Lucknow Super Giants vs Kolkata Knight Riders, IPL, 2024 Full score card

OUT! PLUMB IN FRONT! A confident appeal and up goes the finger! Harshit Rana bowls the off-cutter from over the wicket, full and straight, at the stumps, Ravi Bishnoi fails to pick the change of pace and presses forward to clip it away off his pads. He gets undone by the lack of pace and gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball goes through to rap him on the crouched back leg right in front of the stumps. It looked dead straight at first glance and this looks like a review more in hope than anything else by Ravi Bishnoi. There is nothing on UltraEdge and the Ball Tracking shows the ball to be clipping the leg stump and it is umpire's call. The on-field decision will stand and it is all over for Lucknow. All smiles in the Kolkata camp as they win by a handsome margin of 98 runs.

Strategic Break! Well, Kolkata is just one wicket away from getting a convincing victory which will not only inflate its net run rate but also help to climb to the top of the Points Table. It has been absolutely one-way traffic since the fall of KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis as Lucknow just couldn't strike a comeback into this game, losing wickets at regular intervals.

OUT! TAKEN! Varun Chakaravarthy gets his reward for floating it up there! Chakaravarthy offers flight from over the wicket, full and around off, Yudhvir Singh gets down for the slog sweep. He swings with all his might but only manages to get a top edge that goes high in the air but only as far as cover where Andre Russell settles under the skier and makes no mistake. Third wicket of the night for Chakaravarthy and Lucknow are crumbling towards a heavy defeat.

Drags the length back and bowls it on off, Yudhvir Singh goes on the back foot and pushes it to cover.

SIX! Yudhvir Singh finally connects! Tosses it up, full and on off, Yudhvir Singh accepts the invitation and hits it cleanly over wide long on for a maximum.

Flatter and quicker, on off, Yudhvir Singh hangs back to keep it out but gets rushed and gets beaten on the inside edge.

How did that miss the stumps? Loops it up nicely, full and around off, turning in, Yudhvir Singh gets down for a big heave across the line but misses as the ball sneaks just past the off stump.

Goes full and on off, Ravi Bishnoi knocks it down to long on for a single.

Bangs it into the deck, over middle, Yudhvir Singh swings for the pull but fails to connect.

Fullish delivery, on off, Ravi Bishnoi goes for the drive away from his body. Gets an inside edge that sneaks past the stumps and rolls down to fine leg for one.

Ravi Bishnoi is in at number 10 for Lucknow.

OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Phil Salt does not drop those! Bangs it into the deck, on off, Krunal Pandya arches back and shapes up to play the upper cut over the keeper. The ball comes on quicker than he anticipated and gets big on him. Pandya gets a feather on it and Salt does the rest by leaping and completes it with ease.

DROPPED! Shreyas Iyer does all the hard work of getting there but puts it down! Takes pace off and serves it on a length, on off, Krunal Pandya looks to go over mid off but skies it high in the air. Shreyas Iyer turns around and does get to the ball in time. Attempts to reverse cup it near his chest but it bursts through his hands. Two runs taken.

Bowls it on a back of a length, on off, Yudhvir Singh gets on his toes and dabs it to the left of backward point for a single.

Length ball, shade outside the off stump, Krunal Pandya tries to get underneath it but fails to time the lofted shot and gets an inside half of the bat to the leg side for a single.

The concussion substitute for Mohsin Khan, Yudhvir Singh comes out to bat now. Also, Harshit Rana (2-0-19-1) returns to the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! Now, that's an unlucky way to get out! Full in length, drifting around off, Turner goes for a big heave and is down on one knee for an expansive shot but he gets a thickish inside edge onto his left boot and the ball deflects straight into the hands of Varun Chakravarthy who takes a simply dolly of a catch coming forward. The TV Umpire checks and confirms that the ball has clearly deflected off the boot and didn't bump off the ground.

Has that come off the boot? The third umpire is called into action to check for a bump catch. The replays indicate that it has clearly come off the boot without any contact with the ground. OUT flashes on the big screen.

SIX! He's having some fun here! Punished! Varun Chakravarthy drops a googly right into the hitting arc around off, Ashton Turner sits down again and thumps it over cow corner for another maximum.

Drops it short around off, Krunal Pandya punches it through covers for one.

Around the wicket now, on the dragged length, outside off, Krunal Pandya drags it to short mid-wicket.

A googly to follow-up, around off, Ashton Turner backs away and drops it to backward point for a single.

SIX! Shot! Offers a nice juicy half-volley at the stumps, Ashton Turner gets down on one knee and slogs it over the deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

On a length around off stump. Ashton Turner stays away and punches it in front of square for a run.

Back of a length and angling at the stumps, Ashton Turner hangs back and punches it to extra cover.

Back of a length, on off, Krunal Pandya looks to cut, but is cramped for room, and mistimes it towards backward point for a single.

Krunal Pandya makes his way out to the centre.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! Sunil Narine gets a wicket now and Lucknow is falling apart here. Sunil Narine bowls it on a slightly pulled-back length around off, Ayush Badoni gets his dancing shoes on and charges ahead to go downtown but fails to generate enough power on the shot as the bat twists in his hand a bit and hence, it slices up in the night sky for a fair bit of time and sails over mid off. Mitchell Starc from long off comes forward and takes a comfortable catch.

Shade fuller in length, angling on the pads, Ashton Turner nudges it with soft hands towards square leg for a single.

Fuller and on the off stump, Ayush Badoni leans onto the ball and drives it along the ground for a single to long on.

Short in length, around off, Ayush Badoni lifts his front leg and tucks it towards deep mid-wicket for a single. Another successful over for Kolkata.

Leg bye! Fuller and slower, on middle and leg, Ashton Turner has a swipe across the line but gets beaten on the inside edge. The ball rolls off his pads to the leg side for a leg bye.

WIDE! Digs it in short, around off, Ashton Turner sways away from the line of the ball and lets it go as the ball sails over his head for a wide. Shreyas Iyer challenges the wide call but it is clearly going over the head. Kolkata lose their review.

WIDE! Bangs in a bumper, outside off, Ashton Turner watches it go over his head. Wide given.

Takes pace off and it is on a back of a length, over middle, Ayush Badoni waits on it and works it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Slips in a full delivery, sliding onto the pads, Ashton Turner clips it in front of square on the leg side and gets off the mark with a single.

Ashton Turner is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Dre Russ strikes again and is over the moon with this crucial wicket! Short ball on the middle, getting the bounce right, over middle, Nicholas Pooran goes for a pull shot but gets a feather on it that carries straight to Phil Salt behind the wickets who takes an alert catch. The dangerous Pooran goes back now and Lucknow is in all sorts of trouble. Andre Russell, with this scalp, gets the better of his fellow countryman for the fifth time in the T20s now.

