Lucknow Super Giants vs Royal Challengers Bangalore Ball by Ball Commentary

OUT! TAKEN! Harshal Patel gets the last wicket. A slower one around off, Amit Mishra looks to go downtown. He is through the shot, way, way too early. Ends up hitting it high up in the air behind the wicket. That shows how early he was into the shot. Dinesh Karthik makes no mistake. Bangalore win by 18 runs!

Shorter and outside off, Amit Mishra slaps it over cover but no run taken. Two legal deliveries and Bangalore win it.

FOUR! Boundaries won't be enough. They need to clear the fence! A full toss on middle, Amit Mishra moves across and plays the ramp shot over the short fine leg fielder and into the fence behind.

A slower one, this is slapped down to long off. KL Rahul thinks of taking one but then decides not to.

No run taken again! 23 needed in 5. Shorter and outside off, Amit Mishra swings but it goes off the inner half towards short fine leg.

Outside off, this is slapped but to cover. A single not taken. 23 needed in the last over.

Well wide outside off, left alone. Wide signaled at first but then wided.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled but to deep mid-wicket.

Out comes KL Rahul! The actual skipper. The game looks gone but can he do something special? 24 needed in 8. 4 biggies is all that is needed and we are pretty sure he would just look to stand and whack it.

OUT! TAKEN! A boundary and out for Naveen-ul-Haq! Shorter and outside off, Naveen-ul-Haq slashes at it but it goes off the outside edge and it is taken by the keeper.

FOUR! Not where he intended but he does not care! Naveen-ul-Haq looks to play the reverse scoop, this goes off the inner half and past short fine leg for a boundary.

Two more! On off, this is hit cover covers for two.

On off, this is lofted over cover for one more.

Shorter and on off, this is slapped through covers for one.

A single as this is jammed out towards cover for one.

FOUR! Up and over! They need a lot more! Shorter and outside off, this is lofted over mid off and it races away to the fence.

A single as this is worked through mid-wicket.

On the pads, Naveen-ul-Haq looks to flick but misses. It hits the pad and rolls on the leg side for one.

A single now as this is pushed through covers.

A dot! Nothing from the freebie! A yorker on the pads, Naveen swings but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

No ball given for second bouncer but reviewed. NO BALL REMAINS! It is well over the batter's head. Bangalore lose a review. A short one on the body, Naveen evades it. Free Hit coming up.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

WIDE! Way too short. Wided.

Another run out appeal but the batter is in! On middle,this is worked to mid-wicket. They go for one, the fielder throws it to the bowler who whips the bails off. It is taken upstairs. The batter is well in.

On the pads, Amit Mishra looks to flick but misses.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Lucknow need a lot of these! Shorter and outside off, Amit Mishra slashes, it goes off the outside edge towards a fine third man. He misfields and it goes to the fence.

Shorter and outside off, Naveen-ul-Haq swings but misses. The ball bounces in front of Karthik who does not stop it cleanly. A bye taken.

Half an appeal but turned down! This lands outside off and spins back in. Amit Mishra looks to sweep but misses. It hits him on the body.

On off, this is guided towards short third man.

Around off, this is pushed to cover.

Shorter and on off, Mishra steps out and defends.

On off, defended.

The sweep comes out, it is hit through square leg for one.

Well, KL Rahul is padded up and he may come out to bat if Lucknow gets really close.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

OUT! RUN OUT! Even the dive does not Ravi Bishnoi! This is on middle, the reverse sweep comes out, it is nailed towards point. Josh Hazlewood leaps and gets a hand to it. It does not stick. Harshal Patel from short third man runs after it. The batters go for two. The throw is to the keeper who whips the bails off. Ravi Bishnoi is well short.

Well short! Another run out appeal which is taken upstairs but Ravi Bishnoi seems very short.

On off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

Misfield and a run! Shorter and outside off, this is slapped towards cover. Kohli lets it through. A single taken.

Fuller and on middle, this is hit down to long on for one.

DRINKS! A miracle is what is needed for Lucknow if they are to win this game. Rahul may not bat and it is on their bowlers to pull it off. We have seen miracles happen earlier on in this tournament, can it happen again?

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one.

A slower one on middle, Amit Mishra looks to go big over mid on. It goes off the inner half towards deep mid-wicket.

