Kolkata Knight Riders vs Lucknow Super Giants Ball by Ball Commentary

OUT! OFF STUMP OBLITERATED! Absolute scenes out there. Even someone as silent as Gambhir is all pumped up! He is screaming in joy. The Lucknow dugout is ecstatic. Agony in the camp of Kolkata, their season is over. Phew, what a match! Marcus Stoinis nails his yorker when it mattered the most. It's too good for Umesh Yadav who swings his bat at it but misses. The off stump is floored. LUCKNOW WIN BY 2 RUNS!

With 3 runs needed off the final ball and the possibility of a Super Over on the cards, Umesh Yadav walks out to face the final delivery. Can he get his side over the line?

OUT! STUNNER BY EVIN LEWIS! That's unbelievable. One for the highlight reels. Wow, under pressure, full speed and Lewis has grabbed a ripper. We have seen everything tonight. Fullish and outside off, pace off, Rinku Singh lofts it over extra cover. Not much power or timing behind it. Evin Lewis rushes forward from the deep, puts in a bit of slide and sticks his left hand out. Voila! It sticks and the Lucknow dugout goes bonkers. 3 needed off 1 ball. Super Over?

Drama, more drama. With the game turned on its head, the umpires now check for a short run. The replay shows that Rinku Singh lost his bat but managed to get his foot inside the crease as he turned around for the second. All good to go.

Fuller in length, around off, Singh whips it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs. 3 needed off 2 balls.

SIX! RINKU SINGH, YOU GEM! The local talent of India is taking on one of the established all-rounders in international cricket. 5 needed off 3 balls. Fuller in length, wide outside off, Rinku Singh rifles it over long off for a maximum.

SIX! OUT OF HERE! Rinku Singh, you beauty boy! Short in length, around off, Singh holds his balance inside the crease, generates immense power behind his shot and pummels it over wide long on. 11 needed off 4 balls.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Too full in length and wide outside off, Rinku drills his drive and finds the gap at extra cover for a boundary. 17 needed off 5 balls.

Marcus Stoinis to bowl the final over. Can he defend 20 runs and send Kolkata packing?

Well bowled! A yorker around leg, Singh swings his bat at it but fails to connect properly. It rolls to square leg and they cross. 21 needed off the final over.

Wide! Too full and down the leg side, Rinku holds his ground and allows it through.

Keeps his length very full, around leg, Narine clears his front leg and whips it to deep mid-wicket. Only a single again.

Holder follows the batter down the leg side with a low full toss, Rinku flicks it to deep mid-wicket, only a run. Single is a win for Lucknow.

SIX! Rinku Singh flexing his muscles! Short again from Holder, on the slower side, Rinku Singh runs down the track and smacks it over wide long on. 25 needed off 9 balls.

Holder goes short and on middle, Narine takes his eyes off and pulls it through square leg for one.

SIX! Up and over! Narine is the man for Kolkata. Fuller and around middle, angling in, Narine stays deep inside the crease and lifts it over the leaping long on fielder for a biggie. 32 needed off 11 balls.

Can't get it away and it will be a dot ball. Avesh Khan ends the night giving away 60 runs off his 4 fours. This is full and at the stumps, Singh shuffles but he cannot get it past the man at backward square leg. 38 needed now off 12 balls.

Does get it right this time Avesh Khan. Very full and outside off, driven through extra cover for just a single.

SIX! Poor from Avesh Khan and he is having a night to forget out there. Avesh misses the blockhole and ends up serving a juicy full toss outside off. Sunil Narine hangs deep and muscles it over the wide long off fence for a biggie. 39 needed now off 14 balls.

Better from Avesh, full and on off. Singh works it through mid-wicket and picks up a single.

WIDE! Full and wide, a bit too wide though. Wide called.

SIX! A much-needed maximum for Kolkata. Slower delivery, shorter in length and around leg. Rinku Singh picks up the length early and smokes it over the square leg fence for a biggie.

Full and at the stumps, Rinku Singh shuffles across the off stump and laps it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Avesh Khan (3-0-43-1) to finish his spell here.

SIX! A touch short in length, around off, Sunil Narine turns inside the crease and powers it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. 4-0-20-3, what an effort from Mohsin Khan!

This is a slower short ball, around off. Narine looks to pull it across but gets a bottom edge back onto the deck.

Sunil Narine is in next. Mohsin Khan is seen clutching his hamstring. Let's hope he is doing fine.

OUT! DRE RUSS HOLES OUT! A body blow to Kolkata. Mohsin Khan has been magical this evening. Dishes out a slower one, at 123.3 clicks, full and outside off, Andre Russell winds up for a big shot down the ground but gets more height than distance. Deepak Hooda catches the ball at the edge of the fence at long off. Well done, Hooda. Well done, Mohsin. And well done, Krishnappa Gowtham, his fielding effort on the last ball kept Andre Russell on strike. All these things matter.

Great fielding by Krishnappa Gowtham. Short and around off, Rinku pulls it behind square leg and takes a run. Krishnappa Gowtham makes a diving stop and releases the ball immediately despite being off-balance, denying the batters the second run.

FOUR! Wrong line from Mohsin Khan. Delivers it full and on the pads, Rinku Singh nudges it neatly off his pads to fine leg for a boundary.

