Kolkata Knight Riders vs Sunrisers Hyderabad, Full score card

Slower ball outside the line of the off stump, and Pat Cummins swings his bat but finds no connection. Harshit Rana is the star of the show for Kolkata as they clinch a superb win in their season opener. Kolkata win by 4 runs!

Pat Cummins walks out to face the last ball. 5 needed off 1 ball.

OUT! CAUGHT! Harshit Rana turns the game around for his team! Sends Heinrich Klaasen walking back! Bowls a slower ball, fuller outside the off stump line and Heinrich Klaasen looks to go straight and high, swings the bat really hard, and only, manages to get a top edge flying behind Suyash Sharma at short third man who runs back and takes a brilliant catch to keep his team in the match.

Pitches the ball fuller on the stumps with pace. Marco Jansen flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Marco Jansen walks out to bat now with Hyderabad needing 6 runs off the last three balls. Does he go for the glory shot or bring Klaasen back on strike?

OUT! CAUGHT! Harshit Rana pulls things back as he sends back Shahbaz Ahmed and gets a new man on strike for the next ball! Bowls a slower ball shorter in length on top of the middle stump. Shahbaz Ahmed launches it high but straight to Shreyas Iyer at long on who takes an easy catch to send back Shahbaz Ahmed. A needless shot and this will keep Heinrich Klaasen away from strike too. Kolkata still have a glimmer of hope.

Hits the length outside the line of the off stump. Heinrich Klaasen looks to go big but gets an inside edge onto the pads for a single.

SIX! BANG! Heinrich Klaasen, you beauty! 7 now needed off 5 to win for Hyderabad. Harshit Rana pitches the ball short at the body of the batter and Heinrich Klaasen pulls it away with sweep timing taking the ball rows behind the deep square leg boundary line.

Harshit Rana (3-0-25-1) has been given the task of bowling the final over. Hyderabad need 13 runs off the final over and given the way Heinrich Klaasen is seeing the ball, he will back himself to finish it with three hits.

SIX! Shahbaz Ahmed gets the fourth SIX of the Mitchell Starc over and now Hyderabad only needs 13 runs in the last over! Mitchell Starc misses his length and bowls a full toss on the middle stump line. Shahbaz Ahmed slogs the ball off the middle of the bat and gets it over deep square leg for a six.

Pitches the ball up on the leg stump. Heinrich Klaasen drives it to long on for a single.

SIX! Two in a row, third of the over! Heinrich Klaasen brings up his FIFTY in style. Mitchell Starc nails a yorker on the off stump line and Heinrich Klaasen digs it from the crease and launches it over the covers fielder for a massive inside out SIX!

SIX! Too easy for Heinrich Klaasen and he won't miss out! The slower bouncer not working this time for Mitchell Starc as Heinrich Klaasen gets on top of the bounce and pulls it away over deep mid-wicket for a massive six.

WIDE! Wayward outside the off stump line. Wide called.

Swing and a miss! Mitchell Starc hits the length outside the off stump line and Heinrich Klaasen launches a slog but misses the ball completely.

SIX! Starts off strong again! Heinrich Klaasen keeps the game alive! Mitchell Starc swings one in from a fuller length on the pads of Heinrich Klaasen as he flicks it away using his wrists and gets the ball to fly over deep mid-wicket for a six.

Mitchell Starc will bowl the penultimate over with Hyderabad needing 39 runs off the last 12 balls.

Short and wide, cut away straight to short third man.

SIX! Shahbaz Ahmed goes big and clears the fence with some distance! Varun Chakaravarthy pitches the ball up on the line of the stumps and gets punished. Shahbaz Ahmed launches a slog sweep and times it to perfection over long on for a massive six.

Pitches it fuller on the off stump with pace. Heinrich Klaasen drives the ball to long on for a single.

SIX! Second of the over and Hyderabad need many more of these! Varun Chakaravarthy pitches it slightly up and Heinrich Klaasen slams it over the head of Andre Russell at long on for another huge SIX.

Holds the length back on top of the leg stump line. Heinrich Klaasen looks to pull it but gets a top edge falling short of long on and runs a couple.

SIX! BANG! Heinrich Klaasen refuses to give up! Varun Chakaravarthy fires it in fuller just outside the off stump line and Heinrich Klaasen launches the ball straight over the bowler's head for a massive maximum off the first ball of the over.

FOUR! Starts off well this time, Shahbaz Ahmed! Andre Russell bangs in short at the helmet of the batter and Shahbaz Ahmed pulls it along the way, using the pace of the ball and takes it over the fine leg boundary on the bounce.

Shahbaz Ahmed walks out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Andre Russell can not do anything wrong tonight! Bowls a full toss outside the off stump line with pace and Abdul Samad clubs it away from the middle of the bat but does not get the elevation he needs and hits it straight down the throat of Venkatesh Iyer at deep mid-wicket. The on-field umpires ask Abdul Samad to wait and the third umpire confirms that it was a legal delivery and it was below the waist.

Bowls the yorker outside the line of the off stump and Heinrich Klaasen looks to slash it hard but gets an inside edge to short fine leg for a single.

Nails the yorker on the middle stump line. Abdul Samad drives it to long on and takes a run.

FOUR! Abdul Samad gets 10 off the first 2 balls from Andre Russell. Andre Russell pitches the ball up on the stumps and Abdul Samad slams it straight over the bowler's head and gets a boundary in no time.

SIX! BANG! Andre Russell bowls the length ball on top of the middle stump line and Abdul Samad clubs it away from the middle of the bat and deposits the ball over deep mid-wicket for a flat SIX!

Bangs in short at the body of the batter. Abdul Samad pulls the ball away to deep mid-wicket and gets a single to end the over.

Nails it up on the leg stump line. Heinrich Klaasen flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slower bouncer outside the line of the off stump. Heinrich Klaasen looks to tap it down to third man for a single but misses the ball completely.

Brings the length back on top of the middle stump line. Heinrich Klaasen pulls it away from the crease to the right of deep mid-wicket for a couple.

Slower ball, pitched up on the leg stump line. Heinrich Klaasen taps it back to the bowler from the crease.

Runs in hard and pitches the ball up on the leg stump with pace. Abdul Samad slogs it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Two dots to close out the over! Nails the yorker, outside off, Heinrich Klaasen fails to squeeze it out on the off side.

Short and quick from over the wicket, outside off, Heinrich Klaasen looks for the cut but gets beaten for pace.