Outside off, the upper cut is played down to third man for one.

Goes short and on middle, this is pulled through square leg for one. Singles won't do it.

Length and on off, Amit Mishra guides it to point.

On off, this is guided to point.

On middle, Amit Mishra looks to sweep, this goes off the inner half through square leg for one.

Yet another dot! On off, this is pushed to cover. Can this be a maiden?

On off, Mishra pushes it to covers.

Another dot! Looks to play the paddle scoop but there is extra bounce on this one. It hits the batter on the chest.

On the stumps, this is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle, kept out.

Lands short! On middle, this is flicked to mid-wicket for another dot.

A slower one on middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Fuller and on middle, this is worked down to long on for one.

On middle, Ravi Bishnoi looks to flick, this goes off the leading edge on the off side for one.

Outside off, this is guided through point for one.

OUT! RUN OUT! Krishnappa Gowtham is out here now! He is just short. Not sure why did he not put in the dive or stretch better. He would have been in. Lucknow now are 7 down. This is fuller and outside off, it is guided through point. They take one and go for the second, probably becuase Krishnappa Gowtham wanted to strike. Sonu Yadav, the sub, picks the ball up and fires it to the keeper. Karthik whips the bails off. That was a really good throw, flat and not very far away from the stump. He is a pace bowler and hence, he has a good arm.

Run out appeal! Krishnappa Gowtham seems short by the first replay.

On off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

On middle, defended.

OUT! TAKEN! Marcus Stoinis falls now. The big fish, the man who Lucknow were reliant on to take them over the line falls. Karan Sharma gets him again. This is tossed up outside off, Marcus Stoinis looks to go over long off, this goes more off the outer half towards long off. Suyash Prabhudessai takes a good catch. Is that the game for Bangalore. NO Rahul yet as Ravi Bishnoi walks out to bat.

Dropped! Not the easiest of chances but it is put down! How costly will this be? This is outside off, shorter, Krishnappa Gowtham looks to cut, this goes off the toe-end towards the right of Karthik. It hits his glove and pops out. A single taken as it goes towards short third man.

On the pads, this is worked towards short fine leg for one.

On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket.

Harshal Patel, the impact player comes on. he comes in the team in place of Anuj Rawat!

A dot to end! On off, kept out.

SIX! Over the fence! Krishnappa Gowtham is playing a gem here!

On off, this is pushed down to long on for one.

On off, this is pushed through covers for one.

On off, this is hit hard down to long off for one.

Shorter and outside off, this is guided through point for one.

DRINKS! Bangalore are well on top at the moment! Lucknow are five wickets down and still need another 74 runs. Bangalore are just a wicket away from entering the bowlers and they will know that. They would love the wicket of Marcus Stoinis. Lucknow on the other hand, will want him to play a long innings, if he does so, they will be in a position to win this. An interesting phase awaits.

A single to end a very good over for Lucknow. On off, this is guided to point for one.

Turn and bounce! Top nut! This lands around off and then spins away. Krishnappa Gowtham is beaten as he tries to defend.

On off, this is guided through point for one.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed through covers for one.

FOUR! Now a boundary! Nice and fine! Another poor ball, a slower one on the pads, this is swept fine on the leg side and this one races away to the fence.

SIX! Over the fence! That is a strong shot! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled well over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

On off, this is pushed to cover.

On middle, Marcus Stoinis works it to mid-wicket.

Shorter and on middle, Krishnappa Gowtham pulls towards deep square leg for one.

Tossed up on off, this is pushed back to the bowler.

A single as this is pushed wide of long off.

On off, defended.

OUT! TAKEN! Half the side back in the hut and the score is not even 50. The match-winner in the last game, Nicholas Pooran walks back. Bangalore all over Lucknow. They know how big a wicket this is! This is tossed up on the pads, Nicholas Pooran looks to go over the square leg fence, he ius early in the swing, it goes off the toe-end towards deep square leg. It is taken by Mahipal Lomror!

On middle, turns back in, Nicholas Pooran looks to work it on the leg side but misses to get hit on the pads.

Shorter and on middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

A single now as this is pushed down to long off.

On the shorter side to begin with, this is pulled down to long on for one.