IN THE AIR...DROPPED! Bangs it short in length, on the chest level of Badoni. He swivels to pull but the ball is quick at him as he is late and the ball takes off the leading edge and hangs up in the night sky for an eternity. Sunil Narine stationed at deep third runs forward but does not commit to the catch and the ball deflects off his boots and rolls towards the converging fielder from deep fine leg. They cross for a single.

Short in length, around the middle and off, Ayush Badoni steers it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for an easy single. A very, very tidy over from Narine. Just four from it.

Flatter and quicker on off, Ayush Badoni brings his bat in time and pushes it back to Narine.

Slower, turning on the pads on a length, Ayush Badoni nudges it straight to short fine.

Drifts it further away from off on a fullish length, Nicholas Pooran reaches out and drives it well through covers for a single.

Slower through the air, on a length, on middle, Ayush Badoni tucks it along the ground to long on for one more run.

Lands this on off and on a length, Nicholas Pooran pushes it towards long off for a single.

Sunil Narine (2-0-14-0) is back.

On a fullish length, on middle, Ayush Badoni clips it in the vacant mid-wicket region and comes charging back for the second run. At the halfway mark, Lucknow are 96/4, needing 140 runs from 60 balls.

A direct hit and Ayush Badoni was a goner! Tucks the batter up for room as this is bowled on a back of a length, over middle, Nicholas Pooran dabs it wide of backward point and sets off for the run. Ramandeep Singh gets to the ball quickly but the ball sticks in his hand and even though, he manages to release the throw, it is well away from the stumps at the batting end.

Play and a miss! Angling across the batter, on a good length, Nicholas Pooran frees his arms to force it through the off side but gets beaten on the outside edge.

Angling in, on a back of a length, on middle, Ayush Badoni turns it through mid-wicket and gets to the other end.

SIX! Ayush Badoni takes on the short ball and it comes off. Russell digs it in short, over middle, Ayush Badoni hangs back and rides the bounce well. Nails the pull over deep square leg for a maximum.

WIDE! Digs it in short but it sails over the batter's head. Wide given.

Ayush Badoni is in at number 6 for Lucknow.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Andre Russell strikes gold for Kolkata with his first delivery. A body blow to Lucknow as the in-form Marcus Stoinis departs. 5th time in T20 cricket that Russell has dismissed Stoinis and the match-up has worked for the visitors. Bowls it from over the wicket, on a good length, on off, Marcus Stoinis stays put and has a swipe across the line. The ball comes in a touch and catches the top edge of the bat. It goes high in the night sky towards point where Harshit Rana runs a few steps in and opts to take it low near his knees.

Andre Russell is into the attack now. He replaces Harshit Rana.

Almost chopped it back onto the stumps! Angling away and away from the reach of the batter, full and on off, Nicholas Pooran reaches out and throws his hands at it. Gets an inside edge that deflects back onto the left pad of the keeper, Phil Salt.

Tosses it up, full and aimed at the stumps, Marcus Stoinis gets down and sweeps it to the right of deep mid-wicket for another run.

Drops it short and it is outside off, Nicholas Pooran shapes up to force it through the off side. Miscues his shot down to long on for one.

SIX! BANG! Nicholas Pooran is away! Varun Chakaravarthy comes from around the wicket and gets the ball to turn in, on a length, on off, Nicholas Pooran gets down on one knee and leaves nothing in the tank. Smokes it over long on for a biggie to open his account.

Strategic Break! Time for a breather here and a much-needed one for Lucknow as they have just lost their third wicket in the form of Deepak Hooda. KL Rahul and Marcus Stoinis steered the innings well for Lucknow after an early loss of wicket and also had a decent Powerplay with the latter muscling the ball to the fence from the get-go. However, just when KL Rahul decided to up the ante from his end, he lost his wicket which must have dearly cost Lucknow especially in such a gigantic run chase. Kolkata has rotated the bowlers well and would be aiming to compound on this opening created by the bowlers. Let's see how the next man in Nicholas Pooran negotiates with the pressure conditions. Will he and Stoinis be able to bail Lucknow out of this mess? Let's find out...

OUT! LBW! A big shout and up goes the finger. It looks dead straight but Deepak Hooda has taken the review. Did he get some bat on it? Or does he feel that it is going over the stumps? Varun Chakaravarthy slips it on a full length, on middle and leg, Deepak Hooda strides ahead to defend but fails to smother the spin. The ball turns in sharply, sneaks past the inside edge, and pings Hooda on the flap of the front pad. There is nothing on UltraEdge and it is umpire's call on Ball Tracking with the ball clipping the top of the leg stump. Hooda feels hard done by the decision but he will have to keep walking. Lucknow keep their review but lose Hooda.

Starts off on a short length, a bit of extra bounce, on middle, Marcus Stoinis goes on the back foot and whips it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Varun Chakaravarthy comes into the attack now. He replaces Sunil Narine.

Pitches it right up, on off, Marcus Stoinis drives it to long off and retains the strike with a single.

Did that carry? Yes, it just about carried but it would be too harsh to call it a drop. Length delivery, angling in, on off and middle, Deepak Hooda looks to push it down the ground. The bat twists a bit in his hand and it comes off the inside half of the bat. Harshit gets low to his right near his shoelaces and only manages to get his fingertips to it. They cross.

FOUR! Nicely done and Deepak Hooda is away! Goes full and straight does Rana, at the stumps, Deepak Hooda picks up the length early and flicks it up and over mid-wicket. It almost went the distance for a maximum.

Deepak Hooda is in at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Harshit Rana gets rid of the Lucknow skipper! KL Rahul could not have picked the man in the deep any better. Lands it on a good length and the width is there for the batter to pounce on, KL Rahul's eyes light up as he throws his hands at it. He has no intention of keeping the ball along the ground. Hits it flat and it is straight down the throat of deep cover where Ramandeep Singh takes it near his face.

FOUR! Heaved away and it goes in the gap! On a good length, just outside off, KL Rahul drags the sway from outside off and manages to pick the gap as he hits it to the left of deep square leg for a much-needed boundary. 50-run stand comes up between these two batters.

Bowls it on a back of a length, on off and middle, Marcus Stoinis backs away and hurriedly slaps it down to long on for one.

Drags the length back and gets the ball to turn into the pads, Marcus Stoinis works it in front of square on the leg side. They push hard but the fielder in the deep is quick to get to the ball and keeps it down to one. 10 runs off Narine's over, Lucknow will take it any day of the week.

FOUR! Width offered and Marcus Stoinis cashes in! Tosses it up does Narine and ends up offering width on off, full in length, Marcus Stoinis creams the drive to the right of cover and beats long off to his left for a boundary.

