Kolkata Knight Riders vs Rajasthan Royals, IPL, 2024 Full score card

JOS BUTTLER HAS WON IT FOR RAJASTHAN. That's what champions are made up of. He was himself in some pain but he inflicted a lot more on the opposition tonight. Short of a length in the middle, Jos Buttler swings and connects well as the ball rolls through to deep mid-wicket and the batters cross for a single. Rajasthan wins this by 2 wickets. A game for the ages. With this win, Rajasthan have pulled off a highest successful run-chase in the history of the competition.

Full toss on off, Jos Buttler punches this to wide long off and jogs back with a stiff back and a bit of illness for the second.

This is cricket madness as Jos Buttler looks for the reverse and finds the fielder at short third. 3 needed of the last 2 now.

Short and wide of off, Jos Buttler punches this to sweeper cover and denies another single.

Fuller one on off, Jos Buttler punches this to long off and denies the opportunity of a single.

SIX! HUNDRED! This is probably the most important one for Jos. Short of a length in middle, Jos Buttler moves back and slogs this way over the fence and into the stands towards long on for a maximum.

Who will bowl the final over? 9 runs needed for the win and Shreyas Iyer has tossed the ball to Varun Chakaravarthy who has bowled in a similar situation before. However, Kolkata are behind on the over rate and will have one less boundary-rider which could be decisive as well.

Good length in middle, Jos Buttler gently nudges this wide of Rana towards his right and takes a single. Jos will again keep the strike for the final over.

Slower one back of a length around middle, Jos Buttler smashes this towards dep mid-wicket and collects a couple.

SIX! HOW'S THE JOS(H), Rajasthan! Short-pitched on off, Jos Buttler pulls this flat and over the deep fine leg fielder for a maximum. OH JEEZ! This is what Rajasthan has backed him for and he keeps on delivering.

FOUR! Perfectly executed boundary. Rana attempts a yorker and misses marginally as the ball converts into a full toss in the middle, Jos Buttler hammers this straight down the ground for a boundary. Buttler is single-handedly winning this for Rajasthan.

Fuller on off, Jos Buttler drives this to extra-cover for no run.

SIX! Hammered away for a maximum. On a length in middle, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and slogs this way behind the fence for a maximum towards deep mid-wicket region.

Pitched up on off, Jos Buttler punches this through cover and manages to take a comfortable single. Jos will keep the strike.

FIVE WIDES! That's exactly not what Kolkata wanted. Full and way too wide outside off, Phil Salt fails to collect this and the ball rolls through his legs and races over the fence for a boundary. 5 crucial extra runs for Rajasthan and that's poor from the keeper.

FOUR! Jos does well to find the gap with that stroke. Bumper on leg, Jos Buttler smashes this and bisects the field inside the circle on leg for four.

Fuller one angling across the batter, Jos Buttler looks for the reverse scoop but misses.

Avesh Khan is the new man in at the other end.

OUT! RUN OUT! Boult sacrifices for the side. Full and wide of off, Jos Buttler drills this all along the ground towards wide long off and looks for the second. Trent Boult was slow off the hooks and was nowhere to be seen when the throw came in from Shreyas Iyer and Starc removed the bails at the non-striking end. There was never a second there.

That's what wicket does. Back of a length outside off, Jos Buttler cuts this towards deep point but decides against the single.

WIDE! Pressure telling on Starc as he darts one full and wide way too wide outside the off stump.

SIX! You just never know with Jos in the middle. PItched up on off, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and launches this dead straight up and over the bowler for a maximum. There is still a lot of life left in this contest.

Tossed up on off, Trent Boult swings and connects off the cue end. Lofts the ball dropping on Angkrish Raghuvanshi at deep mid-wicket who runs in from the fence and puts in a good attempt bu drops it. Jos decided against the single.

Trent Boult is the new batter in.

OUT! TRAPPED PLUMB! Quicker one a bit short and turning into the batter, Rovman Powell looks to punch this off his backfoot but the ball skids on and hits his on the pads. The umpire raises his finger and Rovman Powell asks for a review straightaway. Nothing on UltraEdge and the ball tracker suggests all reds and the batter has to walk back. What a comeback from Narine and that could be the telling blow.

Rovman Powell looks to defend one and gets beaten outside his off-stump.

SIX! ROVMAN, YOU BEAUTY! An exhibition of power-hitting. Short of a length in middle, Rovman Powell slogs this up and over the fence towards deep mid-wicket region for another maximum.

SIX! MIGHTY! The fight has been taken to the bravest warrior of Kolkata by Rovman Powell. Tossed up outside off, Rovman Powell leans back and launches this powerfully over the long off fence for a maximum.

FOUR! Rovman has decided to take on Narine and he starts off with a boundary. Short of a length around the pads, Rovman Powell advances down the track and slogs this towards the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

Slower one pitched full and wid of off, Jos Buttler drives this towards sweeper cover for a couple.

SIX! Jos is starting to motor along. Back of a length on off, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and launches this over the fence towards the deep mid-wicket region for a maximum.

Full and wide of off, Rovman Powell opens this bat face late and guides this fine towards deep point for one.

Pitched up on off, Jos Buttler clears his front leg and rolls this off the cue end towards wide long on for one.

Good length on off, Rovman Powell loses his share looking for a big slog and ends up rolling it off the bottom towards deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! GONE IN A FLASH! On a length around the pads, Rovman Powell uses his power to flick this all the way over the fence towards deep fine leg region for a maximum.

FOUR! Fortuitous again but much-needed as well for Jos Buttler and Rajasthan. Flatter one, bowled a tad short around off, Buttler looks to pull off the back foot but gets an outside edge that goes well fine of short third and into the fence.

Pushed through quicker on middle and angling it in, Jos Buttler goes on the back foot and pushes it back to the bowler.

