Kolkata Knight Riders vs Gujarat Titans, IPL, 2023 Full score card

Wide! Anti-climax. Gujarat win by 7 wickets with 13 balls to spare. Quicker one, down the leg side, Shankar goes down to sweep but misses. The umpire stretches his arms and that's that!

SIX! FIFTY FOR SHANKAR, off just 24 balls. What a player, what a shot! Floated and full, around leg, Shankar goes down on one knee and spanks it behind square leg for a maximum. Score level.

Quicker and around off, Miller forces it to sweeper cover for a run.

Flatter and on middle, tucked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Quicker and fuller, around leg, Shankar picks it up and puts it away towards long leg for a boundary.

Short and on middle, pulled down to wide long on for a run.

Nitish Rana to bowl. 14 needed off 18 balls.

SIX! Vijay Shankar has put this chase to bed. Short and on off, Shankar rides the bounce and dismisses it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Four leg byes! The tide has turned in Gujarat's favour and everything is going their way. Turn and bounce from around off, Vijay Shankar tries to flick but misses. It takes his thigh pad and scoots past short third man.

Short again, wide outside off, Miller cuts it to deep point for a single.

Quicker and shorter outside off, Vijay goes hard at it and mistimes the shot. It goes on one bounce and loops over the bowler. They cross.

SIX! Shankar on fire. Tossed up around middle, from 'round the wicket, Vijay Shankar kneels down and dispatches it all the way over mid-wicket again. 26 needed off 22 balls.

SIX! Crunched! This one has been pummeled 10 rows back. Flighted and full, around off, Shankar goes down and sends it flying over deep mid-wicket. The 50-run stand comes up in quick time.

Change! Varun Chakaravarthy to bowl out.

Slower again, short and on off, Shankar pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Play and a miss! Change in pace. It's full and wide outside off, Shankar pushes at it and misses.

SIX! Dismissed! A length delivery is served around off, Shankar stays deep inside the crease, clears his front leg and launches it over long on. 39 needed off 26 balls.

Fuller and on off, Shankar drills it back to the bowler. It hits Russell on the right boot and deflects towards wide mid on. They cross a couple of times.

Wide! Slower one gone wrong. Down the leg side, Vijay tries to slog but misses.

Width there outside off, forced down to long off for a single.

BIG MISS! Dre Russ nearly strikes with his first ball of a new spell. Short and around off, 131 kph, Miller top-edges his short third man where Suyash Sharma fails to even get underneath it properly. They cross.

Andre Russell comes back into the attack. 1 for 16 in his 2 overs so far.

A loopy delivery, around off, Shankar takes it on the full and drives but finds point. 18 off the over!

FOUR! Raining boundaries, a big over at a crucial time for Gujarat. Short and around off, Shankar camps back and packs a punch through covers for a boundary.

Flatter and shorter outside off, Miller chops his attempted cut past the keeper. They cross.

SIX! Boom! This one is an even cleaner hit. Loopy and full, around middle and turning away, Miller clears his front leg and muscles it deep into the stands at long on. 56 needed off 33 balls.

SIX! High and handsome! Too full in length and wide outside off, Miller finds it in his range and towers it handsomely over long off for a biggie. 62 needed off 34 balls.

Flatter and on off, Shankar stays back and forces it down to long on for a run.

Strategic break. Things have changed drastically since the last break. Kolkata have clawed their way back by dismissing both Hardik Pandya and Shubman Gill in quick time. A few good overs have transferred the pressure on Gujarat who have a rebuilding to do. 69 runs needed in 36 balls, should be a tight finish. Suyash Sharma to deliver his final over.

FOUR! Miller finds the much-needed boundary. Short and wide outside off, Miller rocks back and hammers it through extra cover for a boundary.

Flatter and shorter, around off and spinning away, Shankar gets back and pushes it through extra cover for a run.

Flatter and shorter around off, Miller goes back and hits it without much conviction to long off. Only a run.

Swing and a miss! Slower through the air this time, full and on middle, Miller tries to slog but misses. It almost shaves the off pole.

Quicker through the air, short and wide outside off, Miller flat-bats it o deep cover. It's in the gap and two runs are taken.

Shortish and on off, Shankar goes back and punches it to wide long on for a run.

Varun Chakaravarthy comes back into the attack. None for 13 off his 2 overs so far.

Loopy and full, around off, Shankar mistimes his attempted slog sweep down to long on. Only a run, a fantastic over from Suyash.78 needed off 42 balls.

Quicker and shorter, around off, Shankar taps it down to point and looks for a run. Miller is not interested. Pressure building.

Flatter one, short around off and turning away, Shankar cuts it to point.

Floated delivery, full and around off, Shankar drags it past the mid-wicket fielder for a couple.

Goes short and outside off, Miller stays back and punches it to deep point for a single.

