Royal Challengers Bangalore vs Punjab Kings Indian Premier League, 2021

A full toss, on middle. Moises Henriques heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a single. BANGALORE WIN BY 6 RUNS and they have qualified for the playoffs!

SIX! Too late for a maximum! A full ball, on middle. Moises Henriques shuffles across and heaves it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Another low dipping full toss, on middle. Moises Henriques tucks it to mid-wicket and runs across for a quick couple.

Fuller, slower and way outside off. Brar carves it to deep backward point for a single.

Full and outside off. Brar smacks it to long on for a couple of runs. 17 needed now.

Harpreet Brar walks out to bat! 19 needed in 5. He had a dream debut against this side in the first phase. Can he play a dream knock here?

OUT! RUN OUT! Patel serves a full ball, slower and around off. Moises Henriques squeezes it out back to the bowler and scampers across looking for a quick single. Harshal Patel collects the ball and underarms it onto the stumps at the striker's end. Shahrukh Khan is found well short of his crease.

A full ball, outside off. Moises Henriques swings and gets the toe end of his bat to third man who dives to his left and stops it. Just a single. 19 needed in 6 balls.

Very full, on off. Khan jams it out to long off for a single.

WIDE! A length ball, way outside off. Khan swings and misses. WIDED.

Review time! An appeal for a caught behind has been turned down! The bowler does not feel there is an edge but Virat goes for it.

NOT OUT! It was more of a hopeful review from Kohli! This was slightly fuller and outside off. Shahrukh Khan looks to go downtown but seems to miss it. The keeper collects and appeals for it but the umpire is unmoved. Review taken but of no use as UltraEdge shows nothing on it.

FOUR! Much needed boundary. A full ball, way outside off. Shahrukh Khan smashes at it but ends up slicing it past short third man for a boundary.

Fuller now, outside off. Moises works it to short third man and takes a quick single.

A length ball, way outside off. Moises Henriques has a wild swing but to no avail as he fails to connect.

Change! Mohammed Siraj to bowl the 19th over! 27 runs needed. This is probably the most important over. How many can he keep for the one who is going to bowl the last?

Dots are gold-dust right now! A low dipping full toss, outside off. Khan is too early on his attempted push. 27 needed in 12 balls.

SIX! HUGE! A slower, length ball, on off. Shahrukh Khan powers it all the way over mid-wicket for a biggie.

Full and around off, pushed to covers. Brilliant fielding by Virat Kohli at covers and he saved some runs for his team. A single.

Slower ball yet again, on a length, outside off. Moises Henriques swings across the line and fails to connect.

A length ball, angling on middle. Khan miscues his shot, straight down the ground for a single.

A slower length ball, outside off. Khan drags it more off the inner half towards square leg for a brace.

A length ball, on middle. Khan turns it to deep mid-wicket for a single. 37 needed in 18 balls.

OUT! TAKEN! Punjab are falling apart! A length ball, outside off. Aiden Markram swings across the line and looks to go over the long on region but does not middle it and hits it off the toe end. Dan Christian there charges in and holds onto it. Punjab 5 down now and Garton gets the big wicket. 38 more needed in 19 balls.

Moises Henriques strides out. He delivered with the ball early on, can he do the same with the blade?

Length ball, outside off, pushed through covers for a single.

Short and on middle, pulled away to square leg.

In the air...safe! A full ball, on middle. Aiden Markram lifts it off the toe end of his bat to long on who runs forward but the ball drops in front of him. A single.

FOUR! much-needed! A length ball, on off. Aiden Markram whacks it through square leg for a boundary.

Chahal almost had a 4th! This lands on middle, it pitches, holds in the surface and then grips away. Khan looks to flick it but it goes off the leading edge and lands short of Chahal who dives to his left. End of a brilliant over from Chahal. Probably a match-winning one.

Shahrukh Khan walks out now.

OUT! TIMBER! Wow, just wow! That is a tremendous delivery. An absolute beauty! Sarfaraz Khan must be wondering, why him? He is making a comeback into the side, against his former side, he would be wanting to prove a point but gets a gem. This lands around leg. Sarfaraz Khan, however, does not put in a big stride forward and tries to play it out. This lands and then spins away sharply. Goes past the outside edge and hits the off pole. Sarfaraz Khan is bamboozled. Punjab in huge trouble now.

Now takes one! Good sensible batting! On the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

SIX! BANG! A wicket has fallen, Markram does not care. There comes the pressure releaser! This is tossed up on middle, it is smashed down the ground and over the long off fence.