FOUR! Too full and angling down leg, Jos Buttler stays back and just whips it away into the fine leg fence for yet another boundary.

WIDE! Fired down the leg side for a wide.

FOUR! Finally, Jos Buttler nails that shot and brings up his FIFTY as well. Short and outside off, Buttler with more of a reverse-slap than reverse-sweep and he hammers it past backward point for four more. Buttler needs to keep going here.

FOUR! Edged away! On a dragged length on the stumps, Jos Buttler steps out to whip it leg side but gets an outside edge wide of short third for a boundary.

Floated up full and outside off, Jos Buttler looks for the reverse sweep but misses and loses his balance a bit. Phil Salt whips off the bails and appeals a bit. The umpire does go upstairs and the third umpire concludes that there is no bat involved. The replays show that the foot was grounded when the bails litt up and Buttler is safe.

Wow, just three singles when the required rate is over 13! Quick and flat outside off, played off the back foot and cut away straight to point.

Quicker and pushed through on a nagging length around off, punched away off the back footn but straight to covers.

Narine looks to be struggling with cramps. This is probably an aftermath of that marathon innings with the bat from Sunil and he is feeling the aftereffects of that now. Good news for Kolkata as Sunil Narine is up and ready to bowl again.

Dragged length over the stumps, worked away off the back foot through mid-wicket for a single.

The change up now, bowled at 94.5 clicks and on a shorter length around off, this one holds in the pitch and Jos Buttler defends it down the deck.

Bowled flatter and right at the stumps, Rovman Powell goes on the back foot and manages to flick it away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Floated up on a nagging length and on the pads, just nudged away in front of mif-wicket for a single by Jos.

Time for the final strategic break of the game. Rajasthan are in all sorts of trouble with them being 6 wickets down. Rajasthan have managed to score at good knots but the fall of wickets may well come to haunt them in this chase. There are no signs of dew right now and that is turning out to be a big impact on playing conditions. With a couple of overs each still in the kitty for both Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy it is Kolkata who has the upper hand in this contest.

Fired in quicker at 99.6 clicks and on off stump, Rovman Powell goes back to a fuller ball and manages to keep it out.

Slightly short over the stumps, worked away off the back foot behind square leg for a run.

A genuine drag-down over middle and leg, Jos Buttler gets inside the line but doesn't get all of the pull shot. Mitchell Starc runs around to his right at deep backward square leg and glides across the turf to keep it down to a brace.

No hat-trick! Flatter one, on a good length and angled in from middle, Rovman Powell goes on the back foot and pushes it away past square leg for a single.

Rovman Powell walks out at 8 for Rajasthan.

OUT! CAUGHT! Oh, dear! Look away Rajasthan fans, look away now and Varun Chakaravarthy has two in two. Another one that is bowled slightly short and outside off at 94.7 clicks and this one holds in the deck which means there is now dew. Shimron Hetmyer is completely taken aback and ends up just chipping the ball off the face of the bat to short cover.The skipper, Shreyas Iyer takes the simplest of catches and Kolkata are in command here.

Shimron Hetmyer walks out next to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! Ravichandran Ashwin had to go at it and ends up holing out. Varun Chakaravarthy bowls it well over 100 clicks and digs it into the deck over middle stump. Ashwin rocks back to pull but the extra bounce means Ashwin can't get on top of it. Ashwin pulls it flat towards deep mid-wicket where Angkrish Raghuvanshi takes a fine catch diving forward. Rajasthan have now lost half their side and are in trouble.

Slower one, a bit into the surface and over middle, Jos Buttler backs away to pull but gets an inside edge down to fine leg. They do well to hustle back for the second run.

Skillful from Harshit Rana as he brings out the quick yorker now. This is bowled at 143.7 clicks and right on the money around off, Ashwin can only jam it out to covers for a run.

The move to send Ravichandran Ashwin up the order isn't quite working out for Rajasthan. A well-directed short ball around off and gets it high enough. Ashwin attempts a late ramp shot but is well beaten.

Kolkata won't mind the singles and this is excellent bowling. Full and straight, in the blockhole and angling in, Jos Buttler heaves it away with an open stance to deep mid-wicket for a third single in the over.

Goes for the tailing-in yorker at the legs but serves a full toss instead, Ravichandran Ashwin jams it wide of mid on for just one more.

Slower delivery, on the stumps and right in the blockhole, Jos Buttler hangs deep and forces the lofted shot down to long off for a single. Something needs to give here for Rajasthan.

FOUR! Streaky but effective! Dragged short and over middle, Ravichandran Ashwin rocks back to pull but gets a thick outside edge that goes fine of short third and runs away to the fence.

Bowled quite full and around off, Jos Buttler looks to clear the front leg and go downtown but doesn't get under it and hits it along the turf to long off for one.

Risky from Jos Buttler and the appeal for LBW is turned down. This is fired in full around off, Buttler goes for the reverse sweep and misses it completely, getting it on the back boot. Shreyas Iyer does review it eventually. No bat or glove is involved and Ball Tracking shows that impact is outside the line of off stump and the onfield call of NOT OUT will stand.

A tad short on the stumps and coming back in, Jos Buttler backs away but can only play it back to the bowler.

Flighted up, full and on middle and leg, Ravichandran Ashwin chips it away in front of mid-wicket and turns the strike over.

Starts off with a shortish ball on off stump, Ravichandran Ashwin gets pegged back and gets an inside edge back onto the pads.

Scary moment for Kolkata and West Indies as Andre Russell was a bit rusty to get up but he is walking well after this fielding effort. Back of a length around middle and leg, Jos Buttler flat bats this to that gap between deep square and deep mid-wicket and takes a couple. Andre Russell fielded this with a stretch leg and was down for a while.

Back of a length around the pads, Ravichandran Ashwin looks for the nudge towards leg but closes the bat face early and get it just past Starc on his follow through for a single.

