Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Indian Premier League, 2021

A yorker around off, Shakib Al Hasan jams it out on the surface and takes a quick single. KOLKATA WIN BY 4 WICKETS.

Scores level! A length ball, on off. Eoin Morgan chops it to point for a quick single.

A length ball, on off. Shakib Al Hasan looks to pull but gets an inside edge to short fine leg for a single. 2 needed now off 4 balls.

FOUR! 3 needed now! A full ball, around off, Shakib Al Hasan shuffles across and paddles it over short fine leg for a boundary. Using all his experience here, Shakib Al Hasan.

Dan Christian to bowl the final over. He was smacked for 22 runs in his only over.

Appeal for a caught behind but Srikar Bharat is the only one appealing! A slower short ball, on off, Eoin Morgan looks to pull but misses it. 7 needed in 6 balls.

A length ball, angling on the pads. Shakib Al Hasan whips it to fine leg for one more.

A length ball, outside off. Morgan guides it down to third man for a single.

Dot ball! A length ball, outside off. Morgan stays back and looks to cut but misses. Precious dot ball for Bangalore. 9 needed off 9 balls.

Two taken! This was full and on middle, Morgan flicks it wide of deep square leg and collects a brace.

On a length and on the pads. Shakib Al Hasan clips it to square leg for a single.

George Garton to bowl the penultimate over. He has gone for 24 runs in his 2 overs.

Dot ball! A length ball, on off, Morgan taps it to point who does well to dive to his left and stop it. 12 needed in 12 balls.

Full and on off, Shakib Al Hasan pushes it through covers for a single.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Is there a twist in the tale? A length ball, outside off. Karthik hangs back and looks to cut but gets a thick outside edge to the keeper. Bharat does well to take a low catch. He is claiming the catch and DK starts to walk off. He is made to wait near the fence as the umpires want to get it checked. The third umpire watches multiple angles and eventually decides that the gloves are underneath the ball. 13 needed off 14 balls.

Is that out? Srikar Bharat is up and running in celebration. Has he taken the catch cleanly? The umpire takes it upstairs just to confirm. It appears touch and go. The third umpire is taking his time, watching multiple angles. Eventually, he decides that the gloves are underneath the ball and Dinesh Karthik will have to depart.

Very full and on middle, Morgan clips it to mid on. Glenn Maxwell has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Slight drama there, Karthik was trying to drag his bat inside the crease but Kohli came in his way. Anyway, the throw was not backed up and they take a run.

Eoin Morgan, the skipper walks out at number 7.

OUT! TIMBER! Bangalore keep on believing! A length ball, around middle and off. Sunil Narine is too early as he looks to swing across the line and fails to connect any part of his bat on it. The ball sneaks under his bat and disturbs the stumps. 14 required in 16 balls.

Full and angling on the pads, flicked to mid-wicket for a single.

Another slower ball, full and outside off. Dinesh Karthik dabs it to third man for a single. End of an excellent spell from Harshal Patel. 15 needed in 18 balls.

Another slower ball, full and on off. Karthik tries to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

LEG BYE! A slower ball, full and angling on the pads. Narine looks to heave it but misses and gets hit on the pads. A leg bye is taken as it rolls to square leg.

A yorker now, on middle, Narine digs it out on the leg side.

Full and on off, drilled down to wide long on for a single.

DROPPED! Bangalore have been poor in the field. A full ball, angling around leg at 117.2 kph, Narine looks to heave it on the leg side but gets a leading edge high in the air towards mid on. Devdutt Padikkal tracks back from mid-wicket but fails to catch it. A single.

Harshal Patel comes back into the attack to bowl his last over.

Loopy ball, angling on middle, Narine rocks back and heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 19 needed off 24 balls.

Short and outside off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Flatter and on middle, Narine hits it firmly to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Flighted, on middle, Karthik turns it to square leg for a single.

Again short but on middle, Karthik looks to pull but under-edges it back on the deck.

FOUR! Good shot! Short and around off. Dinesh Karthik hangs back and smashes it over covers for a boundary.

Strategic Time-Out! 27 needed in 30 balls. It looks quite an easy chase for Kolkata but nothing can be said as the pressure of the Eliminator is there. A wicket here and the pressure will be back on Kolkata. What will happen next? Glenn Maxwell is back on. A vital over.

Floated, around middle, DK goes back and flicks it through mid-wicket for a single. He gets off the mark. Chahal ends his 4-over spell with 2 for 16. He has given his side a glimmer of hope. Can Bangalore build on it?

Flatter and outside off, Dinesh Karthik looks to cut it away. The ball takes the inside edge and rolls out.

A dot now! Quicker. Full and on off, Karthik comes across and defends it onto the pitch.

Full and on off. Narine pushes it to long off for a single.

Dinesh Karthik walks out now.

OUT! CAUGHT! Needless from Nitish Rana. There was no need for him to play this shot. He has given Bangalore a sniff here. Anyway, with Narine at the other end, Nitish should have left the big-hitting for him.  It's floated, full and around middle, Rana gets low and slog-sweeps it aerially towards wide long on. He does not middle it at all. AB de Villiers settles under it in the deep and takes the skier safely. 29 needed off 34 balls.