Sarfaraz Khan is the new man in.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a huge, huge blow! The well-set Agarwal has been sent back to the pavilion. Mayank Agarwal was the guy Punjab would have wanted to stay there till the end but he falls at a crucial stage. Bangalore well and truly on top. Chahal weaves his magic yet again. This lands on middle, it holds its line and also straightens a touch. Agarwal looks to pull but this goes off the top edge over the keeper. Siraj at short third man takes a good catch running to his left.

Flatter and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

A single to end but a good over for the chasing side! On off, this is jammed down to long off for one.

FOUR! Markram joins the act now! He needed a boundary and finds it. Will this get him going? Full and outside off, this is hit through covers. It is in the gap and another boundary.

Goes short now and on middle, Agarwal pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

EDGY FOUR! Punjab won't mind how they come as long as they do! Outside off, Agarwal swings, it flies off the outside edge down to the third man fence for a welcome boundary.

Just the one! On middle, this is pulled through mid-wicket. A run taken.

The dots are building up now! The run rate needed is also going up. Good length and on off, this is pushed to covers.

Strategic Time-Out! A good passage of play for Bangalore. After taking the big wicket of KL Rahul, they chipped another wicket of Pooran and also made sure the runs are not given away freely. For Punjab, Mayank Agarwal plays a key role from here as he is the set batsman and he has to take his team over the line. Also, Mohammed Siraj is back into the attack.

A single to end then! On the pads, this is worked towards square leg. An outstanding over from Garton. 63 needed in 36.

Three in a row now! Pressure building. Full and outside off, Markram looks to hit it hard through the off side but misses.

Two in a row! Shortish and outside off, Markram looks to pull across the line but no connection.

Another dot! Good length and on off, Markram pushes it to mid off.

Outside off, a short length. Agarwal pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Around off, on a length, it is guided to point.

George Garton (2-0-18-0) is back into the attack.

A single to end! On off, this is pushed down to long off for one. 100 up. A successful over from Chahal comes to an end.

Aiden Markram walks out.

OUT! TAKEN! That is a huge wicket and Pooran once again does not last for long in the middle! Punjab once again crumbling under pressure here. On the pads, the googly again. Pooran looks to play the slog-sweep but it goes off the top edge. Devdutt Padikkal at deep square leg takes an easy catch. 66 needed in 43 now.

The googly, it lands on middle and then turns away. Pooran plays it back to the bowler.

Fifty for Mayank Agarwal! A really good innings from him so far. However, he needs to stay there till the end. Just like his skipper did in their last game. He holds the key. Outside off, this is slapped through covers for one.

WIDE! Another one well wide outside off, Chahal is probably worried as he feels Agarwal will come down the wicket. Left alone.

On the pads, this is swept through square leg for one.

A single now as this is pushed through covers.

WIDE! Well wide outside off, left alone.

Yuzvendra Chahal is back on.

A single to end a tidy over! A low full toss on the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

Around off, Agarwal waits and then guides it to point.

Very full and on middle, the seam-up ball. It is jammed back to the bowler.

Outside off, another slower one, Pooran waits and then guides it down to third man for one.

Another dot! On middle, Pooran plays it to mid on.

On middle, Pooran defends it out.

Harshal Patel is back into the attack. Went for just three runs in his first over.

A single now! On off, this is pushed through covers for one. Pooran is off the mark.

Nicholas Pooran walks out at number 3.

OUT! TAKEN! There is the first one. May have come a lot later than Kohli would have liked but they now have a chance to build on this. Not sure if this was needed, having already seen a biggie in this over. KL Rahul comes down the track and Shahbaz Ahmed cleverly bowls it outside off, well outside off we should write. Rahul was made to chase for it. He does go after it but tries to hit it downtown, it goes off the top edge and it is an easy catch to Patel at short third man.

Good sensible batting! Angled into the pads, this is worked through mid-wicket for one.

SIX! That is glorious! Mayank Agarwal is into top gear now! This is tossed up on off, Agarwal clears his front leg and tonks it over long off for a biggie.

Two more! Nicely played! Short and outside off, Agarwal cuts it through point. He waited on that shot really well. Two taken.

Angled into the pads, this is worked down to long on for one.

FOUR! 9 runs from it! A full ball, on middle. Mayank Agarwal hangs back and lifts it over the bowler's head and the ball races away to the fence. 84 needed in 60 balls.

Dot ball! Googly now, full and on middle, driven to covers.

Now goes back and defends it out to point.