SIX! Shouts of 'catch it' but Heinrich Klaasen connects well to clear the fence. Chakaravarthy drops it short and outside off, Heinrich Klaasen gets it at a good height and tonks it over the leaping Shreyas Iyer at long off for six more runs.

Quicker and slants it away from the batter again, on a nagging length, Heinrich Klaasen lets it go.

SIX! Thumped down the ground! Short and on off, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and slaps it back over the bowler's head while holding his shape for a maximum. A boundary after 27 balls for Hyderabad.

Comes from over the wicket and slants it across the batter, Abdul Samad looks to go downtown but mistimes it on the bounce to long off. They cross.

Full and slanting in, on leg, Heinrich Klaasen drills it to the right of long on where Andre Russell runs around and cuts it off but cannot prevent Klaasen from coming back for the second run.

Halt! Nitish Rana gets a hit on his left hand while going for the catch. Gets medical assistance and walks out.

Just short! Sliding on the pads, full in length, Abdul Samad gets down and swipes it across the line. Nitish Rana at deep square leg is late to run in and the ball dips on him. He dives forward but the ball falls just short. Rana looks to have injured his finger in the process.

Fires it in again, flat and short, on off, Abdul Samad stabs it down on the off side.

Another googly, full and on leg, Abdul Samad gets on the front foot but he too does not read the googly and gets hit on the pads.

Pushes it through, flat and short, on off, Heinrich Klaasen punches it wide of cover for a single.

Nicely bowled! Serves up a googly, short and on middle, Heinrich Klaasen does not read it and makes room for the leg break and tries to cut it away. The ball spins in and goes under the bat.

Strategic Break! After 13 overs in the Run Chase, Hyderabad find themselves at 111/4 and needs another 98 runs to win in 42 balls. Sunil Narine has been absolutely brilliant on this wicket and finishes the night with 18 runs and a wicket. It is Heinrich Klaasen and Abdul Samad, both new to the crease to carry out the rest of the innings. Let's see what happens after the break.

A confident appeal for LBW but turned down! After having a word with the keeper and the bowler, Shreyas Iyer takes the review. It looked close at first glance though. Narine bowls it fractionally short, on middle and leg, Abdul Samad gets half-forward and fails to smother the spin. The ball turns in sharply and goes past the inside edge. It goes on to hit the back pad and there is nothing on UltraEdge. However, the Ball Tracking shows that the ball is just clipping the leg stump and it is umpire's call. Samad survives a close shout.

Abdul Samad comes out to bat now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sunil Narine gets the reward for disciplined bowling! Rahul Tripathi just could not get himself going and he holes out now. Narine serves it on a nagging length, outside off, Rahul Tripathi gets down on one knee and tries to drag the slog sweep from outside off to the leg side. He fails to get the elevation and hits it flat and straight down the throat of deep square leg where Harshit Rana takes it near his face.

Beaten! This is quicker and shorter, a hint of turn into the batter, Rahul Tripathi goes for the cut but the ball goes over his bat.

Slides onto the pads, short in length, Heinrich Klaasen tucks it to deep backward square leg for one.

At 88.3 kph, full and outside off, Rahul Tripathi drags the sweep to deep mid-wicket for a run.

On a nagging length, around off, Heinrich Klaasen presses forward and plays it with a straight bat to long off for a single.

Keeps it short and around middle, Heinrich Klaasen waits on it and punches it to wide long on for a single to get off the mark.

Flatter and shorter, on middle and leg, Heinrich Klaasen gets beaten on the inside edge as he looks to clip it away.

Heinrich Klaasen walks out to bat now.

OUT! TAKEN! Varun Chakaravarthy fights back after an expensive first over! Chakaravarthy tosses it up and slants it in, full and on leg, Aiden Markram clears his front leg and goes for a swipe across the line. He loses his shape and gets it off the inner half of the bat towards deep mid-wicket where Rinku Singh does the rest by diving forward. A timely wicket for Kolkata.

Sees the batter advance and drops it short, on off, Aiden Markram punches it straight to Shreyas Iyer at extra cover.

Pushes it through, full and on middle, Rahul Tripathi sweeps it to deep backward square leg for a run.

Turning away, short and a bit of extra bounce, Aiden Markram goes back and cuts it to deep point for one.

Shorter and turning in, on off, Aiden Markram goes back and pulls it to long on for one to keep the strike.

Floats it up, full and outside off, Rahul Tripathi drags the shot to the left of long on for a single.

Flat and short, on off, Aiden Markram punches it down to long off for a run.

Slows it up and bowls it full, on middle, Rahul Tripathi sweeps it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flatter and shorter, on leg, Rahul Tripathi nudges it to the left of deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Half a shout for LBW but turned down! Dishes out a googly, short and on leg, Rahul Tripathi goes on the back foot to clip it away but gets pinged on the front pad. Only Phil Salt is interested and Kolkata do not take the review. Now then, the Ball Tracking shows three reds and if Tripathi had not gotten any bat on it, this is a big chance missed.

Halt! The magic spray is out for the umpire for the blow he took on his left shin.

Too full on the line of the off stump, and Rahul Tripathi slams it back to the bowler. Suyash Sharma gets a hand on it and the ball goes on to hit the left shin of the umpire. The batters pick up a single to end the over.

Tosses the ball up on the off stump line. Aiden Markram looks to drive it hard but gets an inside edge to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! Short ball from the youngster and Aiden Markram punishes it for a superb boundary. Suyash Sharma drops the ball mid-way outside the off stump line asking to get hit. Aiden Markram sets back and cuts the ball hard to the right of the sweeper covers and finds the boundary.

Floats the ball up on the line of the stumps. Rahul Tripathi sweeps the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! BANG! Rahul Tripathi finds the middle of the bat this time and sends the ball flat over long on for a maximum. Suyash Sharma tosses the ball up outside the line of the off stump and gets whacked.

Starts off short on the line of the stumps. Aiden Markram flicks the ball from the crease to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller on the stumps. Aiden Markram drives the ball to long on and takes a run.

Holds the length back outside the off stump line. Aiden Markram cuts the ball to the right of sweeper covers for a couple.

DROPPED! Varun Chakaravarthy drops a sitter and Rahul Tripathi gets a life! Sunil Narine tosses the ball up on the line of the stumps and Rahul Tripathi goes for a huge slog and, in the end, gets a top edge high into the night sky. Varun Chakaravarthy at short fine leg settles under the ball and fumbles it down. The batters take a single.