Karan Sharma comes on now!

On middle, kept out. Two dots to end. The Powerplay belongs to the visitors. The hosts are 34 for 4. They need another 93 in 84.

Stoinis does not pick this one! He manages to play it out as it was slightly short. On off, this one spins back in. Stoinis, at the end, works it to mid-wicket.

Slightly short again, Nicholas Pooran pulls again, on the bounce to deep mid-wicket for one.

Pooran is not holding back! Shorter and on middle, this is pulled but more off the inner half towards short fine leg.

SIX! BANG! Nicholas Pooran has no time to waste! What a start by him! The slog sweep comes oujt, this is nailed over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Nicholas Pooran walks out to bat! His best innings this season has come against this side but that was a very flat wicket and this is one which is playing tricks. Can he yet again take his side home from a tough situation?

OUT! STUMPED! Deepak Hooda has nothing behind the line and Wanindu Hasaranga strikes on the very first ball he bowls in this game. Four down inside the Powerplay and not many teams win after that even if one is chasing a low total. The googly does the trick. This lands outside off and turns back in. Deepak Hooda does not read it and looks to work it on the leg side but misses. Karthik whips the bails off and appeals. It is taken upstairs, they check for the caught behind but no spike on Ultra Edge and Hooda has not made it back in.

He comes on and there is a stumping appeal. Mohammed Siraj at point looks very confident. BIg moment in the game.

Change! Wanindu Hasaranga to bowl the 6th.

A dot to end! A wicket and a biggie from the over. Length and on off, this is pushed to cover.

SIX! That is a serious shot! Wow! Stoinis power! Length and on middle, a slower one. Marcus Stoinis lofts it over mid on and it goes all the way.

9 dots in the 10 balls bowled so far by Josh Hazlewood! Length again and on off, Marcus Stoinis looks to power it over mid off but this goes off the inner half to mid off.

Yet again, timing the ball does not seem easy! Length and on off, this is driven but to Kohli at covers again, all three balls so far in the over have gone to him and the crowd is loving it.

Length and on off, Marcus pushes it to covers.

Marcus Stoinis walks out to bat! He will be up against his fellow Australian. This is a good contest. Also, his side will want him to replicate what he did against Bangalore the last time the two sides faced.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a sharp, sharp catch from Virat Kohli! His second but this one is a lot better than the last one. The change of ends for Josh Hazlewood works and this is his first wicket this season. The big man, did not take long to make an impact. This is fuller and around off, it is driven uppishly but towards cover. Virat Kohli times his jump and takes it. It was travelling. Lucknow in big trouble now.

Change of ends for Josh Hazlewood!

A single to end a brilliant over from Maxwell! On middle, this is worked through square leg for one.

Well fielded! Bangalore are up for this challenge! Fuller and outside off, this is driven but the fielder at cover dives and stops it.

On middle, Hooda works it through square leg for one. He is off the mark.

OUT! TAKEN! Glenn Maxwell is absolutely pumped up! He did not do a lot with the bat but gets the opposition, stand-in skipper. That is a nothing shot from Krunal. He steps out, the length is shortened. Krunal Pandya ends up chipping it towards long off where Virat Kohli takes it. He may have been in two minds whether to go hard at it or just push it, in the end, a nothing shot costs him his wicket. Deepak Hooda walks out to bat.

Krunal Pandya walks across, this is on middle, he looks to sweep but this goes off the inner half on the leg side.

On middle, a little bit of turn into the batter, it is worked through square leg for one.

Change! Glenn Maxwell comes on now.

Good length and on off, Krunal Pandya pushes it to covers. He wants a run but is sent back. The fielder has a shy at the keeper's end but misses. Krunal Pandya would have been in.

WIDE! Way too short and outside off, Krunal Pandya looks to play the upper cut but is beaten. Wided. Mohammed Siraj wants a review but not taken. Rightly so. That was well over the batter's head.

FOUR! Up and over! Three in a row! Fuller and on middle, a slower one. Krunal Pandya lifts it over mid on and this one races away to the fence.

FOUR! Up and over! Two boundaries in a row! This could well be the pressure releasing over. 11 from the first 4 balls. Length and on middle, Pandya makes room and lifts it over mid off and this one races away to the fence.