Play and a miss! Fuller and wide outside off, Miller tries to drive but it spins past his blade.

A touch short and on off, David taps it down to cover-point for a run.

FOUR! Somehow Miller has put it away. Flighted and around off, spinning in, Miller shapes up for the lap sweep but then adjusts and tickles it fine down the leg side for a boundary.

Slower and shorter, around off, Miller stays back and taps it down to point.

Arm ball, short and on middle, Miller moves back and punches it to covers.

David Miller walks in next with the required rate just over 10.

OUT! Gill holes out! A double blow to Gujarat as both the set batters are dismissed in quick time. Flighted delivery, full and on off, Shubman uses his feet to launch it over mid-wicket but doesn't get the desired connection. He skies it in the deep and Andre Russell takes the catch easily. Gill falls one short of his fifty but more importantly, Gujarat now have two new batters at the crease. Rebuilding time.

Flighted and full, around middle, Shanka pushes it down to long on for a single.

Rana goes short again, around off and hurries the batter for pace. Shankar tries to pull but gets an under-edge. It strikes him on the thigh pad and deflects to point. They steal a run. A fantastic over from Harshit Rana!

Lands it on a length around off, Shankar punches it to covers. Gill looks for a run but is sent back.

Vijay Shankar walks in next.

OUT! Given lbw! Harshit Rana strikes and takes down the big fish. He dishes out a sharp length ball around off, skidding in at 137.1 kph, Hardik Pandya shuffles across the stumps to flick but misses. He is rapped on the pads, they appeal and the finger goes up. It's dead plumb and Hardik returns without even thinking about the referral. 89 runs needed in 56 balls!

Digs it in short, around off, Gill goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single. The 50-run stand comes up.

Angles in a length ball on off, Pandya drives it to the right of extra cover for a quick run.

Beaten! Big swing and a miss. Rana delivers it on a length and outside off, Hardik stays back and tries to power it down the ground but plays down the wrong line.

Harshit Rana comes back for another spell.

Shortish and on off, eased to deep cover for one. 91 needed more at the halfway mark.

Again quicker through the air, around off, Hardik forces it to sweeper cover for a single.

Quicker and flatter on off, punched down to long on for a run.

SIX! High and deep into the stands. Full and floated, around off and spinning in, Hardik goes down on one knee and smokes it handsomely over deep mid-wicket.

Short ball, around off, Gill pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Fullish and on off, Hardik plays a punchy drive to long off for a single.

Flatter googly outside off, Pandya gets forward and strokes it down to long off for a run. 102 needed off 66 balls.

Keeps it very full and on middle, Gill helps it through mid-wicket for one.

Too full and around leg, Pandya moves back and eases it down to long on for a run.

FOUR! Bang! Suyash offers more air to this delivery and lands it quite full around off, Pandya gets the chance to get underneath it and smashes it over the bowler's head for a boundary, at long off.

Googly around off, Shubman Gill quietly drops it with gentle hands to mid-wicket and rotates the strike.

Flatter and around off, a bit short, Gill plays it down from the crease to point.

Strategic break. It's been a decent reply from Gujarat so far. They have not set the stage on fire but have Shubman Gill who is yet again looking in sublime form. All he needs is support from the other end and this could be an easy chase for the visiting team. Kolkata have done well to keep the scoring rate in check but they will need wickets to peg Gujarat back. The required rate is a little above 9 which is very much manageable in this format.

Carrom ball around off, on the shorter side, Gill forces it to deep cover for a single. 110 needed off 72 balls.

Quicker and fuller, on middle, Hardik shows the full face of the bat and knocks it down to long on for a run.

Flighted and full, around off, Gill flicks late and it comes off the inner half. The ball dribbles through square leg and they cross.

Shortish and on off, Hardik remains on the back foot and punches it to sweeper cover for a run.

Turning in from around off, Hardik gets back and wrists it through square leg. It's placed well for two runs.

Narine comes into the attack and bowls it flatter on middle. Gill steps down and works it with the spin to mid-wicket for a run.

Bowls it short and wide outside off, Gill slaps it to deep cover for a run. 11 from the over!

MISFIELD AND FOUR! It's Rinku Singh, the culprit. A long hop around off, another googly, Shubman Gill rocks back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket. Rinku Singh takes it too casually and makes a complete mess. It tickles his fingers and rolls away to the fence.

Loopy and full, around off, Gill drives but finds the cover fielder.

Shortish and on off, Hardik moves back and punches it down to long off for a run.

Another googly on the shorter side, this time the line is outside off, Gill cut it from the back foot to deep point for a run.

Four leg byes! Sharma begins with a googly on the shorter side. Around leg and it spins down. Gill fails to flick and it goes off his pads to the fence at fine leg.

Another quick delivery, on middle, angling in, Hardik Pandya knocks it towards mid on. Gujarat are 52/1 at the end of the Powerplay!