Floats the ball up on the middle stump line and Rahul Tripathi sweeps the ball between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple.

Holds the length back on the leg stump. Aiden Markram is comfortable on the backfoot and flicks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Tosses the ball up on the stumps. Rahul Tripathi sweeps it away to deep square leg for a single.

Suyash Sharma comes in as the Impact Player for Kolkata, replacing Ramandeep Singh.

LEG BYE! Pitches the ball fuller outside the line of the leg stump. Rahul Tripathi looks to flick the ball but gets a hit on the pads for a single.

Very good short ball once again by Andre Russell. Rahul Tripathi lets it go at the last moment.

Short and wide outside off. Aiden Markram cuts the ball hard towards sweeper covers for a single.

FOUR! What a way to start the innings from Aiden Markram! Executes the pull shot to perfection. Andre Russell bangs in a short ball at the batter and gets pulled in front of square leg for a boundary.

Aiden Markram walks out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT! It's Andre Russell's night and he can do nothing wrong! Bangs in short at the batter and Abhishek Sharma is rushed on the pull shot, gets a top edge that flies back to Varun Chakaravarthy at fine leg who takes a reverse cup catch to end a good innings from Abhishek Sharma.

FOUR! Starts off short outside the line of the off stump and Abhishek Sharma stands tall on the crease and cuts the ball hard to the right of point and finds the boundary in no time.

Gets one to nip back in from outside the off stump line. Rahul Tripathi looks to play at it late towards third man but misses the ball. Good first over from Sunil Narine.

Holds the length on the leg stump. Rahul Tripathi flicks the ball straight to short fine leg.

Short ball on the middle stump line. Abhishek Sharma pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Holds the length back outside the off stump line. Abhishek Sharma cuts the ball straight to point.

Tosses the ball up slow on the line of the stumps. Abhishek Sharma blocks it back to the bowler.

Pitches the ball up outside the line of leg stump. Rahul Tripathi plays a paddle sweep to short fine leg for a single.

Strategic break! Hyderabad are off to a solid start here in pursuit of a mammoth total of 209 runs. They did lose Mayank Agarwal in the previous over but Abhishek Sharma is looking in good nick and will look to tick along nicely with the newly arrived Rahul Tripathi. As for Kolkata, they have not gotten their lines and lengths right yet and no turn for Varun Chakaravarthy has made it worse for them. Having managed to dismiss Agarwal, the hosts will look to squeeze in quiet overs and make the required run rate go up. Sunil Narine comes on to bowl now.

FOUR! A calculated risk from Abhishek Sharma that pays off well! Ends the Powerplay with a boundary. Harshit Rana hits the length hard on top of the off stump line and Abhishek Sharma dances down the track and makes room for himself to play the ball over the head of covers and the ball runs away to the fence for four runs.

Comes around the stumps and bowls another short ball on top of the off stump line with pace. Abhishek Sharma stays inside the crease and blocks it off well.

Halt! Rahul Tripathi has taken a blow on the grill on his helmet and the physio is out for the concussion check.

Deadly welcome to the crease for Rahul Tripathi as Harshit Rana bangs in another short ball that hits Rahul Tripathi on the helmet frame after a faint edge on the bat. The ball runs down to third man and the batters take a single.

Rahul Tripathi is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT! Superb bouncer by Harshit Rana as he picks up Mayank Agarwal! Hyderabad lose their first. Harshit Rana bangs it in short at the helmet of the batter and all Mayank Agarwal could do was swing his bat, getting the ball to go towards Rinku Singh at deep square leg who takes a comfortable catch. Rana blows a kiss in the direction of Agarwal and the latter does not like that one bit.

Gets the ball to nip back at Mayank Agarwal sharply after pitching it short on the off stump line. Mayank Agarwal looks to guide it to third man but Phil Salt collects it behind the stumps on the bounce.

Hits the length hard on top of the leg stump line. Mayank Agarwal launches it straight over Sunil Narine at mid on and runs a couple.

SIX! Width offered and Abhishek Sharma obliges! Varun tries to keep it away from the batter but the length stays full, Abhishek Sharma stays low to make the connection and deposits it over long on for six more runs. 18 runs off Chakaravarthy's first over and Hyderabad are off to a flier here.

Slanting in, full and on middle, Mayank Agarwal eases it to long off and gets to the other end.

Short and on middle, Abhishek Sharma steps out and knocks it to mid on for a single.

SIX! Nothing lucky about this one as this has come right off the screws! Varun bowls it a bit too full, at the stumps, Abhishek Sharma gets down and hits through the line to clear wide long on for a maximum.

FOUR! Lucky boundary! On a nagging length, on middle, Abhishek Sharma uses his feet to go big on the leg side. He fails to get to the pitch of the ball and gets a top edge. The ball manages to evade the backtracking Nitish Rana at backward point for a boundary.

Beats the bat straight away! Slides it across the batter, full and outside off, Abhishek Sharma presses forward to play at it but gets beaten on the outside edge. The keeper, Phil Salt is quick to take the bails off but Sharma has his back leg grounded inside the crease.

Varun Chakaravarthy comes into the attack.

FOUR! The timing isn't right but it still fetches Mayank Agarwal a boundary. Rana takes pace off and bowls it on a back of a length, on off, Mayank Agarwal hangs back for the pull. He goes through his shot early but gets enough bat to clear mid on for four more runs.

On a back of a length, on off, Mayank Agarwal stabs it down on the off side.

SIX! Whoa...cracking shot! Rana digs it in short again, on off, Mayank Agarwal stands tall and gets into the position quickly. Slaps it with relative ease over the deep backward point fence for a maximum.

Was that a chance? Yes, a tough one though. Delivers it on a back of a length, on off and middle, Mayank Agarwal uses his feet and takes on the short ball. Pulls it towards deep square leg and it dips on the rushing fielder. Ramandeep Singh comes charging in from the deep and dives in front. He fails to get his fingers underneath to hold onto the catch and it goes through his hands. Two runs taken.

At 139.7 kph, bangs it into the deck, around off, Mayank Agarwal gets into two minds about whether to duck or pull. He sways away from the line of the ball and lets it go in the end.

Serves it on a hard length, on off, Abhishek Sharma steers it down to deep third for one.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Starc pitches it right up to the batter, on off, Mayank Agarwal shows the full face of the bat and drives it to the right of mid off for a boundary.