FOUR! Nicely played! Chahal gives some flight to it, full and outside off. Mayank Agarwal goes inside-out and over covers for a boundary.

Darted on the pads, this is flicked to mid-wicket for one.

Full and on middle, this one stays low. Rahul pushes it to covers.

A loopy ball, outside off. Rahul steers it to short third man for a quick single.

Full and on middle, defended out.

A flatter ball, outside off. Rahul slaps it hard but straight to cover.

Spills it full and on the pads. Mayank paddles it to short fine leg for a single.

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

Tossed up, full and outside off. Rahul skips down and pushes it through point for a brace.

FOUR! Pulled away! This was slow and short, on middle. Agarwal waits for it and pulls it towards square leg for a boundary. 98 needed in 72 balls.

Full and outside off. Rahul pushes it to deep point for one more.

On a length, on middle, tucked to mid-wicket. Rahul wanted a single but was sent back wisely.

Very full and on middle, driven down to long off for one.

FOUR! Brilliant shot! A full ball, angling down, on the pads. Mayank Agarwal gets low and whacks it over square leg for a boundary.

A length ball, on off. Rahul makes room and cuts it to deep backward point for a single.

Change! Dan Christian is on now!

Full and on middle, drilled down to long on for a single. 109 needed in 78 balls.

Good running between the wickets! Full and on off. KL Rahul pushes it softly to extra cover and takes a couple.

Full and on off. Agarwal nudges it to wide long on for a single.

Flatter and outside off. KL works it to sweeper cover for a single.

Leg bye! Angles a full ball, on the pads. Mayank Agarwal looks to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads. A leg bye as the ball rolls on the leg side.

Full and on off, pushed through covers for a single.

Strategic Time-Out! Punjab are off to a really good start! Both the openers have played sensibly so far. However, it is now when things get tough. The field restrictions end and now the ball gets soft, with that, run-scoring becomes very much difficult. Bangalore will hope they can now put pressure on the chasing side with a few good overs. Punjab on the other hand, need to continue to bat sensibly and they will be in a good position to win this game. A good passage of play awaits. Yuzvendra Chahal is into the attack!

A top over from Harshal, just 3 off it! Around off, slower again, on a length, KL looks to clip but gets a leading edge towards mid off for one. At the end of the Powerplay, Punjab are at 49/0.

A slower bouncer this time, around off, MA pulls this ahead of the man at deep square leg for one.

In the air...safe! Slower ball, around off, Mayank Agarwal is taken by surprise as he checks his shot and only chips this next to Patel, who moves that side, but the ball lands safe.

No pace again, shortish outside off, Mayank slaps this but finds the fielder at covers.

Fullish again, on the pads though, nicely clipped through mid-wicket for one.

A slower, fuller ball on off, KL digs this one out to covers.

Harshal Patel is on!

13 off Ahmed's first over! On middle, shortish, KL nudges this through mid-wicket for one. 119 more needed in 90 balls.

Shortish around off, punched to long off for one.

NOT OUT! Drifting down the leg side, Agarwal looks to tuck but misses. Bharat collects the ball and whips the bails off quickly. An appeal for stumping and the third umpire is called in. The foot was planted solidly behind the crease when the bails were whipped off. Nothing on UltraEdge too as the third umpire has a look for caught behind. All-in-all, will be not out.

A stumping appeal and it is referred! None of the Bangalore players seem excited though.

FOUR! Brilliant shot. Just waited a bit and opened the face of the bat to pierce the gap. Floated, outside off, Mayank Agarwal waits for it and times it through covers.

Tossed up, around middle, eased to long off for one.

SIX! Shahbaz Ahmed is greeted into the attack with a biggie! Fuller, given loop, around off, KL Rahul smokes this one over the bowler for a massive six.

Shahbaz Ahmed is into the attack.

14 off this over! Around off, slower, pushed to covers.

Just a run off the Free Hit! A slower, fuller ball on middle, KL Rahul gets low and moves across to sweep this behind square leg. One run. The idea was right, there were two fielders inside the ring in that region but he does not get the connection.

NO BALL! Too high again. A bouncer, around off and middle, Mayank just pulls this one awkwardly to square leg. One taken. Free Hit coming up now.

Around off, on a length, KL eases this to the right of mid off for a run.

Very slow, fuller though, on the pads, gently pushed to mid on for one.

WIDE. A quick bouncer on middle and off, Mayank sways away. Wide signalled for height.

Good running! On a length on the pads, clipped behind square on the on side for a brace.

