Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Kolkata Knight Riders Indian Premier League, 2022

FOUR! Karthik has done it for Bangalore towards the end. That's a calm finish from him. Fuller and around off, Karthik shows it the full face of his bat and drills it down to long on for a boundary. Bangalore win by 3 wickets and open their account this season!

SIX! No fear when DK is here! He has been a perfect finisher! Short in length, around off, Karthik rides the bounce and rifles it over square leg for a biggie. Just one needed now.

Who will bowl the last over? It will be Andre Russell. Have to say the batting side is the favourite but can Andre Russell do something special for his team? Let's find out.

FOUR! A boundary to finish the over and Bangalore will be relieved. 7 needed off 6 now. Short again from Iyer, around middle, Harshal Patel steps back to make room and clobbers it to the wide long on fence.

Another swing and a miss! Venkatesh Iyer is playing his part here. A touch short and close to off, no pace on offer, Patel tries to heave but misses. He looks to steal a bye but DK sends him back. Can Iyer close this over well now?

Swing and a miss! Fuller in length and wide outside off, Harshal throws his bat at it but fais to connect.

FOUR! Vital boundary. On a length and outside off, Harshal Patel walks across the stumps and scoops it down to fine leg for a boundary. 11 needed off 9 balls.

Complete hara-kiri! Both the batters are at one end. Absolute chaos there. But Kolkata fail to get the run out. Fuller in length and outside off, Karthik slices his drive towards short third man. His partner wants a run and DK hesitates after setting off. They both end up at the striker's end but to their relief, Umesh Yadav has a shy at the striker's end and misses. Karthik now runs to the other end to complete a single.

Pitches it up and around middle, Patel drives it to the right of covers and hands the strike to Karthik.

Venkatesh Iyer is brought into the attack to bowl the 19th over!

Slightly short in length and on off, Patel punches it to sweeper cover for a run. What an over from the Kiwi, 7 runs and two wickets off it! 17 needed off 12 balls.

Harshal Patel comes in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! This game is going down the wire, folks! Two wickets in the over! Back of a length, on off. Wanindu Hasaranga makes room and looks to hit it over the infield on the off side. However, he fails to get the timing on that one and the ball goes in the air behind mid off. Andre Russell at mid off runs behind and to his left and takes a fantastic catch. What a catch and what a over this has been.

FOUR! That will release the tension. Short in length and outside off, Wanindu Hasaranga attacks it with all his might and whacks it to the deep point fence. 18 needed off 14 balls.

On a length, on middle. Wanindu Hasaranga defends it towards the leg side.

Wanindu Hasaranga is the new batter.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Ohh...a moment of magic from Sheldon Jackson! Kolkata needed this kind of effort and now we have a real game on our hands. Sherfane Rutherford walks back. Southee lands it on a length, around middle and off. Sherfane Rutherford looks to pull it away but gets an inside edge. The ball goes to the right of Sheldon Jackson. It was dipping in front of him but he dives to take a great low catch. 22 needed now from 16 balls.

Lands on a length, around off. Dinesh Karthik steers it towards third man for a single.

WIDE! Starts off with a wide! This is a fullish delivery and down the leg side. Dinesh Karthik looks to flick it but misses.

Who will bowl now? It's going to be Tim Southee.

So dot to end the over! 24 needed now from 18 balls. This game is still on, folks! A flatter and quicker delivery, outside off. Sherfane Rutherford looks to push it away but gets beaten.

Another single! Fuller delivery on middle. Dinesh Karthik works it to mid-wicket for a single. They are just trying to play out this over.

Quicker and around off. Sherfane Rutherford guides it to the left of short third man for a single.

Darted on leg. Dinesh Karthik works it to deep mid-wicket for a single. There is a slight misfield and the batters think of an extra run but decide against it.

Goes quicker and flatter on middle. Dinesh Karthik defends it off the front foot.

Short and around off, Sherfane Rutherford turns inside the crease and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a run.

Dinesh Karthik arrives. 28 needed off 24 balls. A very crucial period in the match. Shreyas Iyer has played his trump card by bringing in Sunil Narine for his final over. Make or break time for Kolkata.

OUT! STUMPED! This time, Varun Chakaravarthy foxes him and gets a wicket off the last ball of his spell! It is pitched around off and he just pulls his length back a bit as he sees Shahbaz Ahmed coming down the track. It turns away and beats the attempted hoick of Shahbaz Ahmed. Sheldon Jackson collects the ball behind the stumps and whips the bails off. Shahbaz Ahmed is well out of his crease. Is there hope for Kolkata?

SIX! Ohh... Shahbaz Ahmed ruins a fine over from Varun Chakaravarthy! Takes it on full as he dances down the track and tonks it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

On the shorter side, on middle. Sherfane Rutherford pulls it to deep backward square leg for a single. Just two runs from the over so far.

Fuller delivery on middle. Sherfane Rutherford goes for a big hit across the line but mistimes it completely.

Pitches around leg, Sherfane Rutherford goes for a reverse-sweep but misses. The ball hits his pads and there is an appeal but the umpire is not interested.  The replays show that it had pitched outside leg.

A fuller delivery on middle. Shahbaz Ahmed reverse-sweeps it to short third man for a single.