AERIAL BUT SAFE! Mohsin Khan bowls a slower one, full and way wide outside off, Dre Russ reaches out and tries to power it over covers. But it takes the toe end and flies behind cover-point. It drops safely and the batters cross.

Will Avesh Khan bowl out here? Or will Rahul keep him for the last couple of overs? No, it's Mohsin Khan who will bowl out. He has figures of, 3-0-8-2 so far.

Bishnoi goes short around off, from 'round the wicket, Russell mistimes his pull to deep mid-wicket. Only a run.

Short and wide outside off, Singh cuts it to deep point for a run.

Rinku Singh comes in at number 7 for Kolkata. Can he conjure up some magic here?

OUT! STUMPED! Ravi Bishnoi shows the courage to toss it up despite going for a maximum. It's a googly, landing outside off, Sam Billings skips down the track and tries to heave it over the leg side but misses. Quinton de Kock does the rest neatly. A fine knock from the Englishman but Kolkata needed more from their set batter. 69 needed off 26 balls.

SIX! Boom! Billings gets one away! Loopy and full, around leg, Sam Billings sits down on knee and muscles it over fine leg for a maximum.

Shortish around leg, Russell gets back and forces it to long on for a run.

Flighted and full, around off, Billings drags his attempted slog-sweep to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Strategic break. With 9 runs off the last 3 overs, this game has tilted massively in favour of Lucknow now. 77 needed off the last 30 balls. Sam Billings and Andre Russell are the batters in the Kolkata ranks on whom you can bank to do it. Lucknow hammered 88 in the last 5 overs. Can Kolkata also go bonkers at the death?

Terrific over fom Avesh Khan and Lucknow have now bowled three overs on the go where they have conceded less than a run-a-ball. Avesh grunts and steams in only to bowl a slower delivery, full and outside off. Russell tries to cream it through covers but gets an inside edge towards the keeper.

Peach of a delivery from Avesh and what a comeback over this is proving to be! Avesh goes quick and full and nails the yorker on leg. Russell can do nothing other than just jam it out.

Pace on this time from Avesh. On a shorter length and outside off. Russell takes a swing at it but misses. Two dots in a row now.

Another dot ball and the required rate just keeps on soaring high. Slower bumper, bowled well outside off. Russell tries to reach it but can only manage to toe-end it towards cover-point.

Back of a length, outside off. Billings fetches it and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for one.

DROPPED! Or was it? Length from Avesh, around off. Andre Russell pummels it flat towards Jason Holder at long on who seems to have dropped the catch but the replay shows that it fell just short. Single taken.

Will KL Rahul take the punt and bowl out Mohsin Khan? Nopes. He wants to keep Mohsin's last over in the locker. Here comes Avesh Khan. Has gone for 41 runs in his two overs so far. Can he redeem himself?

In the air but safe! Short of a length, around off. Andre Russell looks to muscle it over the mid-wicket fence but gets it high off the bat. The ball falls short of Deepak Hooda who comes racing in from the deep. Single taken. Just 5 runs and a wicket off it and the pressure is back on Kolkata.

Good bumper from Stoinis. This is banged in around off, Russell lets it be.

Andre Russell arrives. The crowd is getting vocal. 80 needed off 38 balls and the West Indian powerhouse is capable of doing that.

OUT! CAUGHT! Just before the over began it felt like something's got to give and Shreyas Iyer departs while looking to up the ante. Sometimes all you need is one good over and the momentum shifts immediately. Stoinis serves it a bit fuller and on off, taking the pace off the delivery. Shreyas Iyer is into the lofted shot way too early and ends up skying it towards deep mid-wicket. Deepak Hooda misjudges it a bit at first but takes it eventually. 80 needed now off 38 balls.

Good running. Slower delivery, around the hips. Iyer nudges it behind square on the leg side and races back for the second. Brings up his fifty but he knows that the job is far from done.

Lucknow won't mind the singles at this stage. Stoinis gets it into the blockhole. Billings digs it out to long on for a run.

Shreyas Iyer will feel he missed out there. Marcus Stoinis starts off with a floaty full toss on off, Iyer heaves it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

One tidy over and the required rate shoots to 12. That's what happens in a big chase. You need to keep hitting and finding the boundaries. Something's got to give in the next over and it's to be bowled by Marcus Stoinis.

Mohsin knows Billings is looking to swing across the line and hence bowls it full and pushes it wide of the off stump. Billings tries to get low and slog it away but is undone by the lack of pace here. Just 2 runs came off it.

Slower again, on a good length and close to the off pole. Iyer dabs it down towards gully and picks up a single.

Mohsin sees Iyer backing away and goes full and wide this time. Iyer can't reach it and this is turning out to be the over Lucknow were looking for.

Excellent from Mohsin Khan. On a good length, it is the slower delivery and it's the cutter. Iyer is surprised by the slowness of the delivery as he almost gets a leading edge back to the bowler.

Short of a length, on off. This is pulled away towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Mohsin starts off with a slower one, angled well across the right-hander. Billings flails his bat at it but doesn't connect.

Change. Mohsin Khan (2-0-6-2) is brought back into the attack to get the breakthrough.

Slower again, bowled into the pitch. Billings pulls it behind square on the leg side and picks up a single.