FOUR! Pulled away! A short one, a little too short, comes slow off the surface. Krunal Pandya has enough time to rock back and pull it over mid-wicket for a boundary.

Quite casual from Anuj Rawat! Length and on off, this is pushed to his right at mid off. He runs there but does not stop it cleanly. An extra run taken.

Takes a step down the track and then pushes this towards mid on for one.

Well, a sensible front foot push towards mid on on this length ball for one. Still though just a single from the first over by Josh Hazlewood!

Josh Hazlewood gets away with one there! The extra bounce he gets saves him! This is short and outside off, Ayush Badoni slashes but misses. Something has to give we believe on this last ball.

Pressure getting to Ayush Badoni here! He knows they have to make most of the Powerplay and he swings across the line here, it is a length ball on off, it goes off the inner half to mid on.

Confusion but no harm done! Three dots to begin with by Josh Hazlewood> Will give him a lot of confidence. On middle, this is nudged to mid-wicket. Krunal wants a run but is sent back.

Beats the outside edge yet again! Slightly shorter and outside off, yet again not a lot of width on offer but Ayush Badoni throws his bat at it, he is beaten.

Straightaway beats the bat! Shorter and just outside off, Ayush Badoni looks to cut but is beaten. Not enough room to play that shot. Have to be careful against Josh Hazlewood!

Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end then! He is back into the Bangalore side after an injury break. If he bowls anything close to his best, he is going to be a real handful on this wicket.

A top over from Siraj! A run and a wicket from it. Length and on off, this is pushed to mid on.

What just happened there? A short one, it pitches around middle and angles away. Krunal Pandya looks to pull but misses. It keeps swinging away. The first slip fielder sticks a hand out and makes a half stop. No run taken. Good from Maxwell or that could have gone to the fence.

Good length and on off, Pandya pushes it to covers.

WIDE! A little too straight, Krunal Pandya looks to flick but misses. Lucknow are underway.

Another one dished out wide outside off. Krunal Pandya goes after it but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler.

Krunal Pandya, the stand-in skipper, walks out to bat. He will need to play well here, the wicket is not easy and he needs to play a good knock here.

OUT! TAKEN! The dangerous Kyle Mayers is out of here! An early strike for Bangalore and it is surely they wicket they would have wanted. Siraj gets Mayers again. This time he goes short and it hurries Mayers. He looks to pull but this goes off the splice towards mid on. Anuj Rawat takes it.

A dot to begin with! A full ball outside off, looking to bring it back in but no swing on this one. Kyle Mayers looks to drive but it goes off the inner half back to the bowler.

FOUR! Crucial runs! Short in length and outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga slices his shot over point for a boundary. BANGALORE END WITH 126/9.

Length and outside off, Josh Hazlewood knocks it to cover for one.

Length and on middle, it is blocked. No Hat-trick for Naveen-ul-Haq.

OUT! A full ball, outside off. Mohammed Siraj shuffles way across to paddle it but seems to miss it. Nicholas Pooran this time puts up an appeal and feels there is something on it. Lucknow take it upstairs. Tell you what, the UltraEdge shows there is indeed some part of the gloves and Mohammed Siraj has to go. Nicholas Pooran knew. Superb review.

OUT! TAKEN! A slower length ball, outside off, Karn Sharma tries to cut it over point but balloons it for Krishnappa Gowtham to take a simple catch. All going downhill for Bangalore.

Fuller and on middle, nudged to square leg for a single.

Length and on off, this is punched through point for a couple. Misfield helps in the field.

On middle, this is hit to square leg for one.

OUT! Karthik is RUN OUT! That is some incredible work from Yash! Karthik goes and that will make a lot of difference to the final score. Length and on off, Wanindu Hasaranga plays it back to Thakur who was aware that Karthik was pushing for a run. Yash Thakur picks up, turns and hits the stumps at his side. Karthik slips as well, as he tries to rush back but Yash Thakur would have still got the better of him.

A full toss on middle, this is flicked to deep square leg for a single.

Length ball, outside off, this is pushed to long off for one.

A bouncer, outside off. Wanindu Hasaranga fails to get his bat on it.

Length and on off, dropped to point for one.