Fires this one full and on off, Hardik Pandya steers it towards point.

Flatter, short and on off, Hardik Pandya pushes it with hard hand and it just falls short of short covers.

Quicker, short and on middle, Shubman Gill forces it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Nice shot! This is floated, full and on middle, Shubman Gill goes down on his knees and sweeps it past square leg for a boundary.

Flighted, full and around off, Shubman Gill uses his feet and drills it towards mid off.

FOUR! Gets a hand on it but it's of no use. Pitched up on off stump, Hardik Pandya drives it firmly to the right of mid off where the fielder dives and gets a hand on it but there's enough power on the ball to still trickle away into the fence.

In the air...safe! Andre Russell goes short and bangs it in around off. Hardik Pandya looks to take it on but is a bit early in the pull. The ball comes off the cue end of the bat and goes straight up around short square leg. The keeper, Narayan Jagadeesan tries to get across and catch it but can't get there.

On a good length over off, Shubman Gill pushes it toward mid on and gets across quickly for a run.

Sweetly hit but for no run. Back of a length and around off, Shubman Gill stays back and plays a whippy shot using his wrists but finds the man at mid-wicket.

Back of a length around off, Hardik Pandya hangs back and guides it down to third man for a single.

Hardik Pandya walks out to bat at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Andre Russell gets the first breakthrough for Kolkata now. Serves this one on a hard length and around off. Wriddhiman Saha tries to reach out and heave it over mid on but the ball comes off the toe end of the bat before skying up around the mid-wicket region. Harshit Rana there moves to his left and settles under it before taking it safely. Saha departs after a fidgety start.

Drifts this one onto middle and leg, Wriddhiman Saha backs away and looks to drive but gets an inside edge. The ball just goes past the leg stump and toward short fine leg as the batters pick up another single.

Full and around off, pushed toward mid off for a quick single.

Leg bye! An appeal for LBW but it is turned down. This is quicker and a bit shorter, angled into the pads. Wriddhiman Saha backs away looking to pull but misses. The ball goes off the back leg and rolls onto the off side. They pick up a leg bye.

Drifted onto the pads, Shubman Gill waits for it and nudges it 'round the corner for one more.

On the pads, worked away toward deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Nicely played! Quicker one, on the pads, Wriddhiman Saha shuffles a bit and just tickles it down to fine leg. The ball runs away into the fence.

FOUR! Wow, a fourth boundary in the over and Shubman Gill is flying out there. Short and wide again, Gill throws his hands at it and gets it through the cover region for yet another boundary.

We will see some spin as Varun Chakaravarthy comes into the attack now.

WIDE! Good length, angled well down the leg side and a wide is called.

FOUR! Spanked away! Short and wide, there to be hit. Shubman Gill goes after it and hammers it through cover-point for a boundary.

FOUR! Close but not close enough! Harshit Rana steams in and serves a length ball at 146.5 clicks on off stump. The ball straightens after pitching as Shubman Gill gets caught on the crease. The ball pings the pads and races away into the third man fence. There is a big appeal for LBW but is is turned down. The review is taken and UltraEdge shows that there is a  faint edge that has saved Gill.

Is that out? Kolkata have taken a review for a LBW decision on Shubman Gill.

FOUR! Unbelievable timing from Shubman Gill. On a good length and outside off, Gill just stands tall and hits it on the up through extra cover for a boundary.

Excellent fielding! Slower and shorter outside off, Wriddhiman Saha comes forward and slaps it wide of the man at cover. Rahmanullah Gurbaz there springs to his right and gets a hand on it, keeping it down to a single.

A touch fuller in length and bowled outside off, Shubman Gill mistimes the drive and gets it toward point. The batters scamper through for a quick single though.

Swing and a miss! Slower one, a tad bit short and outside off. Wriddhiman Saha looks to pull but is through his shot way too early.

Short of a length around the hips, Shubman Gill tucks it in front of mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Andre Russell has to take evasive action. Pitched up on the stumps, Shubman Gill advances and thumps it right back almost cleaning out Rusell in the process. The ball races away into the fence.

Back of a length around off, tapped toward point.

FOUR! Stand and deliver! Good length outside off and shaping away, Shubman Gill doesn't move his feet and just uses those hands to reach out and punch it through extra cover for a boundary.

Fuller in length and angled into the pads, Wriddhiman Saha gets his hands in front and flicks it off his legs toward deep mid-wicket for a single.

Andre Russell to share the attack.

Three dots on the trot to end the first over of the chase, just the three singles off it. Top of the off stump line, Shubman Gill stays watchful and defends it out.

Goes wider of the crease and hits the length hard, angling it in a long way from outside off. Shubman Gill hops back and punches it crisply toward extra cover.

Shorter and angled into the body, Shubman Gill tucks it off his hips straight to mid-wicket.

Keeps the length a bit short and outside off, Wriddhiman Saha hops back and dabs it down toward point for a quick run.