Takes pace off and it is fuller as well, Abhishek Sharma eases it to mid on and gets to the other end.

Play and a miss! Short of a length, outside off, Abhishek Sharma slashes at it but gets beaten by the extra bounce again.

Full and slanting in, on middle and leg, Abhishek Sharma drives it down to mid on.

DROPPED! Phil Salt puts it down! To rub salt into wounds, it goes away for a boundary. Starc gets the ball to shape away from the left-hander, fuller in length, Abhishek Sharma goes for the drive away from his body and gets an outside edge. It is headed straight to first slip but Phil Salt goes after it and sticks out his left glove. He only manages to get fingertips to it and it races away for a boundary.

Delivers it top of off, on a back of a length, Mayank Agarwal rides the bounce well and runs it down to deep third for a single.

Beaten! On a hard length and gets a bit of extra bounce, Abhishek Sharma gets on his toes to cut but misses out.

Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, Abhishek Sharma waits on it and works it with the angle to mid-wicket.

This is on a back of a length, outside off, Mayank Agarwal tries to cash in on the width but chops it off the inner half of the bat and it trickles past the stumps. They cross.

Given LBW but decision overturned successfully! A confident review from Mayank Agarwal! Rana angles it back in, on a good length, on middle and leg, Mayank Agarwal looks to flick it away off his pads but plays all around it. The ball sneaks past the inside edge and pings him on the front pad. There is nothing on UltraEdge but the ball is going down leg on Ball Tracking.

FOUR! Up and over! Rana goes a bit too full, around off, Mayank Agarwal gets underneath it and lofts it over mid off. The bat turns in his hand but still manages to clear mid off for a boundary.

Bowls it on a back of a length, a hint of away movement, on off, Mayank Agarwal plays it back to the bowler.

Harshit Rana will share the new ball with Mitchell Starc for Kolkata.

Drags his length back and bowls it on off, Mayank Agarwal hops back and glides it down to deep third for a single. An expensive first over from Starc.

FOUR! Classy shot! Starc serves it full and angles it away, outside off, Mayank Agarwal extends his arms and lets his hands flow into the shot. Drives well and gets it through covers for a boundary.

Mayank Agarwal is off the mark, albeit in a streaky fashion! Starc pitches it up, on middle and leg, Mayank Agarwal premeditates and looks to go big on the off side. He adjusts well and tucks it behind square on the leg side a couple of runs.

Hits the deck hard and bowls it on a back of a length, on the pads, Mayank Agarwal misses out on the clip and gets hit high on the thigh pad.

FIVE WIDES! Wayward from Starc and Hyderabad are underway! Bangs it in short and around leg, Mayank Agarwal swivels for the pull but misses. The ball swirls away and sails over the leaping Phil Salt behind the wicket for a boundary.

Swing and a miss! Starc goes full in search of swing but there isn't any, outside off, Mayank Agarwal swings to hit up and over mid off but connects with thin air.

Starts from over the wicket and angles it across the right-hander, on a good length, outside off, Mayank Agarwal presses forward and dabs it down to backward point.

Exceptional stuff from T Natarajan! Four consecutive singles to close out the final over. A wicket and 8 runs off the 20th over and Kolkata finish with 208 on the board. Natarajan serves it on a fullish length, on leg, Andre Russell tries to make room but can only knock it down to long on for a run.

Three singles on the trot! Angling in, low full toss, on leg, Mitchell Starc moves leg side and hits it down the ground to long off for a run.

Another good yorker, on middle and leg, Andre Russell backs away and stabs it down to long off for a single.

On a yorker length, on middle, Mitchell Starc digs it out to long on and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Mitchell Starc is up and running! Goes searching for the yorker but ends up serving a low full toss, Mitchell Starc reaches out and slices it between cover and point for a boundary.

Mitchell Starc comes out to bat for Kolkata. Hyderabad are allowed only 4 fielders outside the 30-yard circle due to the slow over rate.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! T Natarajan starts the final over well! This is on a short of a length, on middle, Rinku Singh looks to go back over the bowler's head. Skies it high in the air and it goes only as far as long on where Aiden Markram settles under it and takes it near his chest.

FOUR! Gets it through! Oh my! 26 runs off the over and the 200 comes up for Kolkata! On a length, outside off, Andre Russell latches onto the width and slaps it to the right of extra cover for a boundary. 77 runs have come off the last four overs. Yes, you read that right.

SIX! Bhuvneshwar Kumar makes Russell hit off side but the result stays the same! Kumar hurls it on a good length, near the tramline on off, Andre Russell reaches out and throws his hands at it. He holds the pose and lifts it up and over deep cover for a maximum.

Full toss, on off, Andre Russell carves it to the left of wide long off and collects a couple of runs.

WIDE! Loses his radar and sprays it outside the tramline on off, Andre Russell lets it go for a wide.

SIX! And just like that, Andre Russell gets to his FIFTY! Half-century off just 20 balls and the Kolkata crowd stands up to applaud the knock. Bhuvneshwar goes into the wicket, on off and middle, Andre Russell winds up and leaves nothing in the tank as he goes for the pull shot. Gets more than enough bat on it and clears the fine leg fence for six more runs.

Right in the blockhole, at the stumps, Rinku Singh digs it out to cover and gets to the other end.

Serves it near the tramline on off, on a length, Andre Russell has to reach out and can only push it to extra cover for a single.

NO BALL AND FOUR! How did he get that there? It looked to have come off the toe-end but Russell still manages to find the fence. Oh, dear! The siren goes off and Bhuvneshwar Kumar has overstepped. Kumar goes searching for the yorker but slips in a low full toss, on the pads, Andre Russell backs away and swipes it to the right of long on for a boundary.

FOUR! Powered down the ground! Natarajan attacks the stumps with a full delivery, Rinku Singh gives himself room and skips down the track. He lets his hands flow into the shot and lofts it over mid off. It almost went the distance for a maximum.

Rolls his fingers over the ball and goes short, over middle, Rinku Singh ducks to let it go. He has a look at the square leg umpire for a wide but the umpire is unmoved.

Well-bowled! Nails the yorker, on middle, Andre Russell gets his bat down and jams it out in front of square on the leg side for one.

SIX! Clean as a whistle! Natarajan misses his mark and bowls it in the slot, on leg, Andre Russell gets his front leg out of the way nice and early and smacks it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. The 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

WIDE! Looks to target the pads but it goes down leg, fuller in length, Andre Russell just has to get some bat on it but fails to do so.