Quick single this time. Full and wide, squeezed towards cover-point for one.

SIX! Just when Lucknow were looking to get in a quiet over, Shreyas Iyer picks up a boundary. Short and over leg stump, Iyer swivel-pulls it over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Length ball, Holder takes the pace off it and angles it into middle and leg. Iyer blocks it out.

Leg bye! Slower again, full and angling onto the pads. Billings misses the clip and the ball goes off the pads towards leg slip. The keeper collects the ball but the batters scamper through for a leg bye.

WIDE! Attempted slower delivery, spilled well down the leg side. No shot offered from Billings.

Nicely bowled. Holder sees Billings shuffling past the leg stump and follows him with a slower delivery. Billings swings across the line but is well beaten.

After a bit of a lull, 36 runs have come in the last two overs and Kolkata are trying to find their feet again in this chase. Avesh Khan has been removed from the attack and in comes Jason Holder.

FOUR! 16 off the over and Kolkata are in charge at the moment. This is speared into middle and Iyer just pummels it back past the bowler for yet another boundary. 96 needed now off 54 balls.

Shorter in length, on middle. Billings turns it off the back foot onto the leg side for a run.

SIX! Great use of the feet from Sam Billings and he is playing a gem of an innings here. Tossed up, on middle and leg, Billings dances down the track to meet it on the half-volley and lifts it over the wide long on fence for a biggie.

Swing and a miss! Bishnoi just gives it a bit more air and floats it up outside off. Billings looks to slog-sweep but the ball turns in and Billings gets beaten past the inside edge.

Quicker one, fuller and outside off. Iyer hammers it down to long off and picks up a single.

FOUR! Just wide! This is tossed up outside off from Bishnoi. Shreyas Iyer just throws his hands at it and muscles it to the left of Deepak Hooda at wide long off. Hooda with a valiant dive but can't get to it, the ball goes into the fence.

A low full toss on middle, Shreyas nudges it to deep mid-wicket for a run. At the halfway mark, Kolkata need 112 runs off 60 balls.

On a length and around off, Billings again steps back and steers it through point for one.

FOUR! Superb shot! Short in length and around off, Sam rocks on the back foot and hammer-pulls it well in front of square on the leg side. The fielder in the deep reacts to his left but has no chance. Avesh is leaking too many runs this evening.

Wide called for height! Khan bangs it in short and it goes way over the head of the batter. Reload.

FOUR! Shot! Too full in length and around off, Sam Billings stays deep inside the crease and fires his drive through extra cover.

SIX! There you go and this has gone the distance. A low full toss around off, Sam Billings walks across the stumps and spoons it all the way over fine leg for a maximum. The siren goes off and it's a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit loading...

Bowls it short and on off, Shreyas goes back and slaps it to deep cover for a run. Singles won't do it for Kolkata. They need to find boundaries.

Back of a length, close to off, Billings plays late and guides it down to third man for a run.

Flighted and outside off, Sam goes back and strokes it to deep cover for a run. Another tidy over from the leggie.

Flatter and on middle, worked to deep mid-wicket for a run.

APPEAL FOR AN LBW! Floated delivery, full and around off, Billings dances down the track and tries to flick it on the leg side but misses. He is pinged on the front leg, they appeal but the finger stays down. KL Rahul reviews the decision. The UltraEdge finds no bat and the Ball Trackings shows that it's clipping the leg stump. Umpire's call. A leg bye has been added to the total.

Loopy and full, around off, Sam advances down the track and drives it back to the bowler. Ravi Bishnoi collects the ball and has a shy at the striker's end but misses.

Googly, landing full and outside off, Billings tries driving but it takes the inner edge and rolls back to the bowler. Bishnoi dives to stop the ball to his right.

Flighted and full, around off, Iyer lifts it from the bottom half of his bat. It goes to long off, only for a run.

Another delivery on the pads, this has been worked through square leg again but only for a run this time.

Fires it flat, around leg, Shreyas tucks it through square leg for two.

SIX! Dismissive! Too full on this occasion, outside off, Shreyas Iyer gets the chance to align himself and launches it over long off.

Flatter and on leg, defended back to the bowler.

Krishnappa Gowtham pushes it quicker through the air, around leg, Sam gets back and helps it through square leg for one.

Sam Billings is the new man in.

OUT! Rana holes out! The pressure was building and the last over has played a big role in this wicket. Tossed up, outside off and a bit on the shorter side. Nitish Rana tries to hammer it over extra cover to release the pressure but ends up mistiming it aerially towards long off. Marcus Stoinis makes no mistake and this is a big blow to Kolkata. 146 needed off 77 balls.

Another poor delivery goes unpunished. A half-tracker, outside off, Shreyas cuts but finds backward point. Only 5 from the over.

Fuller and around leg, swept through backward square leg for a single.

Attempts a googly but it slips from his hand and reaches the batter on the full, Shreyas strikes it to deep cover and gets only a run. Needs to put away the bad deliveries.

Drags his length short and delivers it close to off, Rana goes back and pulls it to long on. Another single.

Flighted delivery, very full again and on middle, Iyer forces it down to long on for a run.

Very full and around leg, Rana clips it in front of square leg and runs the first run hard. That's all he will get.