Hits the length hard and bowls it a bit closer to the off pole, Shubman Gill stays on the back foot and punches it wide of third man for a run. Gill is off the mark as well right away.

Starts with a back-of-a-length ball at almost 143 clicks. This one is angled in from outside off. Wriddhiman Saha stays back and dabs it down toward backward point for a single. Saha and Gujarat are underway!

OUT! CAUGHT! Mohammad Shami finishes things off with a wicket. This is full and wide from Shami, Andre Russell stays deep in his crease and reaches out looking to go over the cover fence. Russell goes hard at it but ends up slicing it aerially toward deep cover. Rahul Tewatia there moves to his right and takes it just inside the ropes. Rusell falls on the final ball after a blistering cameo and Kolkata finish with 179/7 on the board!

FOUR! Streaky but Andre Russell won't mind it one bit. Slower one, on a good length and outside off. Russell throws his hands at it but ends up slicing it off the outer half of the bat over short third man for a boundary.

SIX! In the slot and put away! Full on middle and leg, Andre Russell stays deep in his crease and clears the front leg before smoking it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

A sharp bumper now from Mohammad Shami, over middle and coming in at a difficult height for the batter. Andre Russell tries to take it on but takes his eyes off the ball and is beaten.

Slower one, on a length and outside off. David Wiese goes hard at it but mistimes it down to long off for just one more.

Full and straight, reversing in a bit. Andre Russell works it away through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

Mohammad Shami (3-0-21-2) to bowl the last over.

SIX! David Wiese goes big and ruins the over for Joshua Little. Length ball on the pads, Wiese stands tall and picks it up before launching it high and handsome over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Banged in short and outside off at 142 clicks, Andre Russell looks for the slap but ends up hitting it toward deep cover for a run.

On a good length, Andre Russell backs away and heaves it without much timing toward wide long on for a couple of runs.

Full and outside off, creamed straight to the man at extra cover.

Banged in short and over the stumps, David Wiese goes for the pull but mistimes it just over the mid-wicket region for another single.

What a delivery! Nails the yorker on middle stump, Andre Russell somehow manages to get his front leg out of the way and squeezes it out toward cover for a single.

Joshua Little (3-0-14-2) to bowl the penultimate over.

Three dots in a row to finish a fantastic over by Noor Ahmad, just five runs and a wicket off it. This is quicker again and around the pads, David Wiese tries to help it on its way but the ball deflects off the pads toward short fine leg.

Beaten! Quicker and angled across the right-hander. David Wiese looks to cut but the ball zips past the outside edge.

Half an appeal for LBW, turned down. Pushed through quicker and around leg stump, David Wiese looks to tuck it away but misses and gets struck on the pads.

David Wiese is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Joshua Little with sublime composure in the deep and Noor Ahmad gets his second wicket of the game. Gives this one some air and flights it outside the off stump. Rinku Singh reaches out and tries to get under it. Rinku does get under it but ends up slicing it high and toward wide long off. Little there moves to his right and takes it around his head before almost going over the ropes. He lobs the ball back in the air and settles himself to complete the catch.

Slight confusion in the middle but no harm is done. Quicker and on the legs, whipped away in front of square leg for one. Russell looks for two which isn't there.

FOUR! Raw power from the birthday boy! Noor Ahmad drags this one down well outside the off stump, Andre Russell clobbers it away along the ground and straight down the ground for a boundary.

Shortens the length and bowls it on the legs, Andre Russell tucks it behind square leg for a run.

SIX! Yet another googly and yet another maximum. This is floated up on middle and leg, Andre Russell gets down on one knee and slogs it with the turn just over the square leg fence for another maximum.

Another dot ball! Slower and shorter around off, Andre Russell goes on the back foot and nudges it toward short third man.

Quicker and flatter outside off, kept out on the off side.

SIX! BANG! This is tossed up full and on off, it is the googly again. Andre Russell picks it up and heaves it over cow corner for a biggie.

A googly, shorter and turning away from off stump. Rinku Singh punches it down to long off and rotates the strike.

Flights this one up on the legs, Andre Russell nudges it toward mid-wicket.

Slightly shorter on off and turning away a bit. Rinku Singh goes on the back foot and jabs it through the mid-wicket region for one more.

Short and wide, slapped away to sweeper cover for just a single.

Shorter and around leg stump, Andre Russell looks to stay back and tuck it away but misses and gets hit high on the pads.

Strategic-break! Gujarat have finally got rid of Rahmanullah Gurbaz who was looking well set for a hundred. They will hope to build on this now and restrict Kolkata to lower total. On the other hand, Kolkata will hope that Rinku Singh and Andre Russell stay till the end and take them to good total. Andre Russell walks out to bat on his 100th match for Kolkata and on his birthday too.