Full and on the pads, Rana tucks it to mid-wicket.

Make it 3 with a single on the final ball. Back of a length, on off. Rana hangs back and guides it past the keeper towards third man. The batters cross for a single.

Touch short and on off, Rana swivels and looks to pull it away but does not connect well. The ball hits his arms and rolls to the off side. Just 2 runs off the over so far.

On a length, outside off. Narine punches it through covers off the back foot for another single, at sweeper cover.

Rana skips down the track to a full-length delivery, outside off. He throws his bat at it. The ball takes the bottom end and goes to third man for a single.

Fuller and outside off. Rana hangs back and pushes it gently to point.

A length ball, on off. Rana defends it to the leg side.

Harshal Patel (2-0-13-2) is back into the attack.

Another single to end the over! On the pads, Rana tucks it to deep square leg. The batters cross for a single. The runs are ticking for Kolkata. 6 from this one.

Loopy ball, on middle. Narine sweeps it through square leg for one.

Darted on the pads, Rana clips it to square leg for another run.

Flatter and on the pads. Narine pushes it to point for a run. Sensible.

Full and on middle. Rana gets low and works it to square leg for a quick single.

LEG BYE! Loopy ball, on leg. Narine looks to sweep it but misses. The ball rolls out off the pads. The batters collect a leg bye. A mild appeal from Chahal follows, nothing from the umpire.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back on.

A length ball, on off. Narine hits it to long on for a single. 22 from the over and 38 needed now off 48 balls.

WIDE! Full and sliding down leg. Narine leaves it alone. Wide called. 100 up!

SIX! All the way. Narine is taking away the game here. He gets the third maximum of the over. Slower one, fuller and outside off. Good extension of arms by Narine. He gets under the ball and muscles it over the long off fence for a biggie. AB de Villiers leaps near the ropes but the ball goes over him with ease.

WIDE! Pressure on the bowler now. He does not want to bowl in the hitting arc of Narine. A full-length ball, wide outside off. Narine leaves it alone. Wide called.

SIX! Back-to-back maximums. It is all going right for Narine today. First with the ball now with the bat. Slower one, full and on leg. Narine hangs back and whips it over the mid-wicket fence for a maximum.

SIX! BANG! Narine has come out with the freedom to hit and he starts with a biggie. Slightly short and on middle, Sunil Narine camps back and looks to pull it away. The ball takes the top edge and flies over the fine leg fence.

On a length, on off. Rana works it towards long on for a single.

A length ball, on off. Rana hangs back and flicks it to mid-wicket.

Sunil Narine has been promoted up the order to bring the rate further down. Also, Dan Christian is into the attack.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Whenever Virat Kohli needs a wicket, he dials Harshal Patel's number. And he never disappoints. A tidy over by him and it ends with a prized wicket of Iyer. Patel serves a short ball, sliding down the leg side at 132.1 kph, Venkatesh Iyer hangs back and looks to pull it across the line. The ball takes the gloves and goes to the right of Srikar Bharat, who moves to that side and takes a good catch. 60 needed off 54 balls, this is still Kolkata's game to lose.

A length ball, on off. Iyer stands tall and drives it to covers.

EDGY! Fuller and on off. Rana looks to push it to the off side. But the ball takes the inside edge, scoots past the stumps and goes to backward square leg. The batters cross for a single.

Wide! Attempted bouncer from Harshal but it's down the leg side, Rana lets it be.

Angles in a fuller delivery on off, Iyer drives it to the right of mid off and collects another run.

Fullish and outside off, Rana pushes it to covers and takes a single.

Fullish and around off, Venkatesh Iyer knocks it down to long on for a single.

Harshal Patel comes back into the attack.

FOUR! Another reverse-batted shot from Nitish Rana and this time he fetches a boundary. Fuller and on middle, Rana does very well to place it behind point for a boundary.  65 needed more at the halfway mark!

The batsman has just watchfully blocked this out.

PUT DOWN! Costly, very costly for Bangalore. Shahbaz Ahmed is the culprit. Flatter and around leg, Venkatesh Iyer stands back and tries to turn it on the leg side. A bit lazy in his attempt and it flies off the top edge. Shahbaz Ahmed runs forward from deep square leg, attempts to take the catch by leaning a bit but spills the chance. The batters take one.

On middle, eased away to mid-wicket for a single.

SIX! This will release some pressure that was building. Glenn Maxwell is given the taste of his own medicine. Flighted and around middle, Nitish Rana gets into the position early and nails his reverse-batted shot behind short third man for a maximum.

A bit short and around off, Iyer moves back and works it through mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up ball on middle, some extra bounce, Rana tries to sweep but misses. He is hit high on the pads. A quiet over from Chahal, 78 needed off 66 balls.

A nice loop on this delivery, full and on middle at 88.5 kph, Nitish Rana draws forward and defends it to the off side.

Chahal goes quicker this time, short and wide outside off, Venkatesh Iyer punches it from the back foot to deep cover for one.