Strategic break! Kolkata got off to a disastrous start losing both their openers early on. However, Nitish Rana and Shreyas Iyer have done well to get them back into the contest. Wickets are key here. Also, Ravi Bishnoi to have a bowl now.

Skidding down the leg side, Rana goes down to sweep but doesn't middle the shot properly. It runs wide of short fine leg and they cross. 13 from the over, Kolkata have raced away to 60/2 at the end of the Powerplay.

Quicker one, short and on off, Rana cuts but finds backward point.

FOUR! Fine shot! Fuller and around off, this time a reverse-batted shot is employed by Rana as he sends it whistling past short third man. The 50-run stand comes up.

FOUR! Nailed! Too full and around leg, Nitish Rana kneels down and nails his sweep shot in front of square on the leg side for a cracking boundary.

Just short! Tossed up, full and on off, Rana again aims for an inside-out shot but this time it goes off the outside edge to short third man. Doesn't carry to the fielder.

FOUR! Kolkata are maximizing the Powerplay overs. Flatter and quicker, around off, Rana hammers it inside-out over cover-point for a boundary.

Krishnappa Gowtham to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Angling in from around off, Nitish pushes it gently to covers and pinches a single. Three good balls to round off the over.

Short around off, angling away, Rana tries to be cute with his dab but finds short third man. Shreyas looks for a run but is sent back. Dot.

Sanity prevails now. A yorker around middle, Shreyas Iyer digs it out to mid off and scoots to the other end for a single.

FOUR! This is carnage! Lucknow are bleeding boundaries. Short again from Holder, around middle and leg, Shreyas gets across the stumps and pulls it off the top edge to fine leg for a boundary.

SIX! Now add a biggie to the list! Holder pitches it up this time, around off, Shreyas goes downtown and towers it over long off for a maximum.

FOUR! Smacked! Shortish delivery, around off, Shreyas Iyer stays back inside the crease and slams it over extra cover. Four boundaries in a row now.

Change in bowling.  Jason Holder returns...

FOUR! The fifth boundary of the over and Rana is dragging Kolkata back into the contest. Full and wide, Rana goes over extra cover and makes it 21 runs off the over.

FOUR! Nitish Rana is ripping Avesh Khan apart at the moment. This is angled in full and on middle and leg, Rana is able to free his arms and whacks it over mid on for yet another boundary.

FOUR! Avesh with another length ball outside off, Rana makes use of the width and goes inside-out over extra cover for a boundary.

Slower bumper, on middle. Rana looks to pull but is a bit early into the shot, ends up mistiming it towards mid-wicket.

FOUR! Back of a length, around off. Nitish Rana frees his arms and flat-bats it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

FOUR! This is short and around leg, Rana looks to pull but gets hurried on. The ball goes off the top edge over short third man and into the fence.

WIDE! Loosener to start with from Avesh. This is full and well outside off, wide called.

Avesh Khan comes into the attack.

Pitched up, on off. This is pushed towards mid off. Another outstanding over from Mohsin.

Back of a length, around off. Shreyas Iyer punches it off the back foot towards cover-point.

WIDE! Attempted bouncer, down the leg side. Wide called.

Will Sunil Narine get a promotion? Nopes. Out comes Shreyas Iyer.

OUT! CAUGHT! What a revelation Mohsin Khan has proved to be for Lucknow! Mohsin serves it on a length, slower in pace and around leg. Abhijeet Tomar looks to up the ante and flicks it across the line. The ball goes off the toe end of the willow towards the mid-wicket region. The skipper KL Rahul settles under it and takes a simple catch. Kolkata are in a spot of bother at the moment.

This is on a hard length, slanting across the right-hander. Tomar has a poke at it but gets beaten for pace.

Sliding onto the pads, flicked away towards fine leg for a single.

Mohsin keeps it close to the off pole and Rana can only tap it towards cover-point.

Slower delivery, outside off. Tomar waits for it and just nudges it to the left of short third man but the fielder makes a good stop. Just the boundary off the over.

Length again from Holder, around off. Tomar can't get it away through covers.

Around the top of off, Tomar defends it out with soft hands.

FOUR! Abhijeet Tomar is off the mark with a boundary. Holder offers a bit of width and Tomar latches onto it as he cuts it past the diving short third man fielder for a boundary.

Back of a length, around off. Tomar hangs back and dabs it down towards backward point.

Full and wide, Tomar lets it through to the keeper.

Jason Holder to operate from the opposite end.

Top over from Mohsin Khan to start off proceedings. This is banged in short over middle, Rana ducks under it.

FOUR! Nicely timed! Full and straight, Nitish Rana gets a bit low and works it in front of square on the leg side to pick up a boundary. Kolkata are up and running.

Who will bat at number 3? It's Nitish Rana.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Early breakthrough for Lucknow and you just can't keep Quinton de Kock out of the game at the moment. This is angled in from over the stumps and on middle, shaping in, Venkatesh Iyer looks to play straight but gets an inside edge that flies to the right of de Kock. De Kock springs to his right and takes a one-handed stunner. Mohsin Khan is elated.

A comedy of errors! What just happened here? This is a good-length ball, outside off. Venkatesh Iyer tries to lift it over cover-point but ends up slicing it just in front of the man at point. Marcus Stoinis picks up the ball and has an eternity to hit the stumps at the bowler's end as Abhijeet Tomar is left stranded midway. Stoinis misses and Tomar survives.