OUT! TAKEN! Would you believe it? An all-Afghan affair out in the middle. Noor Ahmad tries to toss this one up full and on leg stump but ends up bowling a full toss. Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles in his crease and is a bit off-balanced as he tries to slog it over the mid-wicket fence. The ball goes off the toe end of the bat and toward deep mid-wicket. Rashid Khan there comes racing in and slides in to take a brilliant catch low to his right. Gurbaz departs after a sensational knock and Gujarat have their man.

Floated up well outside the off stump, Rinku Singh opens the bat face and cuts it just behind point for a single.

Flatter, short and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz clips it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 17 runs off the over!

FOUR! Powered away! Rashid Khan lands this short this time, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves back and pulls it wide of deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

SIX! Way into the stands! Rashid Khan flights this up, full and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes room again and absolutely launches it over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Tossed up, full and on off, Rinku Singh heaves it off the inner half towards deep square leg for a run.

Floated, full and on off, Rinku Singh slogs it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a brace.

Another googly, on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks it through square leg for a single.

A googly, on leg, turning further to the leg side, Rahmanullah Gurbaz misses his sweep. Wided.

Rashid Khan (2-0-23-0) is back into the attack.

A slower one, on a length and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz steers it towards point for a single. 12 runs off the over then!

Back of a length and around off, Rinku Singh punches it towards sweeper covers for a run.

Full and on off, Rinku Singh drives it towards sweeper covers and comes back for the second.

Short of a length and on middle, Rinku Singh tries to hook it away but misses and gets hit around his belly. He looks in a bit of pain.

On a length and around leg, Rinku Singh nudges it wide of deep square leg for a brace.

SIX! Rinku Singh connects finally! Mohit Sharma starts with a good-length delivery but around leg, Rinku Singh picks it up and whips it over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Mohit Sharma comes into the attack for the first time in this game.

Short of a length and on middle, Rinku Singh uses his feet and pulls it towards deep square leg for a run.

Short of a length and on off, Rinku Singh gets surprised by the bounce and taps it towards point.

Swing and a miss! This is bit fuller and on leg, Rinku Singh uses his feet and swings across the line but fails to connect.

On a length and on off, Rinku Singh steers it towards point.

Full again and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz pushes it towards mid off for a single.

SIX! Into the crowd! Hardik Pandya serves this full and on off, in the slot, Rahmanullah Gurbaz stays in his crease and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Hardik Pandya (2-0-26-0) brings himself back on.

Another loopy full toss, on off, Rinku Singh reaches for it but drills it straight to extra covers.

A googly now, on off, turning away, Rahmanullah Gurbaz knocks it towards long off for another run.

Looped up, on off, a low full toss, Rinku Singh forces it towards long on for a run.

Floated, full and on off, turning away, Rinku Singh blocks it out.

Short and on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks it through backward square leg for a single.

SIX! Just over! This is tossed up, full and on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz clears his front leg and lofts it with no timing towards the long off fence but it has just enough power to go over the fence for a biggie.

Short of a length and outside off, Rinku Singh cuts it towards point.

Full and on middle, Rinku Singh drives it towards mid off.

Rinku Singh is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Joshua Little with a double strike in the over! Nitish Rana fails to make an impact in his 100th Indian T20 League game. Little bowls this on a hard length and around off, Nitish Rana moves across a bit and tries to punch it away but does so uppishly and straight into the hands of Rahul Tewatia at point who makes no mistake. Kolkata in a bit of a trouble now!

FOUR! Nitish Rana gets off the mark with a boundary! Joshua Little lands this on a hard length and on off, Nitish Rana waits for it and gudies it towards the third man fence for a boundary.

Back of a length and outside off, Nitish Rana tries to cut it away, but misses.

Skipper, Nitish Rana walks out to bat now.

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! Joshua Little strikes! Venkatesh Iyer goes back to the hut after a bit of a struggle. Joshua Little serves this full and in line with the stumps, Venkatesh Iyer shuffles across to scopp it but misses it completely and gets hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. There is a huge appeal for LBW and up goes the finger. However, Iyer goes for the review after a chat with Gurbaz. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking once again indicates three reds. Kolkata three down now and lose their last review!

Very full on leg stump, this is worked away through mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls it flatter again around off and this one angles in quickly, Venkatesh Iyer manages to keep it out on the off side.

Beaten! Flatter and on the fifth stump line, Venkatesh Iyer looks to back away and cut but gets beaten past the outside edge.

Hit hard but just for one. Short and wide, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and slaps it in front of square on the off side for just a run.

Flighted delivery on middle, this is driven back past the bowler for a single.

Slightly shorter on middle and this one hurries on off the deck. Venkatesh Iyer looks to pull off the back foot but gets a big inside edge back onto the pads.

Starts with a wide! This is floated up and angling down the leg side, Venkatesh Iyer looks to flick but misses.