Drinks! Kolkata have done well to stay in the game here but Bangalore are still favourites to win this. Still a lot of batting to come and Kolkata need a special effort to pull of a win from this situation. Narine has one over in his kitty and Shreyas will hope that his star spinner produces something that will make this game even more interesting. Varun Chakaravarthy comes back into the attack.

Full and wide outside off, Sherfane Rutherford flashes and misses. 36 needed off 30 balls.

Strong appeal for a caught behind! The finger has stayed down and the Kolkata players can't believe it. Seeing the enthusiasm of his players, Shreyas Iyer takes the review. Back of a length, around off and angling away, Sherfane Rutherford rocks back to heave across the line but misses. Sheldon Jackson collects the ball and charges forward, appealing. Tim Southee is also screaming his lungs out but the umpire stays unmoved. Nothing on the UltraEdge.

Inside edge! Slower one, full and around leg, Shahbaz tries to heave but gets an inside edge. It goes to Umesh Yadav at short fine leg and they cross.

Quick running between the wickets to get a couple of runs. Short and wide outside off, Shahbaz Ahmed slaps it to the right of sweeper cover.

Swing and a miss! Slower one at 126.9 kph, on a shortish length around off, Ahmed stands back and tries to power it over the leg side but misses.

Off pace this time, on a length and outside off, Ahmed drags his shot off the inner edge and it goes back to the bowler.

Wide! The Kiwi begins his second spell by conceding an extra. A low full toss, way wide outside off, Shahbaz leaves after thinking to chase it for a while.

Tim Southee (2-0-9-1) is back into the attack now. Can he provide a breakthrough?

Too full in length, around leg, Shahbaz Ahmed steps back and drives it through covers for a run. Umesh has bowled out now, 4-0-16-2!

And again. Yadav follows the batter down the leg side with a well-directed bouncer, Shahbaz evades at the last moment.

Bouncer, around leg, Shahbaz Ahmed sways away from the line of fire.

IN THE AIR... SAFE! Fuller in length on middle, Sherfane Rutherford plays a mistimed aerial shot towards long on. Rinku Singh comes running in from the deep but it falls in front of him. They cross for a run.

Steals a risky run. Umesh follows the batter down the leg side with a length ball, Shahbaz keeps it out to point and looks for a run. Sherfane Rutherford responds and rushes to the other end as the fielder misses his shy at the striker's end.

Umesh Yadav (3-0-12-2) is back on.

Pitches it up and around off, Rutherford strokes it through the gap at covers for a single.

Play and a miss! Full in length and outside off, slower in pace, Ahmed flashes his bat at it and misses. 15 from the over, not something that Kolkata wanted.

SIX! This one has also gone the distance. Even better on this occasion. Russell continues to dig it in short, around middle, Shahbaz swivels on the back foot and pummels it over square leg for a biggie. Shreyas is not impressed. 44 needed off 43 balls.

Again the length is a bit short and on off, Ahmed taps it down towards point but fails to beat the fielder.

SIX! Shahbaz Ahmed has nailed it! Andre Russell bowls it short and around off, Shahbaz Ahmed rides the bounce and dispatches it over wide long on for a maximum. 50 needed off 45 balls.

A low dipping full toss around off, Rutherford hits it from the bottom half of his bat and the ball flies on the bounce to the cover fielder. They cross.

Short and wide outside off, Shahbaz Ahmed forces it to deep cover for a run. Andre Russell has overstepped and it's going to be a Free Hit.

Back of a length, around off and angling away, Shahbaz punches it off his back foot but finds the point fielder.

Will Narine bowl his final over? No, Shreyas Iyer decides to keep one over for latter of his frontline spinner and brings Andre Russell back into the attack. The big man from Caribbean has been expensive in the one over he has bowled so far. 11 runs came from it.

Slightly short and on middle, Shahbaz goes back and punches it down to long on for one. 8 from the over.

Floated delivery, full and around leg, Shahbaz gets forward and defends it on the leg side.

Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it softly to covers for a quick run.

FOUR! Excellent shot! Short in length, around off and turning away, Rutherford rocks back and smacks it through point. Russell runs across to his right from sweeper cover, puts in a dive near the fence but makes a complete mess.

A full toss on middle, Shahbaz goes down and sweeps it firmly behind square leg for a single.

Fuller and on middle, eased through mid-wicket for a run.

Shahbaz Ahmed is the next batter in.

OUT! Soft dismissal! The change of gloves didn't work for Willey. Flatter through the air, a touch short and on middle, Willey goes deep inside the crease and tries to punch it across the line. He fails to get the timing right and it's an easy catch for Nitish Rana at mid-wicket. The 45-run stand has been broken and Kolkata have an opening. 67 needed off 54 balls.

Change of gloves for David Willey!

Fuller and on middle, it's softly worked to mid-wicket for a quick run as the fielder fumbles. That would have been close had that fielder picked up the ball.

Flighted and around off, Sherfane Rutherford lunges and blocks it safely.

Presses forward and pushes a full ball to covers for a run.

Appeal for a run out and it has been referred upstairs! Tossed up, around off, Rutherford pushes it gently to cover-point and looks to steal a quick run. David Willey responds and dives to get at the other end. In the meanwhile, the fielder also dives to collect the ball and throws it to the keeper who takes the bails off. They appeal, it's referred upstairs and the replays show that the full-length dive from Willey has saved him easily.