Chahal goes flatter through the air, lands it short and on middle, Rana nudges it to the right of short 45 for a run.

Loopy and full on middle, Venkatesh Iyer plays the slog-sweep, not quite from the middle of the bat. It goes to deep mid-wicket and a run is taken.

Tossed up, full and on off, Rana defends it with gentle hands to point. It's in the gap and a single is taken.

Uppish but safe! Loopy delivery, full and around off, Nitish Rana advances down the track to drive it through the line but fails to keep it down. The short cover fielder dives across to his left but the ball just evades him. They cross for a single.

Iyer stands back to a short ball and hits it through mid-wicket for a run.

Iyer shows his back leg to put off the bowler. Maxwell delivers it full and around middle, Venkatesh Iyer sweeps but finds short fine leg.

A touch short and around off, Rana gets back and helps it in the gap at mid-wicket for a single.

Floated and full around off, Rana defends it off his front foot to cover-point.

Fuller and around off, Venkatesh Iyer drives it a bit uppishly but past the diving bowler to long off for a single.

Nitish Rana walks out. Also, Glenn Maxwell is into the attack.

Review time! A review has been taken by Bangalore for an LBW. UltraEdge shows no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows three reds and this is a brilliant review from Kohli.

OUT! LBW! Second wicket goes down! Yuzvendra Chahal dishes out a well-disguised googly. Lands it around off and gets it to turn into the batsman. Rahul Tripathi has not picked it at all. He remains on the back foot as he attempts to cut it through the line. The ball beats the bat and raps him on the pads. The appeal is made but the umpire shakes his head. Srikar Bharat advises his skipper to take the DRS and Virat Kohli obliges. UltraEdge shows no spike and the Ball Tracker has three reds. Excellent review. 86 needed off 78 balls.

Flatter googly, around off, Iyer punches it to sweeper cover for a single.

This time Rahul Tripathi rotates the strike. Loopy and full on middle, Rahul sweeps it to deep square leg for one.

Dealing in singles at the moment and that's all needed for Kolkata. Full and around off, Iyer walks down the track and pushes it to long off for a single.

Chahal tosses it up and delivers it very full around leg, Rahul Tripathi knocks it down towards mid on and takes a single. 50 up!

Full and floated on middle, Venkatesh Iyer flicks it through mid-wicket and takes a single.

Strategic Time-Out! Who else but again it is the man with the golden arm, Harshal Patel who gives the breakthrough. It is still a long way for Bangalore but they need to chip wickets at regular intervals. Kolkata need a partnership as the required run rate is well under control. Also, a bowling change for Bangalore. Yuzvendra Chahal comes into the attack now.

FOUR! Rahul Tripathi is away with a boundary. Fuller in length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi leans into the shot and lofts it cleanly over cover-point for a boundary. At the end of the Powerplay, Kolkata are 48/1. 91 needed off 84 balls.

Back of a length and outside off, Rahul Tripathi stays back and plays it down to backward point.

Fullish again, around off, Iyer drives it to sweeper cover for one.

Fuller and around off, Iyer drives it aerially but with great timing. It's in the gap at extra cover and George Garton chases it down. Two taken.

Rahul Tripathi walks out at number 3.

OUT! Here is the first wicket for Bangalore and it's that man again who has done the job. Lovely deception from Harshal Patel. Slower and around middle, on a length at 114.3 kph, Shubman Gill shimmies down the track for a big heave across the line. The ball though arrives late to take the top edge.​ AB de Villiers gets underneath it at mid on and takes the skier safely. Wicket number 31 in this season for Patel and he has been the go-to bowler for Virat Kohli. Also, this is only the second wicket picked by Bangalore in the Powerplay of the UAE leg.

Slower and fuller, delivered from 'round the wicket with a big grunt, Venkatesh Iyer drives it to sweeper cover for a single.

Harshal Patel is into the attack.

The over ends the way it started, with a couple at deep backward square leg. Siraj bowls a low full toss around leg, Gill eases it across the line for two. Another fine over by Mohammed Siraj.

Full toss on middle, Iyer only manages to hit it past his partner. The mid on fielder cuts it off to his right and they take a single.

Another dot. Fuller and on middle, Iyer steps back to make room but ends up pushing it back to the bowler off the toe end of his blade.

Spears in a very full ball on middle, Venkatesh Iyer pushes it down towards wide mid on.

Fine stop at backward point! Back of a length, wide outside off, Gill slaps it square of the wicket on the off side. Devdutt Padikkal dives full length to his right and takes the pace off the ball. Saves three.

Siraj is into his third over now. Serves a full ball on the pads, Shubman Gill tucks it behind square leg and collects two.

Make it 15 with a single on the final ball. Slower one, full and around off, Gill pushes it gently towards point and collects a run.

Fullish and angling in around off, Venkatesh Iyer uses his feet and strokes it to extra cover for one. 14 from the over, so far.

Smart this time. Taps a length ball in the gap at covers and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Shubman Gill gets lucky this time. A hat-trick of boundaries for Kolkata. George Garton delivers it full and in the line of the stumps, Shubman Gill steps back to hammer it through the off side but gets a big fat inside edge. It beats the stumps and scoots past the diving keeper for a boundary at fine leg.