Pushes it through, fuller and on off, KL Rahul shuffles across a bit and gets down to sweep. It comes off the inner half of the bat and the batters cross as the ball rolls in front of short fine leg.

Angling into the pads, on a nagging length, Marcus Stoinis turns it through square leg for one more run.

Good running! Turning away fractionally, short and around off, Marcus Stoinis punches it with a straight bat to the left of long on. It is placed well and that allows Stoinis to come back for the second run.

It goes straight from over the wicket, full and on middle and leg, KL Rahul knocks it down the ground to long on and rotates the strike.

Hits the deck hard again, over the off-stump line, Marcus Stoinis rides the bounce well and stabs it down the deck. Good comeback by Rana after being hit for a six.

Absolute beauty! Bowls it with an upright seam, on off, Marcus Stoinis hangs back in his crease and presents a straight bat to keep it out. The ball nips away off the deck and zips past the bat. A nod of approval from Stoinis.

WIDE! Attempts the slower delivery but gets the line wrong. Full and down leg, Marcus Stoinis misses the tickle. Wide given.

Hurls it on a hard length, on off, at 141.6 kph, Marcus Stoinis gets on top of the bounce nicely and punches it to cover-point.

SIX! Picked up beautifully! Harshit bangs it into the deck, around the middle and leg stump line, Marcus Stoinis swivels and gets inside the line. Helps the pull shot away over the fine leg fence for a maximum.

Takes pace off and it is much fuller, on off and middle, Marcus Stoinis reads it well and pushes it with a straight bat back to the bowler.

Starts off on a length, on off, KL Rahul tries to drill it down the ground but scuffs his shot off the inner half of the bat to the right of mid on for a single.

Harshit Rana replaces Mitchell Starc.

Slightly on a dragged length, turning on the middle and leg, KL Rahul tucks it to square leg for a single and retains his strike.

Follows the batter does Narine as KL Rahul shuffles down the leg stump, and lands it on the leg stump line, KL Rahul punches it to covers.

Aims the off stump on a slightly fuller length, KL Rahul rocks back deep in the crease and cuts it but finds the fielder at cover.

Quicker and flatter on the middle, KL Rahul reads the ball well and cuts it sharply through the cover-point region for a couple of runs.

WIDE! Turns it down leg on a fuller length, KL Rahul goes for a sweep and misses. Wide given.

Drags his length a bit, drifts it on the middle and leg, KL Rahul dances down the track to flick it away but gets the ball pinged on the pad and the ball rolls towards the left of the bowler.

Over the wicket, pitches on off and full, KL Rahul nudges it with soft hands to short mid-wicket.

Time for spin as Sunil Narine comes on to bowl now.

Around the wicket, angling in from off on a hard length, Marcus Stoinis punches it firmly to the point fielder to end the over. 13 runs from it.

FOUR! Width and punished! Starc offers some width outside off, on a length, Marcus Stoinis cuts it powerfully through cover-point for a cracking boundary. He is giving it a whack at the moment.

FOUR! Sheer power on this one! Overpitched on the off stump line, Marcus Stoinis clears his front leg, makes some room and spanks it over mid off for a boundary.

Full, outside off, Marcus Stoinis goes to drive but misses on the outside edge.

FOUR! Oh, that's hammered away! Slants it across off, on a length, Marcus Stoinis slashes it with sheer muscle-power through cover-point for a boundary.

Over the wicket, fuller in length at 142.8 kph, slanting across and outside off, KL Rahul goes for the drive, but gets an inside-edge and the ball rolls towards the left of the keeper. They cross for a single.

A head-height bumper, Marcus Stoinis ducks underneath it.

SIX! That's some way to get off the mark! Short and wide of off, Marcus Stoinis upper cuts it over short third and gets a maximum off his very first delivery. The ball boy runs around to his right and takes it cleanly near his thighs. After completing the catch, he raises the ball with his right hand and the fielding coach of Lucknow, Jonty Rhodes is impressed with the technique of taking the catch. Certainly, a moment to remember for the ball boy.

Good length again, swinging in on middle, KL Rahul nudges it to short mid-wicket for a sharp single.

Back of a length, shaping in around off, KL Rahul cuts it straight to backward point.

WIDE! Full and swinging in down the leg side, KL Rahul misses the flick to the keeper. Wided.

Good length shaping into the stumps, KL Rahul flicks it to deep backward square leg for a brace.

Given caught behind but oh, wait, KL Rahul has sent it upstairs and challenged the decision as he believes that the ball hasn't nicked off his bat. Vaibhav Arora angles it on the pads on the back of a length, KL Rahul goes for a flick but misses and Phil Salt collects the ball by diving to his left just a few centimeters above the ground. The UltraEdge comes up and confirms that the ball has indeed brushed off his pads and hence, the on-field decision has been overturned. KL Rahul survives a scare.

Marcus Stoinis comes in at number 3.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND TAKEN! OH, MY WORD! THIS IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST CATCHES OF THIS SEASON! Ramandeep Singh, you beauty! Starc angles the ball into the batter on a shade fuller length, on the middle and leg, Arshin Kulkarni looks to flick it over the leg side but he closes the bat's face way too early and as a result, the ball flies up in the night sky catching a thick leading edge over the cover region. The ball flies up for an eternity and Ramandeep Singh from covers sprints backwards and keeps his eyes on the ball before taking an absolute blinder of a catch diving forward. He stopped a bit for a second before picking up pace and then dived to his left to grab it with the ball swirling away from him.

At 139 kph, on the hard length, on off, Arshin Kulkarni gets ahead and pushes it straight to the fielder at short cover.

Across off on a hard length, whispering the off stump, Arshin Kulkarni covers his off-pole and decides to not poke at it.

FOUR! Chipped in the air but in the gap and for four more! At 144 kph, into the batter on a fuller length, Arshin Kulkarni chips it into the air between mid on and mid-wicket for a boundary.

Inswinging on a fuller length, KL Rahul plays the flick shot toward widish mid on and gets to the other end with a single.

FOUR! KLass written all over it! Across off on a fuller length, KL Rahul prods ahead and drives it crisply through cover-point for a boundary.

It will be Mitchell Starc to steam in from the other end.

FOUR! Picture this says Kulkarni! Vaibhav Arora bowls full and gets to swing into the batter from off, Arshin Kulkarni walks a couple of steps ahead and presents full face of the willow with a solid timing, straight down the ground for a cracking boundary. 11 runs off the first over of this mammoth chase.

Another one with an inward movement, on a length, around leg, KL Rahul tucks it with soft hands towards widish fine leg for a single.

Gets off the mark with a single. Swinging in on a fuller length, on middle and leg, Arshin Kulkarni flicks it towards deep backward square leg for a single.

