Sunrisers Hyderabad vs Kolkata Knight Riders Ball by Ball Commentary

SIX! Over the ropes but this one won't matter! Too little, too late! A slower one on middle, Pandey slams it over mid-wicket. A biggie to end but it is KOLKATA WHO WIN BY 10 RUNS!

Just a single again! Outside off, it is hit towards cover for one.

Very full again, this is hit down to long on for one more. So that should be it, that should be the game for Kolkata.

A single now! 19 needed in three balls. If Russell bowls three legal balls, Kolkata can't lose. It is fuller and on middle, Samad swings, it goes off the inner half towards square leg for one.

A dot! Shorter and outside off. Samad goes after it. It goes off the under edge and on the bounce to the keeper. The next one has to be hit out. Had Samad left that, it would have been a wide.

Just a couple from the first ball! Not a lot you can do with that ball! It is a yorker on off, it is jammed down to long off for two. 20 needed.

22 needed then in the last over! Can Samad do it? Russell to bowl.

Bouncer on middle, Pandey looks to pull but misses it.

Short delivery on middle, Samad pulls it over square leg for a single.

SIX! That is powered! Full again on middle, Samad lofts it over long on for a maximum.

Full on middle, Samad flicks it through mid-wicket. The batsmen get two runs.

SIX! That is clobbered! Short ball again on middle, Samad pulls it over mid-wicket for a maximum.

Short delivery on middle, Pandey pulls it over square leg for a single.

Abdul Samad is the new batsman in.

OUT! TAKEN! This is an outstanding over from Russell! One which has probably won them for his side. Just the 6 runs and a wicket from it. This is full and outside off. Shankar looks to loft it over the off side but he too ends up splicing it towards the man there. Morgan moves to his left and takes it.

A dot! Gold dust at the moment! This is well wide outside off. Shankar looks to stroke it over the cover fielder but misses. Game drifting away.

Just the two! A slower one, it is outside off. Shankar carves it over covers for two. They need a big hit on the last two balls.

Just the 4 now from the three balls bowled! Hyderabad need a boundary! This is fuller and outside off, it is hit down to long off for one.

WIDE! This is very wide outside off. Pandey leaves it alone. Wided. Just the three from the 2 balls.

Just another single! Really full and on middle, difficult to get those over the ropes. It is hit down to long on for one.

That has been cracked but just for one! From around the wicket, Russell bowls a low full toss, it is hit through mid-wicket for one.

Andre Russell is back on.

SIX! That is hammered! Short again on middle, Shankar pulls it over mid-wicket. The fielder in the deep jumps and tries to go for the catch but it goes over him for a biggie.

Short delivery on middle, Shankar pulls it through square leg. Two runs taken.

Full delivery on middle, Pandey pushes it through mid on for a run.

Googly outside off, Shankar lets it go as there is some bounce on that one. It goes past the keeper towards third man for a bye.

50 up for Manish Pandey! He needs to stay till the end! Floated delivery on middle, Pandey flicks it uppishly towards mid-wicket for a single.

Short delivery on off, Pandey punches it through mid off. The batsmen get two runs.

Vijay Shankar is the new batsman in.

OUT! The extra ball has got Kolkata a wicket! Just what they needed and it is of the dangerous Nabi. 57 needed in 24. It is a slower one, beautifully bowled. Fuller and outside off. Nabi does wait and then go to hit it but ends up splicing it towards cover where Morgan takes a good catch. The game now getting tough for Hyedrabad.

WIDE! Very short, Nabi lets it go. Wided. Will the extra ball cost Kolkata?

FOUR! Just short! That blow has certainly not rattled Nabi! This is right in the slot. It is full and outside off. Nabi lofts it over the covers and bags a vital boundary. Can he end the over with one more?

DRINKS! The umpire has seen the opportunity of calling out for Drinks as the physio comes out to have a look at Nabi. 62 needed in 26 then. Hyderabad need Pandey to stay there till the end and someone to play a cameo like Karthik did. Do they have it in them? We will find out. Also, Nabi is good to go after some treatment.

That has hit him on the neck! OUCH! A short one and on the body as Nabi moves across to pull. He misses and the ball hits him hard. He is in pain.