FOUR! Shot! As a result of the last shot, George Garton goes short and delivers it around off, this time Shubman Gill sits back inside the crease and pulls it thunderously to the deep mid-wicket fence. This is smart batting.

FOUR! A good start to the over for Kolkata. Lovely footwork from Shubman Gill. He charges down the track to a full ball around off and drills it straight down the ground for a boundary.

A tidy second over from Siraj, he gave away just 3 this time. Fullish and on middle, Venkatesh Iyer pushes it down towards mid on.

A low full toss around off, Iyer brings his bat down in time and digs it out to backward point.

Width on offer outside off, Gill cuts it through point for a single.

Around off on a length, Venkatesh Iyer taps it down to backward point and looks for a run. He is sent back and reaches the crease in time. Devdutt Padikkal scores a direct hit at the striker's end and the ball deflects towards square leg. They now cross for a run.

Shortish and outside off, cut away towards point for a single.

Fails to put it away. A full toss around off, Shubman Gill walks down the track and slaps it towards mid off. Dot.

SIX! Two dots and Venkatesh Iyer releases the pressure with a biggie - first of the evening. George Garton digs in a short ball, around off, Iyer gets on top of the bounce and pulls it handsomely behind square leg for a maximum.

Pitches it up again, around off, Venkatesh Iyer this time drives towards covers but again it's not in the gap.

On a fuller length and outside off, Iyer drives it square of the wicket on the off side but finds point.

Fullish and around off, Shubman Gill drives it down the ground and the call is for two. The mid off fielder moves across to his right to make a tumbling stop and only one results.

Mishit. George Garton darts in fuller delivery around middle and leg, Venkatesh Iyer tries to flick but gets a leading edge towards covers. They steal a quick run.

Back of a length on middle and leg, Shubman Gill glances it through square leg and rotates the strike.

Who will start from the other end? George Garton it is.

Siraj comes from 'round the wicket now, full and angling in around off, Venkatesh Iyer drives it to mid off. 7 from the opening over!

Good stop by Chahal. On middle and leg, Gill tickles it towards short fine leg. Chahal does well to stop the racing ball and they take a single.

Pitches it up and outside off, Gill drives it off the front foot to mid off.

FOUR! Siraj once again drifts down the leg side, fuller and angling in, Shubman Gill flicks it with beautiful timing and places it through mid-wicket for a glorious boundary.

Venkatesh Iyer attacks the width outside off. It's on a length and Iyer stands back to slap it to deep point. They get a run.

The chase is underway with a single. Siraj begins with a fuller delivery, around middle and leg, Shubman Gill flicks it to deep square leg to open his account.

BYE! A length ball, just outside off. Patel looks to heave it away but misses. Dinesh Karthik also fails to collect the ball. The batters sneak a bye. Bangalore end their innings at 138/7.

A length ball, on off. Patel flicks it through mid-wicket for a couple.

WIDE! A slower full-length ball, wide outside off. Patel leaves it alone. Wide called.

George Garton is the new man in.

OUT! RUN OUT! There was never a second run here. A full-length ball, outside off. Patel comes across and flicks it to square leg. Lockie Ferguson fumbles and there is a mix-up for the second run. They eventually decide to go for it. Ferguson collects the ball and throws it to the bowler at the non-striker's end. Mavi collects and clips the bails off before Dan Christian could make it in.

NOT OUT! A low dipping full toss, around off. Harshal Patel rocks back and looks to heave but seems to miss it. He is hit on the thigh pad, they appeal and up goes the finger. Patel reviews it straightaway. UltraEdge shows Patel got the toe end of his bat on the ball and the decision has been overturned.

FOUR! CRACKED! Patel makes the most of the Free Hit. Full toss and outside off, Patel skips down the track and carves it through point for a boundary.

Review time! Harshal Patel has reviewed an LBW decision. UltraEdge shows a spike as the ball passes the bat and the decision has been overturned.

Full-length ball and wide outside off. Christian goes behind the line and plays it across towards mid-wicket for a single. The siren goes off and the umpire signals a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit to follow.

Full toss around off, Patel pushes it to mid off for a single.

Harshal Patel walks out.

OUT! CAUGHT! Lockie Ferguson gets his second wicket of the game. Ahmed wanted to go big, looking for the first maximum of the game but he pays the price. A low full toss, on off, Ahmed gets under it and lifts it towards deep mid-wicket. There were two fielders converging but Mavi calls for it and takes it safely.

LUCKY! A full-length ball, on off, Christian throws his bat at it. The ball takes the inside edge, scoots past the stumps and goes towards short fine leg. They take one.

A length ball, outside off. Ahmed looks to pull it away. The ball takes the bottom end and goes towards wide mid off. The batters cross for a single and a direct hit at the striker's end would have been interesting.

A length ball, on off, Christian eases it to long off for a single.

FOUR! A much-needed boundary for Bangalore. Fuller and outside off, Dan Christian lifts it over extra cover and bags a boundary. Bangalore need many more boundaries at this stage.