WIDE! Tries the bumper but it goes over the batter's head. Andre Russell shapes up to ramp it over the keeper but misses. Wided.

Goes into the wicket, on off, Rinku Singh waits for the ball to arrive and runs it down to short third for one.

Short of a length, on off, Andre Russell mistimes the hit towards long off and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Skillfully done! Kumar goes searching for the yorker but gets it slightly wrong as this is a low full toss, angling away, on off, Rinku Singh uses the angle to his advantage and opens the bat face to steer it to the right of deep point for a boundary. 18 runs off the over again and Kolkata will be now aiming for 200 with three overs to go.

Low full toss, on the pads, Rinku Singh clips it between deep mid-wicket and deep square leg for a couple of runs more.

Length delivery, outside off, Andre Russell frees his arms and drills it on the bounce to long off for a single.

FOUR! Short and punished! Takes pace off and goes short, over middle, Andre Russell gets it at a good height and hammers the pull to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

SIX! Andre Russell takes on Bhuvneshwar Kumar now! Not a bad delivery from Bhuvneshwar as this is on a back of a length, on middle, Andre Russell sets himself up deep in his crease and swats it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Angling away, on a back of a length, on off, Rinku Singh opens the face of the bat and glides it wide of backward point for a single.

Strategic Break! Kolkata have brought the game back in their control and now it's the dynamic duo of Rinku Singh and Andre Russell at the crease finishing the innings off on a high note. Kolkata are 141/6 after 16 overs and it is the perfect situation for these two batters to be out for Kolkata and both of them and hitting the ball well. Pat Cummins and his bowlers have to finish well and get the momentum back if they want to stay in the hunt. Let's see what happens after the break.

Close but not close enough! Markande slips in a googly, full and on off, Andre Russell picks it up and swings to go back over the bowler's head. Ends up hitting it flat towards long off where Aiden Markram comes in off the ropes and dives in front to grab it. He is not sure and the third umpire is called into action. The third umpire deems that Markram did not have his fingers clearly underneath and the ball had been grounded. Russell breathes a sigh of relief as does the jam-packed Kolkata crowd. 18-run over has spoiled the figures of Markande and he finishes with figures of 4-0-39-3.

SIX! Andre Russell is on a rampage and the Kolkata crowd is going wild! To be fair to Markande, this was well bowled, full and around off, making Russell drag his shot. Andre Russell extends his arms and drags it way over long on for the third maximum of the over. 18 runs off the over with a ball to go.

SIX! ENORMOUS HIT! Markande dishes it out right in the arc for Russell, full in length, Andre Russell winds up and deposits into the stands over deep mid-wicket for a 102-metre six.

Bowls it flat and short, on off, Andre Russell can only push this one back to the bowler.

Tries to keep it away from the batter and serves it near the tramline on off. Andre Russell lets it go and the umpire signals a wide. The keeper, Heinrich Klaasen is certain that it was inside the wide tramline and Hyderabad challenge the decision. And yes, the replays confirm the same. The decision is overturned to a dot.

SIX! BANG! Andre Russell has arrived! Markande loops it up and serves it right in the slot, on middle, Andre Russell gets down on one knee and nails the slog sweep over deep mid-wicket for his first maximum.

Nails the yorker on the line of the middle stump. Andre Russell makes room and drives the ball to sweeper covers for a single.

Change of pace from a shorter length at the batter. Andre Russell is early with the pull and misses the ball completely.

Bangs it in short outside the off stump line. Rinku Singh taps it down to third man and runs a single.

Pitches the ball up on the line of the stumps with pace, and Andre Russell slogs it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls a very good bouncer at the helmet of the batter. Andre Russell looks rushed but manages to block the ball towards covers.

Drops the ball short outside the line of the off stump. Rinku Singh taps it to the right of point for a single.

Tosses the ball up on the line of the off stump. Andre Russell offers a front foot defence back to the bowler to end the over.

Andre Russell comes in at number 8.

OUT! CAUGHT! Mayank Markande gets the big wicket of Phil Salt! Drops the ball short at the line of leg stump and Phil Salt gets back deep in the crease and pulls the ball but to the right of Marco Jansen at deep mid-wicket who runs to his right and takes a brilliant diving catch. Salt is distraught with himself as the ball was there for him to put away.

Tosses the ball up outside the off stump line. Rinku Singh drives the ball to sweeper covers for a single.

Short ball at the line of the stumps. Phil Salt pulls it away to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! That's FIFTY for Phil Salt and he brings it up in style! Mayank Markande holds the length back outside the off stump line and Phil Salt gets back and slaps the ball hard to the left of long off and gets the boundary. Having been picked ahead of Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Salt is repaying the faith shown in him.

Holds the length back outside the off stump line and Phil Salt cuts it straight to point.

Slightly fuller on the pads of Rinku Singh who flicks it to the right of fine leg and comes back for a second run to end the over.

Holds the length back on top of the middle stump line. Rinku Singh stays back and tucks it down to mid-wicket.

Pitches the ball up on the line of the stumps. Phil Salt flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Bangs in short from around the wicket angle. Rinku Singh plays at it late towards deep third for a single.

FOUR! Rinku Singh getting into the act right away! Pat Cummins pitches the ball slightly up on the off stump line and Rinku Singh lofts the ball over mid off and gets his first boundary of the innings.

The fan favourite, Rinku Singh, walks out to a loud reception from the Kolkata crowd.

OUT! CAUGHT! The skipper comes back and gets the breakthrough! Pat Cummins sends the dangerous Ramandeep Singh back into the hut! Hits the length hard on top of the off-stump line and Ramandeep Singh looks to go over covers off the front foot but does not get the timing he was looking for, in the end, hits it off the upper half of the bat and it lobs up to the right of Mayank Markande at covers who flies to his right and grabs the ball with both hands.

Pat Cummins brings himself back into the attack.

FOUR! 14 runs off the of the over for Kolkata and it is Phil Salt this time who gets a boundary! Shahbaz Ahmed drops the ball short outside the line of the off stump and Phil Salt gets deep into the crease and slaps the ball hard, along the ground to the left of long off for a boundary to end the over.

Fuller again on the line of the stumps. Ramandeep Singh punches the ball to long on and takes a comfortable single.

Tosses the ball up on the line of the middle stump. Phil Salt drives the ball to long on for a single.

Fires it in, full and on leg, Phil Salt backs away and punches it straight to cover.