Play and a miss! Slower through the air, short and wide outside off, Sherfane Rutherford tries to cut but misses.

Flatter and shorter on middle, David defends it back from the back foot. At the halfway mark, Bangalore need 70 runs.

Flighted and full around off, defended off the front foot.

NOT OUT! Varun Chakaravarthy pitches it on middle and it turns away from the batter. David Willey pushes forward to defend but misses. The keeper collects it and whips the bails off. The leg umpire takes it upstairs and the replays show that Willey's back leg is grounded and is inside the crease. So no damage done.

Appeal for a stumping! It has been referred upstairs. Sheldon Jackson looked excited for a short while but is not looking too confident now. The third umpire first checks for the outside edge, no bat there. The side-on angle shows that the foot is also grounded.

WIDE! Drifts down the leg side. David Willey looks to work it towards the leg side but misses. The umpire calls it wide.

Goes slightly fuller and quicker on off. David Willey blocks it out.

FOUR! Varun Chakaravarthy has bowled a couple of short deliveries today and is getting punished here. This is short on off. David Willey goes back and pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

Good delivery! It is quicker on off. Sherfane Rutherford defends it off the back foot towards the off side for a single.

Strategic break. Kolkata have fought really well thus far. But they can win this match only by picking wickets at regular intervals. The current partnership has settled in and is scoring runs at a decent pace. The Kolkata spinners hold the key at the moment and Bangalore will have to counter them with discipline.

Narine pushes it quicker on off and gives nothing away. David Willey calmly defends it off the front foot again. 76 needed from 66 balls!

Quicker and flatter on off. David Willey defends it off the front foot.

Narine pulls his length back and serves this around off. David Willey goes back and blocks it towards the off side. He looks for a single but is sent back by his partner.

A fuller delivery on off. David Willey drives it to covers.

Goes slightly quicker and around off. Sherfane Rutherford leans forward again and pushes it square on the off side for a quick single.

Slower in the air and fuller on off. Sherfane Rutherford defends it off the front foot.

Quicker and flatter delivery on off. David Willey blocks it out. 77 needed from 72 balls.

Quicker delivery on middle, Sherfane Rutherford works it towards mid-wicket and sets off for a single. The fielder there has a shy at the striker's end but misses. A single taken.

Flatter delivery on off. Sherfane Rutherford blocks it out.

SIX! A powerful hit from a powerful player! It is another short delivery on middle, nothing delivery really. Sherfane Rutherford hangs back and pulls it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

An appeal for an LBW from the keeper but nothing serious! This is pitched on off and turns away a wee bit. David Willey looks to defend it but misses. The ball goes over the off stump, brushes the pads of the keeper and deflects away. They cross for a leg bye.

FOUR! Runs are coming freely now for Bangalore! This is shorter and outside off. David Willey rocks back and cuts it through covers for a boundary.

Spin from both ends? Yes, Varun Chakaravarthy to bowl in tandem with Narine.

Goes slower and fuller on middle. Sherfane Rutherford defends it off the front foot. 89 needed from 78 balls!

Pushes it quicker again at 96.3 kph, outside off. David Willey cuts it to deep point for a single.

Goes slightly shorter, around off. David Willey punches it through covers and gets a couple.

A slider again, on off. David Willey defends it off the front foot towards the off side.

Goes shorter on off. Sherfane Rutherford works it to long on for a single.

Beaten straightaway! This is quicker and flatter outside off. Sherfane Rutherford pushes forward to defend but the ball beats the outside edge of his blade.

Will Shreyas Iyer keep Umesh Yadav's one over in the bank? Yes, he has done that by bringing Sunil Narine into the attack.

On the shorter side again, around off. David Willey punches it to covers. Bangalore are 36/3 after Powerplay.

FOUR! Now, a boundary off the bat of David Willey and it will ease some nerves! Short and wide from Russell, outside off. David Willey cuts it firmly through point for a boundary.

Back of a length, outside off. David Willey looks to cut but misses.

FIVE WIDES! Kolkata cannot afford these extra runs! Short and on off. It is too high as David Willey misses his pull. Sheldon Jackson jumps to stop it but the ball goes over him for a boundary. The umpire signals it wide for height and these are bonus runs for Bangalore.

Goes shorter again, close to off. Sherfane Rutherford is cramped for room but steers it towards third man for a single.

The two batters are just looking to absorb the pressure and that's the right way to approach at the moment. The scoreboard pressure is negligible and once the ball gets wet, they can cash in later on.

Back of a length, on off again. Sherfane Rutherford blocks it off the back foot.

Starts with a back-of-a-length delivery, around off. David Willey dabs it down next to the pitch, in front of point, and takes a quick single.

Change in bowling. Andre Russell is inserted into the attack now.

Short in length and drifting down the leg side, Willey clips it away down to fine leg for one. He is off the mark now. 104 needed off 90 balls.

Width there outside off, a touch short in length, Willey cracks it off his back foot to point where Rahane makes a diving stop to his left. Five dots.

Yadav comes from 'round the wicket and angles in a length ball on off, Willey again defends it from the back foot to mid on.