WIDE! Nabi moves across and Krishna goes wider. This is too wide though. Wided.

FOUR! Boundaries will and they need more of this! Fuller and on off, Nabi slams it down the ground and it races away to the fence.

Does not get past the fielder! Shorter and outside off, Pandey slaps it hard but towards mid off. Only one. Singles won't win the game for Hyderabad.

A slower one, it is on a length and around off. Nabi swings, it goes off the inner half through mid-wicket for one.

Tossed up delivery outside off, Nabi punches it through covers for a single.

Flatter delivery on middle, Pandey flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Floated delivery on middle, Nabi looks to flick but gets hit on the pads. The ball goes towards the off side. The batsmen take a leg bye.

Short delivery outside off, Nabi punches it to covers.

Tossed up delivery outside off, Nabi looks to go big but gets it off the inner half of the bat. It goes towards long on. Two runs taken.

Short delivery on middle, Pandey punches it through mid on for a single.

Varun Chakravarthy is back on.

A single to end but 11 from the over! Pandey steps out, Shakib shortens the length again. This is hit down to long on for one. 75 needed in 36.

SIX! That is tonked! Shakib probably was worried about Pandey coming down the track and bangs it short. Pandey hangs back and pulls it powerfully over the square leg fence. That releases the pressure somewhat!

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

Well bowled! Sees the batter come down the track and fires it outside off. Pandey reaches out for it and hits it through covers for one.

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

Almost some smart work from Shakib! This is fuller, it is hit back towards the bowler. Shakib looks to deflect onto the stumps at his end but misses. Had he done so, Nabi would have been short. A single in the end as this rolls towards mid on.

Mohammad Nabi is the new batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Cummins gets the dangerous Bairstow! Short and outside off, Bairstow cuts it uppishly towards point where Nitish Rana takes a good catch.

Short delivery on off, Bairstow cuts it to point.

Short delivery outside off, Pandey looks to pull but gets a bottom edge on this one. It goes towards the keeper on one bounce.

BEATEN! Good length ball outside off, Bairstow looks to cut but misses it.

Full on off, Bairstow drives it through mid off for a run.

Back of a length on middle, Pandey flicks it through square leg for a single.

Pat Cummins is back on.

A double to end! 11 from the over exactly what they need each over. This is tossed up outside off, Pandey strokes it through covers, it is mistimed. Two taken.

Shorter in length again, Baristow guides it towards short third man for one.

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

Shorter and outside off, Bairstow cuts, the fielder at point dives to his right and stops it. A single.

Review time! An appeal for lbw! Jonny Bairstow is the man in question. Ultra Edge shows there is no bat involved. Ball Tracker shows that it is missing the leg stump.

NOT OUT! It is going down leg! That never looked out to be honest! Kolkata lose their review! This is angled into the pads. Bairstow looks to sweep but misses. It hits the pad. An appeal but turned down. Kolkata review. Replays show that it is a waste of one. It was more of a desperate review.

SIX! Fifty up and in style! It has been a superb innings and under pressure. What a way to start the tournament from him. He has been picked over Williamson and has done brilliantly. Gets back this short ball quickly and pulls it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

Length delivery on off, Bairstow taps it towards point for a single.

Good length delivery on off, Bairstow looks to guide it but gets an inside edge. It goes towards the off side.

FOUR! Nicely played! Short delivery on off, Bairstow plays an upper cut over the keeper's head towards third man for a boundary.

WIDE! Down the leg side, Bairstow looks to sweep but misses it.

Short ball on middle, Pandey pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Bouncer on leg, Pandey does well to duck under it.

FOUR! That is put away! Short delivery on middle, Pandey pulls it through mid-wicket for a boundary.

WIDE! Bouncer down the leg side, Pandey does well to duck under it.

Quicker delivery outside off, Bairstow pushes it to covers.

FOUR! Cracking shot! Short ball outside off, Bairstow makes room and cuts it hard through point for a boundary.

Full and outside off, Pandey pushes it through mid off for a single.

Short again on middle, Pandey pulls it through square leg. Two runs taken.

Short delivery on off, Bairstow cuts it through point for a single.