Excellent fielding from Ramandeep Singh as he saves a certain boundary for his side. Pitched up on off, Ravichandran Ashwin leans back and drives this towards the backward point expecting runs but Ramandeep Singh dives well to his right and keeps it down to nothing.

On a length around middle and leg, Jos Buttler tucks this to deep mid-wicket for one.

Good length on top of off, Jos Buttler edges this towards Ramandeep Singh at backward point for no run.

FOUR! Jos is winning the battle against Starc tonight so far. Pitched up on off, Jos Buttler lofts this up and over the mid off fielder for a boundary.

Tossed up a bit quicker and on off, Ravichandran Ashwin drills this back to the bowler.

Short of a length outside off, Ravichandran Ashwin chops this off the under-edge towards point for no run.

Tossed up around the pads, turning down leg. Ravichandran Ashwin misses this flick and the keeper collects well to his left. Ravichandran Ashwin looks amazed by this not being signaled as ide as asks for a review for WIde. The UltraEdge suggests nothing as the ball went past the batter and the on-fielder umpire is asked to signal Wide.

Ravichandran Ashwin has been sent up the order now.

OUT! LBW! Narine can do no wrong today. Tossed up a bit quicker this time, Dhruv Jurel takes a good stride out to block this but misses. Sunil Narine and Phil Salt appeal for an LBW but the umpire is unmoved. Shreyas Iyer after a consultation with Narine asks for a DRS. The ball tracker suggested all reds and the onfield umpire is asked to reverse his decision of Not-out to OUT. An excellent review from Iyer and Kolkata.

Fuller one around off, Dhruv Jurel cuts this to point for no run.

Quicker one in middle, Jos Buttler rocks back and pushes this towards long on for one.

Off-break around middle and leg, Dhruv Jurel tucks this towards square leg and takes one.

Back of a length around off, Dhruv Jurel dabs this late towards third man for one.

Dhruv Jurel is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN IN THE DEEP! Excellent bit of bowling from Rana. Rolled his fingers on this and Riyan was too early into his stroke. Slower one around off, Riyan Parag looked to rip the bones out of it but ended up skying this high in the dark sky towards deep mid-wicket region. Andre Russell does well to run in from the fence and take a good catch as the ball was swirling above the big guy.

Good length around the pads, Jos Buttler tucks this gently towards square leg for one.

Misses out on another boundary. Pitched up and was there to be hit but Riyan gets it off the toe and rolls it toward Andre Russell at deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Wristy! Back of a length wide of off, Riyan Parag stretches his arms and cuts this over the backward point fielder for four.

SIX! OH DEAR ME! Shade of arrogance behind this from Riyan Parag. On a length around the pads, Riyan Parag stands still and flicks this taking it over the fence towards deep fine leg for a maximum.

Strategic Break! This has been a good first 7 overs of the chase and the game seems to be in the balance for now. Rajasthan have lost a couple of key batters but Jos Buttler and Riyan Parag looked settled. Kolkata will look to boss the middle phase with Sunil Narine and co but need more wickets to get on top of proceedings. Rajasthan bat deep and the middle phase will be crucial for both sides. Let's see which team gets their noses ahead before the death overs. Also, Harshit Rana switches ends.

Tossed up around off, Jos Buttler gives it some respect and blocks this out.

Fuller on off, Riyan Parag gently drives this to long off and takes a comfortable single.

LEG BYE! Length dragged back and a bit quicker, Jos Buttler misses this flick but takes a single as the ball clips his pads and rolls towards the leg side.

Touch fuller and in middle, Jos Buttler goes deep in his crease and flicks this towards the gap at deep mid-wicket for a couple.

TWO WIDES! Short of a length down leg, Riyan Parag swings wild but misses and so does Phil Salt behind the stumps. The batters run a single.

Nicely judged couple. Short of a length in middle, Riyan Parag rocks back and nudges this softly towards deep mid-wicket and scampers back for a couple.

Narine starts off with one around the pads, Jos Buttler tucks this to short fine for a quick one.

Sunil Narine comes into the attack straight after the Powerplay.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over and the Powerplay and Rajasthan are 76/2. Pitched full and wide of off, Riyan Parag shifted his body weight nicely as he leaned over and drives this through the gap between mid off and extra-cover for four.

SIX! BONKERS! That's how good Riyan has been this season. Good length around middle and leg, Riyan Parag stays still and swings well with a pure connection right from the middle of his bat taking this all the way over the long on fence for a maximum.

Back of a length into the body, Jos Buttler pulls this flat towards deep square leg for a single.

SIX! HAMMERED! A loosener from Vaibhav Arora does no good to him and Kolkata as he throws a full toss in the middle towards Jos who just clears his front leg and launches this over the fielder at long on for a maximum.

NO BALL! A good delivery from Vaibhav but he has overstepped and it is going to be a free hit for Jos. Full and angled into the legs, Jos fails to swing it away.

Good length delivery just outside off, Riyan Parag takes a good stride in front and drives this towards extra-cover for one.

FOUR! Much better from Riyan Parag. Vaibhav darts this onto his pads and Riyan just glances this all along the carpet through square leg for four.

Good length angled into the pads, Riyan Parag once again looks to back away and swings across the line but miscues it behind square leg for just a single. Top first over from Harshit Rana.

FOUR! A streaky boundary and that could have easily gone onto the stumps. Nagging length on middle and leg and angling it in, Riyan Parag looks not back away and gets it off the leading edge just past the stumps and past short third as well for a boundary.

WIDE! The attempted slower one now, fuller and trying to attack the pads but it is spilled well down leg for a wide.

Beaten! Hard length over the stumps and angling in at 145 clicks, Riyan Parag looks to make room and cut is away but is beaten by the pace and bounce.