This one is angled into the middle stump, Iyer watchfully nudges it out on the leg side.

Mohsin starts off with a length ball, right around the top of off. Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and punches it towards mid off.

Just a single to end. Russell angles this one at the body of de Kock who fails to get it away. De Kock gets an inside edge back onto the pads and the ball goes nowhere. They scamper through for one and Lucknow finish with 210/0 on the board!

FOUR! This is one of the finest displays of batting one will see from Quinton de Kock. In the slot, around off. De Kock gets low and flat-bats it into the gap between long on and deep mid-wicket for the fourth boundary in a row.

FOUR! The third boundary on the bounce, a bit streaky this time but Quinton de Kock won't mind at all. Back of a length, outside off. De Kock throws his hands at it and gets a top edge over short third man and the ball runs away into the fence.

FOUR! Dropped! A difficult chance goes begging and the 200 is up for Lucknow. Shorter in length, on leg stump. De Kock pulls it high towards the backward square leg fence. Nitish Rana runs to his right but can't hold on to the catch. The ball trickles into the fence. This is the highest ever stand in the League.

FOUR! Russell gets the wide yorker in, de Kock still manages to slice it behind point and picks up yet another boundary.

Full and straight, drilled down the ground for a couple of runs.

Full and outside off, this is swept away in front of square on the leg side for a single. 27 from the over, a massive one!

WIDE! Southee tries the wide yorker from 'round the stumps but spills it beyond the tramline.

SIX! A hat-trick of sixes and Quinton de Kock is taking Tim Southee to the cleaners! On a good length, around middle. This time de Kock swings a bit across the line and muscles it high and handsome over the cow corner fence.

SIX! Three maximums in the over and there are still two balls to go! Southee pushes it wider but Quinton de Kock just swings his arms and launches it over the long on fence yet again.

SIX! Another maximum and Lucknow are unstoppable at the moment! Southee just keeps on delivering it on a length and keeps on getting hit. This is on off, de Kock hits through the line of the ball and nails it over the long on fence.

Length again, around middle and leg, Rahul knocks it down the ground and rotates the strike.

SIX! Cross-seamer from Southee but it's on a length and around off. KL Rahul hangs deep and whacks it right back over the bowler's head for a huge hit.

Russell keeps it on a hard length and outside off, Rahul punches it through extra cover for a single. 15 from the over!

Shorter and on the body, de Kock pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! HUNDRED FOR DE KOCK! Slower one, shorter in length and well outside off, De Kock just dabs it into the gap between backward point and short third man for a boundary. Sensational innings from the southpaw! De Kock is all pumped up, this century means a lot to him.

Back of a length, on the body. De Kock tucks it away past square leg and races back for the second.

SIX! Nothing delivery really from Dre Russ, on a length and on leg. Quinton de Kock gets a bit low and smokes it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie. He is inching closer to his century.

Shortish delivery, over middle. Rahul heaves it down to wide long on for just a single. That brings up the 150 for Lucknow.

Andre Russell is back on.

This is on a good length and well outside off. De Kock fetches it and pulls it in front of square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Slower one, banged into the deck outside off. De Kock can only manage to toe-end it back to the bowler.

Delivers it on a length, around off, KL heaves it over mid-wicket for a run.

Misfield and that allows a single. This is slanted across the left-hander from Southee, de Kock tries to go hard but mistimes it towards extra cover. The fielder over there fumbles and the batters scamper through for one.

On a good length, outside off. Rahul punches it through cover-point for one.

FOUR! Clever from Rahul. This is around off, Rahul shuffles across the off stump and gets inside the line of the ball to scoop it past the keeper for a boundary.

Change in bowling. Tim Southee (2-0-21-0) returns to bowl at the death.

On middle, turned through mid-wicket for a single. 18 from the over and Lucknow have switched to top gear now.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! 16 off the over already! Flatter delivery, outside off. De Kock cuts it hard off the back foot and finds the fence towards deep point.

SIX! Chakaravarthy drags this one down on leg stump, Quinton de Kock rocks back and launches it over the mid-wicket fence for another maximum. Top shot!

Length, on middle, de Kock can't get it away.

SIX! This is carnage from Quinton de Kock! Down the leg side, de Kock gets low and dispatches it over the backward square leg fence for a biggie.

Edgy! Dropped? Narine delivers it short and outside off, de Kock tries to play late and cut it through the line. But it takes the outside edge, Billings reacts late and it brushes his gloves before rolling towards short third man. They cross for one. 11 from the over and Narine is done with the ball.

Jumps down the track to a full ball around off and pushes it through mid off for a single.

Drags his length short, around middle and leg, de Kock goes back and pulls it to deep square leg for another runs.

Short and around off, KL turns and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Shortish and on off, it's fired in, de Kock rocks back and punches it to the off side. Sam Billings attacks the ball, has a shy at the bowler's end but misses the stumps. He nearly took out de Kock's head there who ducked to save himself.

SIX! Great start to the over! Full and flighted, around leg, de Kock goes for the conventional sweep and powers it over backward square leg for a biggie.