Tossed up delivery on off, Bairstow pushes it to point.

DRINKS! Hyderabad have fought back well now after they lost two early wickets. However, there is still a long way to go and they need this stand to go on and one of the two to bat almost till the end. Kolkata, on the other hand, need a wicket quickly or these two can take the game away. An important few overs awaits.

Back of a length on off, Pandey taps it towards the off side.

Length delivery on off, Bairstow punches it through point for a run.

Length delivery on off, Pandey guides it past the keeper towards third man for a single.

Back of a length on middle, Pandey flicks it through square leg. Two runs taken.

Length delivery outside off, Bairstow lofts it uppishly towards mid off where it falls short of Andre Russell. The batsmen cross ends.

FOUR! That is smacked! Full delivery on off, Bairstow lofts it over mid off for a boundary.

Pat Cummins is back on.

Lost his shape there! It is very full and outside off. Bairstow looks to drive it a little too hard through the off side but it goes off the inner half on the leg side for one. 15 from the over. A really good one for Hyderabad.

FOUR! 4,0,6,0,4 in this over so far!  This too is hammered! It is a nothing delivery, it is a slower one on a length. Sits up to be hit. Bairstow hammers it through mid-wicket. No chance of stopping that.

So once again a boundary is followed by a dot! Shortish and outside off, this is guided to point.

SIX! That has been nailed! Wow! Just wow! What a shot that is! It is shorter and on middle, Bairstow this time was waiting for it. He smacks it over the square leg fence for a biggie. 10 from the first three balls now. 50 up for Hyderabad.

Shorter again and this is outside off. Bairstow takes his eyes off as he looks to pull. Misses.

FOUR! These are handy runs, fortunate yes but handy! A good sharp bumper. It hurried Bairstow who is late in the pull. It goes off the top edge and over the keeper for a boundary. Good start to the over. Need to make this count now.

A dot to end but 10 from the over! Shorter and around off, Pandey slaps it to covers.

On the shorter side, this is pulled towards deep mid-wicket for one.

Shorter and on middle, this is pushed down to long on for one. Good, sensible batting.

SIX! Clean hit! Welcome biggie! Pandey has been nimble on his feet, once again is. Gets to the pitch of the ball and hits it well over the long off fence.

Slightly shorter, this is slapped past cover for one.

Slightly shorter and on middle, this is whipped through mid-wicket for one.

A single to end the Powerplay and it is a good one for Kolkata! Hyderabad are 35 for 2 and need another 153 in 14 overs. On middle, this is pushed towards mid on for one.

Angled into the pads, not giving the batter room to free his arms. It is worked to mid-wicket.

On middle, defended.

Bairstow gets off strike as he works it through square leg.

Angled into the pads, Bairstow looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

Quick run! Pandey would have been in trouble had that been collected cleanly! Length and on middle, Pandey pushes it towards mid on. They take off. The fielder there rushes in and then dives forward but fails to collect it.

Pat Cummins is into the attack.

A single to end then! Tossed up nicely and on off, Pandey eases it down to long off for one more. Hyderabad will hope this over gets them going. 12 from it.

FOUR! Over the mid on fielder! Excellent use of the feet! Pandey comes down the track, gets to the pitch of it and lofts it over the mid on fielder for another boundary. This is a good over for Hyderabad.

Flatter and on off, Pandey guides it to point.

Shorter and on off, this is pushed down to long off for one. Good batting.

SIX! That is beautiful! Show Saha play one eariler on and now Bairstow does. He makes room and Shakib bowls it full and on middle, Jonny lofts it over the cover fence for a biggie.

Bairstow makes room and he is followed by Shakib. He pushes it back to the bowler.

Swing and a miss! This is fuller and just outside off, it was there to be hit. Pandey looks to go downtown but misses.

Outside off and on the shorter side, Pandey cuts but to point. Does not find the gap.

Quick run! Fuller and around off, Bairstow looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It rolls on the off side for one.

FOUR OVERTHROWS! Hyderabad needed this desperately! This is shorter and around off, Pandey drops it towards point and goes for one. Gill at point has a wild throw at the bowler's end. Misses it by a long way. The fielder backing up fails to stop it and it goes for a boundary.