Strategic-Break! Kolkata have built a good platform with Rahmanullah Gurbaz getting to a quick-fire half-century. They will hope that they continue the scoring rate as they have a lot of big hitters still to come. Gujarat will want to break this stand and put pressure on the batters to force them to do mistakes so that they can get back in the game. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us. Noor Ahmad to bowl after the break.

FIFTY for Rahmanullah Gurbaz on his return to the side and this has been a solid knock from him thus far. Slightly shorter and outside off, Gurbaz taps this one away wide of the fielder at third man and hustles back for the second. He will now look to keep the scoreboard moving.

A good battle this between Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Joshua Little and it is the Irishman who is getting the better of his Afghan counterpart at the moment. Good length, pushed wider of the off stump and angling it away, Gurbaz walks across and has a feel for it but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Nails the yorker and gets it in around the toes, Venkatesh Iyer manages to jam it out toward mid-wicket for a run.

Fuller and around off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz shuffles across his stumps and whips it off his legs, flat and hard toward deep square leg for a run.

Sees Rahmanullah Gurbaz coming and bangs it in outside off. Gurbaz throws the kitchen sink at it but fails to connect.

Fuller and skidding through on middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer forces the drive through wide mid on and picks up a single.

On the shorter side and turning in from outside off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz taps it in front of point and looks for one but is sent back by his partner.

Floats this one up really full and on off, Venkatesh Iyer looks to flick it away but gets a leading edge toward mid off for a single.

Full and straight, Venkatesh Iyer with a sweetly-timed push straight back past the bowler. Joshua Little from long on runs to his left and slides in to make the stop. Two runs are taken.

Pushed through quicker on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz turns it leg side and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Up and over! Holds it back a touch and floats it full outside off. Rahmanullah Gurbaz lifts this one over extra cover and the ball trickles away into the fence.

Nagging length around off, Venkatesh Iyer rocks back and cuts it through cover-point for a single.

Lovely delivery to end and just five runs come off it. Serves it on a length and close to the off stump, the natural angle just taking it away from Rahmanullah Gurbaz who plays inside the line of the ball.

Good length outside off, punched away straight to cover-point.

FOUR! A touch of class from Rahmanullah Gurbaz. Fuller in length and pushed across the off stump, Gurbaz waits for it and just taps it perfectly between backward point and short third man for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! Hits the length hard and angling across the right-hander, Rahmanullah Gurbaz throws his hands at it but misses.

Nicely bowled! Rahmanullah Gurbaz shapes to shuffle across and open up the leg side but Joshua Little angles across a good-length ball that rises up high. Gurbaz ends up having a poke at it but is beaten on the outside edge.

Starts with a fuller delivery and angles it into leg stump, Venkatesh Iyer advances and pushes it down to long on for a single.

Joshua Little comes into the attack now.

Floated up full and on off, Venkatesh Iyer leans on and strokes it down to long off for a single. At the end of the Powerplay, Kolkata are 61/2!

Flatter and on the stumps, nudged away off the back foot toward wide mid on for one.

FOUR! Rahmanullah Gurbaz is out to prove a point it seems like. Shortens the length and angles it into middle and leg, Gurbaz gets inside the line and sweeps it over backward square leg for a boundary.

SIX! BOOM! Rashid Khan goes full and straight, Rahmanullah Gurbaz backs away and thumps this one flat over the bowler's head for a maximum.

Quicker and fuller on the legs, Venkatesh Iyer flicks it away in front of the man at square leg for one.

Starts with a shortish delivery, turning in from around middle. Rahmanullah Gurbaz hops back and works it away in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Venkatesh Iyer walks in at number 4. Also, Rashid Khan comes into the attack.

OUT! TAKEN! A fine catch from Mohit Sharma! The plan to send Shardul Thakur up the order has failed miserably. Mohammad Shami bowls this full and on middle, Shardul Thakur tries to loft it over mid on but hits it from the bottom half of the bat. As a result it goes high in the air behind mid on where Mohit Sharma runs backwards and covers a lot of ground and in the end grabs an excellent catch. Kolkata lose their second wicket!

This is on a good length and around off, Shardul Thakur tries to play at it but gets beaten by the pace.

Full and on middle, Shardul Thakur blocks it back to the bowler.

On a length and on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz work it through backward square leg for a single.

SIX! Great shot! This is pitched up and on middle, in the slot as well, Rahmanullah Gurbaz this time makes room and lofts it over the bowler's head as the ball lands directly on the boundary cushions for a biggie. The replays confirms the same.

FOUR! Fine shot! Mohammad Shami serves this full and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz takes a couple of steps forward and heaves it towards the deep mid-wicket fence for a boundary.

Mohammad Shami to continue...

This is on a good length and on leg, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Hardik Pandya bangs in a sharp bouncer this time, on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tries to pull again but gets a bit hurried and misses.