A low full toss, on off, de Kock keeps his weight on the back leg and hits it to wide mid off. They cross for a run as Tim Southee misses his shy at the bowler's end. 4-0-34-0, Yadav has bowled out.

FIFTY FOR RAHUL! His fabulous season continues! Short in length, around off, KL goes on the back foot and strokes it through point for a run. He has done a great job in this stand.

Another delivery which is very full and in the line of the stumps, de Kock clears his front leg and forces it down to long on for a run.

Very full in length, on off, Rahul drives it to deep cover and picks up a single.

Top stop from Narine! Short in length, around leg, de Kock hammers his pull shot down to fine leg. Narine speeds across to his left, sticks his left hand out and stops the ball. Makes it look so casual. Only a run again.

Fractionally short in length, around off, KL Rahul sweetly times his punch from the back foot and sends it to deep cover. Only a run.

Strategic break! Lucknow are cruising at the moment and with both openers well-set, they will look to get to at least 180 from here. Kolkata, in a pressure game, haven't yet found their stride and desperately need wickets to pull things back. With the wicket most likely to get a bit difficult to bat later on, Kolkata wouldn't want to be chasing a score in the range of 175 and above. A crucial phase in the first innings awaits. As Kolkata continue their search for a wicket, Umesh Yadav comes back in to finish his spell.

Goes fuller and on off, this time de Kock forces it back to the right side of the bowler. Narine makes the stop.

Narine fires it flat, short and around off, skidding in, de Kock keeps it out to point.

SIX! WHAT A SHOT! Floated and full, around off, Quinton de Kock brings out the reverse-batted shot and nails it over backward point for a maximum. 100 comes up!

Loopy and full, around off, Quinton de Kock presents a straight bat in defense.

The length is again short, around off, KL steps back and slaps it through cover-point for one.

Short in length and outside off, de Kock cuts it past point and collects a single.

Sunil Narine comes in to replace Nitish Rana.

Skidding off the surface, fuller in length, KL Rahul plays for the spin and is beaten. Sam Billings breaks the stumps and appeals but nothing from the square leg umpire.

Gets behind the line of the delivery and pushes it to the left of the bowler.

Flatter and shorter on off, Rahul gives himself room and clobbers it over extra cover. Rinku Singh makes a good stop near the fence and saves two.

FIFTY! Quicker through the air, short and around off, de Kock hangs back and drags his pull shot down to long on. A single to bring up his fifty, off 36 balls. A sensible knock on a tricky surface. He was dropped on 12 and is making Kolkata pay.

Loopy and full, outside off, KL brings out the slog sweep and sends it to deep mid-wicket. Only a run.

Flatter and outside off, Quinton de Kock moves back and works it gently to square leg for a run.

Varun Chakaravarthy (2-0-15-0) is back on.

Fullish and around leg, it's clipped through mid-wicket for a single. 5 singles and a boundary from the over.

Continues to fire it in. Full toss around leg, Rahul knocks it down to long on for a run.

Fires it in, very full and around off, de Kock digs it out off the inner half and it rolls wide of mid on. They cross as Rana chases it down himself.

FOUR! Cracked away! Short again from Rana, around off, de Kock stays leg-side of this delivery and cracks it through extra cover for a boundary.

Quicker through the air, around leg, KL moves back and tucks it behind square leg for one.

Starts with a shorter delivery, outside off, de Kock cuts it to deep point for a single.

Change. Nitish Rana to bowl now.

Length again, sliding into the pads, de Kock clips it past backward square leg for a run. At the halfway mark, Lucknow are 83/0!

Slower delivery, angled into middle stump from 'round the wicket. De Kock defends it under his eyeline.

Around the top of off, punched away down to long on for a single.

SIX! Effortless! On the pads, Rahul picks it up and dispatches it a long way over the backward square leg fence for a biggie. He moves into the 40s now.

SIX! Launched! Southee digs it in short and around off. KL Rahul takes it on but doesn't time it. Rahul gets a lot of height and just about manages to clear the wide long-on fence for a maximum. 500 runs in the season for KL Rahul, the fifth consecutive time he has achieved it. Consistency.

A length ball, slanted across off. De Kock eases it through extra cover and rotates the strike.

Tim Southee comes back into the attack. His first over went for just 6 runs. Shreyas wants a breakthrough here from the Kiwi bowler.

On a short length, angling across the left-hander. De Kock punches it past point and picks up a single. 11 from the over!

SIX! Picks the slower ball this time and dispatches it! Russell goes shorter and around off, de Kock hangs deep and muscles it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Russell bowls it into the deck and pushes it outside off. Quinton de Kock doesn't move his feet and just clubs it off the toe end of the bat over the bowler's head. They come back for two.

No timing on that one. Length ball, on off. De Kock drives it straight to the man at mid off.

KL Rahul shuffles past the leg stump and Andre Russell follows him with a shorter delivery. Rahul plays it behind point for one.

Back of a length, around off. Quinton de Kock with a back-foot punch towards deep point for a run.

Change in bowling. Andre Russell is into the attack for the first time this evening.

Good running! Shorter in length, turning into middle and leg. KL Rahul goes deep in his crease and works it behind square on the leg side for a couple of runs.

Quicker one, around off, Rahul pushes it out on the off side.

On the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single.