Shorter and outside off, Bairstow looks to cut but gets an underedge. It rolls behind for a quick run.

Angled into the middle pole, this is worked through mid-wicket. Two taken.

No, Bairstow eases this one down to long off and takes one. He is off the mark but end of a brilliant over.

On the stumps, blocked. Are we in for a wicket-maiden?

Just wide! Shakib slows it up, lands it nicely outside off. Bairstow pushes at it. It goes off the outer half, uppish but wide of the diving fielder at point.

Tossed up nicely and on middle, blocked.

On middle, it is pushed to covers.

Jonny Bairstow is the new batsman in.

Shakib Al Hasan is into the attack.

OUT! DRAGS IT ON! Both the openers back in the hut and Hyderabad are off to the worst start possible! Shakib has made an impact straightaway in his first game on return. Just the one ball and it is an important wicket of Saha who is a really good player of spin. This is slightly shorter in length, it is slightly outside off. Saha looks to push at it but there is not enough width to play that shot. An inside edge which hits the stumps.

Back of a length on off, Pandey pushes it to covers.

Short delivery on middle, Pandey pulls it to mid-wicket.

Full on off, Pandey drives it to mid off.

Manish Pandey is the new batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Krishna gets his first wicket! Good length delivery on off, Warner looks to flick but gets an outside edge. It goes towards the keeper where Karthik takes a comfortable catch.

Back of a length outside off, Warner looks to smash it but gets it off the toe end of the bat.

Length delivery on middle, Warner flicks it through square leg for a couple.

Prasidh Krishna to bowl from the other end.

SIX! That is smashed! Tossed up delivery on off, Saha lofts it over covers for a maximum.

Short ball on off, Saha cuts it to point.

DROPPED! Tossed up delivery on off, Warner drives it uppishly towards point where Cummins tries to take the catch but spills it. The batsmen cross ends.

Short again on middle, Saha pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short delivery on off, Saha cuts it to covers.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Saha flicks it to square leg.

OUT! TAKEN! That is another very good catch by Samad! This is a slower one, it is outside off. Hasan is early in the stroke. He ends up hitting it up in the air. Samad at mid-wicket has a lot of work to do. He runs back and then stretches both his hands and hangs onto it. Lovely catch. A wicket to end but a very good last over for Kolkata! 16 runs from it and THEY END WITH 187!

One more short one, Karthik pulls, this time does not connect that well, it goes towards deep square leg for one.

Two more! This is full and angled into the pads, Karthik works it through mid-wicket. Two taken.

WIDE! Karthik initially looks to play the paddle scoop by moving in. Kumar bowls it wide outside off. It is left alone. Wided.

Two now! Karthik comes down the track, it is a short one. It is pulled towards deep mid-wicket for two.

FOUR! Top edge and a boundary! Fortunate boundary! This is slightly short and outside off, Karthik looks to pull but gets a top edge. It goes over the keeper and into the fence.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl the final over of the innings.

SIX! That made a cracking sound off the bat! Kumar has not been at his best here! He bowls a slot ball, outside off. Karthik shuffles across and plays the sweep shot. Over the square leg fence. Excellent start for Kolkata.

Brilliant from Natarajan! He watches the batter move right across and bowls it full and wide outside off. Karthik looks to sweep but it goes off the inner half towards mid-wicket for one. A really good penultimate over by Natarajan.

FOUR! That is a welcome boundary! Really nicely played! Fuller and on middle, that was quite full. Karthik does really well to get under it and loft it down the ground towards the long off fence.

Just the one again! Singles won't harm Hyderabad! A yorker on middle, this is jammed out towards cover for one.

That is a superb nut! A yorker, just outside off. Shakib fails to jam it out. An small appeal but nothing from the umpire.

Karthik moves right across and Natarajan bowls it full and wide outside off. It is hit down to long on for one.

Very full and on the pads, this is jammed down to long on for one.

WIDE! Starts off with one down the leg side, Shakib looks to flick but misses. Wided.

On middle, Shakib flicks it through mid-wicket for a single.

Short delivery on off, Karthik pushes it through mid off for a single. Nabi does not get the hat-trick!