A quick bumper now, banged in halfway down the track and outside off, Riyan Parag goes chasing after it but misses by a long way.

Riyan Parag comes in next for Rajasthan.

OUT! CAUGHT! Straight up and taken! The cross-seamer from Harshit Rana and he bowls it at almost 145 clicks, on a hard length and angled into the batter. Sanju Samson gets himself in an awkward position and looks to whip it away but closes the bat face early and the ball gets lobbed up just over mid on. Sunil Narine tracks back and takes it reverse cup and that earlier dropped catch doesn't cost Kolkata much.

Starts on a nagging length at 140 clicks and looks to swing it in from off stump, Jos Buttler with a tentative push and gets an inside edge behind square leg for a single.

Harshit Rana replaces Mitchell Starc (2-0-24-0) in the attack.

Closes out the over well after conceding two boundaries right at the start. Full and on off stump, Sanju Samson plays it back to the bowler.

Slightly fuller and outside off, driven off the outer half of the bat to the left of cover-point for a quick run. Good fielding there.

Right around the top of off stump and just angling in, Jos Buttler stays back and pushes it back to the bowler.

Length ball at the stumps, punched away from the crease to long on for a single.

FOUR! Excellent awareness from Sanju Samson. Fullish length outside off, Samson gets across the off stump and whips it away off the pads in front of deep square leg for another boundary.

FOUR! Glorious! Good length on middle and angling in, Sanju Samson holds his shape well and just lofts it over mid on for a boundary while holding the pose as well.

Did it carry? Much better from Mitchell Starc as he brings the line a lot closer to the off stump and gets it to seam away. Sanju Samson prods ahead and looks to drive but gets an outside edge that goes down towards short third where Varun Chakaravarthy dives forward and the ball goes through him on the bounce. A single is taken. The replays show that the ball did carry and hence, that is a big miss that could haunt Kolkata.

Short and wide again, hit away firmly through cover-point for just a single as there is now protection in the deep.

FOUR! Too much width on offer and Jos Buttler says thank you very much. Lacking control here as Mitchell Starc serves it way too short and way too wide, Buttler reaches out and slaps it in front of square on the off side for another boundary.

WIDE! Short ball, banged in well down the leg side at 141 clicks, Jos Buttler misses the pull and a wide is called.

Back of a length and outside off, Jos Buttler looks to stand tall and punch it away hut hits it straight to cover-point.

WIDE! Goes full and wide again but pushes it a bit too wide, left alone.

FOUR! Crashed away and Jos Buttler has the number of Mitchell Starc in this format as he generally strikes at over 175 against the left-armer. Full and wide at 146 clicks but right in the slot, Buttler frees his arms and drives it firmly through covers for a boundary.

On a hard length outside off, looking for the inswinger but this one slants right across and Sanju Samson taps it away to third man for a single.

Gets away with a loosener! This is a juicy full toss on the fifth stump line, Sanju Samson stands tall and mistimes the punch to the left of mid off and scampers across for a run.

Sanju Samson walks out next for Rajasthan.

OUT! CAUGHT! Changes the angle of attack and gets the wicket! Brave bowling from Vaibhav Arora as he comes from around the stumps but bowls it full again and gets it right on the money. This one swings away from off stump and Yashasvi Jaiswal is on the back foot looking to whack it over covers. Just that hint of away movement means the outside edge is found and Venkatesh Iyer at first slip takes a sharp catch. Another short stay at the crease for Jaiswal.

FOUR! Just over! Pitched up full on middle and leg, Yashasvi Jaiswal looks to whip it over mid-wicket but gets it straighter and wide of mid on where Varun Chakaravarthy dives across but the ball eludes him and goes into the fence.

SIX! BANG! A tad full and angled across the left-hander, Yashasvi Jaiswal waits back in the crease and is able to free his arms, thumping it over long off for the first maximum of the chase. 50th maximum for Jaiswal in the Inddian T20 League as well.

Goes well full and pace on this time at the off stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal hangs back, clears the front leg but drives it straight to covers.

Bustles in from over the wicket and bowls a slower one, fuller and angled into the stumps, Jos Buttler just pushes it to mid on for a quick single.

The Impact sub, Vaibhav Arora will bowl from the other end.

FOUR! A boundary to end the over and Rajasthan get 11 off the first over. Back of a length on the fifth stump line, Yashasvi Jaiswal goes after it and gets it off the outer half and well fine of deep point for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! Full and outside off, good pace again from Starc, well over 143 clicks and swinging away. Yashasvi Jaiswal doesn't move his feet and just throws his hands at it but misses.

FOUR! Hammers that one away though! Good length at 144 clicks and slightly wide of the off stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal holds his shape, stays back and thumps it over covers for a boundary.

A play and a miss! Banged in short and wide, swinging away at 142 clicks, Yashasvi Jaiswal with a loose attempt at the cut shot and he is well beaten.

Good length on middle and leg at 146.7 clicks, Jos Buttler watches it well and just nudges it in front of mid-wicket for a single.

Hard length in and around the off stump, Yashasvi Jaiswal hops back and edges it down with soft hands towards third man for a single to get off the mark.

WIDE! A bit too loose to begin with! Steams from over the wicket and drags it down outside off and gets it to swing well away from the batter. Good take from the keeper though and Rajasthan are underway with a wide.

Oh, drilled but just too straight! Kuldeep Sen goes full and straight, Rinku Singh manages to clear the front leg and drills it back at a rate of knots. The ball though crashes into the stumps at the other end and rolls to the off side as the batters get a single. Rinku plays a good cameo and Kolkata finish with 223/6!

SIX! NAILED IT! Banged in well short and over the stumps, Rinku Singh gets in position early and pulls it high and handsome in front of square leg for a biggie.

Dot ball! Hard length outside off, Rinku Singh reaches out and hammers it straight to the man at covers.