Drops it short at the batter and Ramandeep Singh tucks the ball to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Bowls it fast and away from Ramandeep Singh outside off. Ramandeep Singh looks for a slog but gets it off the toe-end and it dribbles towards short third.

NO BALL! SIX! Disaster for Shahbaz Ahmed on his first ball. Tosses it up on the line of the stumps and Ramandeep Singh makes room for himself and launches the ball over overs for a massive six. The Umpire confirms a NO BALL and a Free Hit is coming up.

Holds the length back outside the off stump line. Phil Salt stands tall at the crease and cuts the ball to the right of sweeper cover for a couple of runs.

Pitches the ball up on the legs of Ramandeep Singh who flicks the ball to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Ramandeep Singh smacks Marco Jansen for a huge maximum! Marco Jansen drops the ball short at the body of the batter and Ramandeep Singh launches a pull over fine leg for a huge six.

Holds the length back outside the line of the off stump. Ramandeep Singh looks to jab it down to deep third but gets beaten.

Hits the length on top of the leg stump line. Phil Salt slogs it towards long on for a single.

FOUR! Phil Salt slams the ball for a superb boundary! Pressure on Marco Jansen straight away! Marco Jansen pitches the ball up outside the line of the off stump and Phil Salt takes out the front foot and drives the ball between covers and mid off for a superb boundary along the ground.

A hint of away turn, on a nagging length, around off, Ramandeep Singh stays on the back foot and plays it back to the bowler. At the halfway mark, Kolkata are 77/4.

Beaten and this is a good comeback from the leggie! Pushes it through, short and outside off, Ramandeep Singh stays leg side of the ball to punch it away on the off side but misses.

SIX! Way too short and Ramandeep Singh climbs all over it! A hit-me delivery from Markande, short and on middle, Ramandeep Singh does not miss out as he rocks back and thumps it over wide long on for a biggie.

Good placement and even better is the running! Short and on middle, Ramandeep Singh stays on the back foot and drops it with soft hands in the vacant square leg region and comes charging back for the second run.

Bowls a googly now, short and on off, Phil Salt reads it well and punches it to long off for a single.

Bowls it flat and short, a bit of width on off, Phil Salt makes room and cuts it hard towards point where the fielder dives to his right and takes the sting out of the ball. The ball rolls to the left of deep cover for a couple of runs.

Strategic Break! Kolkata after 9 overs are struggling at 66/4. Phil Salt is still at the crease and has held the innings from one end. Along with him is the young Ramandeep Singh who is batting well so far. Hyderabad bowlers have bowled really well till now and their skipper Pat Cummins has been on point with the tactics. He will hope to continue the same way and pick wickets. Let's see what happens after the break.

SIX! Ramandeep Singh in full control this time and that should help him feel a lot better! Cummins goes for the second bumper of the over and directs it well again, at the helmet, Ramandeep Singh fetches the pull from over his head and rides the bounce well to pull it flat and over the deep backward square leg fence for six more runs. A much-needed productive over for Kolkata, 13 runs off it.

A bit full and on middle, Phil Salt sits deep in his crease and swivels to swat it on the bounce to Shahbaz Ahmed at deep square leg for another single.

Hurls it at 144.3 kph, on a good length, on middle and leg, Ramandeep Singh plays it with a straight bat to long on for a single.

Honing in at the stumps, on a good length, Ramandeep Singh clips it neatly but straight to mid-wicket.

FOUR! Not in complete control but Ramandeep Singh has his first boundary of the night! Cummins bends his back and bangs in a sharp and quick bumper, at the batter, Ramandeep Singh is late on the pull and fails to ride the bounce. Gets a bit of glove on it and it comes off the helmet eventually. It sails over Heinrich Klaasen for a boundary.

Goes full and on the pads, Phil Salt glances it away down to fine leg to rotate the strike.

Short and flat, around off, Phil Salt goes deep in his crease and cracks the cut to deep cover for a single to keep the strike.

This is on a nagging length, on off, Phil Salt punches it firmly but straight to cover.

Quick single taken! Another googly from Markande, short and on off, Ramandeep Singh goes on the back foot and pats it in front of cover. He calls Phil Salt through for a quick single and the latter responds in agreement. The cover fielder comes charging in and flicks it with his right hand in one motion. His throw comes at chest height to Heinrich Klaasen at the batting end which allows Salt to make his ground before the bails were taken off by Klaasen.

Ramandeep Singh walks out to bat for Kolkata at number 6.

OUT! TAKEN! Instant impact for Mayank Markande! Nitish Rana tries to innovate but it does not come off! Markande dishes out the googly from over the wicket, on a nagging length, at the stumps, Nitish Rana premeditates and changes his stance to nail the switch hit. Hits it well but does not get the elevation to clear the fielder at backward point. Picks out Rahul Tripathi there who takes a reverse cup catch near his face.

Keeps it full and flat, around off, Phil Salt clears his front leg and slaps it along the ground to deep cover for a run.

Starts off with a flighted delivery, full and on the pads, Nitish Rana uses his feet and turns this one behind square on the leg side for a single.

Mayank Markande is brought into the attack by Pat Cummins.

Length delivery, on off, Phil Salt hits through the line and drills it straight to Mayank Markande at cover.

Lands it on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Phil Salt backs away and slaps it to the right of wide long on for a couple of runs more.

JUST OVER! Catchable but it would be too harsh to call that as dropped! Jansen hits the deck hard and bowls it on off, Nitish Rana makes room to go big on the off side. The ball gets big on him and it comes off the splice of the bat. It loops towards extra cover where Abdul Samad runs sideways and stretches out his right hand but only manages to get fingertips to it. They cross.

Angles it away again, on a back of a length, outside off, Phil Salt throws his hands at it and gets an outside edge that goes down to deep third for one.

Fuller in length, on off, Phil Salt drives it with a straight bat to the right of mid off where Pat Cummins puts in a dive but in vain. The fielder at long on runs around to his left and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Change of ends for Marco Jansen and he starts well! Bowls it with a scrambled seam, on a hard length from over the wicket, going across the right-hander, Phil Salt shapes up to use the pace but gets beaten by the extra bounce on offer.

Attacks the stumps now with a good-length delivery, Nitish Rana hangs back in his crease and nudges it in front of mid-wicket. End of Powerplay and Kolkata are currently 43/3.

This is at 130.6 kph with an upright seam, in the channel on off, on a good length, Nitish Rana looks to work it behind square on the off side but misses.