SIX! BANG! Mayank Agarwal gets his first biggie too! Again, the slower delivery has been dispatched. Banged short on middle, Mayank Agarwal rocks back and whacks this one over deep square leg.

On middle and leg, Rahul looks to flick but gets an inside edge on his pad.

Review time! KL Rahul has taken a review straight away after he was declared LBW. KL Rahul looks confident about this review. UltraEdge shows a thick inside edge. A good review from KL Rahul as he survives.

NOT OUT! A good review from KL and he survives. Around off, on a length, angling in, KL looks to work this to the leg side but misses and gets hit on the pad. An appeal for LBW from Siraj and the umpire agrees. Rahul does not though as he goes for the review straightaway. Maybe he knew that there was an inside edge there. UltraEdge rolls in and there is a clear spike as the ball goes past the blade. The on-field decision has been overturned.

SIX! That is out of here! Massive shot. KL Rahul gets a biggie and the first one too! It was the slower one, 127 clicks, around off, KL Rahul anticipates well and thumps this one over deep mid-wicket.

Yorker on middle, MA digs this one out to AB de Villiers at mid on for a quick single. AB has a shy at the non-striker's end but misses.

Angled around off, Rahul drops this one towards point for an easy run.

EDGY FOUR! The first of the run chase. Outside off, a touch short, KL looks to punch this one but the ball catches the outside edge and runs away to the third man fence.

Slower, fuller, around off, KL guides this to backward point for one.

Just short of Purple Patel in the deep! Short in length, around off and middle, Mayank Agarwal pulls this one to the deep square leg region where it meets Harshal Patel on the bounce. One taken.

On middle, pushed to the mid on fielder.

WIDE. Fuller, down the leg side, Agarwal looks to work this to the leg side but misses.

Around off, pushed to point.

An appeal for caught behind but turned down! A short ball, around middle and leg, Mayank Agarwal looks to pull but misses and the keeper takes it. An appeal but the umpire says no. There is a discussion whether they should take the review but Kohli opts not to. A good decision as replay shows that this came off his bicep.

On a length, angling away, around off, Rahul chops this one to point for one.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is George Garton.

A tidy start by Siraj, just 3 off the opening over! Fuller, on the pads, KL looks to flick but misses and the ball takes the pad and goes to short fine leg for a leg bye.

Around off, on a length, Rahul taps this to point.

Back of a length, angling in, around off, KL looks to defend but gets an inside egde to the leg side.

Mayank Agarwal opens his account as well! Around off, slightly behind the good length, punched behind point for one.

Short of a length, outside off, punched straight to the short cover fielder.

KL Rahul and Punjab are underway straightaway! On a length, outside off, KL drives this one to deep point for a single.

Just a single! Serves a full ball, on off. Patel smashes it to covers and takes a quick single. Bangalore end at 164/7.

OUT! BOWLED! Mohammed Shami is on a Hat-Trick! This was pacier than the previous ball but same length and line. George Garton steps across and looks to paddle but misses and the ball hits the stumps behind.

Harshal Patel to face the final and Hat-trick ball!

OUT! TIMBER! Shami gets his second wicket! This was pacy and full, around middle. Shahbaz Ahmed looks to paddle but fails to get any bat on it. The ball sneaks through and disturbs the stumps.

George Garton is in!

SIX! THUMPED! Short and outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed stands tall and muscles it over mid-wicket for a biggie.

OUT! TAKEN! End of a wonderful knock from Maxwell! Mohammed Shami drags his length back a bit and bowls it outside off. Glenn Maxwell looks to pull but does not middle it. Hits it high and towards cover where Sarfaraz Khan takes a simple catch.

Srikar Bharat walks out!

On a length, outside off. Shahbaz Ahmed works it to third man for a single.

FOUR! Maxwell will look to finish the innings on a high! Short of a length, on off, pulled away to deep mid-wicket for a boundary. Despite a wicket, a good over for Bangalore as 16 comes off it.

Mohammed Shami (3-0-31-0) to bowl the final over!

A full toss, on middle. Ahmed heaves it to wide long on to get off the mark with a single.

Length ball, on off, dragged to wide long on for a single.

WIDE! An appeal for caught behind but not given! This was full and way outside off. Glenn Maxwell reaches to it and looks to slash at it but misses.

WIDE! Stays away from the hitting arc of the batter and bowls it way outside off. Left alone. Wided.

A slower length ball, outside off. Maxwell cuts it late to backward point and collects a brace.

