away past square leg with soft hands and picks up a couple of runs with ease.

Nicely tossed up, very full and outside off, Devon Conway drives but finds the man at extra cover.

Floated up full and on off stump, this is knocked down to long on for a single.

SIX! Spoils the over with a big hit! This one is angled into the leg stump, Devon Conway advances down the track and lifts the ball high and handsome over the long on fence for a biggie.

Good, positive running! Flatter one around off, Ajinkya Rahane waits for it and just bunts it out in front of point for a quick single.

Pushed through quicker on off stump, this is driven along the ground toward long on for another single.

Quicker one, speared in at the stumps, Devon Conway blocks it out.

Pulls back the length and bowls it around middle, Ajinkya Rahane works it away toward mid-wicket for a run.

Angles this one in full and at the toes, Devon Conway gets the front leg out of the way and drives it uppishly down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Drops it short again around middle, Ajinkya Rahane pulls it away in front of square on the leg side for a boundary.

Shorter and around middle and leg, punched off the back foot through mid on for a single.

Risky single! Another googly, on the shorter side and further away from the off stump. Ajinkya Rahane goes on the back foot and nudges it toward point before setting off for the single. Had there been a direct hit at the bowler's end, Rahane would have been a goner.

Strategic-Break! Chennai got off to a really good start once again and used the Powerplay well. Both Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway played some lovely shots, but Suyash Sharma just before this break provided the breakthrough for Kolkata, and they will look to build on that. Also, Ajinkya Rahane walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! TIMBER! Through the gate and Kolkata have broken the opening stand. Suyash Sharma tosses this one up on a nagging length and outside the off stump. Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to lean on and drive it through cover but it is the wrong'un and Gaikwad doesn't pick it up. The ball turns in and beats the inside edge before crashing into the off stump and Sharma is delighted. Gaikwad departs after a solid start.

On the stumps again, Devon Conway attempts the reverse sweep but gets an inside edge off the pads toward cover-point and they get across for one.

Starts off with a full and straight one, Devon Conway pushes it back to the bowler.

Spin from both ends as Suyash Sharma to bowl some leggies now.

SIX! Wow, what a shot! This is floated up, full and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad uses his wrists to loft this one inside-out over cover and all the way for a maximum.

FOUR! Fraction short and around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad picks the length up early and uses the depth of the crease to make room and cut it away past point for a boundary.

Nagging length, drifted onto leg stump, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to tuck it away but gets a leading edge onto the off side.

Excellent running! Flighted delivery around the legs, Ruturaj Gaikwad leans on and nudges it away into the open space around mid-wicket and races back for the second.

Holds it back a touch and bowls it around off, shaping it away. Ruturaj Gaikwad eases it to point.

Starts off with a flatter one around off, Devon Conway mistimes the cut shot toward backward point and scampers through for one.

We will see some spin now as Sunil Narine is ready to bowl.

A dot to end but 14 runs come off that over and at the end of the Powerplay, Chennai are 59/0! Comes from around the wicket and bangs in a good short ball over the stumps, Ruturaj Gaikwad manages to sway his head out of the way.

This is banged in a bit around leg stump, Ruturaj Gaikwad backs away and pulls it toward deep square leg for a brace.

SIX! All the way! A high full toss from Kulwant Khejroliya as he serves this one around the hips. Ruturaj Gaikwad lifts it up high and over the square leg fence for a maximum.

Short of a length on the body, staying a touch low. Conway manages to pull it away behind square leg for a single.

FOUR! Slashes and slashes hard! This is short and wide outside off, Devon Conway throws his hands at it and gets a thick outside edge over short third man for a boundary. The 50 is up for Chennai now.

Starts off with a length ball, angling it across off, Ruturaj Gaikwad leans forward and punches it toward cover for one.

Kulwant Khejroliya comes into the attack now.

On a length and on off, Devon Conway punches it towards covers.

Back of a length and outside off, Devon Conway cuts it towards deep point where Rinku Singh runs to his left and dives to stop it. Two runs taken!

David Wiese bowls the slower delivery again, fullish and on off, Devon Conway forces it wide of deep point and comes back for the second.