Just the single! Length ball on the pads, flicked away to deep square leg for a single.

Ramandeep Singh is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Excellent take from Dhruv Jurel! Slower one as Kuldeep Sen takes pace off and rolls his fingers over the ball. This is bowled on a good length and outside off, Venkatesh Iyer lifts it high without much timing and over covers. Ravichandran Ashwin runs back but it is Jurel who comes charging in from the deep and takes a diving catch.

Sensational effort in the deep from Riyan Parag and he saves five runs for his side. Banged in short and outside off, Rinku Singh gets across a bit and powers the short-arm jab flat towards long on. The ball seems to be going over but Parag laps up and takes the catch but just about manages to flick it back in before going over the ropes. A slightly lighter flick and he would have even caught it. Just the single.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer ends the over well and Kolkata get 16 off it. Full and wide not quite in the blockhole and Iyer is able to use those long levers and slashes it away past backward point for a boundary.

The effort ball from Avesh Khan now. Grunts in and bowls it very full around off at 139.6 clicks and gets the low full toss to dip late, Venkatesh Iyer looks to hammer it through covers but is beaten.

Hits the deck hard and bowls it back of a length around off, Rinku Singh jams it down to the right of cover for a single.

FOUR! Gets that one away as well! Full and wide, not quite full enough, Rinku Singh backs away again and manages to slice it over backward point for another boundary.

SIX! All the way! The first sign of greatness from Rinku Singh. On a hard length, trying to angle it across, Singh makes room and wafts it over deep cover for a maximum. The 200 comes up for Kolkata.

Very full on off and middle, just misses the yorker-length, Venkatesh Iyer hits it off the toe end of the bat towards long off for a single.

Trent Boult showcasing his skills here. Goes for the yorker and bowls it just wide of off stump but takes pace off as well, Rinku Singh gives himself room to open up the off side but misses it completely. Another over that goes for just 7 runs and produces a wicket.

Nagging length, pace on and on off stump, Venkatesh Iyer is deep in the crease and pushes it out to covers for a single.

Goes for the yorker at the toes again but Venkatesh Iyer steps out and plays it on the full towards wide long on for a couple of runs.

Venkatesh Iyer is the next batter in. There is a slight hold-up as the stump that went flying out of the ground seems to be broken. It seems to be a prolonged delay as the new stump is put into place and needs to be connected not just to the ground but to the cameras and mics. Everything in place, and the play can finally resume.

OUT! BOWLED'EM! Peach of a delivery and Sunil Narine's sensational knock finally comes to an end. Trent Boult speeds in and goes for the inswinging yorker and nails it spot on at 134 clicks right at the toes. Narine is beaten for pace and ends up playing all around it as the leg stump gets knocked out of the ground. Boult right away goes up to Narine and shakes his hand for the knock he played, good spirit from the Kiwi.

FOUR! CRUNCHED! Pace on this time and short as well, slightly at the batter and Sunil Narine is able to pull it firmly in front of mid-wicket for a boundary.

Nicely bowled! Slower bumper, bowled into the deck at 120 clicks and around off stump, Sunil Narine looks to pull off the front foot but is well beaten.

Banged in halfway down the pitch and over middle, Sunil Narine gets on top of the bounce and pulls it down to deep mid-wicket for one. Just 7 runs and a wicket off that over, a good one for the visitors.

FOUR! Nails the wide yorker again but this time Sunil Narine is able to get bat on it. Full and wide, Narine reaches out and squeezes it powerfully past the diving man at backward point for a boundary.

Gets the wide yorker in this time and Sunil Narine fails to jam it out.

Full and wide outside off, a low full toss that dips as well and Sunil Narine leaves it alone.

WIDE! Comes from around the stumps and bangs it in well short over middle and leg, angling it in but the ball flies over Narine's head for a wide.

Good length in the channel and just nipping away, Rinku Singh looks to block but edges it down to deep third for a single.

Rinku Singh is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Avesh Khan comes back in and gets a wicket right away after the break. Takes pace off, bowling it at just 119 clicks and into the pitch well outside off. Andre Russell has to reach for it and tries to carve it over covers but doesn't get the connection. The ball gets sliced to sweeper cover where Dhruv Jurel comes in and takes a good catch. Rajasthan will be hoping one wicket brings two.

Strategic Break! Kolkata are going all guns blazing and have reached 184 in just 16 overs. With four more overs to go, the home side will look to add another 50-60 from hereon. Sunil Narine has just got to his maiden hundred and is looking in sublime form. Andre Russell is alongside him and the West Indian duo will hope to add misery to the Rajasthan bowling. The visitors, on the flip side, will hope to pick a few wickets and stem the flow of runs.

FOUR! CENTURY FOR NARINE! The crowd is at the top of its voice and what a moment for Sunil Narine. Tosses this one up full and outside off, Narine just reaches for it and slogs it away well wide of long on and gets the boundary. This has been a sensational knock and 23 runs come off Chahal's final over. Narine soaks in the applause and Andre Russell at the other end is even more ecstatic for his fellow Windies man.

SIX! Sunil Narine is toying with Yuzvendra Chahal now. Bowled well short and angled across t5the off stump, the long on fielder is much straighter but Narine powers it over his head for a biggie.

WIDE! Fuller and a bit quicker, pushed beyond the tramline outside off, left alone for a wide.

FOUR! Sunil Narine breaks into the 90s now. Dragged length outside off, Narine stays back in his crease and pulls it straight back over the bowler's head for a boundary.

SIX! Down the pitch and into the crowd! Tossed up wide of the off stump, Sunil Narine skips down the pitch and lofts it handsomely over wide long off for a biggie. This is now Narine's highest-ever T20 score. Can he get that elusive ton?

Flatter, pushes the wrong'un into the legs, Andre Russell stays back and just jams it out in front of mid-wicket for a single.