Shakib Al Hasan is the new batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Nabi gets two-in-two! Floated delivery on middle, Morgan sweeps it over square leg but does not get the distance on it. It goes towards the fielder where Abdul Samad takes a good catch in the deep.

Dinesh Karthik is the new batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Nabi gets his first wicket! Flighted delivery on off, Rana looks to go big but gets a leading edge. It goes towards long off where Shankar takes a comfortable catch.

Full on off, Rana drives it to covers.

Mohammad Nabi is back on.

Flighted delivery on middle, Morgan pushes it towards covers for a single.

On middle, this is worked through mid-wicket for one. Morgan is underway! That is an exceptional comeback from Rashid. Just the 7 from the over and a huge wicket. Extraordinary spell from him. He has figures of 4-0-24-2.

Just a single! Shorter and on middle, Rana pulls it through mid-wicket for one.

That is yet another dot! Still no runs scored off the bat in this over. This is the leg spinner, it lands on leg pole, Rana looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads.

One more dot! On middle, Rana sweeps it towards short fine leg.

Eoin Morgan is the new batsman in.

OUT! TAKEN! That is some catch from Manish Pandey and he had to hang onto it because it was of Russell. Rashid Khan was got on to get the big West Indian and he does get him. This is fuller and on middle, Russell looks to power it down the ground but fails to get the desired elevation. It goes flat and low to the left of Pandey at long on who runs there, dives forward and takes it inches above the ground. Hyderabad can keep Kolkata under 200 now.

Another googly, this lands on middle and then spins back in. Russell looks to defend but gets an inside onto the pads.

FIVE WIDES! Bonus runs for Kolkata! This lands on leg stump, it is the googly, turns away. Russell looks to defend but misses. Saha misses it too and it races away to the fence.

Rashid Khan is back on.

Full on middle, Russell flicks it through square leg for a single.

PLAY AND A MISS! Full and outside off, Russell looks to go for the slog it but misses it.

FOUR! Good shot! Full delivery on leg, Russell flicks it towards fine leg for a boundary.

Full and outside off, Rana drives it through point for a single.

Andre Russell is the next batsman in.

OUT! CAUGHT! Natarajan breaks the partnership! Slower delivery on middle, Tripathi looks to slog it but gets a top edge. It goes towards the keeper where Saha takes the catch in the second attempt.

T Natarajan is back on.

Full and outside off, Rana slogs it through mid-wicket for a single.

FOUR! Fifty for Rahul Thirpati! Gets there in a streaky manner but he won't care. It has been a slod innings from him so far. Length and outside off, Rahul throws his bat at it, it goes off the outside edge and fine past the fielder at short third man. Another boundary.

A yorker now on middle, Rahul jams it back towards the bowler.

FOUR! Showed power on the last ball and now a deft touch! This is a slower one outside off, Tripathi waits for it and then plays it fine on the off side. Third man is in the ring so it is another boundary.

SIX! This is out of here! That is colossal! Not sure the length is right from Kumar. It is a hit-me ball. Comes onto the bat nicely. Tripathi hammers it over the mid-wicket fence for a biggie.

One more slower one, this is shorter and on middle, it is pulled through mid-wicket for one.

FOUR! That is timed beautifully! Kumar is also welcomed into the attack with a boundary! It is a slower one, shorter and outside off, Rana cuts it through point for a boundary.

DRINKS! Kolkata remain ahead in the game! They are well on course to score something above 180 and probably above 190 if Rana goes the full distance. Hyderabad, on the other hand, need wickets, they need to pick wickets at regular intervals. Can they fightback or will Kolkata continue to rule the roost?

Two to end! Shorter and on middle, Tripathi pulls it through mid-wicket. Calls for two straightaway and gets it. Sandeep continues to go for runs.

Rana comes down the track and this one is dragged down to long on for one.

A little too ambitious there! Tries to play the reverse sweep to the pacer who bowls it outside off. Missed.

SIX! Over the fence! A full toss, a gift and Rana hits it over the stand! He gets down on one knee and then hits it well over the square leg fence.

Rahul takes a few steps ahead! This is on a length and closer to the body of the batter. It is guided down to third man for one.