OUT! LBW! Naveen-ul-Haq shouts for LBW and he gets his man. It is taken upstairs to check. This is on a length and around off from around the wicket. Mahipal Lomror steps across to nudge it but misses and gets hit on the pads. This one actually nips in off the deck. No bat there clearly. Ball Tracking shows the impact is umpire's call while the wickets are hitting. The on-field call stays. Only Naveen-ul-Haq was appealing for this one. Mahipal Lomror goes.

This is full and outside off. Karthik looks to push but gets an outside edge to short third man.

A slower bumper on middle, Mahipal Lomror pulls it to deep square leg. One.

Slower, short ball, outside off, cut to point for one more.

Length ball on off, this is nudged to mid-wicket for just one.

Fuller and outside off, pushed to long off for one.

OUT! TAKEN! Brilliant catch from Pandya and Amit Mishra roars as he ends the over well. This is full and outside off, lands and spins away. Faf du Plessis tries to heave but gets a top edge to cover. Krunal Pandya was standing across, he runs to his right and holds onto the skier.

Full again and this is hit down to long on for a couple.

Too full and on middle, tucked to long on for one.

SIX! The break has worked for Karthik! Drops it short and outside off. Karthik takes on as he pulls it over cow corner.

100 up! Outside off, Faf du Plessis knocks it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

7 off the over! Length ball, outside off, Faf du Plessis strokes it to deep cover for a single.

Slower one, outside off, Karthik hits it to point for one more.

Length ball on off, Karthik blocks back to the bowler.

FOUR! A boundary after around 7 overs! Shorter and on off, Karthik pulls it to deep mid-wicket for four.

Resumption! Thankfully, it was not a long halt as we are back with the action. Naveen-ul-Haq to finish his over...

Good news! It has stopped raining. We should get some positive updates soon. Play to resume at 9.15 pm IST (3.45 pm GMT).

Update - 8.49 pm IST (3.19 pm GMT) - The drizzle has got a lot heavy and the covers are on. The rain was on the radar and the players are walking off the field.

Length ball, outside off, Karthik looks to push but misses.

It has started to drizzle and the groundsmen are ready with the covers.

A slower bumper on middle. Faf du Plessis miscues his pull shot to fine leg for a single.

A leggie, full and outside off, Karthik taps it to point.

This is full and on off, it is drilled to long on for a single.

Fuller and on off, a googly. Karthik works it to long on for one.

OUT! GONE! Amit Mishra floats it on middle, a bit of extra bounce. Prabhudessai goes back and tries to go over long off but mistimes. Krishnappa Gowtham in the deep misjudges the flight but eventually dives forward to take the catch.

Slower ball, outside off. Prabhudessai tries to reverse-hit but again misses to get hit on the body.

Full and on middle, eased to long on for one.

Strategic Time-Out! A lot depends on Faf du Plessis from hereon. He will try to play the anchor role but others need to find a way to get boundaries. As suggested earlier, it is hard to bat on and the Lucknow bowlers have done brilliantly till now. They need to end well though.

Overthrow! Lands on middle and spins away. Prabhudessai gets a leading edge to point. The batters take a quick single as the fielder has a shy at the bowler's end. No back up standing and they get one more.

Shorter and on middle, Prabhudessai bunts it to mid-wicket for a couple.

Slower, shorter and on middle. Prabhudessai tries to reverse-hit this time but misses. An appeal but looked like will bounce over the stumps.

Fuller and on leg, this is knocked through covers for a single.

Around off, Prabhudessai punches it to long off for one.

Too full on middle, flicked to deep mid-wicket for one.

On middle, this is hit to square leg for one more.

Tossed up on off, Prabhudessai looks to sweep but top edges it to square leg where it lands safely. One.

OUT! LBW! That looks out and it is given out! Glenn Maxwell reviews it though. He thinks height has saved him here. Ultra Edge shows no bat. Ball Tracking shows umpire's call on the wicket's hitting and Glenn Maxwell has to go. Big wicket for Lucknow and Ravi Bishnoi is mixing things really well here. Bowls it flat and on middle. Glenn Maxwell goes for the reverse-hit but misses and gets hit on the pads. Pressure on the skipper as Bangalore keep on losing wickets.

This is full and around off. Glenn Maxwell prods and defends.