On a length and around off, Willey defends it back to the bowler.

Slightly short and on off, David Willey stays back-footed and defends it down.

Full in length and outside off, David allows it through.

Short in length and around middle, Rutherford stands back inside the crease and pulls it through square leg for a couple of runs. The trend is broken now with no wicket falling in this over.

Full and around middle, Sherfane flicks it off his pads to mid-wicket.

Southee is forced to change his length and he delivers it a bit short on middle and leg, Sherfane Rutherford defends it down from the back foot.

Make it three in a row. You see this very rarely in T20 cricket but the asking rate is not too much and Rutherford can afford to see off Southee here. Outside off, left alone.

Another delivery in the channel outside off, once again Sherfane Rutherford offers no shot.

A tempter from Southee, on a driving length outside off, Sherfane Rutherford watches the line closely and lets it through to the keeper.

Fractionally short and around leg, David Willey stays on the back foot and taps it down to square leg. Another decent over from Yadav.

Short and outside off, Sherfane uses the pace and guides it down to third man for a run.

In the channel outside off, angling away, the West Indian shoulders arms after covering the line.

Around middle and leg, Sherfane Rutherford defends it from the back foot.

FOUR BYES! Kolkata cannot afford to leak extras here. A bumper around leg, Sherfane Rutherford ducks and it flies over the keeper to find the fence.

Sherfane Rutherford walks in at number 5.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! A body blow to Bangalore as King Kohli falls. Game on, folks! Umesh Yadav is having a tremendous season already. Hurls it across on a good length and outside off at 136.5 kph and it shapes away off the seam. Kohli takes his front foot forward and has a feel for it inside the line. Ends up getting a thick outside edge and Sheldon Jackson takes yet another easy catch behind the wickets. Bangalore are in a spot of bother. 112 needed off 107 balls.

David Willey is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Two wickets have gone down and Kolkata won't go down without presenting a fight. Fantastic delivery by Southee, he serves it on a length around middle at 131.7 kph. It lands and straightens a touch as du Plessis stays back to work it on the leg side. The ball catches the leading edge and flies straight into the hands of Ajinkya Rahane at backward point.

FOUR! Smacked! Too much width there, short and outside off, du Plessis camps back and whacks it over extra cover for a boundary.

Shortish and outside off, Faf punches it down the ground but finds mid off.

Width there outside off, short in length, Virat Kohli doesn't try to hit it hard and just steers it past point for three runs.

Back of a length, around middle, Kohli stands across inside the crease and defends it to the leg side.

Southee begins his spell by spearing in a full ball on middle, Virat tries to flick but closes the face of his bat early. It takes a soft leading edge and goes safely to covers.

Tim Southee to share the new ball with Umesh Yadav.

Angling in, on a length around middle, worked towards square leg for a run. 10 from the first over.

FOUR! Those wrists of King Kohli, wow! Umesh Yadav overcorrects his length and delivers a full ball on middle, Virat whips it through mid-wicket and the ball races away. Andre Russell chases and slides near the fence to pull it back. The onfield umpire though gets it checked upstairs and the replays show that Russell's leg was in contact with the rope when he touched the ball. A boundary results.

FOUR! Gorgeous! Virat Kohli opens his account with a lovely boundary. A touch short in length, outside off and shaping away, Kohli stays on the back foot and pushes it with sublime timing through cover-point for a boundary.

Virat Kohli walks in at number 3.

OUT! EDGED AND TAKEN! Perfect start for Kolkata and once again Umesh Yadav has provided them with an early breakthrough. The speedster cooks a lovely outswinger, lands it on a length and outside off. Anuj Rawat stays back to push inside the line but it takes the outside edge and Sheldon Jackson takes a simple catch stretching to his left.

On a good length, around middle, Anuj Rawat gets back to work it on the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad.

LUCKY START! Yadav delivers it a bit short and around off, Faf du Plessis hangs on the back foot and tries to punch it through covers. But it takes the inside edge, beats the stumps and goes to fine leg. They cross for a run.

OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Akash Deep nails a yorker and cleans him up! Akash Deep decides to go with his pacy delivery and bowls a yorker on leg. Umesh Yadav goes for a big heave across the line but misses. The ball clips his pads and shatters the stumps. It has been a handy little knock from Umesh Yadav but still a below-par total for Kolkata. They are all out for 128!

FOUR! Another misfield by Hasaranga, this time in the deep. You can call it a schoolboy error from an international player. Slower one, fuller in length and outside off, Yadav hammers it square of the wicket on the off side. Wanindu Hasaranga rushes across to his right, over-runs it a bit and then the ball spins away from him to find the fence. Embarrassing, to say the least.

And again. Action replay of the previous ball. Fuller and outside off, Yadav tries his best to drill it through the off side but misses.

Swing and a miss! Full in length and wide outside off, Umesh goes hard at it but connects only with thin air.

SIX! These are crucial runs for Kolkata! A full toss around off, Umesh is no mug with the bat, he latches onto it and muscles it over wide long on for a biggie.

Akash Deep (3-0-35-2) is back on.

Short and close to off, Varun jumps and tries to guide it down to third man but misses. 8 from the over. 4-2-11-2, Harshal Patel is done with the ball.