Surprise, surprise! Chakaravarthy bowls this one at around 109 kph and it is a bouncer. The ball is around off and just shoots off the surface. Quinton de Kock looks to pull it leg side but is completely beaten.

NO BALL! On middle, Rahul tucks it away towards mid-wicket and rotates the strike. A no ball is called as Chakaravarthy oversteps and it will be a Free Hit to follow.

FOUR! Chakaravarthy goes fuller and on off, Rahul drills it right back past the bowler and picks up a boundary.

Nicely bowled! This is pushed through quicker on a length outside off. KL Rahul looks to cover-drive but doesn't get to the pitch of the ball and gets beaten past the outside edge.

Strategic break. It has been a sensible start from Lucknow and it appears to be a conscious effort from them to preserve wickets and prepare a strong platform. The pitch is expected to suit the slower bowlers and it's not going to be easy for the new batters to come in and play their shots straightaway. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock would have planned to start steadily and then we can expect either one of them to press on the accelerator and the other one to anchor till the end. It has gone well for them so far and let's see how Kolkata respond in the middle overs.

A tad bit shorter, around off. This is punched off the back foot through covers for a single.

Angling onto middle, nudged away to the leg side for one more.

This is around leg, Rahul just turns it past square leg and rotates the strike.

This is darted across the off stump, Rahul rocks back and cuts it straight to the man at point.

Flatter one, angled across the right-hander. Rahul punches it towards the cover region.

Narine comes from 'round the wicket and angles it into middle and leg. De Kock works it off the back foot in front of square on the leg side for one.

Change in bowling. Sunil Narine returns to bowl his second over. His first went for 4 runs.

Chakaravarthy shortens his length and bowls it on middle. Rahul pushes it towards mid on off the back foot. At the end of the Powerplay, Lucknow are 44/0!

On middle, pushed back past the bowler who makes a half-stop. Single taken.

FOUR! Overpitched and punished! Varun Chakaravarthy tosses it up on off, Quinton de Kock frees his arms and smokes it over extra cover for a glorious boundary.

On a length, around middle, Rahul tucks it onto the leg side and picks up a single.

Play and a miss! Nicely floated up outside off. KL Rahul shuffles a bit past the leg stump and looks to go over extra cover but gets beaten.

Chakaravarthy starts off with a flatter delivery, spinning in from middle. Rahul rocks back and nudges it towards mid-wicket.

Change in bowling. Varun Chakaravarthy to bowl the final over of the Powerplay.

Shortish and close to off, KL plays close to his body and taps it down to backward point. The fielder stops it to his left and the batters get the chance to cross. 12 from the over!

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Back of a length, around off, slower in pace, KL Rahul steps back to make room and slaps it through the gap between mid off and extra cover. Tim Southee moves across to his left, and puts in a slide but fails to stop it.

Around off, on a length, Rahul stays back and pushes it to covers. This has been a steady start from Lucknow.

SIX! Beautifully done. Umesh Yadav errs in line slightly. Bowls it on a length around middle and leg, Rahul takes a step across, picks it off his pads and flicks it nonchalantly over backward square leg. Effortless.

Digs it in short, around middle and leg, Quinton is hurried into his pull shot and mistimes it aerially. It goes safely to square leg and they cross.

Completely beaten. Umesh Yadav delivers it on a length, around middle and leg, de Kock walks across the stumps with his attempted paddle shot but fails to connect.

Umesh Yadav to bowl a third over on the trot.

Carrom ball, short and around off, Rahul goes back and packs a punch but finds the fielder at cover-point. A tidy start from the West Indian.

Shortish and on off, de Kock goes back and taps it down to the right of the cover fielder. They steal a quick run.

Flighted and full, around off from 'round the wicket, de Kock gets forward and pushes it defensively to point.

Flatter through the air, short and on middle, Rahul uses the depth of his crease and nurdles it through square leg for one.

Rahul uses his feet this time and once again works it with the spin on the leg side. Finds short mid-wicket.

Sunil Narine begins with a fuller delivery, around off and spinning in, Rahul flicks it in front of square on the leg side and picks up a brace.

SIX! Dismissed! This is what Quinton de Kock was trying to do when he was dropped on the second ball. This time he middles his attempted heave over mid-wicket and sends this shortish ball flying over the fence.

Good length, outside off, steered down to the right of third man for a run.

A touch short and on middle, KL stays back and defends it on the leg side.

Fullish and on middle, defended to mid on.

DROPPED! Abhijeet Tomar, playing his first game for Kolkata, has put down a skier.  Umesh Yadav serves it on a length around off, and Quinton de Kock hangs back to heave it over the leg side but gets a big top edge. It flies to third man where Tomar fails to hold on after putting in a dive. The batters cross.

Miscued! Fuller in length and outside off, de Kock walks across the stumps and tries to drive but ends up inside-edging it to mid on.

Outside off, forced off the back foot to point. Slight fumble and they crossed.

Fullish and around off, this time de Kock drives it from the middle of the bat but picks up the mid off fielder.

Very full in length, around off, de Kock tries to drive but it takes the bottom half of his blade and rolls back towards the bowler.

FOUR! The second boundary for the South African and this one was in full control. Fuller in length, around leg, de Kock uses his wrists and whips it behind square leg for a boundary.