A slower, full-length ball, outside off. Christian looks to chase it but misses.

Lockie Ferguson is back on.

A couple to end the over! Mavi fires in a yorker on middle, Ahmed digs it out to square leg off the inside half. The batters call for two and get two comfortably. A good over by Mavi, just 6 runs off it. The boundaries have dried up for Bangalore.

Length ball, around off. Christian shows full face of the bat and pushes it towards mid off for another run.

Another single now! On a length, around off. Ahmed pushes it to point off the under-edge for a single.

Dan Christian is off the mark with a single. Fuller and on the pads. Christian clips it towards long on for a single.

Play and a miss! Slightly short and outside off, Christian hangs back and looks to cut it away but misses.

Full length and outside off. Ahmed slaps it through covers for a single.

Flatter, quicker and outside off. Ahmed looks to drive but inside-edges it to square leg. Single taken. Sunil Narine is done with his tremendous spell, 4-0-21-4.

Almost had him! Tossed up on middle. Ahmed looks to flick but gets a soft leading edge and the ball lobs wide of the bowler.

Dan Christian is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Sunil Narine gets his fourth wicket! This time Glenn Maxwell departs and it's a body blow to Bangalore. Floated, full and on off, the ball is turning away. Glenn Maxwell swings hard at it but only manages to get a top edge. The ball goes towards short third man and Lockie Ferguson pouches it comfortably.

Another attempt for reverse-sweep but Maxwell only manages to mistime it towards point.

Swing and a miss! Loopy ball, around middle and leg. Maxwell looks to reverse-hit it but misses it completely.

DROPPED! Shubman Gill does all the hard work but it all goes in vain. Floated, full and on off. Ahmed gets low and slog-sweeps it aerially towards deep mid-wicket. Gill runs to his right but could not grab the ball cleanly. They take one.

Strategic Time-Out! Kolkata have held things back very nicely. Sunil Narine has been the go-to bowler as he is looking sharp and working wonders. Bangalore need the current pair to stay in the middle and end the innings with a competitive total.

Floated, full and outside off. Maxwell blazes his drive through point for a brace. Just 3 runs off the over, Varun Chakravarthy is done with his 4-over spell - 0/20.

Full and on off. Maxwell pushes it to covers but finds the fielder.

On the pads, tucked to mid-wicket for a single.

Review time! Shahbaz Ahmed has been given out lbw and he refers it. UltraEdge shows an inside edge and the decision has been overturned.

NOT OUT! Shahbaz Ahmed uses the review to save himself. Flighted ball, full and off. Shahbaz Ahmed comes across and looks to reverse sweep it but fails to middle his shot properly. The ball hits the pads and rolls to the leg side. Varun Chakravarthy puts in an appeal. The batters sneak a single. The umpire raises his finger after a lot of thought. Shahbaz Ahmed goes for the DRS and the UltraEdge detects an inside edge.

Floated, full and on off. Ahmed lobs it towards covers off the leading edge.

A dot now.  Flatter and outside off. Ahmed looks to cut it away. The ball takes the inner half and bounces beside the keeper.

Shortish and outside off, turning back in sharply to cramp the batsman for room, Glenn Maxwell chops his attempted square cut to point.

Flatter and on off. Glenn Maxwell solidly blocks it.

Full and outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed steps down and hits it to long on for a single.

EDGY FOUR! Tossed up around off, turning away a bit, Shahbaz Ahmed tries to drive but gets a thick outside edge. It sneaks through the gap between the keeper and first slip for a boundary.

WIDE! Flatter, down leg. Ahmed looks to flick it away but misses. Wide called.

Shahbaz Ahmed walks out.

OUT! TIMBER! Massive breakthrough for Kolkata as Mr 360 departs without doing any damage. What a night Sunil Narine is having! AB de Villiers has to walk back for 11. Narine serves a loopy ball, around middle, AB de Villiers leans forward and looks to flick it away but misses. The ball sneaks through the gap between the bat and pads to rattle the stumps.

A couple to start with! Flatter, around middle and leg. AB de Villiers tucks it to mid-wicket for a couple. Good running.

Loopy ball, on off, clipped to mid-wicket for a single.

Fires it very full and wide outside off, AB de Villiers leaves it.

Good work in the deep by Rahul Tripathi! Full and on off. AB de Villiers sweeps it to deep square leg. Tripathi runs across in the deep and does well to save two runs for his team.

Flatter and outside off. Glenn Maxwell backs away and drags it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

A full toss, on off, AB de Villiers skips down and eases it to long on for one more.

Very full and on off, drilled down to long off for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy is back into the attack.

FOUR! Good shot! Flatter and on off, AB de Villiers reverse-sweeps it past the diving point fielder for a boundary.

Appeal for an LBW but turned down! This is full and around off, AB de Villiers gets forward and across to flick it away but misses. He gets hit on the pads. They appeal but it's not given. The impact might be outside off.

Full and on off. Glenn Maxwell rocks back and works it to deep point for a single.

Flatter and outside off, cut away to deep point for a single. AB de Villiers is off the mark.