MISFIELD AND FOUR! Hasaranga is the culprit. Short in length, outside off and slower in pace, Varun Chakaravarthy reaches out for it and slaps it towards point. The Lankan spinner misfields and concedes a boundary. Probably, a bad bounce.

Width on offer outside off, Varun Chakaravarthy once again chances his arms, throws his bat at it but gets nothing.

On middle, helped to mid-wicket.

EDGY FOUR! Harshal Patel attempts for a yorker but it turns out to be a full toss outside off, Varun Chakaravarthy throws his bat at it and edges it down to third man for a boundary.

Back of a length, around off, defended from the back foot.

An appeal for an LBW! But it seems that no one else is interested apart from Siraj! Lands on a length, on middle and leg. Yadav is trapped on his crease as he looks to defend.  He misses it and the ball hits his pads. There is a big appeal by Siraj but the umpire says no. Siraj tries to convince his skipper to take a review but Faf du Plessis is not interested. Dot ball!

FOUR! Valuable runs for Kolkata! This is full, on leg. Umesh Yadav heaves it across the line but gets a thick inside edge. The ball goes towards the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Goes fuller outside off. Varun Chakaravarthy drives but gets a thick outside edge. The ball goes towards the third man fence and the fielder is put very fine there. He stops it and a single is taken.

Bangs it short on off, Varun Chakaravarthy hits it towards the off side without much timing again.

Short and on off, a mistimed pull shot by Varun Chakaravarthy goes to mid-wicket.

Very full and on middle, forced down to long on for a run.

A late shout for an lbw! Not given and it has been reviewed. Harshal Patel serves a very full ball on off, Varun Chakaravarthy digs it out. However, surprisingly, Bangalore go for a review for an LBW. The replays roll in and they show that it has hit the middle of the bat clearly. So Varun Chakaravarthy will continue. Have to say, this can be counted as one of the poorest reviews ever in any form of cricket.

Change in bowling. Mohammed Siraj (3-0-19-1) returns to the attack.

Bangs it short again on middle, Varun Chakaravarthy lets it go again. He looks at the umpire as he thinks it is a wide but a dot ball in the end.

Back of a length, around off. Varun Chakaravarthy sways away from the line of the ball.

Gets lucky this time! A slow full toss on middle. Yadav works it straight to short fine leg. A single taken.

This is fuller on off. Varun Chakaravarthy drives it to long on for a single.

Back of a length, on off, Umesh Yadav looks to pull but does so without much timing and the ball goes towards long on for a single.

Goes fuller on off, Varun Chakaravarthy leans forward and defends it. What a spell by Wanindu Hasaranga, 4-0-20-4!

Quicker and flatter, probably a googly. Varun Chakaravarthy defends it solidly.

A flatter delivery on off. Varun Chakaravarthy blocks it off the back foot.

Varun Chakaravarthy comes out to bat.

OUT! CAUGHT! It is all going against Kolkata now, Wanindu Hasaranga gets his fourth wicket! Smart captaincy by Faf du Plessis to bring Wanindu Hasaranga back on. This is flatter and quicker on middle, Tim Southee looks to go big towards the leg side. He completely miscues it and the ball goes in the air towards long on. Faf du Plessis there takes an easy catch and the 9th wicket goes down for Kolkata.

Quicker delivery on middle. Yadav pushes it to long on for a single.

Tossed up on off. Southee hits it to wide long on for a single. 100 up!

Strategic break. Not a lot to strategize for Kolkata here with only two wickets left in the kitty. They have been decimated here by Bangalore and are in danger of not batting out their full quota. Wanindu Hasaranga to bowl after the break.

A fullish delivery and slower in pace on middle. Yadav works it towards the leg side. Another wicket maiden for Harshal Patel!

Umesh Yadav's turn to show his skills with the bat.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! The pressure of dot balls induces a false shot and Harshal Patel gets his second wicket. This is a big wicket for Bangalore and now, Kolkata will surely struggle to cross even 120 here. This is shorter and outside off. Andre Russell makes room and looks to cut but gets an outside edge. The ball goes back to the keeper and Dinesh Karthik takes an easy catch to send his former teammate back to the pavilion.

Back of a length, on middle. Russell stays deep in his crease and steers this delivery towards short third man. Four dot balls!

Again a shorter delivery, on middle. Andre Russell goes for a big swing across the line but misses. Good bowling by Patel.

Lands on a length, angling into middle. Russell looks to heave it away but gets the inside half of his blade to short fine leg. A good stop from Akash Deep and Russell turns down the single.

Patel bangs it short, on off, at 125 kph. Andre Russell first sets up to pull it but then sways away from the line of the ball.

Dot ball to end the over! But a very good one for Kolkata, 16 from it! A flatter and quicker one, on off. Southee blocks it off the front foot. Russell will be on strike now.

Darted on leg. Russell clips it to deep square leg for a single.

SIX! Two sixes in the over, so far! Bangalore need to be careful here! Fuller, outside off. Andre Russell gets under it and tonks it over long off for a maximum.

This is shorter and outside off. Russell slaps it to deep extra cover for a couple.

WIDE! This is delivered way outside off. Andre Russell leaves it alone and the umpire calls it wide.