SIX! BOOM! Rahmanullah Gurbaz goes big again! Hardik Pandya serves this full and on middle, slower too, Rahmanullah Gurbaz makes room and adjusts well to shovel it over the deep square leg fence for another maximum.

Back of a length and on off, Rahmanullah Gurbaz dabs it towards point.

SIX! BANG! First maximum of the match! Hardik Pandya lands this short and around middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz moves across a bit and hooks it over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

On a length and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz defends it onto the pitch.

Full and on off, angling in, Shardul Thakur blocks it down the pitch.

Shardul Thakur comes in at number 3. A surprising move this from Kolkata.

OUT! LBW! Mohammad Shami draws first blood as he generally does for Gujarat! He serves this way fuller and on middle, shaping in a bit, Narayan Jagadeesan moves across to clip it away but misses it completely and gets hit on the pads right in front of the stumps. It looks plumb but Narayan Jagadeesan goes for the review after a chat with Gurbaz. UltraEdge shows no bat involved and Ball Tracking indicates three reds. Kolkata lose their first wicket and the review as well.

Touch fuller and around off, Narayan Jagadeesan guides it towards deep point where Joshua Little from third man runs to his right and slides to stop it. Two runs taken!

FOUR! Nice shot! Mohammad Shami lands this back of a length again, on middle this time, Narayan Jagadeesan makes room and crunches it through point for a boundary.

Back of a length and on off, Narayan Jagadeesan uses his feet and cuts it straight to point.

On a length and on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz nudges it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Over the head! Slight misjudgement in the field cost Gujarat! Hardik Pandya serves this full and on off, Narayan Jagadeesan tries to slog it across the line but gets an outside edge in the air towards third man where Abhinav Manohar gets forward a couple of feets and in the end the ball flies over is head for a boundary.

Fuller one and on off, Narayan Jagadeesan drives it straight to covers.

FOUR! Good shot! Hardik Pandya lands this back of a length and outside of, Narayan Jagadeesan accepts the width and cuts it hard and wide of point for a boundary.

Touch fuller and around off, Narayan Jagadeesan makes room and tries to cut it, but misses again.

On a length and outside off, shaping further away, Narayan Jagadeesan fails to reach it. Wided.

EDGED AND FOUR! Hardik Pandya bangs this onto the pitch and on off, Narayan Jagadeesan throws his bat at it, but gets an outside edge over first slip for a boundary.

Hardik Pandya begins with a hard-length delivery, on off, shaping away, Narayan Jagadeesan withdraws his bat at the last moment.

Skipper, Hardik Pandya to share the new ball with Mohammad Shami. Also, Mohit Sharma has hurt himself a bit while sliding in on the last ball of the previous and has gone off the field. Hopefully, it is temporary and he will be back soon.

Pitched up, on middle, Rahmanullah Gurbaz tucks it towards the vacant mid-wicket region and comes back for the second easily as there is a slight misfield. Only three runs from the first over then!

Narayan Jagadeesan and Kolkata are finally underway! Mohammad Shami goes a bit full and on off, Narayan Jagadeesan pushse it towards mid off for a quick single.

BEATEN AGAIN! This is on a good length and on middle, Narayan Jagadeesan makes room ands swings at it, but fails to connect.

Fuller and on middle, Narayan Jagadeesan works it towards mid on. Three dots in a row!

Swing and a miss! Mohammad Shami lands this on a hard length and around off, shaping away sharply, Narayan Jagadeesan slashes at it, but misses.

Mohammad Shami starts with a full delivery around middle, nips away a bit, Narayan Jagadeesan knocks it towards mid on and denies the single.

We are finally ready for the game to get underway! The two umpires are out in the middle as Andre Russell rings the bell on his birthday signalling the start of the game. The players of Gujarat huddle up before striding out to the middle. Narayan Jagadeesan and Rahmanullah Gurbaz are the two openers for Kolkata. Mohammad Shami has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

UPDATE 3.53 pm IST (10.23 am GMT) - Good news! The play will start at 4.15 pm IST (10.45 am GMT). Also, no overs have been lost yet, and hopefully, we do get a full game in.

UPDATE 3.46 pm IST (10.16 am GMT) - The latest scenes from the ground show that the covers are off and there are a few players warming up. We should get a start time soon, that is if there isn't further rain. Stay tuned.

UPDATE 3.26 pm IST (9.56 am GMT) - Right then, there was a bit of rain around and the entire ground is under covers. The good news is that the sun is slowly but surely coming out of the clouds and as we speak, the covers are also starting to come off. Hopefully, we get the game started soon but for now, the start has been delayed. Stay tuned for further updates.

Nitish Rana, the skipper of Kolkata says that he would have liked to bat first and mentions that yes, there are clouds but they still wanted to bat first. Adds that unfortunately they are being forced to make changes in the team with Umesh Yadav and Jason Roy out of the team and Harshit Rana and Rahmanullah Gurbaz coming in. Ends by saying that they always hope for two points and will do their best to get them.