Very good running! A slower one on the pads, Tripathi works it through square leg with soft hands. Two taken.

Sandeep Sharma is back on. 2-0-23-0 are his figures so far.

On middle, Rana plays a reverse sweep to point.

Full delivery on off, Tripathi drives it through covers for a single.

FOUR! What a shot! Tossed up delivery on middle, Tripathi lofts it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Short delivery on middle, Tripathi pulls it through mid-wicket for a couple.

Googly on middle, Rana looks to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It goes past the keeper's legs towards fine leg for a single.

Flighted delivery on off, Tripathi pushes it through point for a single.

A single to end! Another huge over for Kolkata! A yorker on middle, this is jammed out towards point for one.

Shorter and on middle, Tripathi pulls but to mid-wicket.

A single now as this is worked through mid-wicket.

SIX! That is huge! It is the shorter side but it has gone all the way! The slog sweep, it is on middle, Rana connects and does so nicely. It goes over the mid-wicket fence.

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

FOUR! 10 from the last two balls then! Tripathi gets into the act! This is down the leg side. Rahul sweeps it through backward square leg and it races away.

Mohammad Nabi is back on. 2-0-16-0 are his figures so far.

SIX! Rana is on fire here! The last ball spoils the over completely! This is short and on the body, Rana swivels and pulls it well over the fine leg fence for a biggie.

Had Natarajan picked that up cleanly, it would have been close! Rana makes room, Natarajan follows him with a low full toss. He drives it back to the right of the bowler. Rana is off for a run but then realizes it is stopped by Natarajan as he dives to his right. One more dot.

One more yorker on middle, Tripathi jams it out towards mid-wicket for one more.

A yorker as Tripathi makes room. He jams it out to covers. A rare dot.

Shuffles across, Natarajan bowls it on off, it is guided down to third man for one more.

T Natarajan is back on.

Angled into the pads, this is worked through square leg for one.

SIX! 50 for Nitish Rana! It has been a solid innings from him. Short delivery on middle, Rana pulls it over square leg for a maximum.

Slower delivery on off, Tripathi punches it through covers for a single.

Short and outside off, Rana slaps it over point for a single.

Length delivery on middle, Tripathi flicks it through square leg for a run.

FOUR! That is smashed! Short again on middle, Tripathi pulls it over square leg for a boundary.

Short delivery outside off, Rana cuts it through point for a single.

DRINKS! It has been good going so far from Kolkata! Yes, they have lost Gill but Rana has looked nice and Tripathi has come out with a attacking mind-set and he is not letting the momentum the opening stand gathered slip away. Can they keep this going? Hyderabad, on the other hand, have done well to pull things back a little but they know, they need to keep taking wickets or this batting line-up is a long one and will make them pay. An interesting passage awaits.

On middle, Tripathi plays a slog sweep over mid-wicket. Vijay Shankar in the deep slides and does well to stop it before the ropes. Two runs taken.

Short delivery on off, Rana pushes it towards short third man for a run.

Full on middle, Tripathi lofts it over mid on for a single.

Googly on off, Tripathi looks to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads.

Flighted delivery on middle, Rana pushes it through mid on for a single.

A huge, huge appeal and up goes the finger! Rana reviews and indicates he has hit that! NOT OUT! There is a big inside edge! That is the only thing that could save Rana! It is a full toss on middle, Rana looks to play the reverse sweep but he seems to have missed it initially. It hits his pad. An appeal and the finger is raised. Rana reviews and replays show that he survives to fight another day.

BEATEN! A good end but an expensive second by Nabi! Quicker and outside off, Tripathi looks to defend but is beaten.

Deft! Shorter and outside off, Rahul waits for it and then guides it fine on the off side for two.

SIX! That is huge! Wow! He just walked out to bat but has nailed that one. It is slightly fuller and around off, Tripathi lofts it high and well over the long off fence for a biggie.

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

Catch it is the call but it is well away from the fielder! Tossed up outside off. Tripathi looks to drive it on the up but the ball grips, comes off slowly. It goes uppishly but wide of cover for one.

Fired into the pads, Rana works it through square leg for one.

Rahul Tripathi is the new batsman in.