OUT! AB de Villiers is RUN OUT! Good piece of fielding from Sarfaraz Khan. Very full and on middle. AB de Villiers smashes it straight to covers and looks for a quick single. The fielder there, scores a direct hit at the bowler's end. The third umpire is brought in for a quick check and AB is found short of his crease.

Who walks out now? It is Shahbaz Ahmed!

SIX! WOW! What a shot! Right in the arc, full and on middle. AB de Villiers bends his back leg and powers it over long on for a maximum.

Is that a run out? AB de Villiers is walking off already. Replays show that AB is short.

Leg bye! Full and on the pads. AB de Villiers looks to sweep but gets hit on the pads and they take a leg bye as it rolls to short fine leg.

Angles a flatter ball, on leg. AB de Villiers makes room and hits it back to the bolwer.

Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell makes room and pushes it to long off for a single. FIFTY for Glenn Maxwell, he is in the form of his life.

FOUR! No one hits the reverse hit better than this guy! A full ball, outside off. Glenn Maxwell goes for the reverse hit and smashes it through covers for a boundary.

Flatter and on off, punched to covers.

Full and on middle. Glenn Maxwell heaves it to deep square leg and scampers across for a quick couple.

SIX! BANG! A full ball, on middle. AB de Villiers hangs back and hammers it over long on for a biggie. Another huge over for Bangalore, 17 coming off it.

Ravi Bishnoi (3-0-28-0) returns.

FOUR! In the gap! 50-run partnership up between these two! A half-volley, outside off. AB de Villiers smashes it through covers for a boundary.

Another full ball, outside off. Glenn Maxwell hits it to deep point for another single.

Full and on off. AB de Villiers knocks it to covers for a single.

Very full, on middle, eased down to long on for a single.

FOUR! Maxwell continues to play with freedom! A full ball, angling on middle and leg. Glenn Maxwell heaves it to deep mid-wicket for a boundary.

A leg bye to end! Too high! Angled into the pads. Maxwell looks to flick but misses. He gets hit high on the pads. An appeal but turned down. A leg bye is taken as the ball rolls towards point. End of a brilliant spell by Moises Henriques. 4-0-12-3 for him.

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore have done well to score runs quickly and keep the scoreboard ticking due to Glenn Maxwell's hitting. If he continues in the same way and AB de Villiers joins the party, then 150 should be achievable. Punjab, on the other hand, will want to restrict Bangalore to around the 130-run mark and will want to bowl well and remove these two. Mohammed Shami comes back on to bowl.

Just the one again! On middle, this is pushed down to long on for one.

On middle, this is dragged towards mid-wicket, it lands in front of the fielder who dives forward but fails to stop it cleanly. A single as it rolls towards wide long on.

Overthrow! Outside off, this is cut towards point. They take one, the fielder has a shy but misses. One more run is taken.

Moises Henriques sees Maxwell making room and bowls it outside off. Glenn looks to cut but is beaten.

Outside off, AB de Villiers pushes it towards cover for one.

A single to end but that is a huge over! Outside off, this is cut through point for one.

AB de Villiers looks to play the sweep initially but sees it is very full and outside off. ABD looks to hit it through covers then but it goes off the inside edge back to the bowler.

Just a run now! Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

SIX! Down the ground now! Once again Maxwell has risen to the occasion for Bangalore! This is fuller and on middle, Maxwell thumps it over long on, once again with the turn as it is the googly. Goes all the way.

SIX! That is huge! Out of here! That is a tough shot on this wicket but Maxwell has made that look so easy. On middle, fuller, it is the googly, Maxwell heaves it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Brilliant running! On middle, Maxwell works it with soft hands through mid-wicket. They take one, AB de Villiers turns quickly and they go for the second. Complete it with ease.

Ravi Bishnoi (2-0-12-0) is back into the attack.

A dot to end the over! On off, worked to the cover region.

A pacy length ball on middle and leg, Maxwell looks to whip this one away but the ball takes the pad to the leg side. The batters take a leg bye.

A single as this is pushed through covers.

On middle, length delivery, AB pushes this one back towards the bowler, who fails to get any fingertips on this as the ball hits the sticks at the non-striker's end. No harm done though.

On a length, on off, Glenn pushes this through mid on for one.

Fuller, on the leg pole, AB whips this to fine leg for one.

A good over for Bangalore after quite a while. 16 off it. AB gets off the mark with a push through covers for a run.

Smartly done. Follows up the biggie with a single to the long off region.

SIX! Another one! Cracked from Maxwell! This is great batting from the Aussie. He will need to continue though. This is bowled fuller, floated too, around off, Glenn Maxwell gets low and smokes this one hard over deep mid-wicket.