FOUR! Another boundary! David Wiese serves this full and on off, Devon Conway looks to drive it away, but hits it from the bottom of the bat as the ball races wide of mid off for four more runs.

A slower one now, on a length and around off, Devon Conway punches it wide of deep point for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Nice shot! David Wiese lands this short of a lenggth and on middle, Devon Conway stays there and pulls it between deep square leg and deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

David Wiese (1-0-9-0) comes from the opposite end now.

Flatter, full and on middle, Devon Conway works it towards long on for a single.

SIX! BANG! Varun Chakaravarthy flights this up around middle, Devon Conway skips down the track and shows the full face of the bat to loft it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Tossed up, full and on middle, Devon Conway goes down and sweeps it wide of deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Floated, full and on middle, Devon Conway drives it wide of mid off where Jason Roy dives to his left to make a good stop.

Short again and outside off, Devon Conway cuts it hard, but straight to covers.

Varun Chakaravarthy starts with a short delivery, on off, Devon Conway pushes it towards covers.

Varun Chakaravarthy comes into the attack now.

SIX! All the way! Umesh Yadav lands this back of a length and around leg, Ruturaj Gaikwad swipes hard at it, and the ball goes of the top edge and flies over the deep backward square leg fence for a biggie.

Fullish and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad drives it towards mid off.

Umesh Yadav nails the inswinging yorker, on middle, Devon Conway manages to clamp it towards short mid-wicket for a run.

Pitched up, on off, Devon Conway pushes it towards short covers.

Umesh Yadav lands this on a good length and around off, shaping away, Devon Conway looks to flick it away, but misses as the ball loops off his pads and goes towards the keeper.

Full and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad mistimes his drive towards mid off and scampers across for a single.

Back of a length and outside off, Devon Conway cuts it towards point.

SIX! First maximum of the match! David Wiese bowls this a bit fuller and on middle, Devon Conway takes a couple of steps down the track and whips it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Pulls his length back a bit, on middle, knocks it towards mid on for a run.

Is that a chance? Yes, but a very tough one! David Wiese serves this full and on middle, shaping in, Devon Conway drives it uppishly wide of the bowler where David Wiese stretches his left hand, but only manages to parry it towards mid-wicket. They cross.

On a length and around leg, Devon Conway looks to pull, but it goes off his pads towards short fine leg.

David Wiese begins with a hard-length delivery, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad nudges it towards square leg for a single.

David Wiese to operate from the other end.

BEATEN! Umesh Yadav lands this on a good length and on off, shaping in a bit, Devon Conway looks to poke at it, but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Pulls his length back a bit, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad once again dabs it off the inner half in front of square this time for a single.

Goes fuller this time, on middle, Ruturaj Gaikwad works it off the inner half towards square leg.

Short of a length and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad pushes it towards covers.

Back of a length and on off, Ruturaj Gaikwad bunts it onto the pitch as the ball rolls to the leg side.

FOUR! Ruturaj Gaikwad and Chennai are underway in streaky fashion! Umesh Yadav starts with a full delivery around off, Ruturaj Gaikwad looks to drive it away, but gets an inside edge past the stumps and towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

We are all set to start! Kolkata players are spreading out to take their respective field positions. Devon Conway and Ruturaj Gaikwad stride out as the two openers of Chennai. Umesh Yadav has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

David Wiese is up for a flash interview. He says that he tries to keep busy and work on his skils and stay active to keep himself fit when he is not playing that much. Adds that it is easier when you are not playing and you go a bit harder in the gym and it is about utilsing your time. Mentions that he would like to be in the same team as Andre Russell as he has played against him a few times and would like to see the carnage by being on his side. Tells that the team balance is more important, and they have played some good cricket, but they need to win the crunch situation. Reckons that they just need to do the basic rights and improve on some areas and the resutls will follow.

Impact Players for Chennai -  Akash Singh, Dwaine Pretorius, Subhranshu Senapati, Shaik Rasheed, Rajvardhan Hangargekar.

Chennai (Playing XI) - Ruturaj Gaikwad, Devon Conway, Ajinkya Rahane, Moeen Ali, Ambati Rayudu (In place of Akash Singh), Shivam Dube, Ravindra Jadeja, MS Dhoni (C)&(WK), Matheesha Pathirana, Tushar Deshpande, Maheesh Theekshana.