OUT! BOWLED! Khan gets his first wicket! The champ strikes in his first over itself and it is an important wicket as this stand was really starting to flourish. It is the googly outside off, Gill seems to have picked it. He looks to go for the slog sweep which is with the turn but misses and the off stump goes for a walk.

Short delivery on middle, Rana punches it through mid on for a single.

Loopy delivery on middle, Rana keeps it out.

Floated delivery on middle, Rana flicks it towards the leg side and looks for a single. He is halfway down the track and Gill sends him back. The fielder goes for a direct hit at the keeper's end but misses it.

Short delivery on off, Gill punches it through point for a run.

Rashid Khan is on.

Short delivery on middle, Rana pulls it through mid-wicket for a single.

Loopy delivery on off, Gill punches it to covers. A tidy end to the Powerplay but a good start for Kolkata, solid start for them. They are 50 for 0 after the first 6.

Short delivery on off, Gill cuts it to point.

Floated delivery on off, Rana pushes it towards point for a single.

Loopy delivery on middle, Rana looks to play the reverse sweep but gets hit on the glove.

FOUR! Good shot! Flighted delivery on middle, Rana plays a paddle sweep towards fine leg for a boundary.

Tossed up delivery on middle, Rana flicks it to mid-wicket.

Mohammad Nabi is into the attack.

A single then to end the over! Rana takes a few steps ahead and this is a low full toss, it is hit to mid off for one. Natarajan too starts off expensively.

FOUR! Dragged away! This is angled into the middle pole, Rana hits it over mid-wicket. Gets the bottom hand in use and bags a boundary. It was not off the middle but got the result he wanted.

Sharp work from Saha! Length and on off, Rana looks to drop it on the off side. He looks to play it late. It goes off the underedge towards the keeper. Gill is off for a run but is sent back. Shaa gets to the ball quickly and has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Gill had to dive in there. He would have made it though.

A yorker then and on middle, Rana jams it out towards mid on.

A good slower one now, the length is dragged back. It is pushed towards cover for one.

T Natarajan is into the attack.

SIX! That is some shot! Some shot, have to say! Welcome into the attack, Natarajan! This is fuller and on middle, Gill shows the full face of the bat and lofts it well over the long on fence. Bowler under pressure. Not a good start by him.

A single then to end! A good over for Kolkata and they are off to a flier. On middle, this is worked to mid-wicket for one.

Crunched! Gill now steps out. This is on a length. He cracks it but straight to covers.

A single now! Very full, almost a yorker. It is jammed out towards mid off for one.

FOUR! Innovation at its best! That was premeditated and it was executed brilliantly! There is no one in the deep on the leg side. Rana goes down on one knee and drags this from outside off, over square leg for the third boundary in a row.

FOUR! Sharma is leaking runs here! Rana is on the charge! He steps out and makes room. This is on a length, it is slapped through covers for a boundary.

FOUR! Lovely from Rana! That is a wonderful shot. This is full and outside off. A slower one. Rana waits for it and then lofts it over the cover fielder. Goes for a one-bounce boundary. Another over which starts with a boundary.

So Kumar once again comes back strongly after going for a boundary on the first ball! A dot to end! On off, this is pushed to cover.

Good running! Fuller and on off, Rana pushes it towards mid off for one.

Another slower one. Rana waits for it and then guides it to point.

In the air... just short! Samad probably did not pick it! A slower one, it is on off. Rana is done in by the lack of pace. He is early in the shot. He ends up chipping it but it lands safe in the mid on region. Samad just did not run in quickly. That was in the air for some time.

Length now and on middle, Gill pushes it to mid on for one more.

FOUR! That is glorious! Just used the pace of the bowler. Let the ball come to him, this one is on the pads. He works it through mid-wicket. Another boundary. Kolkata scoring their runs in boundaries.

This one stayed slightly low but both the batters are going after Sandeep here! This is slightly shorter in length and outside off. Rana looks to go big on the leg side but misses. A good over for Kolkata. 9 from it.

FOUR! Smacked! Up and over! That was right off the middle. A slot ball. Full and on off, Rana lofts it over mid off. Races away to the fence.