Gujarat's captain, Hardik Pandya says that they will bowl first. Adds that they thought about bowling first because of the overcast conditions. Tells that he is happy with the performance and they need to play good cricket and qualify for playoffs. Informs they are unchanged.

Impact Players nominated by Gujarat -  Shubman Gill, KS Bharat, Sai Sudharsan, Shivam Mavi, Jayant Yadav.

Gujarat (Playing XI) - Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Abhinav Manohar, Hardik Pandya (C), Vijay Shankar, David Miller, Rahul Tewatia, Rashid Khan, Noor Ahmad, Mohammad Shami, Mohit Sharma, Joshua Little (In for Shubman Gill).

Impact Players nominated by Kolkata -  Suyash Sharma, Mandeep Singh, Anukul Roy, Tim Southee, Kulwant Khejroliya.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Narayan Jagadeesan, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (In for Jason Roy) (WK), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana (C), Andre Russell, Rinku Singh, Sunil Narine, David Wiese, Shardul Thakur (In for Vaibhav Arora), Harshit Rana (In for Umesh Yadav), Varun Chakaravarthy.

TOSS - The flip of the coin lands in favor of Gujarat and they will BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Daren Ganga is pitchside. He says that Pitch 6 is being used and that there is not much difference in the square boundaries while the shorter one is behind the wicket. Matthew Hayden joins him and tells that it is going to be a batter's dream. Adds that there might be some turn as there are some rough patches. Mentions that the breeze will also make it a bit difficult for the batters. Ganga ends by saying that Mohit Sharma could be an asset with his variations on this wicket.

It is centurions day in Kolkata as Andre Russell is playing his 100th match for Kolkata that too on his birthday, a really happy moment for him. The likes of Rashid Khan and Nitish Rana are set to make their 100th appearance in the Indian T20 League.

Gujarat, on the other hand have played like defending champions and they are in a pretty comfortable position on the points table. They have a very well-balanced team and they have won matches chasing as well as defending a low total where they looked completely down and out. They have a good mixture of youth and experience and Hardik Pandya has led them well and used the resources efficiently. They will hope that they settle the scores against Kolkata in this game. Let's see who comes out on top. Toss and team news in a bit.

Kolkata have suffered from inconsistency as they have won only three games in this season. Their batting has been decent with most players playing some decent knocks, but they must perform collectively. Also, Andre Russell will need to contribute more in the batting department. Their most worrying thing is their pace bowling which is one of the expensive units so far and they will need to address it quickly if they want to go far in this tournament and also if they want to get the better of Gujarat again.

Hello and a warm welcome folks. The action now has moved to the historic Eden Gardens where Kolkata will clash against Gujarat. The last time these two sides met it was Rinku Singh who wrote his name in the history books and Kolkata will be hoping for something similar at their home while Gujarat will certainly want to avenge their heartbreaking defeat.

... MATCH DAY ...

Can you believe it? We are already midway through the 2023 Indian T20 League and the points table is segregated into 3-4 different zones with all teams still having a chance of making it through to the playoffs. In Match number 39, it will be Kolkata going on against Gujarat at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. This is the return fixture of the famous game at the Narendra Modi Stadium where Rinku Singh hit five sixes in a row in the final over to heroically win the game for Kolkata and Yash Dayal was on the receiving end of that massacre. Currently, the reigning champions are higher on the table than their opponents and will be out for revenge. They have 5 wins from 7 games and they put on a big performance against Mumbai last time around. The batting seems in fine form with Shubman Gill remaining consistent throughout and someone or the other stepping up to support him from the other end. The bowling has been in great form as well with spearhead Mohammad Shami and Hardik Pandya getting the ball to talk early on and the spin duo of Rashid Khan and Noor Ahmad wreaking havoc in the middle overs. Mohit Sharma has been like a breath of fresh air as he is their death-over specialist and has been doing a fine job at it. Kolkata were on a run of four defeats and were in a downward spiral but then they went up against Bangalore and just like in their first meeting this season, Kolkata scored 200-plus runs and then were able to defend it as well. The inclusion of Jason Roy in the playing XI has been a big positive for them and with the likes of Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana and Rinku Singh all in good form, their batting seems pretty strong. It is the pace bowling that has been their weakest area so far and even though the spin duo of Varun Chakaravarthy and Suyash Sharma has done well, Sunil Narine has looked off-color. They need the likes of Umesh Yadav and Andre Russell to deliver more consistently if they are to have a chance against teams that play spin well. The match-up does favour Gujarat more than it does Kolkata but at Eden Gardens, the fans can make a lot of difference. Can Kolkata notch up back-to-back wins and derail the reigning champions? Or will Gujarat avenge their defeat in the reverse fixture? We shall find out.