SIX! Something for Kolkata to cheer for! A quicker delivery, flatter and on middle, Russell goes down on one knee and smokes it over deep mid-wicket for a maximum. Till the time he is there, Kolkata still can get to a challenging total.

A flatter delivery on off to start. Russell defends it right back to the bowler.

Change in bowling. Shahbaz Ahmed replaces Wanindu Hasaranga from this end.

Shorter and outside off, Southee looks to cut it away but misses. Harshal begins with a wicket maiden.

Goes fuller on off, slower in pace. Tim Southee blocks it out.

Tim Southee is in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust and Harshal Patel strikes in his first over! Kolkata batters keep going for their shots and keep throwing their wickets away. A shorter delivery around off. Billings goes for a horizontal bat shot as he looks to pull it. The ball goes off the top edge of his blade towards long on and Virat Kohli there takes an easy catch. Kolkata needed Billings to bat deep but unfortunately for them, it all comes down to Russell now.

A trademark slower delivery this time! Back of a length, outside off. Billings looks to guide it towards the off side but gets beaten.

Serves a length delivery, on off, Billings attempts to defend it but does so from the outer half of his bat.

Lands on a length, outside off. Billings drives it on up but safely to the cover fielder.

Will we get to see Harshal Patel now? Oh yes, we guessed it right.

A flatter and quicker delivery on off. Andre Russell blocks it off the front foot.

SIX! Andre Russell says enough is enough and goes for a big one. He smashes this 94 metres into the stands. This is tossed up on middle. Andre Russell gets low and slog-sweeps it over deep mid-wicket for a biggie.

This time fuller, on leg. Andre Russell looks to defend it off the front foot but gets hit on the pad instead.

Goes flatter and slightly shorter on off. Russell blocks it out.

Fuller on middle again. Billings skips down the track and works it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Wanindu Hasaranga serves this fulller on off. Sam Billings leans forward and defends it.

Another bouncer from Siraj, around middle and leg, Russell sits underneath it. At the halfway mark, Kolkata are 76/6!

A near-yorker on middle, Dre Russ digs it out back to the bowler.

FOUR! Shot! Back of a length, around off, Andre Russell rocks back inside the crease again and slams it to the deep cover fence.

Digs it in short, around middle and leg, Russell stands deep inside the crease and then leaves. The keeper fails to collect and they get two byes.

Uses the angle of the bowler and works it behind square leg for a single.

Top effort in the field! Short in length and outside off, Billings runs it down to third man. Harshal makes a sliding stop near the fence. The ball though again starts to approach the rope. He recovers from his slide, dives and pulls it back yet again. The replays find everything clean and it's only two runs for Kolkata.

Andre Russell is the next batter in as Mohammed Siraj is back on. He has given away 12 runs in his two overs so far and has taken an important wicket of Ajinkya Rahane.

OUT! SOUND OF TIMBER! Wanindu Hasaranga is on fire! A well-disguised googly from him, it lands on a fuller length around off and seeing that Sheldon Jackson commits himself forward for a booming cover driver. The ball though pitches, turns the other way, beats the inside half of his bat and shatters the stumps. Completely bamboozled the batter with his variation.

Drinks break! Just the start Bangalore needed with the ball after their bowlers had an off day in the previous game. They came out with better plans and more importantly the execution in the middle was spot on. Five wickets down and that includes a big one of Kolkata skipper, Shreyas Iyer. Kolkata have a tough task ahead of them from hereon and they need something special from the likes of Sam Billings and Andre Russell to take them to a par score, at least. Sheldon Jackson is the next man in.

OUT! CAUGHT AT POINT! Hasaranga has two and Kolkata have now lost half their side. The Lankan dishes out a fuller delivery, turning away, Narine rocks back to heave it over the leg side but gets a top edge instead. It loops tamely towards point and Akash Deep takes the simplest of catches. Akash has been in the thick of things this evening. Kolkata in tatters!

Almost a return catch! Floated and full, around off and spinning away, Billings gets forward to work it on the leg side but gets a leading edge. It flies past the diving bowler and goes to long off. They cross.

Turning back in from around off, a touch short in length and cramping the batter for room, Sam defends it back.

SIX! Easy pickings for the Englishman! A gift from Hasaranga, around off, Billings gives the charge and clobbers it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Flighted delivery, full and around middle, Billing reverse-sweeps it through point for a couple of runs.

Swing and a miss! Width on offer outside off, short in length, Narine throws his bat at it but fails to connect. 12 from the over!

Angling down the leg side, on a good length, Sam tucks it behind square leg and opens his account with a single.

Serves it on a length around off, Narine hammers it to sweeper cover for a single.

Short in length and outside off, this time Narine withdraws his pull shot.

SIX! Off the top edge! Not convincing but this is how he bats. Short and around off, Narine tries to pull but it takes the top edge and flies all the way over third man. Lucky boundary but at this stage, Kolkata will take everything.

FOUR! That's a magnificent shot from Narine! He is not going to get bogged down and will play his shots. A touch short in length, around middle and off, Narine hangs on the back foot and whacks it over mid off. 50 up!

Quicker and on middle, worked on the leg side but straight to mid-wicket. Top over from the Lankan magician!