Fuller and on off, Arshin Kulkarni reads the ball coming into him well and presents a solid front foot defence.

Full, angling in from off, KL Rahul pushes it to mid off for a quick single.

FOUR! KL Rahul commences this mammoth run chase with a boundary! Vaibhav Arora begins with a shortish delivery, around off, KL Rahul covers his off stump, watches the ball alertly and closely, deftly touches it and guides it through the gap between short third and point for a boundary.

SIX! BOOM! What a sensational finish from Ramandeep Singh and Kolkata finish strong! Yash Thakur offers a juicy full toss on the middle and leg, Ramandeep Singh gets underneath it and picks the bones out of with and deposits it behind deep mid-wicket for a maximum. He finishes off in style for Kolkata as they finish on 235.

FOUR! Oh, nicely done! Slower bouncer, outside off, Ramandeep Singh has all the time in the world as he waits for the ball to come close to him, uses the bounce and calculates the pace before he guides it over the short third for a boundary.

Full in length, and slower in pace, angling across off, Venkatesh Iyer drives it to long off for one.

Venkatesh Iyer comes out to the middle now.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! An absolute screamer of a catch from KL Rahul! Yash bowls a slower bouncer going down leg, Shreyas Iyer swivels to help it away fine to deep fine leg but only manages to catch the faint brush off his gloves. KL Rahul puts in a full-stretched dive to his left and completes the catch to dismiss his opposition skipper.

Yorker on the middle, Shreyas Iyer jams it through mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Bowls full, angling on the pads, Shreyas Iyer flicks it through the gap between deep backward square leg and deep fine leg for a boundary.

WIDE! Slower bumper, angling on the leg stump line, just around the helmet level. Shreyas Iyer goes for a pull shot lifting his front leg up but doesn't connect. He reviews it for a Wide challenging the on-field decision. The split-screen does confirm that it is outside leg and the Umpire has to overturn the decision. Wided.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Yash Thakur (3-0-28-0).

SIX! Smoked over the ropes! Gee, he's playing a very crucial cameo here! Slower in pace, angling in on a length from outside off, Ramandeep Singh waits for the ball to come at him and swings it over long on for a maximum. He just manages to clear the leaping man at long on.

Full in length, outside off, Shreyas Iyer smashes it to long off for a single.

In the air...lands safe! Slower, shorter and on the top of the middle, Ramandeep Singh waits for it but doesn't time it at all over the mid on region. Yudhvir Singh runs backward and the fielder from long on too converges as well but the ball lands between both of them. A single taken.

SIX! Right into the slot and punished! Overpitched on the middle and off, Ramandeep Singh covers his stumps and clears his front foot before hoisting it with the middle of the bat over deep mid-wicket for half a dozen.

Short and angling on middle, Ramandeep Singh pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Full, slower and angling in, on off, Shreyas Iyer aims for a reverse scoop but adjusts his shot at the very last moment and pushes it towards backward point for a single.

Ramandeep Singh is the new man in. Yudhvir Singh will bowl the penultimate over.

OUT! TAKEN! Rinku Singh departs now and Naveen gets his third wicket. Bangs it short in length, over the top of the middle and leg, Rinku Singh looks to pull it but he plays it a bit close to the body, hence doesn't generate enough power and gets it off the high end of the bat. The ball lobs up and Marcus Stoinis stationed at square leg runs forward and completes the catch. Rinku Singh is really disappointed with himself as he couldn't get going.

FOUR! Expertly played by Rinku and 200 comes up for the first time at this venue in any form of T20 cricket. Full and slanting across off, Rinku Singh uses the pace and goes through covers for a boundary.

Bowls it full and on off, Shreyas Iyer works it to long off for a single.

FOUR! One bounce and a boundary! Full in length, just around off, Shreyas Iyer waits for this pace-off delivery and strikes it down the ground over the bowler's head for a one bounce four.

Short in length, outside off, Shreyas Iyer waits for an uppercut but misses on the outside edge. KL Rahul collects the ball at his chest level.

Cannons a yorker from over the wicket, lands it full around off, Rinku Singh bends low and squeezes it towards widish cover for a quick single.

Short in length at 140 clicks, on middle and leg, Rinku Singh pulls it towards deep backward square leg for an easy single to retain the strike.

Length ball, pace off, angling in from outside off, Shreyas Iyer cuts it to backward point for a single.

A low full toss, angling in from middle, Shreyas Iyer flicks it through square leg and gets back for the double.

IN THE AIR...DROPPED! A difficult chance though! Short in length, and on the middle and leg, Rinku Singh pulls it over square leg but doesn't get the timing right. The ball carries over to the deep where Krunal Pandya runs in and dives to take a low catch, gets his hands to it but eventually puts it down with the momentum. One taken in the meantime.

A low full toss this time on the leg stump line, Shreyas Iyer flicks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Poor and got the treatment! Full toss on the pads, Shreyas Iyer just uses the pace of the ball and guides it towards deep fine leg for a boundary.

Yorker down the leg stump, Shreyas Iyer misses to flick again and the ball goes to the keeper. Shreyas Iyer looks at the Umpire for a Wide but the Umpire is unmoved. He straight away goes upstairs and challenges the decision. The Umpire thinks that the ball has made contact with Iyer's boot but that's not the case as the replay shows the ball is clearly missing the boot. Wide given and the on-field decision has been overturned.

WIDE! Way, way down leg. Shreyas Iyer doesn't connect the flick and the Umpire signals for a Wide.

Yash Thakur (2-0-16-0) comes back into the attack, replacing Naveen-ul-Haq.

Oh, he really had to hurry for that run! Risky stuff. Bowls it on a length, around off, Shreyas Iyer plays it straight towards mid off and sets off for a single. Naveen-ul-Haq is quick to pick and throw at the non-striker's end but has a shy and Shreyas survives a suicidal run out.

On a good length, angling across on middle, Rinku Singh nudges it to widish mid on for a single.

FOUR! Nice and classy! Full length, angling across middle, Rinku Singh uses his wrists and flicks it high over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Same length, around off, Shreyas Iyer pushes it towards short cover for a single.

On the back of a length, angling in from off, Shreyas Iyer goes for a cut but misses.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! And again, a break causes a breakthrough and it's all happening here at Lucknow as the concussion sub, Yudhvir gets a wicket off his very first delivery. Short in length, angling in from outside off, just over the top of off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi looks to guide it towards short third getting on top of it but ends up getting a bottom edge that goes straight into the gloves of KL Rahul who makes no mistake. The captain of Kolkata, Shreyas Iyer comes out to bat now.