AB de Villiers walks out at number 5.

OUT! TIMBER! Huge wicket for Kolkata as the set Virat Kohli has to go back. Fair to say, Sunil Narine is the go-to man for Morgan right now! Tossed up, full and on middle at 91.2 kph, it lands and spins back in. Virat Kohli is too early into his attempted heave across the line and also fails to read the spin. The ball sneaks through and rattles the leg stump.

This one spins back in from middle, Glenn Maxwell rocks back to pull but it takes the inside edge and deflects off his pads. The ball goes in the gap at mid-wicket and they cross.

Sunil Narine comes back into the attack. His figures are 1-0-4-1 so far.

FOUR! Bread and butter for Kohli! A full ball, on the pads. Virat Kohli flicks it uppishly over mid-wicket for a boundary.

This was served with some pace! On a length and outside off. Kohli looks to go over covers but fails to get any bat on it. 147 kph.

Slightly full and on middle, Maxwell nudges it to square leg for one more.

Again full and angling on the pads. Kohli whips it to deep backward square leg for a single.

Full and on off, Kohli hits it to mid-wicket.

Shout for an lbw, not given! On a length, around middle and leg at 146 kph, this one nips back in after landing. Maxwell hangs back and looks to flick but seems to miss it. Kolkata appeal but it's not given. The ball rolls to point and they take a leg bye. Eoin Morgan decides not to review and the replays later show that it was clipping the leg stump. Would have been the umpire's call anyway.

WIDE! Ferguson misses his line as he spills it down the leg side. Maxwell misses his flick.

Lockie Ferguson is brought back into the attack. 1/16 in his 2 overs so far.

Full and on middle. Maxwell gets low and sweeps it to deep square leg to retain the strike. 9 from the over, Shakib finishes his 4-over spell - 0/24.

Flatter and on off, Kohli punches off the back foot towards covers for a single.

On the pads, worked on the leg side for a single.

FOUR! Here comes the reverse-hit! This was full and on middle, Maxwell gets into the position quickly and powers it over point for a boundary. Bangalore would hope that this shot breaks the shackles.

Full and on middle. Kohli heaves it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Loopy ball, on middle. Maxwell nudges it to the vacant short mid-wicket region for a single.

Floated, full and on middle. Virat defends it back on the deck. Bangalore are 70/2 at the halfway mark.

Full ball, outside off. Maxwell taps it to cover-point and gets off the mark with a single.

Glenn Maxwell comes out at number 4.

OUT! TAKEN! Bharat was not middling his shots for a long time and now he pays the price for it. Sunil Narine gets a wicket in his very first over and the hero of the last match walks back for a cheap score. This was full, tossed up and around off. Possibly a carrom ball. Srikar Bharat looks to go downtown but does not hit it with much power. Venkatesh Iyer, at long off, runs to his right and takes a very good catch.

Flatter again, outside off. Kohli hits it softly to point for a quick single.

Flatter, quicker and outside off, swept to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Narine starts with a tossed up ball, full and on middle. Kohli leans and clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Sunil Narine comes into the attack now.

Very full and on off, drilled down to long off for one more.

Tossed up on middle. Bharat steps across and nudges it to deep square leg for one.

Full and slanting outside off. Bharat leaves it alone.

Tossed up, around leg, flicked to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Slight short and outside off. Bharat hangs back and lifts it over covers for a single.

Floated, full and on middle, pushed back to the right of the bowler.

Full and on leg. Bharat clips it wide of mid on for a single.

Floated, full and around middle. Bharat looks to sweep it away, but gets it off the inner half. The ball rolls to the leg side.

Full and on middle. Kohli gets low and sweeps it through square leg for a single.

Stumping chance! Loopy ball, around off. Bharat skips down the track and looks to play it through the line but misses. The ball clips the pads and goes behind as Dinesh Karthik fails to collect it. It goes towards fine leg. They collect a leg bye.

Floated, full and around off. Kohli stays back and pushes it to covers for another single.

Full and on middle. Bharat clips it through mid-wicket for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy is back on. Went for 7 runs in his first over.

A single now, as this is worked to long off. A good over by Shakib Al Hasan. Just 4 runs off it.

EDGY! Bharat is early into his shot this time. Floated, around off. Bharat looks to flick it to the leg side. The ball takes the leading edge and goes towards covers.

Full and on off. Kohli goes back and pushes it to mid off for a single.

NOT OUT! Virat Kohli survives. Flatter and on the pads. Kohli hangs back and tucks it to mid-wicket. Kohli is halfway down the crease, looking for a single. But he was sent back. Ferguson collects the ball and throws it to the keeper who breaks the stumps. If the wickets were hit directly, Kohli could have been a goner. The dive saves him here.

A run out appeal has been taken upstairs! The replay shows Kohli just made his ground with a good dive and it is confirmed by the third umpire as well.

Tossed up, on off. Bharat mistimes his shot aerially towards mid on. The ball lands safely. They take another single.

A single now! Floated, full and off. Kohli comes down the track and drives it towards mid off. Eoin Morgan dives to his right to make a half stop.  They take one.