A tad fuller and sliding it across the left-hander, Sunil Narine looks to fetch and slog it away but miscues it off the inside edge towards short fine leg for a run.

FOUR! Smart batting from Russell. Low full toss, outside off. Russell gets low and squirts it past the backward point fielder for a cracking boundary.

Short of a length, angling in. Narine pulls it to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! Streaky but effective! Bowls it full, outside off. Narine swings hard and gets an outside edge that flies past the short third fielder for four runs.

On a length, wider of off. Russell crunches it to the man at sweeper cover for a single.

WIDE! Lands it full, just outside the tramline. Russell leaves it alone. Wide signaled by the umpire.

FOUR! SMACKED! Short and wide outside off. Russell hops and cuts it hard to the deep point region. One bounce and over the ropes for four runs.

On a length, outside off. Russell swings and misses.

Flatter on middle and leg. Russell turns it into the leg side for one.

Nicely bowled! Off-break, turning in on off. Russell looks to guide it down but gets an inside edge onto the pitch.

Flatter on the leg peg. Russell turns it to short fine leg.

Off-break, drifting down the leg. Russell nudges it to fine leg for a couple more.

Tosses it full, outside off. Narine miscues it toward the deep extra cover for a single.

FIVE WIDES! Poor from Ashwin! Fires it full and down the leg. Narine plays and misses. It runs past the keeper and down to fine leg for five extras.

WIDE! Lands it outside the tramline. Narine leaves. Another wide.

Much fuller and wider outside off. Narine gets across and heaves it off the outer half toward the deep backward point region for a double.

WIDE! Bowls it full, just outside off. Narine lets it go. Wided by the umpire.

Andre Russell is in at number 5.

OUT! LBW! Big appeal and given! Chahal strikes! Bowls it full on the middle. Iyer gets low to slog it across the line but misses and gets pinned in front. The umpire raises the finger. Shreyas Iyer goes for the review here. The ball tracking shows three reds and Iyer is a goner. Kolkata are three down!

SIX! HEAVED AWAY! Tossed up full and in the slot. Iyer gets under it and hacks it over the cow corner for a maximum.

Flighted on middle. Iyer pushes it to the cover fielder.

Peach! Leg break, just outside off. Iyer plays and is beaten.

Tad short, outside off. Narine goes back and pulls it to wide long-on for a run.

Wrong'un on middle. Iyer goes back and works it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! No need to run for that. Pitched full, outside off. Narine drills it through the extra cover region and gets to the ropes in no time. 15 runs off the over.

Yorker length, outside off. Narine lets it go again. Two dots in a row!

Lands it full, just inside the tramline. Narine leaves it alone.

FOUR! BANG! Flatter, around off. Narine comes down and tonks it to wide long-off fence for a boundary.

SIX! Up and Away! Pitched full and in the slot. Narine goes hard and clears the long-off fence with ease for a biggie.

Much fuller, just inside the wide line. Another leave from Narine.

WIDE! Bowls it flat and outside the tramline. Narine lets it go. Wide signaled.

FOUR! Poor ball to end the over! Bowls it full, outside off. Iyer times it through backward point and this races to the fence in a flash.

Back of a length on off. Iyer hangs back and taps into the off-side.

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Kuldeep Sen strikes! Short and wide outside off. Raghuvanshi slashes hard at it and gets an outside edge that flies to the third-man region. Ashwin stationed there, takes a simple catch. Kolkata lose their second as Raghuvanshi makes the long walk back into the hut.

Short, angling into the body. Narine mistimes the pull to deep mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! BANG! Short of a length, outside off. Narine slaps it hard through the extra cover region for a cracking boundary.

Short again, outside off. Narine leaves it alone.

Rajasthan skipper, Sanju Samson seems to have injured his right hand and the physio is out having a look at it. Sandeep Sharma, one of the substitutes goes back and forth with messages to the skipper and we are good to continue.

WIDE! Bangs it short and way over the batter. Narine lets it go. Wide signaled.

Spears in a full toss on the pads, this is flicked away to deep square leg for just a single. The last two overs of spin have gone for 26 runs and the 100 is also up for Kolkata!

SIX! Through the line and Sunil Narine brings up yet another FIFTY! Flighted ball, on a length and outside off stump, Narine gets across the off stump and lofts it back over the long off fence for a biggie. Ominous signs here for Rajasthan.

WIDE! Gets away with just a wide. Too full and wide, a low full toss in fact and Sunil Narine cannot get any bat on it. It is called a wide but it is challenged. The third umpire checks the replays and concludes that it is slightly outside the tramline and will stay a wide.

On the shorter side, turning in from middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi waits back and works it through mid-wicket for a run.

Fired in full and wide at 100.5 clicks, Sunil Narine gets across and drives it on the full to deep extra cover for just a single.

Quicker one, bowled well outside off stump, Sunil Narine looks to thrash it through covers but gets a big inside edge back onto the pads.

Pushed onto the stumps, nudged away through mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! Just too much air on that one and Sunil Narine had all the time to dispatch it for a maximum. Tossed up full and outside off, Narine hits through the line and sends it sailing over long off for a biggie. Kolkata firing on all cylinders now.

Good hustle in the deep from Riyan Parag this time. Slowed up, thrown outside off and turning back in from a shorter length, Sunil Narine waits for it and punches it well wide of long off for a couple of runs.

Nicely tossed up at just 77 clicks and on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi takes the front leg out and whips it down to wide long on for another single.

Floated up and trying to throw it wide outside off stump, Sunil Narine has to reach for it and mistimes the lofted shot down to long on for a run.

Flatter one on off stump, knocked through mid off for a single, smart batting, just rotating the strike after the boundary.

FOUR! Classy shot from Angkrish Raghuvanshi. Ever so slightly short and around off, Angkrish plays it very late and somehow finds the gap between backward point and short third for a boundary.