Strategic Break! The conditions are pretty well set for Rinku Singh to provide a strong finish and compound on the run rate accelerated by the top order, mostly by Sunil Narine who got out on a thundering 81 off just 39 deliveries. Lucknow, with the wicket of Andre Russell just in the over before the break would be aiming to get a couple of more and pull the target back to some extent. Yudhvir Singh comes on as the concussion substitute for Mohsin Khan, who banged his head on the turf while attempting the catch of Sunil Narine off Ravi Bishnoi's bowling. As Kolkata eyes another 200-plus score, will Lucknow restrict them below that mark? Let's find out how the last five overs pan out...

Good placement! Full and slanting in, at the stumps, Rinku Singh places it in the vacant mid-wicket region with soft hands and collects a couple of runs with ease. 9 runs off it but more importantly for Naveen-ul-Haq and Lucknow, they got the big wicket of Andre Russell.

Comes from over the wicket now and takes pace off, seeing the batter advance, on a good length, Rinku Singh adjusts and pushes it back to the bowler.

At the hips, on a back of a length, Rinku Singh glances it wide of deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Bowls it on a back of a length, on middle and leg, Rinku Singh is late on the flick and gets rapped high on the back leg.

Rinku Singh walks in at number 5 for Kolkata.

OUT! TAKEN! Krishnappa Gowtham, you beauty! Gowtham comes on as a substitute and pulls off a pressure catch. The crowd erupts and this is a massive wicket for Lucknow. Naveen-ul-Haq sticks to his plan of bowling near the wide guideline, on a length, Andre Russell stays deep in his crease and reaches out to go up and over cover. Slices it off the bottom half of the bat. Krishnappa Gowtham at cover, turns around and keeps his eyes on the ball all the way through. Takes it over his shoulder and the ball does not pop out even as his elbow hits the ground. An absolute screamer of a catch from Gowtham and Dre Russ departs without causing much damage.

WIDE! Tries to keep it away from the batter again, on a length but slips it beyond the wide guideline on off, Andre Russell gets low to force it through the off side but fails to connect. Lucknow review to overturn the decision of wide. However, the replays show that it was indeed beyond the tramline.

FOUR! Not in complete control but Andre Russell will take it! Serves it full in length and near the tramline on off, Andre Russell knows that mid off is inside the circle and he swings to clear the man there. Gets it off the toe-end of the bat and it goes back over the bowler's head, beating the sprinting long on fielder to his left for a boundary.

Halt! With that dive, Angkrish Raghuvanshi has hurt himself and he seems to be in some pain as well. KL Rahul checks up on him and Andre Russell too walks to see him. Raghuvanshi gets the requisite treatment and is good to continue.

Sliding onto the pads, short in length, Andre Russell works it off his pads towards short fine leg. Angkrish Raghuvanshi dives at the batting end to make his ground. Raghuvanshi has not got up and looks like he has injured himself while putting in the dive. Bishnoi is done for the night and he finishes with figures of 4-0-33-1.

Googly and it is quicker as well, short and on the pads, Andre Russell plays all around it and gets hit high on the front pad.

Pushes it through, short and on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi hurriedly gets his bat in line and gets an inside edge to short fine leg for one.

Pulls his length back and dishes out a googly, slower through the air, Angkrish Raghuvanshi shows his cards early as he shimmies down the track for a swipe across the line. Luckily for him, he manages to get an inside edge onto the pads. He was so far down the track that no bat on it would have resulted in an easy stumping for KL Rahul.

WIDE! Fires it in, on a length but down leg, Angkrish Raghuvanshi misses the tickle and it is called as a wide by the umpire.

FOUR! Good use of the feet! Loops it up, full and outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi gets down the track in a flash and takes it on the full. Lifts it back over the bowler's head and also manages to beat the sprinting long off fielder for a boundary.

How has that missed the off pole? Slips in a googly, full in length, around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi gets down and reaches out in front for the sweep. The ball sneaks in under the bat and goes just past the off-stump.

Slower through the air and on middle and leg, on a nagging length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi clips it through mid-wicket for one more run.

On a nagging length, on off, Andre Russell dabs it wide of point and gets to the other end.

WIDE! Tries to keep it away from the batter but ends up bowling it beyond the tramline on off. Andre Russell lets it go for a wide.

SIX! That's into the solar system! Full, and flighted at the middle stump. Andre Russell gets low on the front foot, gets underneath it, and hoists it over wide long on for a biggie. Gee, that full flow of the willow and on top of it, the muscle power of Dre Russ!

FIVE WIDES! Oh dear! That's too wayward from Krunal! He sprays it way down the leg side. Andre Russell misses to sweep and the ball also beats KL Rahul and guns down to fine leg for five wides.

Another one slating into the pads, Andre Russell looks to clip this full delivery but plays all over it to get hit on the pads.

Slanting in, full and on the pads, Andre Russell misses the clip and gets hit on the front pad.

Fuller and quicker, on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi works it in front of square on the leg side for one.

Andre Russell has been promoted to number 4 for Kolkata.

OUT! IN THE AIR AND GONE! Devdutt Padikkal does not make any mistake this time! Lucknow will be relieved that they have managed to end the carnage from Sunil Narine but they cannot breathe freely just yet as there is a lot of firepower still left in the shed for Kolkata. Bowls it full, on off, Sunil Narine shapes up to go big again and looks to clear long off. Skies it off the toe-end of the bat towards long off where Devdutt Padikkal runs in a few steps and takes it near his chest. The Lucknow crowd stands up to applaud the knock from Narine.

Full and it is another googly, on middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi drives it down to long on and brings Narine back on strike.

Full and on off, Sunil Narine knocks it down to wide long on for a single.

Halt! That must have hurt Mohsin Khan. He leaps to his right to take the catch at short third but fails to fetch it as the ball bursts through his hands. He falls and bangs his head on the ground. Not a good sign for Mohsin as he walks back to the dugout with the physio. He is being treated with the ice pack on his face just near the boundary ropes but surely, he is in discomfort.

ANOTHER CHANCE MISSED! Luck favoring the brave Sunil Narine. Slows it up and bowls it outside off, full as well, Sunil Narine clears his front leg to go back over the bowler's head. Gets a thickish outside edge that flies towards short third. Mohsin Khan flings himself to his right but fails to cling on. To make matters worse, Mohsin's head gets banged into the turf and he looks to be in some discomfort. Two runs taken.

SIX! Oh no! Devdutt Padikkal takes it but steps on the ropes! Another googly, on a nagging length, on off, Sunil Narine goes down the track and looks to go down town. He fails to get to the pitch of the ball but he still goes through the shot. Slices it in the air towards long off where Devdutt Padikkal completes the catch but he is not aware of where the rope is and ends up stepping on the boundary cushions. Padikkal should have done better there.