Flatter again, around off now, punched hard past the extra cover fielder for a couple of runs.

SIX! Welcome boundary for Bangalore! They needed this badly and will need the boundaries to keep coming! Slightly shortish, around off, Glenn Maxwell camps back and then thumps this one over deep mid-wicket.

Shortish around off, Maxwell pushes this to covers.

Another great over by Moises Henriques! He gets another wicket. Around off, AB taps this one to point.

Around off, on a length, kept out.

AB de Villiers is the new man in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Moises Henriques is having a ball out in the middle as he gets his third. The well set Devdutt Padikkal has to take the long walk back. This is served on a length, wider outside off, Devdutt Padikkal looks to slap it away to the off side but only manages an outside edge, which is held safely by KL Rahul behind the sticks. Bangalore are losing their way and they need a steady partnership now.

On a fullish length, on middle, knocked through mid on for a single.

On a length on the pads, Maxwell look to flick but misses and gets hit on the pads.

Around off, on a length, slashed through point for a single.

Just 2 from the over! On the pads, worked behind square on the on side for a single.

Shortish, around off, Padikkal punches this to the cover fielder.

Fuller, outside off, driven through covers for a run.

On middle, defended out.

On middle and leg, Maxwell plays the reverse-sweep to the off side, but it does not go far.

EDGY! Flatter, around off, Maxwell looks to defend but the ball takes the outside edge and finds short third man on the bounce.

No Hat-trick! On a length, on the pads, Maxwell works this to deep square leg for one. A brilliant over for Punjab and Moises Henriques!

Glenn Maxwell walks out now.

OUT! TAKEN! Two-in-two for Moises Henriques and Punjab have taken two very quickly. A golden duck for Dan Christian and the plan to send him up the order fails miserably. Outside off, on a length, there is width to play with and Christian decides to take it on. Slaps it, but more off the outer half of the blade towards backward point, where Sarfaraz Khan pouches this. Moises Henriques is on a Hat-trick too!

Dan Christian walks out at number 3.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! The pressure was building and something had to give. Punjab have finally got the breakthrough and the skipper of Bangalore has to head back. Kohli was finding it hard to get going after the Powerplay and he falls. Around off, on a length, the ball stays a touch low after hitting the deck, Kohli looks to heave across the line but the ball sneaks underneath his blade and crashes into the off pole. Punjab will look to make inroads now and snare a couple more wickets.

Quick run! Fullish, around off, Devdutt digs this one out to the mid off region for a quick single.

Outside off, on a length, slower again, Padikkal only manages to heave this one back to Moises.

Slower, around off, on a length, slashed away to the fielder at point by DP.

Moises Henriques is into the attack now.

Even with the biggie, just 7 off this over! On middle, Kohli pokes this one back towards the bowler.

SIX! The pressure was building and Kohli releases the pressure with the biggie! Floats this one up around off, Virat Kohli gets low and mows a slog-sweep over the deep mid-wicket fence for a huge six.

Another dot for Kohli! Fuller, on middle, tucked straight to the mid-wicket fielder.

On middle, Virat looks to heave but only manages to find the mid-wicket fielder.

Flatter, around off, Kohli pushes it back to Brar.

Shortish this time, on the pads, Devdutt Padikkal looks to work this to the leg side but the ball takes the pad and goes to the leg side. An appeal for LBW but turned down as the batters sneak in a leg bye.

Full and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal drags it to deep mid-wicket for one.

LEG BYE! An appeal for LBW but turned down! A googly from Bishnoi, on middle and spinning on the pads. Virat Kohli prods to defend but gets beaten on the inside edge and gets hit on the pads. KL Rahul appeals but the umpire is not interested. A single as it rolls on the off side.

Flatter and on off. Devdutt Padikkal dabs it to third man for a single.

NOT OUT! That comes as a surprise. There was a little spike when the ball passes the bat but really not sure why the umpire has ruled it in the favor of the batter. KL Rahul looks unhappy with that and rightly so. This was full and slanting outside off. Padikkal shuffles across and goes for the reverse sweep but seems to miss it. KL Rahul behind the sticks, pouches it and appeals for it but the umpire is unmoved. They take the review straightaway. Ultra Edge does show a small spike as the ball passes the bat but probably the third umpire felt there is not enough evidence. Devdutt Padikkal survives.

This one spins away after landing on middle. Devdutt Padikkal is squared up as he looks to defend.