Angling in, on a back of a length, on middle, Phil Salt gets on his toes to punch it through the off side but gets an inside edge to the left of short fine leg for a single.

Serves it right up to the batter, on off, Phil Salt drives it along the ground but straight to mid off.

Strays on the pads slightly, fuller in length, Nitish Rana glances it away off his pads to deep square leg for one.

Angling away, on a length, on off, Phil Salt knocks it to the left of mid off and gets to the other end.

WIDE! Bangs it in way too short, around leg, Phil Salt ducks and lets it go for a wide.

Bowls another short ball on the off stump line. Nitish Rana pulls it along the ground to the left of mid on and runs a couple to end the over.

Pitches the ball on the good length just outside off stump. Nitish Rana gets an outside edge falling short of a wide first slip.

FOUR! Short ball this time and rightly punished by Nitish Rana! Pat Cummins bangs in a bouncer at the helmet of Nitish Rana with no protection in the deep behind square. Nitish Rana launches a pull and takes the ball over square leg for a boundary on the bounce.

Hits the deck hard on top of the off stump line. Nitish Rana stays on the crease and blocks it off towards point.

Pitches the ball up outside the line of the off stump and Phil Salt drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Bangs in short at the line of the off stump. Phil Salt stays back in the crease and blocks it off well.

Swings the ball up outside the off stump line. Nitish Rana takes the front foot out and drives the ball to point to end the over. End of a brilliant over from Natarajan, 2 wickets and 5 runs off it.

Nitish Rana is the new batter in.

OUT! CAUGHT! The skipper of Kolkata goes back for a duck! T Natarajan picks up the second wicket of the over and has turned the game on its head. Pitches the ball on a good length just outside the off-stump line with pace. Shreyas Iyer looks to go over the top but the extra pace on the ball rushes him and he mistimes the shot. Pat Cummins, standing at mid off, times the jump to perfection and grabs the ball with both hands to send back Shreyas Iyer.

Hits the length hard outside the line of the off stump line. Shreyas Iyer stays on the crease and blocks it off well towards point.

The Kolkata skipper, Shreyas Iyer makes his way out to the centre in his 200th T20 game.

OUT! CAUGHT! Venkatesh Iyer has to walk back after hitting the boundary and T Natarajan has the last laugh! Pitches the ball up outside the off-stump line with a minor change in pace that worked well in the end for T Natarajan. Venkatesh Iyer takes out the front foot and drives it in the air straight to Marco Jansen standing at short cover, who takes a sharp catch near his knees.

FOUR! Venkatesh Iyer joins the party with his first boundary of the innings! T Natarajan pitches the ball on the legs, looking for some swing and Venkatesh Iyer steps down the track and flicks the ball to the right of short fine leg and it runs away to the boundary line.

Brilliant effort at mid on by Aiden Markram! T Natarajan drops it just short on the line of the leg stump and Phil Salt slaps it back to the left of mid on with pace. Aiden Markram runs to his left and puts in a full-length drive to stop the ball and keeps it to just a single.

Swings one into the left-hander from a good length. Venkatesh Iyer flicks the ball to the right of fine leg and runs a couple to end the over.

Another that goes past the bat! Angles it across the batter, on a length, around off, Venkatesh Iyer shuffles across a bit and plays for the ball swinging back into him. This goes the other way and whizzes past the outside edge.

Attacks the stumps with a good-length delivery, Phil Salt covers the line of the ball and stabs it down in front of cover for a quick single.

And again! Much closer to the off-stump, on a hard length, Phil Salt hops back and stays leg side of the ball to defend with a straight bat. The ball nips away off the deck and zips past the bat.

Beauty! Shaping away, on a back of a length, in the channel on off, Phil Salt shapes up to play at it but gets opened up and gets beaten all ends up.

Jags back in, on a back of a length, on middle, Venkatesh Iyer adjusts well and nudges it to square leg for a single to get off the mark.

Venkatesh Iyer is in at number 3.

OUT! RUN OUT! No way there was a run and Sunil Narine pays a hefty price for the mistake! Shahbaz Ahmed nails the direct hit and sends him back. Marco Jansen drops the ball short at the helmet of Phil Salt who adjusts well and taps the ball straight to Shahbaz Ahmed at point. Sunil Narine calls for a single and runs half way down the track before Phil Salt could send him back. Shahbaz Ahmed scores a direct hit on the bowler's end and Sunil Narine had given up and he is not even in the frame.

SIX! Three in three! Phil Salt has started off in brilliant style! Marco Jansen pitches the ball up outside the line of the off stump and the result is the same! Phil Salt takes the front foot out and launches the ball over mid off and takes it all the way over the boundary line for the third maximum in a row.

SIX! This time a little square and a little longer! Phil Salt taking Marco Jansen for a swing in the park! Two sixes in two balls! Marco Jansen bowls short and wide outside the line of the off stump once again and Phil Salt says thank you. Slaps the ball in the air over point and times it brilliantly to take it all the way for an even bigger six.

SIX! Throws his bat at it hard and gets the result! First SIX of the match and it is off the bat of Phil Salt! Marco Jansen drops the ball short and outside the line of the off stump allowing Phil Salt to swing his arms and times it well to take the ball over covers for a huge maximum.

WIDE! Wayward outside the off-stump line this time from Marco Jansen. The umpire signals wide.

Too much swing on that from a good length on the leg stump. Phil Salt looks to heave it on the leg side but gets a hit on the pads outside the line of the leg stump and the ball goes straight to short fine leg.

Pitches it up outside the off-stump line from a good length. Sunil Narine looks to go big but gets the inside part of the bat towards mid on and runs a single.

It will be Marco Jansen, the left-arm seamer, to steam in from the other end.

Beats him all ends up does Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Hits the deck hard and gets the ball to move into the right-hander. Phil Salt walks in and tries to defend it but the ball zips past the outside edge and goes through to the keeper.

Bowls another outswinger to the right-hander from a good length outside off. Phil Salt takes the front foot out and drives it straight to covers.

Pitches the ball up on the line of the stumps. Sunil Narine tucks the ball to the right of mid on and runs a single to open his account.

Nails an inswinging yorker on the off stump line. Sunil Narine drives it straight to covers from the crease.

Swings one up from a good length on top of the off stump. Sunil Narine takes the front foot out and taps the ball to the left of the bowler.