Dishes out a googly, full and on leg, Angkrish Raghuvanshi swipes it off the inner half of the bat to deep mid-wicket for one.

SIX! Back-to-back sixes for Sunil Narine. 19 runs off the over and Narine is in some mood tonight. Digs it into the wicket, outside off, Sunil Narine fetches the pull well and swivels to pull it over deep square leg. Gets enough bat on it to clear the fielder in the deep.

SIX! My word! Sunil Narine goes big again! Stoinis takes pace off and bowls it on a back of a length, on middle, Sunil Narine hangs back and waits for the ball to arrive. Nails the pull over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Slows it up and bowls it outside off, the length stays full, Sunil Narine reaches out to force it through the off side but misses out on the connection.

SIX! Stand and deliver! Fuller in length, on middle, Sunil Narine clears his front leg and hits through the line. Tonks it over long on for a massive maximum.

Bangs it in short, over middle, Sunil Narine swivels for the pull but the ball gets big on him and it zips over his bat.

Starts off on a back of a length, on off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi employs the short-arm jab and hits it along the ground towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Marcus Stoinis (1-0-10-0) returns to the attack.

Another googly, full and at the middle stump. Raghuvanshi gets on the front foot, and nudges it through square leg for a single.

FOUR! Good shot! Way too overpitched outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi cashes on the plenty of width on offer and drives it handsomely through covers for a cracking boundary.

Full, googly, and pitching outside leg. Sunil Narine backs away and gets down on one knee but misses the slog sweep on the inside edge. The keeper fails to grab it cleanly, deflecting it towards short fine leg for a run.

Full pitching outside leg, Narine misses the flick on the inside edge and gets pinged on the front pad.

Another googly, turning away from outside off, Sunil Narine goes for a switch hit but misses.

FOUR! A terrific fifty from Sunil Narine! He continues to set the tone for Kolkata! This is just around off and on a shade fuller length, Sunil Narine reads the googly right and cuts it fine through short third for a boundary.

100 up for Kolkata! A low full toss angling into the stumps, Sunil Narine dances down the track and works it down to long on for a single to end the over.

Hits the deck hard, angling in, Sunil Narine backs away again for a pull shot but gets beaten for the bounce.

SIX! Shot! Short in length and outside off, Sunil Narine backs away and pulls it up and over mid-wicket for a biggie.

On the back of a length, at off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi plays inside the line of the ball and works it down to deep third for one.

SIX! Salt into the wounds! Short and angling in, Angkrish Raghuvanshi swivels and pulls it well over deep square leg for a maximum.

A BIG MIX-UP! Full and around off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi flicks it to the left of mid-wicket and sets off for a single. Sunil Narine watches the ball but doesn't see his partner who is more than halfway through the run. Angkrish Raghuvanshi retreats back to the striker's end. Devdutt Padikkal is quick to pick up the ball and throw at the striker's end. KL Rahul fails to collect the ball cleanly and fumbles. Angkrish Raghuvanshi is back in but had it been a direct it, he was a goner.

Just around off on a fuller length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi sits down and sweeps it along the carpet for a single towards deep mid-wicket. Good start for Ravi Bishnoi.

WIDE! Drifts it down the leg stump on a length. Wided.

Shade full in length, on the pads, Sunil Narine clips it off the back foot towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Goes fuller this time, keeps the line on the stumps, Angkrish Raghuvanshi pushes it towards long on for a single.

A quicker wrong'un into the batter on a good length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi reads well and pushes it to the point region.

Drifts it well across off on a dragged length, Sunil Narine punches it to the off side and runs a single.

Begins with a googly, outside off on a length, Sunil Narine looks to guide the ball towards short third but misses on the outside edge.

It will be spin from both ends as Ravi Bishnoi comes on from the other end.

Drags his length, on the pads, Sunil Narine chips it through mid-wicket for another single to end the over. 11 runs from this over.

Full, on the stumps, Angkrish Raghuvanshi gets ahead and drives it towards deep mid-wicket for a single.

Krunal adjusts his length seeing Narine skipping forward and bowls it short on the middle. Sunil Narine slices it above the bowler's head for a single.

SIX! There's no stopping this bloke! Around the wicket, outside the line of off-stump, and full in length. Sunil Narine clears the front leg and clobbers it well over deep mid-wicket for a maximum.

Slower, on the middle and full in length, Angkrish Raghuvanshi strides ahead and drives it against the spin through mid-wicket for a single.

Shorter and quicker on the middle and leg, Sunil Narine goes back and tucks it towards square leg for a comfortable single.

Strategic break! It has been another one of those blistering starts Kolkata have been accustomed to this season. Phil Salt could not kick on but Sunil Narine and Angkrish Raghuvanshi will look to capitalise on this created momentum and dominate the middle phase. Lucknow will be relieved to see the back of the dangerous-looking Salt and will look to build on the previous over from Yash Thakur, which went for just 2 runs. With the field restrictions now being lifted, KL Rahul will soon turn to spin in his quest to chip away at the wickets. As expected, Krunal Pandya will bowl after the break.

Excellent from Yash Thakur! Also, the first over without any boundary! Hits the deck hard from around the wicket, on the middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi knocks it firmly back to the bowler. Just two singles from this over.

Pace on, short in length, on the middle and leg, Sunil Narine pulls it with no timing but still manages it to pull it over the inner ring over mid-wicket for a single.

Identical length and line on the middle, angling in, Sunil Narine again finds mid off. No run.

Around the wicket now, angling in from middle, full in length, Sunil Narine stays leg side of the ball and drives it straight to mid off.

Short in length, on the top of the middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi skips down the track and drives it off the inner half of the bat, straight down the ground for a single. The mid on fielder cuts it off and a single is taken.

Starts off well! Nice and straight on a hard length, at the middle, Angkrish Raghuvanshi pushes it straight to mid on.

Yash Thakur has been handed the ball now.

Not in control but Sunil Narine gets away with it! Full and it is in the arc for the batter, Sunil Narine has a swipe across the line. Gets it off the inside half of the bat but it goes to the left of mid-wicket. The fielder at deep square leg runs around to his right and cuts it off. Two runs taken.

Back of a length, outside off, Angkrish Raghuvanshi dabs it wide of cover and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Uppish but it is in the gap and Angkrish Raghuvanshi is up and running! Full and it is around the off-stump line, Angkrish Raghuvanshi uses his feet and goes for the drive. Hits it a bit uppishly but it goes to the right of cover for a boundary.

Slanting in, low full toss, on middle and leg, Angkrish Raghuvanshi drives it with a straight bat towards mid on.