DRS time! KL Rahul thinks that this one is caught behind but the umpire does not agree and the Punjab skipper takes this one upstairs. Some murmurs as the ball passes the glove but the third umpire does not think that there is anything involved. The on-field call stays on.

Flatter, quicker and outside off. Devdutt Padikkal gets low to cut it but fails to get any bat on it.

Angles a full ball, on the pads. Kohli misses his flick and gets hit on the pad. Was angling down.

Short and on middle. Devdutt Padikkal gets on the back foot and flicks it to square leg for a single.

A loopy ball, on middle, punched to covers.

Full ball, on middle, Kohli nudges it to mid-wicket for a single.

Slightly full and on middle, pushed to mid on.

Well fielded! A flatter ball, outside off. Kohli slaps it to point where the fielder does well to stop it.

Strategic Time-Out! Bangalore are off to a flier here! They started off slowly but are almost going at 10 per over. They would want to continue the same after break. Punjab on the other hand, have been poor so far, they have not taken the chances that has come their way and nor have they bowled well. They need to re-group in this break and need to comeback strongly or they will be chasing a big score here. Harpreet Brar comes on now.

On a length, outside off. Devdutt Padikkal looks to poke at it but misses. At the end of the Powerplay, Bangalore are 55/0.

WIDE! Spills it way down the leg side. Padikkal misses his flick.

FOUR! Well played! Full again and slanting on the pads. Devdutt Padikkal clips it past short fine leg for a boundary. Boundaries flowing nicely for Bangalore.

On a length, on off. Kohli works it on the off side for a single. 50 up for Bangalore.

Very full and on off. Devdutt Padikkal jams it out to cover who misfields and allows a single.

Now nails the yorker perfectly this time, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal squeezes it out on the leg side.

SIX! Freebie from Singh and that has been dispatched! A low full toss, on middle. Devdutt Padikkal smashes it straight down the ground for a biggie. Pressure straightaway on Arshdeep Singh.

On a length and on middle. Devdutt knocks it to point for a quick single.

Change. Arshdeep Singh comes back on. Gave 13 off his first over.

Full and on middle. Kohli looks to heave it but gets an inside edge onto the pads, it rolls on the off side and they take a single.

FOUR! Good shot! This was too full and on the pads. Virat Kohli whips it through square leg and the ball races away to the fence.

Full and on the pads. Kohli tickles it straight to short fine leg.

CHANCE! Hard chance though! Short of a length, around off. Kohli pulls it flat and towards mid-wicket where Sarfaraz Khan leaps but only manages finger-tips to it. The ball lobs over mid on and they take a couple.

Fuller and around off, tucked to mid-wicket.

FOUR! A boundary to end then! Bishnoi could have easily had a couple of wickets but ends up going for 10 runs. On middle, fuller, this is lofted over the bowler's head for a boundary in the long off region.

And again! Another lovely googly, this lands on off and spins away sharply. Padikkal looks to block again but is beaten again.

BEATEN! Lovely! Quicker, it lands on off, spins away and skids through. Devdutt Padikkal goes back to block but is beaten.

FOUR! This time connects and bags a boundary! A little too full this time and on middle, Padikkal lofts it over mid on, no one behind and it is another boundary.

DROPPED! That is two chances in three balls and both not taken from Rahul. Another good delivery, it lands outside off and spins away. Padikkal looks to go downtown but it goes off the outside edge but Rahul can't hang on.

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

WIDE! Was that planned? Not sure but that was a chance and clever from Ravi Bishnoi! Kohli skips down the track and Bishnoi spots it. He fires it down the leg side. Kohli misses the flick. The keeper does not collect it cleanly and Kohli gets back in time. Wide signaled. Not an easy take for Rahul but that is a big chance.

Ravi Bishnoi is into the attack.

Two to end! So despite going for 11 from the first two balls, just the 13 from the over. Excellent work from Markram again. Fuller and on middle, this is clipped over mid on. Markram gives it a chase, dives and pushes it back. Saves two for his side again.

That is a good delivery! A slower one, slightly fuller. Padikkal gently pushes it to covers.

Another length delivery on off, Padikkal plays it towards cover. Kohli wants a run but is sent back.

Good length and on off, Padikkal hangs back and defends it.

WIDE! Down the leg side this time, Devdutt Padikkal looks to flick but misses.

FOUR! Carved away! Fuller and outside off, Devdutt Padikkal looks to drive, this goes more off the outer half through point for a boundary. 10 from the first two balls. Arshdeep Singh under pressure.