Strategic Time-Out! Despite losing Devdutt Padikkal at the very end of the Powerplay, this has been a very good passage of play for Bangalore. They have scored runs at a brisk pace and would look to continue. For Kolkata, they need to chip wickets at regular intervals to pile pressure on Bangalore. Shakib Al Hasan is back into the attack.

Another single. Full and outside off, Virat drives it through cover-point. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 53/1.

Slower one, at 117.5 kph, full and wide outside off, Srikar Bharat mistimes his drive to point. Kohli calls him through for a single.

Fuller and on off, Virat Kohli uses his wrists and works it towards mid-wicket for a run.

Off the mark! A touch short and on middle at 148.9 kph, Srikar Bharat glances it to deep square leg for a run. 50 up!

Back of a length, around off at 145.1 kph, Bharat goes on his toes and defends it on the leg side.

Srikar Bharat walks out at number 3.

OUT! DRAGS IT ON! Lockie Ferguson strikes and roars in delight. The Kiwi speeds in from 'round the wicket and lands it on a length outside off at 149 kph, Devdutt Padikkal stands back to whack it through the line but it takes the inner portion of his blade and cannons onto the stumps. The 49-run opening stand has been broken and Kolkata would be feeling a lot better now.

Fuller around middle and off, at 140.9 kph, Devdutt Padikkal opens the face of the bat and pushes it through point for one. 13 from the over.

Fails to put it away. Full toss around off, Virat Kohli strokes it through the line but finds the fielder at the edge of the circle at extra cover. Takes a single.

Use of the feet from Devdutt Padikkal. He walks down the track to a length ball and goes hard at it. Doesn't time it well but it rolls wide of mid off and hence a run is taken.

Wide! Shivam Mavi is feeling the heat. Attempts a slower one but it's way down the leg side, Padikkal leaves it.

Four leg byes! They all count. Wrong line from Mavi. Serves it on a length around leg, Devdutt Padikkal fails to flick but it takes his thigh pad and speeds wide of Dinesh Karthik for a boundary at fine leg.

Tap and run. Around off on a length, Kohli bunts it down towards wide mid off and rotates the strike.

FOUR! Virat Kohli goes aerial and fetches a boundary. This one is served on a length, around middle and off, Virat steps back and lofts it with ease over extra cover. The fielder chases but fails to pull it back.

Shivam Mavi is back into the attack. Went for 10 runs in his first over.

Fullish and around off at 149.1 kph, Devdutt Padikkal leans forward and threads his drive through the gap at covers for a couple. 12 from the over and it's been a steady start from Bangalore.

FOUR! Well played! A 147 kph delivery, on a length and around the leg stump line, asking to be hit. Devdutt Padikkal picks it off his pads and deflects it wide of short fine leg.

Fuller and on off, Kohli works it across the line, towards wide mid on as the mid-wicket fielder tries to intervene. They take another quick single.

A direct hit would have been interesting. Fuller and on middle, Padikkal pushes it towards mid off and scampers to the other end. The fielder misses his shy at the bowler's end as Devdutt dives in.

Fuller and on middle, Devdutt Padikkal hits across the line but finds mid-wicket.

FOUR! Clever from Devdutt Padikkal. Lockie Ferguson begins with a shortish delivery, around off at 142 clicks, Padikkal hangs on the back foot, uses the pace of the bowler and glides it over short third man.

Lockie Ferguson is into the attack.

Great stop by Venkatesh Iyer! Saves a certain boundary. Fuller and on off, Padikkal blazes his drive to the right of mid off. Iyer puts in a dive to stop the racing ball. Saves three.

Use of the wrists by Kohli. Fullish and on middle, Virat leans forward and works it wide of short mid-wicket for a single.

Loopy one, full and around middle, Devdutt Padikkal drives it past the bowler to mid off. They cross for another brisk run as Venkatesh Iyer fires his throw at the keeper's end.

Varun Chakravarthy drags his length short and delivers it on off, Devdutt Padikkal goes back and strokes it through covers for a brace.

Once again it's a great piece of running between the wickets. Tossed up, full and around off, Kohli pushes it defensively to covers and pinches one.

Quick run. Flighted and around off, Devdutt Padikkal tries to defend but it catches the outside edge and dribbles to short third man. They steal a quick single.

FOUR! A good over from Mavi gets spoiled in the end. Mavi goes wide of the crease and probably wants to bowl a yorker. But the execution is not there. It's a full toss outside off and Virat slices it behind backward point for a boundary.

Varun Chakravarthy is into the attack.

FOUR! Once again a boundary on the last ball of the over. Fuller in length and outside off, in the slot for the cover drive and Kohli unleashes it over the infield for a boundary. It's also a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit coming...

Another dot ball. Back of a length and outside off, Kohli opens the face of the bat late but fails to beat the short third man fielder.

Mavi speeds in and lands it on a length outside off, Virat steps forward but fails to time his shot properly. Ends up pushing it to mid on.

Pitches it up and around off, Devdutt Padikkal pushes it with gentle hands towards mid off and scampers across for a quick run.