Angkrish Raghuvanshi is in at number 3.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Naveen-ul-Haq fights back! KL Rahul persisted with the Afghan seamer despite going for 19 runs and it has paid off. Naveen-ul-Haq stays over the wicket and rolls his fingers over the ball. Pulls his length back as well and bowls it outside off, Phil Salt reaches out to thrash it through the off side with no real foot movement. The ball rises a bit off the deck and catches the outside edge of the bat. It lobs behind the wicket where KL Rahul dives to his right and snaffles it.

FOUR! Skillfully done! Goes full and on the off-stump line, Phil Salt angles the face of his bat perfectly to guide it between backward point and short third for a boundary.

SIX! Sunil Narine finishes the over in the best possible fashion! A 19-run over followed by a 20-run over and Kolkata are flying here. Mohsin digs it in short, over middle and leg, Sunil Narine hangs back in his crease and gets this one at a good height. Nails the pull over deep backward square leg for a biggie.

WIDE! Bangs it into the deck, over middle. This goes over the batter's head for a wide.

Swing and a miss! On a good length, outside off, Sunil Narine swings with all his might to go back over the bowler's head but connects with thin air.

FOUR! Three boundaries on the trot and Sunil Narine has arrived in Lucknow! Too predictable from Mohsin Khan as this is on a length, slanting into the arc of the batter, Sunil Narine holds his shape and tonks it over mid on for another boundary. 50-run stand comes up between the two in just no time. They are up and running.

FOUR! Back-to-back boundaries for Sunil Narine! Fuller in length, at pace, on off, Sunil Narine clears his front leg and drills it along the ground to the right of mid off for a boundary.

FOUR! Up and over! Rolls his fingers over the ball and lands it on a length, width on offer on off, Sunil Narine makes room to go over covers. One hand comes off the bat but still manages to clear cover for a boundary.

Length delivery, on the pads, Phil Salt works it wide of mid on and gets to the other end.

FOUR! Just over! Takes pace off but drifts on the pads, on a good length, Sunil Narine looks to help it away off his pads. He swings a bit early and gets it from the upper half of the bat. It lobs towards short fine leg but Narine gets enough bat on it to clear the leaping Mohsin Khan for four more runs. 19 runs off Naveen-ul-Haq's first over.

FOUR! Quality shot! Naveen-ul-Haq almost nails the yorker, on middle, Sunil Narine backs away and shapes up to go through the off side. Stays low to make the connection and carves it over the in-field on the off side for his first boundary.

Mixes it up does Naveen-ul-Haq as this is slower and full, at the stumps, Phil Salt reads it well and pushes it to the right of the bowler for a single.

Goes full again, outside off, Phil Salt angles his bat face to drive it to the right of deep cover for a couple of runs. 10 runs off the first three balls from Naveen-ul-Haq.

FOUR! Two in two and this has been hit with real authority! A bit too full by Naveen-ul-Haq and offers width as well, outside off, Phil Salt gets his weight on the front foot and creams the drive between cover and mid off for four more runs.

FOUR! Phil Salt greets Naveen-ul-Haq with a boundary! Naveen-ul-Haq steams in from wide of the crease on the over-the-wicket angle but gets the line wrong, on a length, on the pads, Phil Salt does not miss out as he flicks it behind square on the leg side for a boundary.

Naveen-ul-Haq replaces Marcus Stoinis.

Takes pace off and goes fuller this time, in the channel on off, Sunil Narine swings again to hit through the line but fails to pick the change of pace and gets undone by the lack of pace as the ball goes under the bat. Good comeback by Mohsin after being hit for a six.

Well bowled! Bends his back and bangs it in short, at the left shoulder of the batter, Sunil Narine swings to pull it away but the ball gets big on him and zips over the bat.

Hurls it on a hard length, on middle and leg, Phil Salt gets on his toes and pats it to the right of mid on for a quick single.

The ball is lost under the stage of the cheerleaders and hence a bit of a delay. The ground staff have found it and we are good to continue.

SIX! Phil Salt with the first six of the game! Mohsin lands it on a short length, around the ribs of the batter, Phil Salt shapes up for the pull but he goes through his shot early as the ball comes onto the bat slower than he anticipated. Still manages to get the shot away and helps it over fine leg for the first maximum of the night.

Serves it on a good length and does not offer room as this is bowled at the batter, Phil Salt can only defend it out with a straight bat to the right of the bowler.

Attempts the yorker first up from over the wicket, at the stumps, Sunil Narine takes it on the full and slices it to deep backward point for a single.

Mohsin Khan to operate from the other end.

In the air...but safe! Bangs it on a hard length does Stoinis, around off, Sunil Narine makes room and tries to flat bat it back over the bowler's head. Gets hit high on the bat and it lobs tamely in front of the rushing Krunal Pandya at mid off. They cross. End of an eventful first over, 10 runs off it.

Shaping into the southpaw, on a back of a length, on leg, Sunil Narine stays back and backs away to go big on the leg side but fails to connect. Gets hit on the thigh pad and the ball rolls towards the off side.

Drop and run! Slanting in again, on a length, on middle and leg, Phil Salt plays it with a straight bat in front of mid on and calls Sunil Narine through for a quick single. Krunal Pandya swoops in and hits the stumps at the bowling end but Salt is in by then.

FOUR! Easy pickings! Stoinis drifts on the pads, on a length, Phil Salt lets the ball come to him and tucks it away nearly off his pads to the fine leg fence for another boundary.

Angling in, on a good length, on the pads, Phil Salt misses the clip and gets rapped high on the front pad.

FOUR! Action straight away! That could have gone anywhere but luckily for Phil Salt, it travels safely over the keeper's head for a boundary. Marcus hits the deck hard and bowls it around middle, Phil Salt swivels for the pull but the ball sticks in the surface. Salt is through his shot early and gets a top edge that goes way over the keeper's head for a boundary.

All in readiness for this thrilling clash to begin for one last time in Lucknow for this edition! The two Umpires make their way out to the middle. Lucknow players too, disperse out and take their respective positions. The destructive and in-form duo, Phil Salt and Sunil Narine will open for Kolkata. Marcus Stoinis has the new shining leather and will bowl the first over for Lucknow. Here we go...

The captain of Kolkata, Shreyas Iyer says that they would have bowled first as well. Tells that defending 170 at Wankhede with five bowlers has given them tremendous confidence. Shares that there is self-belief in the group. Informs that they will decide later on who to bring in as the Impact Player. States that the four-wicket haul from Mitchell Starc gave the group a lot of confidence and the left-arm seamer has been optimistic right from the start. Adds that he is happy for Starc, who has shown great character and attitude. Ends by saying that is important to stay in the present and seize the moment.