QUICK SINGLE! On the pads, it is helped to short fine leg for one.

Fuller and outside off. Glenn Maxwell smashes it to long off for one.

THREE RUNS! Outside off, this is cut to deep cover. Kyle Mayers runs to his right, covers a lot of ground and dives to save a single.

On the pads, Glenn Maxwell whips but finds short fine leg.

Glenn Maxwell comes in.

OUT! TAKEN! Rawat's struggle comes to an end! He was sent in to do some damage but fails in the process. Krishnappa Gowtham bowls it short, slow and outside off. It was there to be hit but Anuj Rawat fails to power and finds Kyle Mayers at deep mid-wicket.

Extra bounce this time, full and outside off. Rawat slaps it through point and collects a brace.

Flat and on off, Faf Du Plessis nudges it to deep square leg for one more.

Slow, short and outside off, Rawat slaps it to deep cover for a single.

Around off, this is stroked through covers for one.

Full and on off. Rawat slog-sweeps it to deep mid-wicket. A bit of misfield in the deep by Prerak Mankad but gives himself a chance by hitting the stumps at the bowler's end. Faf Du Plessis was well in.

Quicker from Ravi Bishnoi on middle and Anuj Rawat defends.

Shorter and outside off, this is cut late past point for a couple.

On off, Anuj Rawat keeps it out.

On middle, this is worked to deep mid-wicket for one.

Full and outside off, Rawat blocks. Superb start for Krishnappa Gowtham as well. Lucknow will be happy at the halfway mark.

On middle, this is tucked to square leg for one.

Shorter and on middle. Faf Du Plessis punches it to cover. He wants a run here but is sent back.

Short and outside off, this is cut to deep point for one.

Slower in the air, outside off, Rawat looks to push but misses.

Flat and on middle, nudged to square leg for a single.

Anuj Rawat comes to the middle.

OUT! STUMPED! KOHLI GOES! Brilliant from Bishnoi. He anticipated really well. Ravi Bishnoi sees Kohli dance down the track and slows it up, bowls it full and outside off. Kohli had to reach for it but misses and Nicholas Pooran quickly pulls off the bails. The spinners keeping things tight here.

Fuller and outside off, pushed through covers for a single.

Full and on middle, wrong 'un again. Faf Du Plessis tucks it to square leg and calls for the second. Excellent.

A googly on middle. Kohli drills it to long on for one.

Darted on the pads, nudged to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up on off, Kohli drops it through point for a single.

Outside off, this is tapped to point. Apart from that one delivery, this is a good start by Yash Thakur.

Good length delivery, outside off, this is played to long on for one.

FOUR! LOVELY! Pitches it up, outside off. Kohli leans and drives it through covers for four. A welcome boundary.

Wide! Just too wide this time, outside the tramline, left alone by Kohli.

Good bowling from Yash! Short again but well wide of off. Kohli slashes and misses.

Short and on middle. Kohli defends.

Well bowled! Yash Thakur rolls his finger on this one, full and outside off. Kohli swings and misses.

Wide! Starts with a bouncer on middle. Kohli leaves for a wide. 50 up!

Yash Thakur is into the attack.

Flat and outside off, Faf Du Plessis punches it wide of deep cover for a couple.

Fuller and around off, worked to long on for one.

Outside off, Faf Du Plessis slaps it to deep cover for one.

Full and on middle, drilled to long on for one.

Stays low off the pitch! On off, this is bunted to deep mid-wicket for one.

Flatter and on middle, Kohli knocks it to long on for one.

Strategic Time-Out! This is a very slow pitch and hard to face spinners here. Bangalore have done well to not lose any wickets. It feels like they will try and target the seamers more while Lucknow will look to keep it as slow on this pitch as possible.

5 runs of this one! On middle, Kohli hits it to long on for a single.

Short and slanting down leg. Kohli whips it past square leg and the man at deep mid-wicket runs a lot of ground to keep it down to two.

Too full and on middle, Faf Du Plessis drills it down to long on for one.

This is full and outside off, Kohli drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.

Tad short on off, Kohli punches it to cover.

Slider, quicker and on the pads, kept out.

Ravi Bishnoi to bowl now.