Length again and on off, Rana guides it to point. He wants a run but is sent back.

FOUR! Inside edge and a boundary! A fortunate boundary but Rana won't care! He too steps out. The length is shortened and it is on middle, Rana looks to heave it across the line but gets an inside edge. It goes off the inside edge past the leg pole and down to the fine leg fence. Second boundary for Rana.

Gill uses his feet once again, this makes into a relatively full ball, it is driven towards mid off for one. He is off the mark.

Gill straightaway steps out, he expects Sandeep Sharma to swing the ball. Sandeep had to bowl it shorter and hence, no swing. It is pushed to covers.

Sandeep Sharma to bowl from the other end.

A huge, huge appeal but nothing from the umpire! A little too straight, it is on the pads. Rana looks to flick but misses to get hit on the pads. That one pitched outside leg. So, a boundary on the first ball and then five dots.

One more dot! Another one on a length, Rana guides it to point. Good comeback from Kumar so far.

Fuller and on middle, Rana is solid in defense.

Beaten! Gets some movement this time, lands it on off and slants it away. Rana pushes at it but is beaten.

Drags his length back, straightens the line too. This is worked to mid-wicket.

FOUR! That is an excellent way to get off the mark! However, Rana played that with no real foot movement. Kumar goes full, he looks for some swing but there ain't any. It is a half volley outside off. Rana creams it through covers. Boundary.

We are all set for the action to begin! The Hyderabad players make their way out to the middle. They are followed by the Kolkata openers, Shubman Gill and Nitish Rana, a new opening pair for Kolkata. They have gone for a left-hand, right-hand combination. Bhuvneshwar Kumar to start off. Here we go...

Andre Russell is down for an interview. He says he is always ready to bowl quick and he is in good shape and is looking forward for some good stuff. Mentions if he can bowl 4 overs, that gives his team a lot of balance and that is what he wants to do for his side putting his body on the line. Adds Morgan is a relaxed guy and gives the freedom to do what you want, DK was similar and he hopes he can do well for his skipper. Also says once they have the upper hand, they need to go for the kill, they fell short by a couple of runs in the last game and they have spoken about this and they want to minimize the mistake. Ends by saying this tournament is going to be different, he is happy they are back in India and he is looking forward to play in the conditions he is used to.

Kolkata (Playing XI) - Shubman Gill, Rahul Tripathi, Nitish Rana, Eoin Morgan (C), Dinesh Karthik (WK), Andre Russell, Shakib Al Hasan, Pat Cummins, Harbhajan Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Varun Chakravarthy.

Hyderabad (Playing XI) - David Warner (C), Jonny Bairstow, Wriddhiman Saha (WK), Manish Pandey, Vijay Shankar, Abdul Samad, Mohammad Nabi, Rashid Khan, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, T Natarajan, Sandeep Sharma.

Eoin Morgan, Kolkata skipper, says he is loving it, the background staff and everybody have been good and he is delighted to be here and he hopes they can make it into the playoffs. Informs the four overseas players are Russell, Cummins, Shakib and himself.

David Warner, Hyderabad skipper, says this wicket looks a lot drier, it won't change a lot, there was not a lot of dew in the last training session but if there is, they will know what to chase and it is good for them. Informs the four foreign players are Nabi, Bairstow, Rashid and himself.

TOSS - It is time for the spin of the coin. Both the captains are out in the middle. Hyderabad win the toss and elect to field first!

Pitch Report - Lisa Sthalekar is down with the pitch report. She says that the dimensions of the ground are 60 m to the right and 71 m to the left. Murali Kartik says that there is grass on the surface. Adds that it is a black soil wicket. Mentions that the wind is blowing and it will be important how the spinners will bowl. Further says that the pitch will be effective for the spinners.

The action is back in Chennai as it is now time for game number 3 of this year’s Indian T20 League. Hyderabad will be taking on Kolkata. Two sides with excellent bowing attacks will go head-to-head. Both will be eager to start off in a winning manner. Kolkata enjoy a better head to head record against Hyderabad but one has to believe the latter are slightly stronger on paper. Both the games so far has been won by the side chasing, is it going to be the same again? We will find out. Stay tuned for the toss.