The skipper of Lucknow, KL Rahul elects to BOWL first. He starts by saying that they love to chase and that's the reason to bowl. Adds that they have played on three different pitches and believes they have adapted to the conditions quickly. On being asked about the strike rate while batting, he says that the T20 game has changed a lot over the years and he is aiming to attack the bowlers early on. Adds the teams are eyeing on 200 plus regularly. Says everyone's chipped in and has contributed well so it's a positive sign. On Quinton de Kock, he says he is doing good but they are sticking to the same combination in batting. Informs that Mayank Yadav is still injured and Yash Thakur is back in the side.

Impact players nominated by Kolkata - Anukul Roy, Manish Pandey, Vaibhav Arora, KS Bharat and Sherfane Rutherford.

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

Impact players nominated by Lucknow - Arshin Kulkarni, M. Siddharth, Krishnappa Gowtham, Yudhvir Singh and Devdutt Padikkal.

Lucknow (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Marcus Stoinis, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran, Ashton Turner, Ayush Badoni, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mohsin Khan, Yash Thakur (In for Mayank Yadav).

TOSS - The coin toss lands in the favour of KL Rahul and Lucknow have elected to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Ravi Shastri and Aaron Finch are at the 22 yards. Shastri begins by saying that a gentle breeze is blowing across the ground and also informs that the boundaries are 76 meters down the ground and 61 meters and 68 meters at the squares. Aaron Finch joins him and says this wicket is being used for the third time this season. Informs that there's a hint of green grass on it but also there are some bare red patches around. He expects the wicket to slow down and reckons anywhere around 190-200 will be a good score while batting first. He adds when Lucknow played here last time, the ball just held the surface, particularly for the spinners. Also, add both sides have quality spinners and they will play a vital role in this game. Ravi Shastri closes by saying the team that wins the toss would like to field first, considering the dew factor.

As far as Kolkata are concerned, having missed out on qualifying for the playoffs for the past two seasons, their current performance indicates a strong sense of determination. With 7 wins from 10 games, Shreyas Iyer and Co. are placed 2nd in the standings, and securing another two points would bring them closer to securing a playoff berth. The bowling unit has started to click for the two-time champions, with Varun Chakaravarthy and Mitchell Starc coming to the party over the course of the past couple of games and Sunil Narine being as consistent as ever. Narine has plundered runs, as has his opening partner, Phil Salt, and with Venkatesh Iyer scoring a match-rescuing fifty in the last outing against Mumbai, all pieces are coming together for Kolkata. Having beaten Lucknow earlier in the season, will the Men in Purple do the double? Let's find out. Stick around for the toss and team news.

Lucknow currently hold the third position in the standings, with six wins from ten games. Following a triumphant clash against Mumbai, marking their fourth home victory, they are poised to bid their fans farewell with a memorable win that could propel them past Kolkata in the standings. Captain KL Rahul's leadership shines through, marked by a notably aggressive approach this season. Marcus Stoinis has rediscovered his batting prowess, delivering a hundred and a fifty in the last three games. Facing off against a batting powerhouse in Kolkata, Lucknow batters need to give their bowlers the extra cushion of runs, and in that context, Nicholas Pooran and Deepak Hooda will also have to deliver. Their fast bowling stocks have taken a hit with Mayank Yadav, who walked off the field against Mumbai and looks to be done for the season with an abdomen issue. In his absence, the onus will be on Mohsin Khan and Naveen-ul-Haq to fill that void, with support expected from Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya.

Hello and a warm welcome, folks from Lucknow, for one final time in the 2024 edition of the Indian T20 League. In a clash of two teams vying to make a strong push towards the playoffs, Lucknow square off against Kolkata in match number 54 at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium. Lucknow has been one of the two venues, with the other being Jaipur, where 200 is yet to be breached. However, with the formidable batting might of Kolkata on full display, the prospect of breaching the 200-run mark at this venue looms large.

... MATCH DAY ...

The 2024 Indian T20 League has been nothing short of electrifying, and captivating fans with its share of unforgettable moments and historic achievements. It's been a season where every match seems to bring a new twist, keeping cricket enthusiasts on the edge of their seats. Match number 54 promises nothing less and it’s just gonna be another humdinger. In this reverse fixture between Lucknow and Kolkata at the prestigious Ekana International Cricket Stadium, the stakes couldn’t be higher. After tasting defeat against Kolkata earlier in the season, Lucknow is hungry for revenge and will be leaving no stone unturned in their quest for redemption. Both Lucknow and Kolkata are fresh from triumphs against Mumbai in their latest encounters respectively. This shared success adds an interesting dynamic to their upcoming clash. Both teams will be looking to carry forward their winning momentum. Lucknow, the hosts have a strong home record this year as they have won four out of their six home games and would want to end their home cycle on a positive note. Well, the performances have been brilliant from these men. KL Rahul's been leading the Lucknow squad with some decent form with bat, but they've been sweating over their opening partnership, hoping to get it firing before the playoffs hit. Quinton de Kock's been on the sidelines lately due to a bit of a slump, but we all know he's got that explosive potential when he's on song. Thankfully, Marcus Stoinis has been stepping up big-time as a reliable all-rounder. His match-winning century against Chennai and another brilliant 62 against Mumbai prove that he has got that knack for finishing games in crunch situations. Deepak Hooda has too, been in a fine nick while Nicholas Pooran is there to save the day as well with form on his back. While they won’t at all like Mayank Yadav again missing out on games due to an injury, especially the kind of thunderbolts he bowls. Mohsin Khan has impressed along with Naveen-ul-Haq. They also have the veteran leggie Amit Mishra who could prove to be vital on a slow track of Lucknow. The tourists, Kolkata too have shown strength this year and they consistently maintain their spot in the top two. Kolkata's batting seems to be operating on autopilot, with Phil Salt and Sunil Narine providing some explosive starts. With Shreyas Iyer adding strength to the middle order, and Venkatesh Iyer hitting form at the perfect moment, their crucial contributions have bailed out Kolkata multiple times. Rinku Singh will be keen to notch up some runs before heading off to the Caribbean for the T20 World Cup. Mitchell Starc, who was overdue for a match-winning performance, delivered just that with an excellent 4-fer against Mumbai and will be eager to maintain that momentum. Varun Chakaravarthy, in red-hot form, adds an element of mystery to the spin attack alongside Narine. Additionally, the pacers Vaibhav Arora and Harshit Rana have been holding their own as well. Lucknow’s pitch has a reputation for testing batsmen, making it a tough task to surpass the 200-run mark. Even with a score below that, it proves that it has something for the bowlers to rely on. Chasing hasn’t been a walk in the park this season at Lucknow as four games have been won by the team that bats first. This adds another layer of thrill where we’ll surely witness an intense battle between the bat and the ball. Who do you think will win this exciting clash?