Quicker one, pushed through on a good length and outside off, Sunil Narine goes for the reverse sweep but misses out.

FOUR! Beaten in flight but gets the boundary! Flighted again, on a length and bowled wide of the off stump, Sunil Narine goes hard at it and the ball gets sliced off the outside edge. The ball goes uppishly behind backward point and is turning further away as Avesh Khan dives across and can't get to it and the ball runs away to the fence.

FOUR! Up and over! Tossed up full and outside off, Sunil Narine just hits through the line and thumps it over the cover region for a boundary.

Nicely bowled! Loops this one up and throws it wide of the off stump, Sunil Narine leaves it alone expecting a wide but the ball lands inside the tramline.

Switches to over the wicket for the right-hander and bowls the other one, slightly fuller and on middle and leg, worked away down to wide long on for a run.

Begins from around the wicket and serves a juicy full toss around off stump, Sunil Narine isn't expecting it and ends up just punching it down to long off for a run.

Just drags the length back a bit and Sunil Narine works it off the back foot in front of square leg for one more.

Tossed up around off, knocked down to long off for a single.

FOUR! Riyan Parag did the hard work but spilled it eventually. Flighted ball on off stump, Angkrish Raghuvanshi leans on well and whips it away wide of long on where Parag fumbles and allows the boundary.

Given as runs! The wrong'un now, on a good length and turning away from leg, Sunil Narine gets an inside edge off the pads to the off side and gets a single.

Full and straight this time, hit away firmly down to long on for a single.

Tosses it up first ball, full and on the stumps, Angkrish Raghuvanshi leans on and just pushes it away to covers.

Strategic Break! After a few quiet overs, Kolkata picked up the pace and made 56 runs in the powerplay. The home side has lost Phil Salt but Sunil Narine has started to find his form while Angkrish Raghuvanshi has looked classy in the balls that he has faced. Rajasthan will hope to stem the flow of runs and break this stand as early as possible. An exciting phase is upon us. Don't go anywhere!

FOUR! Sunil Narine ends the Powerplay with a flourish and Kolkata are 56/1! Shorter in length again and over the stumps, Narine makes room and just forces the lofted shot over mid on and the ball speeds after away bouncing into the fence.

SIX! COLOSSAL HIT FROM NARINE! Quick and short right at the batter, Sunil Narine just backs away a bit and whacks it high into the night sky and over deep square leg for a biggie.

Bowls it short and pushes it well outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi reaches for it and toe-ends it down to third man for a single.

Back of a length and outside off stump, Angkrish Raghuvanshi lets it come on and looks to cut but can't find the gap in front of point.

On the bounce! Banged in short and angled well across the left-hander, Sunil Narine reaches out and slaps it down to deep point for a single.

FOUR LEG BYES! A loosener to begin with! Short and swinging down the leg side, Sunil Narine misses the pull and the ball goes off the though pad past the diving keeper and into the fine leg fence.

Kuldeep Sen comes into the attack now.

FOUR MORE! CLASSY! Half-volley outside off. Angkrish Raghuvanshi leans into it and times it gloriously through covers for a stunning looking shot.

FOUR! Smart batting! Full-length delivery, just outside off. Angkrish Raghuvanshi opens the bat's face and squirts it between the short third and the backward point fielder for a sublime boundary.

Pitched full, at the stumps. Narine miscues it and gets a leading edge toward long-off for a streaky single.

Good length, on the leg peg. Narine looks to hack it across the line but gets a thud on the pad.

Good length, on middle. Angkrish Raghuvanshi tucks into the leg side and crosses for a single.

FOUR! Well Played! Boult bowls it on a length, on the leg peg. Angkrish Raghuvanshi skips down the pitch and flicks it through mid-wicket for a majestic boundary.

Back of a length, on the leg peg. Narine goes for the pull but misses. The ball thuds off the thigh pad and rolls toward the keeper.

FOUR! Put Away! Low full toss on off. Narine drills it past the backward point fielder and reaches the boundary in a flash.

Back of a length, on middle. Angkrish Raghuvanshi tucks into the leg side for a single.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi walks in at number 3.

OUT! WHAT A CATCH! Avesh Khan takes a stunner! Back of a length delivery, around off. Salt slaps it hard and back toward the bowler. Avesh in his follow-through, throws out his left hand and takes a brilliant one-handed grab. Kolkata lose their first wicket as Salt departs early.

On a length, on middle. Salt pulls it on the bounce to the man at mid-wicket.

Short of a length, on off. Narine mistimes the pull to wide of mid-on for a single.

Good comeback from Boult! Bangs it short, around the helmet. Salt goes for the pull but fails to connect.

FOUR! No need to run for that! Full and in the slot on off. Salt goes hard and crunches it through mid-off for a stunning boundary.

Bowls it short on the middle and leg. Narine backs away and slaps it down the ground for just a run.

Short of a good length, just outside off. Narine plays and misses at it.

Pitched full, on the leg. Salt flicks it to wide mid-on for a single.

Short of a length, on off. Salt miscues the pull toward the wide long-on region. Lands away from the fielder. Salt returns for the second.

Full-length, angling away from the batter. Narine plays and misses.

FOUR! BANG! Avesh Khan bowls it full and takes the pace off but in the slot. Narine clears the front leg and thumps it down the ground to long-on for a boundary.

FOUR BYES! Bonus runs for Kolkata! Bowls it too short, and flies over the batter as well as the keeper for four extras.

Short and angling away from the batter. Narine swings and misses.

Good length delivery, angling into the middle and off. Salt heaves it to the deep square leg region for a run.

Full-length delivery, on off. Narine clears his front leg and lifts it to deep backward point for a single.

Avesh Khan to steam in from the other end.

Persists on a good length, at the stumps. Salt strokes it to mid-off. An excellent over from Boult.