Full and on middle, Virat flicks it to square leg for a single. Three quick overs from Pandya, just 5 off this one.

Around off, this is lofted to long off for one more.

Flat, angling on middle. Faf du Plessis chips it to mid on as the fielder picks up on a bounce.

Tossed up on off, it is pushed to long off for one.

A single again! On middle, this is hit to deep square leg for one.

Slower one on middle, Kohli turns it to mid-wicket for a single.

A single to end! 12 of this one! Around off, pushed through covers for a single.

FOUR! Good shot! Short of a length and outside off, Kohli punches it late past point for a boundary.

Length and on off, this is worked to mid off for one.

SIX! BANG! This is full and outside off. Faf Du Plessis uses the angle as he plays over covers and all the way for a biggie.

Length ball, on off, Faf Du Plessis blocks.

A lot of happening here! Length ball, outside off. Faf Du Plessis mistimes his punch and it deflects back onto his pads. He was not sure where the ball landed and was scrolling near his crease but does well to jump back.

Krunal Pandya is leading Lucknow for now.

Darted on the pads, tucked to square leg for a single.

Fuller and on off, Kohli eases it to long off for one.

Needed a direct hit! On off, Faf du Plessis pushes it to cover for a quick single. The fielder has a shy at the bowler's end but misses.

Krunal Pandya targets the leg pole again. Faf du Plessis plays it back to the bowler.

Flat and on leg, tailing in. Faf du Plessis looks to flick but misses.

Outside off this is punched to long off for a single.

KL Rahul is struggling. This does not look good for Lucknow. The physios are helping but KL Rahul is not able to get up. Now he does get up and gingerly walks off the field. However, Rahul is not looking fine here.

FOUR! That will help dearly. Length ball, outside off, Faf Du Plessis punches it through covers and it races to the fence. KL Rahul is down though. He gives a chase but pulls up and is not looking good. Looks like his hamstring.

JUST OVER! This is full and slanting on leg, Kohli makes room to flick but gets a leading edge and it goes just over the man at covers. One. Bangalore are living dangerously.

On middle, this is hit to mid-wicket for a single.

That needed some catching! Short in length and on off, stays low off the deck. Faf Du Plessis looks to pull but gets a top edge. It was in the air for a while as it goes over mid on. Naveen-ul-Haq gives it a try but fails to hold on.

Shorter and outside off. Faf Du Plessis wrists it aerially past mid-wicket for two more. He is underway now.

Length ball on middle. Kohli uses his feet as he bunts it through mid-wicket for a single.

Marcus Stoinis to bowl from the other end.

Quicker one, around off, unexpected bounce for Faf Du Plessis as he nudges it to mid on.

Fuller and outside off, this is pushed to long off for a single.

Tossed up on middle and leg. Kohli tucks it to square leg.

This one skids on, angling on the pads. Kohli fails to flick and gets hit on the pads.

Flat and outside off, it is punched to cover.

FOUR! Off the mark! Some turn and bounce already here! This one lands outside off and spins away, it shoots off as well. Kohli has a poke and gets an outside edge past backward point.

We are all set for action. Final few key words from KL Rahul to his team before they stride out. Faf du Plessis and Virat Kohli are ready to open for Bangalore. The spinners dominate on this pitch and it is spin to start, Krunal Pandya will bowl first. A slip in place. Let's go...

Impact Players for Lucknow -  Ayush Badoni, Daniel Sams, Quinton de Kock, Prerak Mankad, Avesh Khan.

LUCKNOW (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C), Kyle Mayers, Marcus Stoinis, Krunal Pandya, Deepak Hooda, Nicholas Pooran (WK), Krishnappa Gowtham, Ravi Bishnoi, Naveen-ul-Haq, Amit Mishra, Yash Thakur.

Impact Players for Bangalore - Harshal Patel, Sonu Yadav, Michael Bracewell, Vyshak Vijay Kumar, Shahbaz Ahmed.

BANGALORE (Playing XI) - Faf du Plessis (C), Virat Kohli, Anuj Rawat, Glenn Maxwell, Mahipal Lomror, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Suyash Prabhudessai, Wanindu Hasaranga, Karn Sharma, Mohammed Siraj, Josh Hazlewood.