Impact Players for Kolkata - Mandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Vaibhav Arora, Litton Das, Venkatesh Iyer.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Narayan Jagadeesan (WK) (In for Mandeep Singh), Jason Roy, Nitish Rana (C), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, David Wiese (In for Litton Das), Kulwant Khejroliya, Suyash Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

MS Dhoni, the captain of Chennai says that they would have bowled first as well. Adds that the players have grown in confidence especially the bowling department, but it is important to maintain this as it is a long tournamnet. Tells that it is crucial for everyone to contribute, and that one good catch or run out might make the difference in the end. Mentions that he has played a lot of cricket here, but not quite a lot as he did not play much U-16 cricket. Says that he had a job in Kharagpur and he played cricket and football here, so the love comes from there. Informs they are unchanged.

Nitish Rana, the skipper of Kolkata says that they will bowl first. Adds that the wicket looks good but there might be dew so they want to chase. Mentions that they have played good cricket but just haven't been able to cross the line in the last couple of matches. Reckons that they need to improve in all three areas to get the win here. Informs that they have two changes in the team as Litton Das and Mandeep Singh misses out and David Wiese and Narayan Jagadeesan comes in for them.

TOSS - The coin goes up in the air and lands in favour of Nitish Rana. Kolkata have elected to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Daren Ganga is pitchside. He says that it is pitch number 4 that will be used and the one square boundary is shorter than the other. Adds that the wicket looks great and the covering of grass is even, so we can expect some good bounce here. Tells that overall it is a good batting deck and spinners tend to be more economical. Mentions that if you win the toss you will want to chase, but reckons if the team batting first can get over 200 runs then the chase might be a bit tricky.

Chennai, on the other hand, will also feel at home as they have some great spinners too like Ravindra Jadeja and Moeen Ali who will enjoy these conditions. They have a destructive batting line-up from the in-form opening duo of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devon Conway to the experience of Ajinkya Rahane in the middle and then MS Dhoni to play as the finisher. They can take on any bowling attack and will fancy their chances here to get an away victory. Let's see who comes out on top. Toss and team news in a bit.

Kolkata haven't had a great time after those incredible five-sixes from Rinku Singh against Gujarat as they have failed to win any of the games after that. Their batting has been decent and with the addition of Jason Roy and Litton Das it has strengthened further, but the main worry for them is their bowling. They have been one of the most expensive units this season and will need to improve that. Their spinners will be very crucial in this game as we have seen that if they perform well then the team tends to be on the winning side.

Hello and a warm welcome folks! It is almost time for a heavyweight clash in the Indian T20 League as four-time champions, Chennai visit Eden Gardens to take on two-time winners, Kolkata. This is a really crucial game for Kolkata as they are desperate to get back to winning ways while Chennai have been one of the most sought-after teams this season.

... MATCH DAY ...

Time for another double-header Sunday in the 2023 Indian T20 League and in the second game of the day, Kolkata face off against Chennai in match number 33 at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. A historic stadium and a historic battle between two sides who are two of the only three teams to win the title multiple times but at the moment, the team in yellow is certainly on the rise. Both teams have played 6 games each but have had contrasting records with Chennai winning 4 out of 6 and Kolkata losing 4 out of 6. Kolkata have already lost three games in a row now and will be itching to perform against a home crowd. In their last game against Delhi, the batting crumbled in a rain-affected game and they just posted 127 in 20 overs. With the game dead and buried, their bowlers stood up to the challenge and almost won the game as well. The spinners, including their skipper played a major role but their pacers need to step up as well. With Jason Roy back in the team, the reliance on Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh will certainly go down a bit which is a good thing but still, they need contributions from a few big players. Chennai on the other hand have found a good rhythm and have done decently on their travels as well. Devon Conway has started firing with the bat alongside Ruturaj Gaikwad and the duo makes a dangerous opening pair. There is depth in the batting as well with MS Dhoni coming in at number 7 or 8 and that helps them big time. The bowling though has performed really well in spite of injuries and Ravindra Jadeja has been the standout. Kolkata versus Chennai is always a big match-up and we have seen some magical things happen in this fixture over the years and we can hope for more of the same in this game as well. Who are you backing?