WIDE! Wayward from Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Drags one outside the line of the leg stump. The umpire signals Wide.

Starts off on a good length, outside the off stump with an early outswinger. Phil Salt goes for a cover drive but gets an outside edge to deep third for a single to open the account on the first ball.

We are all set for the action to commence as the two umpires make their way out to the middle. Mitchell Starc and Ian Bishop ring the bell, which is a tradition at this venue to signal the start of play. Hyderabad are done with their huddle talk and they now stride out to the centre. Playing in his first game for Kolkata, Phil Salt walks out to open the innings alongside Sunil Narine. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is at the top of his mark and he is raring to go. The countdown is done and dusted. Let's play...

Shreyas Iyer, the skipper of Kolkata, says that it feels fantastic to be back. States that he has been training for a while and has played a few matches in the lead-up to this tournament. Mentions that his team thrives on spin, Sunil Narine and Varun Chakaravarthy have been brilliant over the years and Suyash Sharma had a good last season as well. Feels that they have to be strategically strong and need to see how the wicket plays. Shares that they have no targets in mind and will assess the conditions in the middle but he sees a bit of dryness in the wicket. Ends by informing that Phil Salt, Sunil Narine, Andre Russell and Mitchell Starc are the four overseas players.

The skipper of Hyderabad, Pat Cummins says that they will bowl first. Mentions that the the wicket looks really good and they will try to chase the score. He talks about keeping the plans simple and execution is going to be the key for the bowlers. Informs that Marco Jansen, Aiden Markram and Heinrich Klaasen are the other 3 overseas players. Ends by saying that they have prepared well and the execution starts now and if they start well, they are looking at a good season ahead.

Impact Players nominated by Hyderabad - Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Umran Malik, Glenn Phillips and Abhishek Sharma.

Hyderabad (Playing XI) - Mayank Agarwal, Rahul Tripathi, Aiden Markram, Heinrich Klaasen (WK), Abdul Samad, Shahbaz Ahmed, Marco Jansen, Pat Cummins (C), Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mayank Markande, T Natarajan.

Impact Players nominated by Kolkata - Suyash Sharma, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Rahmanullah Gurbaz.

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

TOSS - The coin toss lands in the favour of Hyderabad and they have opted to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Ian Bishop is pitchside. He starts by informing that 67 metres is the bigger of the two square boundaries, with the other being 62 metres, and it is a 75-metre hit down the ground. Brian Lara joins him and says that this pitch is going to have a lot of runs. Adds that there is a little tinge of brown grass but feels that this is going to be an absolute belter. States that both teams have experienced bowlers, and they will have to use their experience on this surface. Mentions that whichever team bats first is not going to feel comfortable if it does not post a score over 200.

As we wait for the coin to go up here in Kolkata, you can switch tabs and join our coverage of the first game of the day between Punjab and Delhi. With 7 overs remaining, Punjab are currently 108/4, needing 67 more runs to win and the game might well go down to the wire there.

On the other hand, Hyderabad finds themselves under the leadership of Pat Cummins, aiming to reverse their fortunes after a lackluster 2023 season where they finished at the bottom of the table. With Cummins at the helm, Hyderabad harbors hopes of resurgence, drawing inspiration from his stellar leadership during Australia's triumphant campaigns in the previous year's world tournaments. As the stage is set for an enthralling encounter, both teams are poised to unleash their prowess and vie for a winning start to their Indian T20 League 2024 journey. Stay tuned for the Toss and team news.

Iyer, who missed the entirety of the previous season due to a debilitating back injury, is set to make a triumphant comeback as Kolkata's captain. Despite his recent sparkling performance with a stellar 95-run innings in Mumbai's Ranji Trophy triumph, concerns linger over his fitness and availability for the entire season. However, Kolkata's strategic acquisitions, coupled with the astute mentorship of their most successful leader, Gautam Gambhir, who returns in his second innings as a mentor, inject optimism into the team's prospects.

A very warm welcome to each and every one of you joining us here as we move on to Day number 2 of this Indian T20 League. A doubleheader weekend and it is the city of Joy to host the upcoming match. The spotlight will be on Shreyas Iyer's return from a prolonged injury hiatus as Kolkata prepares to clash against Hyderabad in their opening match at the iconic Eden Gardens. The much-anticipated showdown will witness a captivating battle between two marquee signings of the Indian T20 League history, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, both Aussies will be facing each other in their first League match of the season. 

... MATCH DAY ...

The Indian T20 League 2024 gears up for an electrifying encounter as Kolkata kicks off its campaign against Hyderabad in Match 3 at the iconic Eden Gardens stadium in Kolkata. Both teams enter the fray with aspirations of starting their season on a high note, setting the stage for an enthralling battle. The fixture gains added intrigue as Hyderabad takes the field under the leadership of their new skipper, Pat Cummins, who aims to guide his team to redemption after a lackluster performance in the previous edition. Eden Gardens, renowned for its lively atmosphere and unpredictable pitch conditions, promises an exhilarating contest between bat and ball. Initially favoring seam and swing, the pitch gradually evolves to offer batting-friendly conditions as the game progresses, with spinners coming into play later in the innings. Despite the historic tendencies of the Eden Gardens wicket, the first match of the season might witness a relatively balanced contest, with both batsmen and bowlers striving to adapt to the early conditions. In the 2023 season, Kolkata endured an inconsistent campaign, finishing in the seventh position and narrowly missing out on the playoffs by a margin of four points. However, the franchise has bolstered its squad significantly for the 2024 season, injecting renewed optimism among its loyal fanbase. With a revamped lineup and a fresh outlook, Kolkata aims to rectify past shortcomings and launch a formidable challenge for the title in the upcoming season. On the other hand, Hyderabad finds itself in a transitional phase with a change in leadership as it seeks to bounce back from a disappointing outing in the previous edition, where it languishes at the bottom of the table. With the appointment of Pat Cummins as the new captain, Hyderabad looks to harness their potential and channel their collective energy towards a resurgence in the league. Armed with a mix of experienced campaigners and promising youngsters, Hyderabad aims to make a statement of intent right from the outset against Kolkata in a bid to turn their fortunes around. As the cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits the showdown at Eden Gardens, all eyes will be on Kolkata and Hyderabad as they lock horns in a battle of skill, strategy, and sheer determination. With both teams vying for early momentum in the tournament, the stage is set for an exhilarating clash that promises to enthrall fans and set the tone for an action-packed season of the Indian T20 League 2024.