KL Rahul says it is going to be hard work with the bat for both teams. Informs they have one change as they get in Krishnappa Gowtham for Avesh Khan. Reckons spin will be used more than pace. Ends by saying they need to hold their nerve and come out good in crunch moments.

Faf du Plessis says they will bat first. Reckons it might turn a little more in the second half. Informs he is fine and Josh Hazlewood comes in. Also adds Anuj Rawat comes in for Shahbaz Ahmed. Mentions his squad is well suited for such conditions but they need to bat well.

TOSS - Bangalore have won the toss and will BAT first!

PITCH REPORT - Sanjay Manjrekar says this pitch does not give too many runs. Rohan Gavaskar adds this pitch has not given any 200-plus scores. Mentions it is a black soil pitch so the bounce is relatively low. 

There are some injury concerns for both teams. Marcus Stoinis injured his finger in the last game while David Willey is ruled out for the rest of the campaign due to a foot injury. Stay tuned to find out about the toss and team news.

Bangalore have been too dependent on their star batters throughout this season. Bangalore need their middle order to step up and so do their bowlers as these are the crunch games they need to win to stay in the top four. For Lucknow, it has been a decent campaign as they have bounced back from defeats and will now look to register some victories on a trot. KL Rahul will be a happy captain with how they performed in the last game and will hope to ride the momentum. 

Hello, and a warm welcome, ladies and gentlemen to our coverage of match number 43 in the 16th edition of the Indian T20 league as Lucknow takes on Bangalore in a highly-anticipated contest. Just to give you a recap of what happened while these two met recently this season, Lucknow pulled off a thriller as they won the high-octane match off the last ball with one wicket in hand. That was indeed some match to absorb and with just two points separating the sides, there is a lot to play for in this encounter. 

...MATCH DAY...

In high-octane tournaments that have world-class players and passionate fans, there are bound to be moments where emotions peak and tempers flare. The 16th edition of the Indian T20 League has also seen incidents where tight finishes have sparked celebrations that have not sat well with the opponents. Very few would have forgotten Avesh Khan slamming his helmet onto the turf after a last-ball finish the last time Lucknow faced Bangalore. That game played at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium was a high-scoring thriller that Lucknow won with just one wicket in hand and there was so much drama that the Bangalore supporters have been eager for a rematch. The opportunity has come their way as we focus our attention on match number 43 where Lucknow will host Bangalore at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow and we expect this to be a fiery contest. The hosts have five wins in 8 games but have been jinxed with inconsistency as they have failed to win three games in a row through the season so far. They were gutted after the reigning champions snatched victory from the jaws of defeat against them but they came back stronger from the disappointing batting effort in their last encounter by posting the second-highest score since the start of the Indian T20 League. KL Rahul (274 runs), Kyle Mayers (297 runs), Marcus Stoinis (216 runs), and Nicholas Pooran (216 runs) have all shown their batting acumen in this edition and make up a formidable batting order. They will be hoping their leading wicket-taker Mark Wood is ready for selection but the inclusion of Naveen-ul-Haq and Yash Thakur has given them more solidity in the death overs and the spin-bowling duties fall heavily on Ravi Bishnoi and Krunal Pandya. Bangalore have one of the most devastating top orders in the competition with most of their runs coming off the bat of their main batters with Faf du Plessis having accumulated 422 runs and Virat Kohli not far behind with 333 runs in his kitty. Glenn Maxwell has contributed 258 runs to their cause and it is stunning to note that no other batter has crossed the 100-run mark with Dinesh Karthik having made 83 runs in total, next on the list. They will need more from their middle and lower order with the bat as 4 wins in 8 games is not good enough for a side aspiring to win their maiden title and they will be eager to recover from their loss against Kolkata in the previous fixture. Mohammed Siraj has been a superstar for them with the ball having claimed 14 wickets with a majority of them coming in the Powerplay but will need more contributions from their overseas contingent of David Willey, Wayne Parnell, and Wanindu Hasaranga if they want to become a complete bowling unit. The lads from the south have a bone to pick with the rivals from the north and with two strong batting sides in the equation, we expect the blades to be wielded in this fiery encounter. Will Bangalore exact the revenge they so eagerly seek? Or will Lucknow condemn their opponents to another defeat this season? We will find out soon.