Shout for an lbw but the finger has stayed down. Flighted and full, on middle and turning back in, Billings has not picked it and is hit on the pads as he draws forward to defend. The appeal is not entertained, maybe going down.

Sam Billings is the next man in.

OUT! Shreyas holes out! Wicket number 4 goes down for Kolkata and they are staring down the barrel. A very ordinary shot selection from the skipper given the condition of his team. Loopy and full, landing close to off, Shreyas attacks it and tries to power it over long on. He though doesn't get the elevation and it's a simple catch for Faf du Plessis in the deep. Bangalore are all over Kolkata at the moment.

Short in length, around off and turning away, Narine rocks back and punches it in front of square on the off side for a single.

A touch flatter and shorter on middle, Shreyas goes back and taps it down to the off side for a quick run.

Flighted delivery, full and around off, Shreyas Iyer presses forward and defends it to the off side.

Will we see Mohammed Siraj bowling another over? No, it is time for some spin now. Wanindu Hasaranga is into the attack.

Back of a length, around leg, Narine defends it back from the crease. At the end of the Powerplay, Kolkata are struggling at 44/3!

Sunil Narine is the next man in.

OUT! Excellent running catch from David Willey and Kolkata lose their third wicket. Nitish Rana once again attempts to take on the bowler with his pull shot but gets dismissed. Akash Deep digs it in short, around off at 140 clicks, Rana's pull shot only fetches a top edge and the ball flies behind square leg. David Willey is stationed at short fine leg, he immediately runs across to his right and completes the catch with a slide. Brilliant work, Kolkata are in early trouble.

Lands it on a length, around middle and off, Rana goes back and defends it to the off side.

FOUR! Good placement! A low full toss wide outside off, Nitish Rana reaches out for it and steers it behind backward point for a boundary.

Shortish and close to off, angling away, Rana steps back to make room and have a big go at it but misses. Called a no ball for overstepping. Free Hit coming...

SIX! What a shot! Rana opens his account with a biggie. Making his intentions clear very early. Short in length, around off, Nitish rocks back and rockets it all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Around off, on a length, Shreyas drives it to the right of cover-point and steals a single.

Nitish Rana walks in next.

OUT! CAUGHT! Another one goes down, it is Rahane now and it has been a good start for Bangalore! Siraj bangs it short on middle. Rahane hangs back and pulls it. However, he fails to get enough distance and ends up finding Shahbaz Ahmed��at deep square leg. He takes a good catch and Bangalore will look to build pressure on Kolkata now with two early wickets.

Goes fuller on off. Iyer drives it to mid off for a single.

Ohh...a difficult chance for Siraj off his own bowling, it goes down! Lands on a length, on middle. Iyer makes room and looks to hit it away but ends up hitting it back to the bowler. Siraj leans down and looks to catch it but fails to pouch it cleanly.

Again drifts on the pads! Back of a length, around leg. Rahane looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards short fine leg. A leg bye is taken.

On a length, on middle. Iyer works it towards mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Easy pickings for a player like Shreyas Iyer! Lands on a length, on middle. Iyer just clips it fine towards fine leg for a boundary. A valiant effort by the fielder in the deep as he dives to stop it but fails and it goes away to the fence.

Mohammed Siraj changes his ends.

FOUR! Nicely played! Class of Rahane written all over it! Back of a length, around off. Rahane rides the bounce and steers it past short third man, in the gap, for a boundary. End of a successful first over from Akash Deep but he ended up conceding 11 runs as well.

Nice carry and bounce! Short and wide outside off. It zips off the surface and beats Rahane who looks to cut it.

On the shorter side again, on off. Rahane with a short-arm jab. It goes in the air towards deep mid-wicket and the batters run a couple.

Back of a length, on middle. Iyer clips it to deep square leg for a single.

FOUR! The Kolkata skipper is off the mark in style! This is a fullish delivery on off. Iyer leans forward and creams it through covers for a lovely boundary. This is a shot of a man in form.

Shreyas Iyer is the new batter at number 3 for Kolkata.

OUT! CAUGHT AND BOWLED! What a start for Akash Deep! Venkatesh Iyer was not looking comfortable in the middle and finally departs now. Back of a length, on middle. Iyer is slightly early as he looks to work it towards the leg side. The ball also hurries him a bit as that bounced sharply. It takes the shoulder of his bat and goes in the air towards the leg side and Akash Deep off his own bowling speeds to his left and takes a fine running catch. Bangalore have been spot on right from the word go today!

Change in bowling. Akash Deep has been brought into the attack.

Iyer dances down the track and David Willey decides to shorten his length, on off. Iyer defends it towards the off side and takes a single. Good disciplined start by Bangalore.

A length delivery that is angled on middle and leg. Iyer looks to clip it but fails to get any timing on it.

Back of a length, outside off. Rahane uses the depth of the crease and punches it to deep cover for a single.

Serves a fullish delivery on leg, Iyer looks to clip it but misses. The ball hits his pads and goes towards the leg side and a quick single is taken. A stifled appeal for an LBW but nothing serious.

Beaten! A good-length delivery that pitches around off and shoots up slightly. Iyer looks to defend it from his crease but gets beaten as the ball climbs over the blade.