Uses the angle of the bowler and eases a length ball down to fine leg for a run.

Around middle and leg, KL stays back and plays it down to the leg side.

Tim Southee to operate from the other end.

Back of a length, on off, Quinton punches it from the back foot but finds the fielder at covers.

FOUR! Not from the middle of the bat but a boundary nonetheless. Umesh Yadav bends his back to go short, it's around middle and leg, de Kock shapes up to pull but it perhaps takes his gloves and flies behind the keeper for a boundary.

Fuller in length and around off, Quinton de Kock inside-edges his attempted drive to the right of mid-wicket. He scoots to the other end and the fielder comes up with a direct hit there. The ball deflects to extra cover and they collect another run.

Serves it on a length and around off, KL Rahul brings down a straight bat in defense and it goes off the inner half to square leg. He calls his partner through for a single.

Yadav goes short, around middle and leg, de Kock awkwardly works it away and sends it down to fine leg for a run. Lucknow are underway.

Umesh Yadav tries to use the yorker as a surprise delivery first up, it turns out to be very full and around leg, de Kock helps it with gentle hands to square leg.

We are ready for play! The two umpires make their way out to the middle followed by the players of Kolkata. KL Rahul and Quinton de Kock are the opening pair for Lucknow. Umesh Yadav has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Andre Russell is down for a quick chat. Russell says that it's been going good so far and the stats are in their place but feels he could have done a bit better in the batting department. Mentions that he doesn't want to think too far ahead but personally would have liked to score a few more runs and will look to do so in this game. Adds that he tries to get a good base to hit boundaries and even if he faces a few dot balls, he doesn't get fazed by it because he has a clear mindset and it's all about being positive. Mentions that in order to become a consistent power-hitter, one needs to have a solid core.

Kolkata skipper, Shreyas Iyer says they would have batted first as well. Adds that going by Lucknow's history they aren't the best chasers so wanted to bat first. Mentions that he had a word with the guys and told them that it is the last chance for them to put on a show for all the fans and for the coaching staff as well. Informs that they have just one change which is a forced one - Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out and Abhijeet Tomar comes in to replace him.

KL Rahul, the captain of Lucknow, says that they want to bat as the surface looks dry and in the last few games here, it has been tough to chase. Adds that they want to stay positive and they have done well in the tournament, and a couple of bad games won't change anything. He wants to start fresh and focus on this game. Admits that the middle order has been a concern but at the same time, he adds that they have quality there and he trusts his batters to figure it out. Feels that the pitches have been tricky and starting your inning in the middle order is never easy. Informs that they have three changes - Krunal Pandya (niggle), Dushmantha Chameera and Ayush Badoni make way for Manan Vohra, Evin Lewis and Krishnappa Gowtham.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Venkatesh Iyer, Abhijeet Tomar (In for Ajinkya Rahane), Nitish Rana, Shreyas Iyer (C), Sam Billings (WK), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Umesh Yadav, Tim Southee and Varun Chakaravarthy.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - Quinton de Kock (WK), KL Rahul (C), Deepak Hooda, Manan Vohra (In for Ayush Badoni), Marcus Stoinis, Evin Lewis (In for Dushmantha Chameera), Jason Holder, Krishnappa Gowtham (In for Krishnappa Gowtham), Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan and Ravi Bishnoi.

TOSS - Lucknow have won the toss and they will have a BAT first.

We have some team news. As you're already aware that Ajinkya Rahane has been ruled out for the rest of the season and we are seeing Abhijeet Tomar getting his Kolkata cap. He might replace him at the top, or maybe Sam Billings will go back to opening and Tomar will be in the middle order. We can also see Manan Vohra getting his Lucknow cap, so, he will be making his debut for the franchise.

PITCH REPORT - Graeme Swann is pitchside. He says it's the last game at this ground. Mentions that the pitch for tonight's game is bang in the middle of the ground with the square boundaries being around 70 meters. Adds that it is the 20th game on this ground so it has gotten a bit tired but because of the red soil, it is still hard. The former English spinner opines that the ball will grip and there will be a good amount of turn. Reckons the team winning the toss will look to bat first.

Lucknow seemed to be cruising towards a place in the playoffs at one stage but inconsistent performances against good sides have seen them lose a bit of momentum. They are still sitting in the top four but a loss here can hurt their aspirations of finishing in the top two. Skipper KL Rahul will be looking to regain a bit of lost form himself and end the league stage on a high. Which side will come out on top? We shall find out soon. Stay tuned for toss and team news.

Kolkata have found a sort of a second wind in the last few matches and even without the services of their talisman Umesh Yadav, the rest of the players, especially Nitish Rana and Andre Russell have pulled up their socks. Yadav's return in the last game though has only strengthened the side. They are still in the playoffs race but need to win this game to bolster their chances. Kolkata did have a very poor run in the middle phase of the competition and they will hope it doesn't cost them dearly.

It's matchday here in the Indian T20 League and in match number 66, two sides gunning for a playoffs spot go head-to-head as Lucknow take on Kolkata at the DY Patil Sports Academy in Navi Mumbai. This is a must-win for Kolkata to stay alive in the competition whereas Lucknow will officially qualify for the playoffs if they win. An exhilarating encounter awaits. On that note, welcome to the coverage.

... MATCH DAY ...