On a length, around middle and off, Padikkal helps it on the leg side but finds mid-wicket.

Starts with a delivery around middle, Devdutt Padikkal defends it back from the crease.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Shivam Mavi.

FOUR! First of the game. Shakib gets his line fractionally wrong. It's around leg and skidding down, Virat Kohli is quick to go down as he sweeps it firmly to the deep square leg fence.

Good lines from Shakib. Keeps it around off, no room, Kohli moves back and helps it to short mid-wicket.

Shortish and on off, Kohli goes deep inside the crease and plays it towards extra cover.

Quicker one, flat and around off, once again Devdutt Padikkal punches it from the crease towards long on for one.

A bit aerial but wide of the fielder. Floated and full around middle and off, holding up a bit, Virat flicks it wide of short mid-wicket and crosses for a single.

Starts with a flatter and shorter ball on off, Padikkal goes on the back foot and punches it towards long on. They take a single.

We are all set for the action. Out walk the players of Kolkata and they are followed by the openers of Bangalore, Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal. Shakib Al Hasan to start with the ball. Here we go...

Glenn Maxwell is up for a chat. The Aussie says that they had a couple of good sessions and they are looking forward to this game. About Srikar Bharat, he says that it was an amazing night and it was great to head into the playoffs in that fashion. Mentions that it gives the group a lot of confidence. Talking about himself, he says that he tries to keep it simple and is comfortable in his role and the consistency has been really rewarding. Tells that they need to score as many runs in the first 15-16 overs as the wickets here slow down at the backend. Feels that they've to stick to their game plans and be on the mark from ball one.

Did you know? Kolkata have won all of their 4 matches while chasing in the UAE leg of the Indian T20 League 2021. Have Bangalore missed a trick?

Eoin Morgan, the skipper of Kolkata, says that he wanted to bowl first anyway. Says the wicket looks a bit different and chasing doesn't look that bad. Adds that they have played some great games and the players are fulfilling the roles and they have started to peak at the right time. Informs that they are going in unchanged.

Virat Kohli, the Bangalore skipper, is up for a chat. Says that the wicket looks great and as the game progresses it becomes tougher to bat. Mentions that there are no changes. On Srikar Bharat's knock in the last game, Kohli replies that the youngsters stepping up to win the match is particularly pleasing and he is very happy for Srikar.  Shares that the meeting has been short and sharp, focus on the basics and nothing changes for them regardless of this being the Eliminator.

Kolkata (Unchanged Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Venkatesh Iyer, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Shakib Al Hasan, Sunil Narine, Lockie Ferguson, Shivam Mavi, Varun Chakravarthy.

Bangalore (Unchanged Playing XI) - Virat Kohli (C), Devdutt Padikkal, Srikar Bharat (WK), Glenn Maxwell, AB de Villiers, Dan Christian, Shahbaz Ahmed, George Garton, Harshal Patel, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mohammed Siraj.

Toss - Virat Kohli and Eoin Morgan are in the middle. The former flips the coin, Heads is the call but it has come down as Tails. BANGALORE ELECT TO BAT!

How's the pitch? The first thing that Matthew Hayden points out is about the 'Sharjah sheen'. It's been missing so far but the Aussie informs that the sheen is back and the pitch doesn't have too many cracks. Let's hope to have a high-scoring game.

Last meeting - That was the game where Kolkata turned their season upside down. In their first match after the resumption, Bangalore and Kolkata faced each other and the former was bundled out for only 92. Kolkata overhauled the target in 10 overs, unearthed a new talent in Venkatesh Iyer and handed a thrashing to Virat Kohli in his 200th game for Bangalore. Is revenge in store?

If there's one team that benefited the most from the forced break, then it has to be Kolkata. They were in the doldrums with just two wins in 7 games when the season was suspended in May. The break allowed them to rethink their strategies and they have come out more fearless in the UAE leg. Under Eoin Morgan and Brendon McCullum, who are known for their aggressive style to play the game, the players are given the license to go for the kill and you can see that in their batting. The 2-time champions would be riding high on confidence and would be aiming to outclass Bangalore yet again in the second phase.

In almost every edition of the Indian T20 League, the optimistic fans of Bangalore start this slogan - 'Ee Sala Cup Namde' (this time Cup is ours) and in 2021, they've every reason to believe that this is finally the year when they can fulfill their lifelong dream of winning the elusive trophy. Bangalore have been performing with great consistency, in both the legs of this season and have all the resources to march into Qualifier 2. Their batting has always been rock solid but for a change, this time around, they have 'performing bowlers' who haven't succumbed under pressure, thus far. Bangalore would hope to keep up the good work and avenge their last loss against Kolkata.

Eliminator! The name itself is enough to scare and put pressure. It's that stage of the tournament where one moment of brilliance or madness decides your future. All the hard work done in the past can quickly go down the drain if you're not on top of your game. Both Bangalore and Kolkata will be aware that the stakes are very high this evening, and it's time to either perform or perish. On that note, we welcome you all to the coverage of this match in Sharjah. Stay with us for more updates...

... MATCH DAY ...