SIX! Welcome into the attack Arshdeep Singh! Devdutt Padikkal, decides it is time to attack now. Skips down the track and this is angled into his pads, he flicks it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Arshdeep Singh is into the attack.

Really good fielding! Fuller and on off, Kohli times this one past mid off. Markram gives it a chase. Slides and pushes it back in. Saves two for his side.

Good length and on middle, Devdutt works it through square leg and takes one.

On middle, Kohli works it towards mid-wicket and takes one more run.

Devdutt Padikkal is off the mark! On the pads, Devdutt Padikkal looks to flick, he gets an inside edge onto the pads, it rolls towards fine leg for one.

That does not bounce a lot! Shorter in length and on the body, Devdutt lets it go over him. This one though does not bounce a lot.

Outside off, this is pushed through covers for one.

Who will bowl from the other end? It is Mohammed Shami.

A dot to end! So a really good comeback by Markram after going for a boundary on the second ball. Just the 5 from the first. On middle, defended.

Another dot! On off, Padikkal once again can't find the gap in the cover region.

Slightly shorter in length and outside off, this is pushed to covers.

A single now! On middle, this is worked towards square leg for one.

FOUR! Off the mark in style are Bangalore and Kohli! That is a poor ball, a drag down, on middle, Kohli goes back and pulls it through square leg. Boundary to get things underway.

Starts off with one on middle, Kohli works it with the turn to mid-wicket. The fielder dives to his right and stops it.

We are all set for the action! The players of Punjab stride out to the middle. Virat Kohli and Devdutt Padikkal are the openers of Bangalore. Aiden Markram to start with the ball. Here we go...

Punjab (Playing XI) - KL Rahul (C/WK), Mayank Agarwal, Aiden Markram, Nicholas Pooran, Sarfaraz Khan (In place of Deepak Hooda), Shahrukh Khan, Moises Henriques (In place of Fabian Allen), Harpreet Brar (In place of Nathan Ellis), Mohammed Shami, Arshdeep Singh, Ravi Bishnoi.

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

KL Rahul, the Punjab skipper, says that they would have bowled first and they are not too disappointed about losing the toss. Says that they are very proud that young Indian domestic players are doing well and hopes that they can continue the same. Informs that they have three changes as Fabian Allen, Nathan Ellis, and Deepak Hooda miss out and Harpreet Brar, Moises Henriques, and Sarfaraz Khan replace them.

Virat Kohli, the skipper of Bangalore, says that it looks like a hard wicket. He reckons that the pitches get slow here and they want to make best use of the wicket earlier on. Informs that there are no changes. Adds that Harshal Patel was brought on trade and he took the opportunity well. Says that the same goes with Maxwell as well. Says that the pitch looks better than the last game and they would look to get an extra 20-25 runs extra. Adds that they should feel confident after putting a total on the board.

It's TOSS time! Virat Kohli and KL Rahul make their way out onto the middle. Good to see that they are sharing some banter between themselves. Heads is what KL says and it lands tails. BANGALORE WILL BAT FIRST!

PITCH REPORT - Matthew Hayden says to expect another low-scoring match on this wicket. Says that seamers are effective with slower balls with most of them being short balls. Adds that it looks like a 130-wicket and it will be interesting to see how batsmen adjust to these conditions.

Bangalore on the other hand, have probably found their best XI. However, we are still not sure about Christian’s place. Will Hasaranga get another chance on this slow Sharjah wicket? No team though likes to tinker with their winning combination so that seems highly unlikely. Stay tuned for the toss and other updates.

Also, it will be interesting to see if Harpreet Brar finds a way back into the side. I’m sure everyone remembers what he did last time when he played Bangalore on his Indian T20 League debut. Who will he replace though? Will Punjab go the Delhi way by playing just the three foreigners? That will probably see him replace Fabian Allen. We will have to wait to find out.

If Bangalore are to win this game, they will have to find a way to dismiss KL Rahul. The opener has finished not out in the last 3 games against his former side scoring around 300 runs. He has been a thorn for Bangalore and with the form he is in, we could well be in for another master class from him.

Last 3 games, Punjab against Bangalore, all three have been won by the former. The Punjab skipper will be facing one of his favorite sides. In all of those three games, he’s scored above 50. Can his side do it again in this crunch game? Bangalore are a side in excellent form and are one win away from securing their place in the playoffs. On the flip side, Punjab are probably one loss away from having no chances of making it into the top 4. A lot to play for in this game. On that note, welcome to the coverage of match number 48.

... MATCH DAY ...