Serves a length delivery on middle. Rahane clips it to deep square leg for a single.

Lands on a length and around off again. It bounces a bit extra than Iyer anticipated. The ball hits him high on the bat as he looks to defend. It goes through the gully region and a couple of runs are taken. Barring that first ball, it was an excellent over from Siraj.

Serves a length delivery on middle and leg, Iyer blocks it out on the leg side.

Beats him this time! A good-length delivery and angling across the batter. There is plenty of away movement. It is outside off and Iyer looks to drive again but gets beaten off the outside edge.

Ohhh...almost drags this back onto the stumps! A good-length delivery, around off. Iyer looks to drive it on up. However, he gets an inside edge onto his pads and the ball rolls just past the stumps. Better length from Siraj!

Pulls his length back and it is angled across again. It is outside off and Venkatesh Iyer leaves it alone.

There is a silly mid off in place, right next to the non-striker.

FOUR! Siraj is greeted with a boundary! This is fullish and going across the batter, around off. Iyer drives it through cover-point for a boundary. Lovely timing from the left-hander!

Mohammed Siraj to steam in from the other end.

Ohh...this time he finds some movement and beats Rahane! A fullish delivery and outside off, Rahane takes a step or two forward and looks to push inside the line but the ball beats the outside edge of his blade.

Lands on a length, around off. Rahane defends it towards point. Not much swing so far!

Angling on middle and leg again. Venkatesh Iyer flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Back of a length, on leg. Venkatesh Iyer clips it wide of short fine leg and takes a couple. He is off the mark.

Goes fuller on off. Venkatesh Iyer drives it to covers. Willey will be looking for swing early on and it is important that he bowls fuller.

Ajinkya Rahane and Kolkata are underway straightaway! David Willey starts with a length delivery on off. Rahane dabs it towards point and takes a quick single. The fielder runs forward and has a shy at the striker's end but misses. Comfortable run, in the end, good running.

We are all set to begin! It is a clash between two teams with a huge fanbase and the Bangalore fans will be hoping to see their team register its first win today. Can they set the tone with the new ball? Ajinkya Rahane and Venkatesh Iyer are the openers for Kolkata. David Willey to serve the first over. Here we go...

Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Kolkata, says that he would have loved to bowl first as well due to the dew factor. Adds that they didn't learn too much from the last game as the bowlers did the majority of the job. He is looking forward to putting up the runs on the board. Informs that they have made one change - Tim Southee comes in for Shivam Mavi. Signs off by saying that he has been enjoying captaincy and praises the management for all the support. He just wants to carry forward the momentum into the next game.

Faf du Plessis, the captain of Bangalore, smiles and says that it's no surprise that they want to bowl. Adds that the pitch looks similar to the last time but he feels it's a bit tacky and dew could be a factor again. Mentions that there were a lot of positives for them in the last game and he sounds pleased with the way they constructed their batting innings. Wants to improve small things with their bowling and informs us that they are going in with the same XI.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Ajinkya Rahane, Shreyas Iyer (C), Venkatesh Iyer, Nitish Rana, Sam Billings, Sheldon Jackson (WK), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, Tim Southee (In place of Shivam Mavi), Umesh Yadav, Varun Chakaravarthy.

Bangalore (Unchanged Playing XI) - Faf du Plessis (C), Anuj Rawat, Virat Kohli, Dinesh Karthik (WK), Sherfane Rutherford, Shahbaz Ahmed, Wanindu Hasaranga, David Willey, Harshal Patel, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep.

TOSS - The coin goes up and lands in favour of Bangalore. They have elected to BOWL first.

PITCH REPORT - Morne Morkel is down for a pitch report. He says that the wicket looks drier than the first game but tells that it is still a very good wicket. He adds that the side boundaries are big and straight boundaries are short here. He mentions that the team that wins the toss will look to bowl first as it does get wet and it is quite tricky to control.

Bangalore, on the other hand, lost their opening game in a typical Bangalore fashion. They put a big score on the board, courtesy of a fantastic knock by their new skipper, Faf du Plessis and some nice finishing touches by Dinesh Karthik. However, despite possessing some quality bowlers in their lineup, they buckled under pressure against a strong Punjab batting lineup and will be looking to iron out flaws tonight. Can they put forward an all-round performance this time around and register their first victory of the season? Or will Shreyas Iyer and his boys make it two in two? We shall find out. Toss and team sheets in a while.

Kolkata did a lot of things right in their first encounter right from the start as Umesh Yadav set the tone with the new ball. They have a quality spin attack at their disposal and they will hope that their bowlers continue the good work. With the bat, it was Ajinkya Rahane who displayed his class and one of the key aspects of any successful team in the Indian T20 League, is the quality of local talent and Kolkata is the one team that has plenty of them. It is all about keeping the winning momentum going and expect Kolkata to come out all guns blazing tonight.

India's biggest cricketing party continues as we get ready for another high-profile encounter where Bangalore will face off against Kolkata at Dr DY Patil Sports Academy, Mumbai. The finalist of the last year, Kolkata have started the tournament with a clinical performance whereas Bangalore went down in a high-scoring affair. It promises to be a mouth-watering contest and we welcome everyone around the world to our coverage.

... MATCH DAY …