Keeps it on a length and moves away a tad, around off. Salt plays and misses.

First runs for Salt and Kolkata! Hard-length delivery on the pad. Salt chips it aerially toward the deep mid-wicket region and comes back for the second.

Good length delivery on off. Salt defends into the short cover reigon.

Dropped! Riyan Parag puts down a sitter! Can you believe it? Bowls it on a length, on off. Salt plays it uppishly toward the backward point region. Parag stationed there drops a simple chance. How costly will it be?

Boult begins with a good length delivery, angling back into the leg peg. Salt hangs back and turns into the leg side.

We are all set for the game to begin! Former Aussie skipper Michael Clarke rings the bell signalling the start of the match and the two umpires make their way out to the middle. The players of Rajasthan can be seen in a huddle led by skipper Sanju Samson as the opening pair of Phil Salt and Sunil Narine take the field for Kolkata. Trent Boult has the new ball in hand and is raring to go. Let's play...

Impact player substitutes for Rajasthan - Jos Buttler, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Shubham Dubey, Navdeep Saini, and Nandre Burger.

Rajasthan (Playing XI) - Yashasvi Jaiswal, Sanju Samson (C/WK), Riyan Parag, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Dhruv Jurel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Trent Boult, Avesh Khan, Kuldeep Sen, Yuzvendra Chahal.

Impact player substitutes for Kolkata - Suyash Sharma, Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora,  and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Phil Salt (WK), Sunil Narine, Angkrish Raghuvanshi, Venkatesh Iyer, Shreyas Iyer (C), Rinku Singh, Andre Russell, Ramandeep Singh, Mitchell Starc, Varun Chakaravarthy, Harshit Rana.

Shreyas Iyer, the skipper of Kolkata, says that he was looking to bowl as well. Shares that Sunil Narine is an imperative part of their attack. Adds that he is hard to read and a key part of their side. States that they want him to carry on the same way. Ends by sharing that they are going with the same side from their previous game.

Sanju Samson, the captain of Rajasthan says that they will bowl first and it might be better to bat second. Adds that he is excited to bat Eden Gardens and the ground carries a special vibe and is looking forward to a special game. Informs that both Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin are available so they might come in.

TOSS UPDATE - Rajasthan have won the toss and opted to BOWL first.

Rajasthan, on the flip side, won a close game against Punjab and are at the top of the table currently with 10 points from six games. In their last game, Rajasthan kept Punjab to a smallish score of 147 with all the bowlers doing a collectively good job. With the bat, Rajasthan started well but lost their way in the middle. They required 34 in the final three overs when Shimron Hetmyer stepped up and took his side past the finish line. Rajasthan were without some of their key players and will hope for them to return to the mix. Who will come out on top in this all-important clash? Let’s find out. Toss and team news in a bit. Stay tuned!

Hello and a warm welcome to our coverage of Match 31 in the Indian T20 League. Kolkata are taking on Rajasthan at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. It’s a top-of-the-table clash and promises to be a mouth-watering affair. The home side Kolkata, won their last match against Lucknow in a pretty convincing manner. Bowling first, Kolkata restricted Lucknow to a below-par score of just 161. Mitchell Starc got back into form with three wickets and played his part to perfection. During the chase, Kolkata lost two early wickets but skipper Shreyas Iyer and Phil Salt ensured that there were no more hiccups. The duo added an unbeaten 120 runs to take their side over the line with more than four overs to spare. Kolkata are the in-form side and will hope to keep the momentum in front of the home crowd. 

…MATCHDAY…

Match number 31 of the 2024 Indian T20 League is upon us and what a game we have on our hands now. The top two go head-to-head in a battle of supremacy at the iconic Eden Gardens as Kolkata take on Rajasthan in an electrifying encounter. So far this season, a recurring theme has been of teams winning at home and all the top teams have almost a perfect record at home and just like that, Kolkata have also won two out of two at the Eden Gardens and would be raring to make it a hat-trick of home wins. In their last game against Lucknow, Kolkata bowled really well and finally, their big buy in the form of Mitchell Starc came to the party with a stellar three-wicket haul. Sunil Narine has proved to be highly economical all season and his presence at the top of the order with the bat has been a huge positive as well. The top order has generally fired for them so far and Phil Salt played a blinder of a knock in the last game but the middle order has been inconsistent. However, skipper Shreyas Iyer struck form against Lucknow too which makes that batting order so dangerous as the likes of Rinku Singh, Andre Russell and even Ramandeep Singh can just come in late and take bowlers on without a fuss. On the other hand, Rajasthan have been sensational with just one loss from six games and their season has looked to be going really smoothly but in the last game against Punjab they were without a couple of key players in the form of Jos Buttler and Ravichandran Ashwin and yet they managed to churn out a gritty win. Yuzvendra Chahal has been in his prime so far this year and he is fighting really hard for the T20 World Cup berth. The bowling overall has been solid with Trent Boult proving top-notch up front and the likes of Avesh Khan and Kuldeep Sen have also been able to play their part well. Also, in the absence of Ashwin, Keshav Maharaj came into the side and took home the Player of the Match award which proves the depth they have in their spin attack. On the batting front, Rajasthan have been pretty solid too with skipper Sanju Samson firing on all cylinders and Riyan Parag finally performing to his caliber but it has been the form of Yashasvi Jaiswal which has been something that has been talked about and even in the last game where he got 39 runs, he simply didn't look fluent. They will be hoping Jos Buttler is back for this game but the presence of Shimron Hetmyer and even Rovman Powell if Buttler doesn't play, gives them that depth in the later stages of the match which came into play in the last game as the Windies duo took their side out of a tricky situation to get the win. All in all, cricketing fans all over the globe should gear up for some hard-hitting in this game and it might all come down to which side is able to bowl that bit better. Who are you backing for the win?